Almost half of Filipinos think death of innocent in drug war inevitable – SWS

The 46% was composed of 21% who strongly agree, and 24% who somewhat agree. The portion of those who did not agree reached 35%, with 15% who somewhat disagree, and 20% who strongly disagree. The remaining 19% were undecided. (Shutterstock photo)

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) Survey found that 46% of adult Filipinos agree that innocent citizens dying in the government’s war against illegal drugs cannot be avoided.

Fielded on September 23-27, the Third Quarter 2017 SWS survey summed up the answers of 1500 adults nationwide through face-to-face interviews which revealed a net agreement score of +10, classified as moderately strong.

The 46% was composed of 21% who strongly agree, and 24% who somewhat agree. The portion of those who did not agree reached 35%, with 15% who somewhat disagree, and 20% who strongly disagree. The remaining 19% were undecided.

“Net agreement that innocent casualties cannot be avoided in the drug war was highest in the Visayas at a moderately strong +21,” SWS said.

This was followed by Metro Manila at a moderately strong +18, Balance Luzon at a neutral +9, and lastly, Mindanao at a neutral +1.

SWS noted that the net satisfaction with President Rodrigo Duterte of those who agreed and disagreed highly varied.

This survey also found that 49% agree that the administration had people who secretly observe and report citizens who use and sell illegal drugs.

The 25% of strongly agree and 24% somewhat agree.

19% disagree, with 10% who somewhat disagree, and 10% (correctly rounded) who strongly disagree. The remaining 31% were undecided.

According to SWS, “This gives a net agreement score of moderately strong +29.”

The net agreement was highest in Metro Manila scoring +50, classified as extremely strong. This was followed by Balance Luzon at a moderately strong +29, Mindanao at a moderately strong +26, then Visayas at a moderately strong +21.

“Net satisfaction with Pres. Duterte (good +38) tends to be lower among those who disagree that the government probably has people who secretly observe and report drug users and pushers, compared to those who agree (very good +52) and were undecided (good +47),” the report said.

Respondents were asked if they strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree, or were undecided to the statement “Hindi maiiwasan na may mamatay na inosenteng mamamayan upang tuluyang masugpo ang illegal na droga sa ating bansa (It cannot be avoided that there are innocent citizens who will die in order to completely eradicate the illegal drug problem in the country).”

They were also asked what they thought of the statement “Sa lugar namin, malamang na may mga tauhan ang administrasyon na sekretong nag-oobserba at nagsusumbong kung sinu-sino ang mga gumagamit at kung sinu-sino ang mga nagbebenta ng mga ilegal na droga (In our area, the administration probably has people who secretly observe and report those who are user and those who are sellers of illegal drugs)

600 respondents came from Balance Luzon, 300 from Metro Manila, 300 from Visayas, and 300 from Mindanao.