Pulse Asia: 88% of Filipinos support drug war

FILE: President Rodrigo Duterte presents a chart illustrating a drug trade network of high level drug syndicates in the Philippines during a press conference, July 7, 2016 (Photo by King Rodriguez – Presidential Communications Operation Office, Public Domain)

MANILA —  All Filipinos are aware of the Duterte administration’s war on hard drugs, with majority of them or some 88 percent supporting its campaign, revealed a new survey released by Pulse Asia Research Inc. Monday.

The survey conducted from Sept. 24 to 30 noted the same levels of support obtained across geographic areas and socio-economic groupings at 84 percent to 94 percent and 80 percent to 89 percent, respectively.

Only 2 percent of Filipinos are not supportive of the campaign, while 9 percent are unable to say if they support or do not support. Less than 1 percent of Filipinos are unable to state their position on the issue.

More than half of them or 58 percent would like the leaders of the Catholic Church to assist with the rehabilitation of drug addicts. This is the preferred action of most Filipinos across areas and classes (53 percent to 64 percent and 54 percent to 60 percent, respectively).

Some 46 percent of Filipinos opt for the Church leaders to either monitor the conduct of the anti-illegal drugs campaign; while 40 percent want them to release statements expressing concern about the deaths that have taken place as a result of the campaign.

Both options have the support of most Visayans at 51 percent and 52 percent, respectively.

Others would like the Catholic Church leadership to assist in litigating alleged abusive law enforcers (28 percent) and to take a hands-off policy on the issue (13 percent).

Among the key events during the survey period include Senate’s investigation into the shipment of illegal drugs worth PhP6.4 billion; the Senate’s hearing into the suspected hazing death of law student Horacio Castillo III; and the sacking of virtually the entire Caloocan City police force in the aftermath of the killing of teenagers Karl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman.

The nationwide survey is based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. (PNA)