Palace: Public satisfaction with drug war ‘clear repudiation’ of detractors

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday welcomed the results of the recent survey showing majority of Filipinos remaining satisfied with President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, calling it another “loud and clear repudiation” of the administration’s critics.

According to a survey by the Social Weather Station, some 82 percent of adult Filipinos said they were satisfied with the government’s crackdown against illegal drugs in the second quarter of 2019 while only 12 percent said they were dissatisfied with it, and six percent said they were undecided.

READ: 82% of Filipinos satisfied with campaign vs drugs in Q2 2019

“This is once again a loud and clear repudiation of the incorrigible opposition and vocal detractors of the President and his Administration who continue to spread lies and taint the reputation of the current government,” Duterte’s spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“This too shall serve as a refutal against those countries who unceasingly make an affront against our sovereign state by expressing their pretended concern but failing to consider the preference of the Filipino people in addressing the social problem,” he added.

Since taking power in 2016, Duterte has made the crackdown on illegal drugs the focal point of his administration, continuing the brutal campaign against illegal drugs which he used in Davao City when he was the mayor.

Local and international human rights watchdogs have expressed their opposition to Duterte’s drug war, citing alleged violations of human rights, which the government vehemently denied.

Panelo, who is also Duterte’s legal counsel, said “the will of the people has remained unchanged” towards the government’s drug war.

“Instead of finding ways to bombard this Administration with their intolerant remarks, these negative forces should take a cue from our people’s sentiments, start having an appreciation of the efforts of a tireless Chief Executive, and contribute in building a safe, secure and prosperous nation,” he said. /je