Behind the Badge: A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Lived Experiences of PNP-WCPC Enforcers Combating Trafficking in Persons in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines

Abstract

This​‍​‌‍​‍‌ phenomenological inquiry aimed to grasp the experiences of police officers of the Philippine National Police–Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines dealing with the trafficking in persons (TIP) challenge. Fifteen (15) officers who have had at least two years of frontline anti-trafficking experience were interviewed in-depth. The study, done according to Moustakas' transcendental phenomenological analysis, revealed the five core themes: (1) the trauma of witnessing child victimization deeply etched in memory, (2) emotional turmoil due to the conflict between the sense of duty and personal values, (3) moral distress existing and getting worse due to the involvement of the family side of the perpetrators, (4) having the strength and resolve even when faced with adversity of the institution and the emotions, and (5) being able to professionally grow from experiencing occupational strain on a regular basis. The officers indicated that they were emotionally burdened and that they had intrusive memories and psychological exhaustion especially when they were in the situation of handling children sexually exploited either by online means or something else. Even with these difficulties, enforcers showed loving-kindness, good moral principle, and ever-lasting feeling of duty toward the victims. Their lives were also affected by institutional barriers such as limited resources, shortage of staff, and poor cooperation among agencies. Some of the solutions are institutionalizing trauma-informed mental health services, energizing the interagency mechanisms, updating the logistical and digital forensic resources, and broadening the survivor-centered community education programs. The research provides a thorough understanding of the human side of the enforcement of TIP, which is less visible. It emphasized that anti-trafficking work of PNP-WCPC officers is multifaceted, involves heavy emotional labor, and requires the workers to have great moral ​‍​‌‍​‍‌courage.