CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN PROTECTION DESK (WCPD) IN HANDLING CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW (CICL) CASES IN SELECTED CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES IN PANGASINAN

Abstract

Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) require specialized interventions that balance public safety with the protection of children's rights under the Philippine juvenile justice system. Despite the enactment of Republic Act No. 9344, as amended by Republic Act No. 10630, Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) officers continue to encounter operational challenges that affect the effective implementation of child-sensitive procedures. This study assessed the operational challenges experienced by WCPD officers in handling CICL cases in selected cities and municipalities in Pangasinan and examined whether these challenges were associated with the officers' demographic characteristics. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed involving 45 WCPD officers from six police stations selected through total enumeration. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, weighted means, and Pearson product-moment correlation. The findings revealed that officers encountered moderate challenges during the initial contact, actual investigation, and logistical phases of handling CICL cases. The most common operational concerns included verifying the child's age due to the absence of birth records, parental interference during investigations, delays in coordination with the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) and Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO), inadequate child-friendly facilities, and insufficient logistical and financial resources. Correlation analysis showed no statistically significant relationship between officers' demographic profiles and the operational challenges they encountered, indicating that the identified problems are largely institutional rather than individual. The study recommends strengthening inter-agency coordination, enhancing specialized training, improving logistical support, upgrading child-friendly facilities, and increasing institutional investment in juvenile justice implementation to ensure more effective and child-sensitive policing.