Survey results on war on drugs repudiation to Duterte’s critics, Palace says

September 23, 2019

Malacanang said on Monday the high satisfaction rating on President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs was a "repudiation" to his critics and detractors, including other countries.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace welcomes the latest survey of the Social Weather Stations ( SWS) showing that 82 percent of adult Filipinos were satisfied with the government's campaign against illegal drugs.

"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," he said. 

"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," said Panelo,also the chief presidential legal counsel.

Last July, 18 countries supported an Iceland resolution calling for an investigation by the United Nations Human Rights Council against the Philippines' bloody war on drugs.

Panelo noted that the recent survey result, which was equivalent to "excellent satisfaction rating," remains unchanged from the pre-election survey taken last March on Duterte's campaign against prohibited narcotics.

"Our people have spoken, and indeed, they have felt the genuine change brought about by the leadership of PRRD, coming from the fact that the most common reason given by the respondents who expressed satisfaction in favor of the campaign against illegal drugs is that 'drug suspects have lessened'," he said.

Instead of finding ways "to bombard" the Duterte administration with "intolerant remarks," Panelo said the "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."

The Duterte administration has been criticized for its bloody campaign against illegal drugs. 

Over 6,000 individuals have already been killed in the government's war on drugs since July 2016. Celerina Monte/DMS