65% of Filipinos nod to end Martial Law in Mindanao by end-2019

FILE: Clad in full battle gear, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visits the war-torn Marawi City for the third time on August 24, 2017 to boost the morale of the government troops from the Joint Special Operations Task Force Trident. During his visit, the President shared words of encouragement to the troops and vowed anew that he will cover the educational expense for their children. He also handed financial assistance, food packs, and watches. Not minding the dangers of the ongoing battle to reclaim Marawi City from the terrorists, the President ordered his convoy to stop at an area outside the safe zone so he could inspect the damages near ground zero and talk to the troops guarding the buildings which were previously occupied by terrorists from the Maute Group. President Duterte also made a stopover at a temporary patrol base where he tried out a sniper rifle and fired it towards the direction of the enemies. PHOTO BY SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

As the country starts its countdown to welcoming 2020, a nationwide survey released on Sunday, December 29, found that a majority of the Filipinos believe that martial law in Mindanao should expire by the end of 2019.

Social Weather Stations’ (SWS’) fourth-quarter 2019 survey asked 1,200 adults the question, “Sa inyong palagay, ang Martial Law ba sa Mindanao ay dapat matapos sa dulo ng 2019, o palawigin pa nang mas mahabang panahon? (In your opinion, should martial law in Mindanao lapse at end-2019, or be extended for a longer period?)” to which 65% answered that the military rule should lapse at the end of this year.

Thirty-four percent answered that Martial Law in Mindanao should be extended for a longer period, while only 1% did not give an answer.

“Of the 34% who support the extension of Martial Law beyond 2019, 22% say it should be extended in the entire Mindanao, 7% say it should be extended in Marawi City and the province of Lanao del Sur, and 5% say it should be extended in Marawi City, the province of Lanao del Sur, and nearby provinces,” SWS said.

The pollster further noted that the proportion of the respondents calling for the termination of Martial law beyond its deadline is “high in all areas” with 67% in Metro Manila, 67% in Visayas, 66% in Balance Luzon, and 61% in Mindanao.

This survey that was conducted from December 13 to 16, also revealed that 49% agree to the statement “Sa kasalukuyan, wala nang banta na ang isa pang pag-atakeng terorista gaya ng sa Marawi ay mangyayari saan man sa Mindanao (At present, there is no more threat that another Marawi-like terrorist attack can happen anywhere in Mindanao).”

Twenty percent strongly agree to the statement while 29% somewhat agree. While 16% disagree (consisting of 9% somewhat disagree and 7% strongly disagree.) Thirty-five percent are undecided about it.

SWS then stated, “This gives a net agreement score (% strongly/somewhat agree minus % somewhat/strongly disagree) of +33, classified by SWS as very strong,”

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte placed Mindanao under military rule when the Maute fighters began the Marawi siege on May 23, 2017 that lasted for five months. Upon his request, the Congress extended martial law thrice – first extending its 60 days enforcement to until end of 2017, then until end-2018, and until the end of 2019.