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SWS says more Filipinos worried about becoming EJK victims
Worry about becoming victims of EJK was seen “highest” in Visayas at 83 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 79 percent, Mindanao at 78 percent, and Balance Luzon at 75 percent. (Pixabay photo)
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported on Friday, March 1, that majority of Filipinos are worried that they, or anyone they know, will become a victim of extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
In its Fourth Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey, done on December 16-19 last year, the pollster asked its respondents the question, “Gaano po kayo nangangamba na kayo o sino mang kilala ninyo ay maging biktima ng ‘extrajudicial killing’ o EJK (How worried are you that you or anyone you know will be a victim of ‘extrajudicial killing’ or EJK)?”
Responding to this, 78 percent said they are “worried,” while 22 percent said otherwise.
“This compares to June 2017 when 73% said they are worried (41% very worried, 32% somewhat worried), and 27% said they are not worried (13% not too worried, 14% not worried at all),” the SWS said.
Worry about becoming victims of EJK was seen “highest” in Visayas at 83 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 79 percent, Mindanao at 78 percent, and Balance Luzon at 75 percent.
The December 2018 survey also revealed that 50 percent of its respondents said “only the poor” are the usual victims of EJK, while three percent said “only the rich.”
Majority or 48 percent of them, on the other hand, said the problem “does not choose a class.”
Asked if they know anyone who has been an EJK victim, 12 percent of Filipino adults claimed they personally know, while 87 percent said they do not.
Many respondents, or 71 percent, also believe that the government is “serious” in solving the EJK problem, an eight-point increase from the 63 percent in June 2017.
The latest survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,440 Filipinos nationwide; 360 each in Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.
This poll came after the SWS released a survey on February 27 which disclosed that many Filipinos think policemen took part in EJKs, illegal drug trade, as well as planting of evidence against drug suspects.
