8 of 10 Filipinos aware, supportive of peace talks and reforms

Photo from Jesus Dureza’s Facebook account

Most Filipinos were aware of the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and will support the reforms that the talks will yield, according to a survey by an independent think tank.

In its research, Ibon Foundation said 1,170 survey respondents or 77.7 percent answered “yes” when asked if they were aware of the peace negotiations, while 333 or 22.1 percent of respondents answered “no.”

Ibon said almost 85 percent or 992 respondents answered in the affirmative when asked if they will support the comprehensive agreements on political and economic reforms that will be discussed during the talks, while only eight percent or 92 respondents answered otherwise.

The survey, conducted from Sept. 1 to 12, garnered a total of 1,505 respondents and had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

The government and the NDFP panels were set to resume the next round of formal peace talks from Oct. 6 to 10 in Oslo, Norway.

READ: PH peace panel ready for 2nd round of talks with NDF

The first round of talks was wrapped up last Aug. 28 also in Oslo, which saw both panels ink a joint statement including the reaffirmation of previously signed agreements, reconstitution of the Joint Agreement for Security and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig) and acceleration of the peace process. RAM/rga

READ: PH gov’t, NDF sign joint statement; end of talks eyed in 1 year