Duterte 'surprised' by Philippines' high ranking in global safety survey

President Rodrigo Duterte admitted surprise by the Philippines' high ranking in a recent study placing the country among the safest in the world.

In his weekly address to the nation, Duterte said the ranking in the Gallup survey that lumped the Philippines with Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and Serbia in the 12th spot, must be attributed to the efforts of the police, military, and other uniformed personnel.

“I was really surprised… so if it’s a recent Gallup survey, it only shows that, well, we have to credit the police and military and the other uniformed services of government who have toiled to make this country at least very peaceful,” he said.

The results of the Gallup poll came in stark contrast to several international human rights groups’ condemnation of the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines under the Duterte administration.

According to human rights groups, some 27,000 people were killed since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016 and launched his intensified campaign against illegal narcotics. Government count is a bit more conservative — 5,856 as of September.

Malacañang, meanwhile, attributed the results of the poll to Duterte’s focus on maintaining peace and order. 

The US analytics firm conducted telephone and face-to-face interviews with approximately 1,000 adults each from 144 countries last year.

The respondents were asked questions relating to their sense of personal security, experiences with crime, and law enforcement officers.

The Philippine National Police expressed hope that the poll would change the public’s perception of cops amid allegations of abuse by law enforcers. —JST, GMA News