Deviance and Crime in the Philippines: A Sociology Fiche | ORBITECH

Why should you care? Hook: The Manila jeepney dilemma

Every day in Manila, you see jeepneys overloaded with passengers—technically illegal but socially accepted. Is this deviance or just practical adaptation?
Ask: Who defines the 'rules'? The LTO or the commuters?
In Cebu, cybercrime cases rose 300% during the pandemic—why do some crimes explode while others stay hidden?
Think: opportunity + motivation + lack of guardianship
At UPCAT, expect 1-2 questions linking deviance to social inequality. Can you explain why?
Rich vs poor: same act, different consequences

Deviance is any behavior that violates social norms or expectations. Not all deviance is illegal—just socially disapproved.
Remember: norms ≠ laws. Jaywalking is deviant but not always punished.
Crime is a subset of deviance that violates written laws and is punishable by the state.
All crimes are deviant, but not all deviance is criminal
In the Philippines, disrespecting elders (pakikisama norm) is deviant even if not illegal.
Local example: ignoring "po" and "opo" in conversations
Formal deviance breaks official rules; informal deviance breaks everyday norms.
Formal: robbery. Informal: wearing slippers to a formal event

Street crimes: pickpocketing in Divisoria or muggings in Quiapo at night.
High-density areas = higher opportunity
White-collar crimes: corruption in government contracts (e.g., Pharmally scandal).
Follow the money, not the gun
Cybercrime: online scams targeting OFWs (e.g., fake job offers from "Canada").
Beware the "Nigerian prince" but in Tagalog
Jueteng and illegal gambling: tolerated in some communities, punished in others.
Social tolerance varies by class and location
Juvenile delinquency: youth gangs in Tondo or gang-related killings in Davao.
Poverty + lack of opportunities = higher risk

Functionalist theory (Durkheim): Deviance is normal and necessary—it reinforces social boundaries.
Crime creates jobs: police, lawyers, prisons, even criminology professors!
Strain theory (Merton): When people can't achieve goals (money, status) legally, they innovate—sometimes illegally.
College grad working as a call center agent vs selling drugs
Labeling theory (Becker): Deviance is created by society labeling certain acts as deviant. Self-fulfilling prophecy!
Once labeled "troublemaker," you act like one
Conflict theory: Laws and norms reflect the interests of powerful groups. Crime is often a response to inequality.
Rich people speed; poor people get arrested for it
Social disorganization theory: Weak community ties lead to higher crime rates (e.g., informal settlements).
Neighborhood watch programs work because they strengthen social bonds

Formal social control: Laws, police, courts, prisons. Example: The PNP's "Oplan Tokhang" against illegal drugs.
The stick approach: punishments
Informal social control: Shame, gossip, family pressure. Example: "Hiya" culture in Filipino families.
The Filipino "baka mapahiya ka" works better than fines
Religious control: Churches condemn certain behaviors (e.g., pre-marital sex, gambling).
Catholic teachings shape many norms
Economic control: Access to jobs and education deters crime. Example: Scholarships for at-risk youth.
Prevention > punishment
Community programs: Barangay tanods and neighborhood watch groups.
Safety in numbers and visibility

Metro Manila has the highest crime rates per capita, but Davao City is often cited as safer due to strict local governance.
Perception vs reality: Ask why Davao is perceived as safer
Juvenile crimes in Quezon City increased 15% in 2022 according to PNP reports (but underreporting is common).
Numbers tell part of the story—context matters
Cybercrime complaints reached 50,000+ in 2023, with online scams as the top category.
Digital age = new crime opportunities
Drug-related cases dominate court dockets, but conviction rates vary widely by region.
Justice delayed is justice denied
Most crimes go unreported due to distrust in authorities or fear of retaliation.
Silence protects criminals more than victims

The Manila Bay cleanup is a government project to reduce pollution and illegal fishing.
Environmental deviance affects everyone
Local fishermen resist regulations, arguing they have no alternative livelihoods.
Who is the deviant here? The fishermen or the system that failed them?
This shows how social control must balance formal laws with informal norms and economic realities.
Top-down solutions often fail without community buy-in
The case demonstrates Merton's strain theory: goals (livelihood) vs means (legal fishing quotas).
When legal paths fail, people find illegal ones
Solution? Provide alternative livelihood programs or enforce quotas fairly.
Prevention beats punishment every time

Durkheim's "Suicide" (1897) argued deviance is normal and necessary: Deviance helps society define its moral boundaries
Philippine Anti-Cybercrime Act (2012) created the Cybercrime Unit under PNP: First major law addressing digital crimes
Manila was ranked 3rd most densely populated city in the world (2023): High density correlates with higher crime rates
Davao City's "Davao Death Squads" controversy began in the 1990s: Shows informal social control taken to extreme
NAT includes 10-15% of questions on social issues like deviance and crime: UPCAT may ask you to apply theories to Philippine cases