Police Performance in the Second District of Eastern Samar: A Quantitative Study of Filipino Youth Perceptions and Social Media Use

Abstract

Government restrictions during the pandemic required police officers to assume the dual role of first responders and enforcers of newly established public safety measures. The absence of clearly defined pandemic-specific policing protocols placed officers in situations that demanded difficult enforcement decisions. Securing compliance through fear of punishment runs counter to the principles of community policing and risks weakening credibility and police–community relationships, especially among the youth. During this period, social media became the primary channel for public information. Consequently, police agencies utilized digital platforms both to support enforcement efforts and to strengthen public trust and legitimacy. This study investigated youth perceptions of the Philippine National Police (PNP) reform initiatives in the Second District of Eastern Samar and examined the relationship between public perceptions of police performance and youth social media use as a basis for policy formulation. A cross-sectional research design was employed. The 47-item survey instrument, adapted from Maslov (2017), Johnson (2019), and Nadal (2015), measured perceptions of police performance, public trust, legitimacy, police–citizen relations, and involvement in corruption. The instrument underwent validation using Cronbach's Alpha .94 and demonstrated excellent reliability. The respondents were youth aged 18–24 residing in the Second District of Eastern Samar. Using convenience sampling and the G-power sample size calculator, a sample of 146 respondents was determined from a population of 513,973 at a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank-order correlation to determine relationships among variables. Results revealed a significant association between public perception and police performance. Social media use was also found to influence public perception and evaluations of police performance. Findings indicate that youth perceptions of the police were generally positive, reflecting trust, favorable relations, and recognition of legitimacy, while views on police corruption remained neutral. The study suggests that youth perceptions are shaped by personal encounters and exposure to social media content. Positive portrayals of police on social media may enhance trust and legitimacy, whereas negative coverage may diminish public confidence. The study recommends the development of policies guiding police use of social media to strengthen community engagement and participation.