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INTERNATIONAL STUDY SHOWS

Big majority of Pinoys still favor Duterte, war on drugs


An international study shows that a large majority of Filipinos continue to have favorable opinion of President Rodrigo Duterte and his war on illegal drugs.

American think tank Pew Research Center interviewed 1,000 Filipinos from February to May 2017 for its Global Attitudes Survey.

The think tank noted that the survey was conducted before the police's killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos, which has posed questions on how the police carry out Duterte's war on drugs.

"Duterte is well-liked domestically and his policies, including his approach to the war on drugs, are generally popular among Filipinos," the study says.

According to survey, 86% of Filipinos hold a favorable opinion of Duterte, with 41% saying they are "very favorable" of the President. Only 12% of Filipinos view him unfavorably.

Pew Research Center added that around two-thirds or more approve of the job Duterte is doing.

Also, 78% approve of his handling of illegal drugs issue. Large majorities also support his stance on crime, corruption and terrorism.

Even among those who view Duterte unfavorably, more than half approve of his handling of illegal drugs (59%), corruption (55%), terrorism (55%) and the economy (54%). However, 55% disapprove of his handling of crime.

The research also found that 62% believes the government is making progress in its campaign against illegal drugs, while 21% say that things are the same as they were in the past and 15% say the government is losing ground.

Malacañang on Saturday said it welcomes these findings, and reiterated that the war on drugs will continue to be relentless.

"Our campaign against illegal drugs and criminals continues to get unwavering support from our people," it said in a statement.

"The campaign against illegal drugs, as the President said, would be relentless until the drug apparatus is dismantled, the last drug pusher is out of the streets, and the last drug trafficker behind bars," it added. —LBG, GMA News

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