SWS: 60% of Filipinos believe gov’t shouldn’t stop int’l probe on drug war deaths

MANILA, Philippines — Sixty percent of Filipinos believe that the government should not stop international groups in investigating the deaths from the anti-drug campaign, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed. 

According to the survey released Monday, 26 percent of Filipinos “strongly agree” while 34 percent “somewhat agree” to let international groups, such as the United Nations, investigate the deaths in the drug war that allegedly involve the country’s police force.

The survey, conducted from June 22 to 26, came weeks before the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution to prepare a “comprehensive” international report on the human rights situation in the country. 

READ: Let probers in, UN rights body asks PH government

The survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults, and had a margin of error of ±3 percent. 

The respondents were asked: 

“Pakisabi po kung kayo ay sumasang-ayon o hindi sumasang-ayon sa mga statements o pangungusap na ito: Hindi dapat hadlangan ng gobyerno ang pag-iimbestiga ng mga grupong internasyonal, kagaya ng United Nations, sa pagpatay ng mga Pilipinong pulis sa napakaraming drug suspek na diumano ay nanlaban sa kanila. Lubos na sumasang-ayon, Medyo sumasang-ayon, Hindi tiyak kung sumasang-ayon o hindi sumasang-ayon, Medyo hindi sumasang-ayon, o Lubos na hindi sumasang-ayon.” 

(Please indicate if you agree or disagree with the following statements: The government should not block the investigation of international groups, like the United Nations, into the killing by the Philippine police of many drug suspects who supposedly fought back. Strongly agree, Somewhat agree, Undecided if agree or disagree, Somewhat disagree, or Strongly disagree.) /je