This descriptive study aimed to determine the level of effectiveness of 23rd Special Action Company, 2nd Special Action Battalion in its counter-insurgency efforts in selected municipalities in Zambales Province focusing on its operational capabilities along police community relations, intelligence gathering, tactical operation, and counterpart coordination. It also looked into the problems and challenges encountered in countering insurgency as basis in crafting an action plan. The participants of this study were the 56 operatives from the said Company, operating personnel from the Philippine Army and other PNP Units within the area of operation. A researcher-made questionnaire was the tool used in gathering data which were treated using frequencies, and weighted means.
The results showed that the Company was effective in countering insurgency. Of the four (4) variables under the level of effectiveness, intelligence gathering capability needed improvement in order to be more effective. The limitation of their number was identified as a big factor to be looked upon by the higher headquarters to enable the 23SAC to fully accomplish its mandate in Internal Security Operations in Zambales. Yet, despite the problems and challenges encountered by the said Company, it did not limit their performance and effectiveness in countering insurgency. The action plan was recommended for a purposive Police Community Relations works in the identified mass bases of the local communist terrorists and utilization of C3 – Consult, Coordinate and Cooperate to deepen or improve intelligence gathering and counter-coordination capabilities.