Exploring the Contributory Factors of Homicide Victimization within the Province of Pampanga, Philippines

In the province of Pampanga, Philippines, particularly from 2019-2022, homicide victimization is considered the third highest crime category in the region. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring and evaluating the factors contributing to homicide victimization in Pampanga during the specific years. The descriptive research design was employed using the survey questionnaire and secondary data sources to answer the objectives of the study. A survey questionnaire was distributed purposively to 101 Police Commissioned Officers (PCO) and Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO) stationed at various police stations in Pampanga. The study revealed that the homicide incidents in the province of Pampanga, Philippines from 2019-2022 occurred often in the evening and midnight during the first quarter. Homicide incidents can occur in public and private places and the perpetrators were sometimes under the influence of alcohol/liquor, and the weapons often used were guns/firearm, knives, and other blunt/bladed instruments. The motives of the perpetrators are usually out of anger or hatred, heated argument and revenge, and the often modus operandi were shooting the victims and stabbing or hacking the victims. Furthermore, the study also revealed that the crime prevention programs to prevent the occurrence of homicide incidents in Pampanga, Philippines were always implemented. Positive correlations were observed to the time of occurrence, involvement of perpetrators, weapons used, motives and community involvement.