Wartime image and healing wounds in peacetime from the eyes of the maritime police officers: the studies of Zamboanga city armed conflict

Abstract

This article presents the accounts of marine police personnel who were present during the armed conflict in 2013 in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Peninsula, Region IX, Philippines. This study is qualitative-descriptive, utilizing an approved research protocol. A total of 4 maritime police officers from the regional maritime group participated in an in depth interview and 6 in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The data was obtained using the approved interview guide by the ethics committee. The transcripts were analyzed and interpreted using thematic analysis. It draws on descriptions of wartime experiences of the maritime police and post-conflict situations. Two themes emerge during the analysis of the collected data: (1) wartime experiences of the maritime police and (2) the post-conflict situation. The data showed that both images of war characterized a gloomy and inspirational scene. Further, the findings have several identified repercussions caused by the armed conflict and advances for humanity in post-conflict scenarios. Future research implications are discussed, and topics that are pertinent to armed conflict are identified.