Pinoys back suit filed vs. China's Xi Jinping in the ICC —SWS

A survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed that 49 percent of the Filipinos agree with the case filed by former government officials against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The survey’s test statement was: “The suit filed in the ICC by Albert Del Rosario and Conchita Carpio-Morales, former officials of the PH government, against Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping for wrongful destruction of the livelihood of Filipino fisherman shows the world that China should leave the islands it has occupied in the West Philippine Sea."

To this, 27% said they strongly agree, and 22% somewhat agree, or a total of 49% in agreement.

As for those in disagreement, 7% said they strongly disagree and 10% somewhat disagree.  A big portion remains undecided at 28%.

Deducting those who disagree from those who agree (49% minus 17%) gives a net agreement score of 32%, which according to the SWS is “very strong.”

SWS terminologies for Net Agreement are also follows: +50 and above, “Extremely Strong”; +30 to +49, “Very Strong”; +10 to +29, “Moderately Strong”, +9 to –9, “Neutral”; –10 to –29, “Moderately Weak”; –30 to –49, “Very Weak”; –50 and below, “Extremely Weak”.

The First Quarter 2019 Social Weather Survey was conducted  from March 28-31 using face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 360 each in Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±2.6% for national percentages, and ±5% each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao).

The survey was non-commissioned.

On March 15, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Morales filed a case before the ICC against Xi and other Chinese officials for allegedly committing crimes against humanity in connection with China's activities to gain control over most of the South China Sea.

The case was filed two days before the Philippines exited from the ICC on President Rodrigo Duterte’s order because of the tribunal’s alleged interference in the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. —LDF, GMA News