Operational Readiness is a concept that confronts organizations. In the PNP, specialized organizations like Special Action Force, Special Weapons and Tactics Team, and Public Safety Teams are always expected to be operationally ready because the battles they confront are not ordinary. They are expected to be proficient against extreme threats and crises situations.
The study assessed the operational readiness of Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company (CPPSC) against terroristic attack, as basis towards the development of a localized anti-terrorism plan. Specifically, this study assessed the operational readiness of Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company against terroristic attacks in terms of personnel; logistics; systems and procedures; and community support. It also traced the problems encountered that affect the operational readiness of Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company against terroristic attacks. It found out the measures that can be proposed to address the problems encountered that affect the operational readiness of the Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company. The significant differences among the assessments of the three groups of respondents on the operational readiness of Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company, problems encountered, and the corresponding measures were also assessed. An action plan was also proposed based on the findings of the study.
The province of Cavite serves as the research locale. Respondents of the study included the personnel of the Cavite Provincial Police Office, and the Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company as well as the local government officials who served as the representatives of the community.
Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the respondents from the Police Provincial Office, Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company and the Local Government Officials agree on the trainings on mission and assault planning, firearms handling, close quarter battle, sniping, edged/impact weapons, fieldcraft; the purchase of communication equipment; the training on crisis management committee operational procedures and the conduct of lectures for school and community members about terrorism. The respondents from the Police Provincial office, Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company and the Local Government Officials differ in their opinions on the operational readiness of the Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company, but have similar viewpoints on the problems of personnel, systems and procedures, and community support. Moreover, the groups of respondents have differences on the recommended measures in terms of logistics, systems and procedures, and community support. The action plan for enhanced operational readiness of the Cavite Provincial Public Safety Company includes standardized extensive trainings, logistics, capability enhancement, seminar on crisis management operating procedures, and community linkages against terroristic attacks.
Based on the conclusions of the study, the following were the recommendations: An anti-criminality campaign must be formulated by Cavite based on identifying areas and situations with great terror threats. This is to make the operations of the PPSC more efficient. A selection criteria must be written down for the aspiring members of the Cavite PPSC. The members must be selected based on knowledge and skills, merit, experience and preparedness. The Cavite PPSC must make a policy that leaders of the organization must be thoroughly selected based on high standard of managerial and leadership skills. An annual planning must be made on the logistics requirements of the Cavite PPSC. Seminars and trainings must also be scheduled such that all members of Cavite PPSC will be informed and updated of their needed skills and knowledge. A yearly program must be made between PPSC and the community, including the local government units, in order to enhance community support.