Palace says survey result on war on drugs “repudiation” to detractors

December 25, 2019

Malacanang welcomed on Monday the latest result of a survey showing most Filipinos were satisfied with the Duterte administration's war against illegal drugs.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the result of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey was a "repudiation" to the the critics.

"Once again, this is a loud and clear repudiation of the rambunctious political opposition and cantankerous detractors of President Rodrigo Roa (Duterte) and his administration who continue to spread lies and fake narratives to taint the significant headways of the current government," he said.

Panelo, also the chief presidential legal counsel, said the survey finding should serve as a "wake-up call" to foreign countries and entities to take their cue from the "genuine sentiments" of the Filipinos and cease from continuous affront against the Philippines, which is a sovereign state, "with their pretended or feigned concern about human rights."

The Third Quarter 2019 SWS survey found that 79 percent of adult Filipinos are satisfied with the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs.

Panelo noted that the same survey revealed "a miniscule 15 percent" have expressed dissatisfaction on the drug war.

"Our people have spoken of their satisfaction, and this was based on the following incontrovertible realities on the ground which they themselves expressed: drug suspects have lessened at 42 percent; drug suspects have been arrested at 18 percent; lessened crime at 11 percent; it diminished the drug trade at 8 percent; protected the youth from drugs at 6 percent; and improved peace and order at 5 percent," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS