CRIMES LINKED TO DRUG WAR In this Sept. 13, 2024 photo, the quad committee of the House of Representatives resumes its investigation of cases of extrajudicial killings under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.—HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Six out of 10 Filipinos favor the House of Representatives quad committee’s investigations into extrajudicial killings (EJKs), illegal drugs, and illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (Pogos), according to the latest Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Stratbase Group.
The survey, conducted from Nov. 26, 2024, to Dec. 3, 2024, showed that 61 percent of Filipinos were in favor of the investigations conducted by four House committees. Only 11 percent—or one out of 10 Filipinos—were not in favor, while 24 percent were undecided.
Support was strongest in Metro Manila at 73 percent, followed by Luzon outside Metro Manila at 66 percent and the Visayas at 59 percent.
The Dutertes’ bailiwick Mindanao, meanwhile, showed the lowest support at 46 percent. However, the number of those who cannot say whether they favor the investigations or not was highest in Mindanao with 30 percent. This was followed by the Visayas at 24 percent, Luzon outside Metro Manila at 23 percent, and Metro Manila at 17 percent.
Class divide
The number of those who oppose the investigations was lowest in Luzon outside Metro Manila at only 6 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 8 percent, the Visayas at 14 percent, and Mindanao at 20 percent.
Support was highest among those in Classes ABC at 64 percent. This was closely followed by Class D at 62 percent, with Class E at 52 percent.
Opposition was highest in Class E at 20 percent, followed by Classes ABC at 16 percent and Class D at 10 percent. Those undecided were highest among those in Class D at 25 percent, then Class E at 23 percent, and Classes ABC at 16 percent.
Across socioeconomic classes, 3 percent of Class D and 5 percent each of Classes ABC and E said they lacked knowledge about the issues.
Name erring officials
The survey results also revealed that 37 percent of Filipinos wanted the quad committee to identify government officials behind the EJKs, illegal drugs, and illegal Pogos. Another 27 percent hoped for new laws addressing these issues, while 11 percent wanted the investigations to facilitate the prosecution and conviction of those involved in these criminal networks.
Another 5 percent said they hoped that public trust in the government would be restored, while 9 percent said they wanted truth, justice, and healing among Filipinos.
Meanwhile, 7 percent said they lacked the knowledge to give an opinion about the issues.
The survey involved 2,400 respondents with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percent.
Source: Stratbase Group, Pulse Asia