Albayalde says something amiss with how SWS framed questions about alleged EJK

For the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), there is something wrong with
how the Social Weather Stations (SWS) framed its question for the survey about Filipinos fearing to be victims of extrajudicial killing (EJK).

In a press conference on Monday, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde claimed that the SWS survey missed the crucial point of determining the respondents' awareness of EJK.

"It shouldn't be surprising that 78 percent are afraid of getting killed. Who is not afraid to die anyway? I do not want to dispute the statistics derived by the SWS except that there is something amiss with how the questions are framed in relation to the perception of the alleged police involvement in illegal drugs and alleged EJK," Albayalde said.

"It bothers us na parang lumalabas na we are trying to condition the minds of our people na palaging mayroong alleged na EJK. If we'll see, nakita natin during the first few months of presidency ni President Duterte, talagang bulusok 'yung war on drugs," he added.

In its latest survey, the SWS bared that nearly eight out of every 10 Filipinos are worried that they or anyone they know will be a victim of EJK, with 50 percent believing that only the poor are victimized by EJK.

Despite the result of the poll, Albayalde said a large number of Filipinos still support the Duterte administration's controversial campaign against illegal drugs.

The PNP chief also emphasized that alleged cases of EJK in the country are not yet proven: "In the first place, wala tayong ma-prove na EJK. No less than the human rights said that na hanggang ngayon wala namang ma-prove na there is EJK."

Albayalde reminded pollster SWS of its "social responsibility" of telling the truth, adding that it should not let itself to be used in politics.

"'Yung mga ganitong agency sana hindi magpagamit sa politics. Let us be fair to the Filipino people. They deserve the truth. Huwag natin pagamit 'yung ating opisina sa any political party or any political exercise for that matter..." Albayalde said.

"Let us be responsible enough... we really don't know anong motivation nito. This is a private agency that we have no control of. Hindi natin alam kung 'yan ay nagagamit o hindi," he added.

Bloodier war on drugs

Albayalde was also asked about President Rodrigo Duterte's recent remarks that his war on drugs will be "bloodier."

The PNP chief said he believes Duterte was just emphasizing that the government still needs to put more effort in curbing the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.

"The statement of the President 'pag sinabi niyang talagang bloodier, more chilling... this is one way of him to emphasize and focus on our campaign against illegal drugs dahil nakita ng ating Presidente na despite our effort... marami pa rin at malaki pa rin ang problema sa ilegal na droga," he said.

"This is one way of him, emphasizing 'yung kailangan pa natin na i-double time o i-triple time 'yung effort natin on illegal drugs," Albayalde added.

The government's war on drugs had been criticized by both local and international human rights groups due to its alleged heavy-handed tactics, which already resulted in the killing of more than 5,000 suspected drug personalities.

GMA News Online has contacted SWS for comment but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time. —KG, GMA News