Majority of Filipinos want ex-Pres Duterte held accountable for drug war —SWS

At least 50% of Filipinos believe that former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable in the International Criminal Court for the killings during his administration's war on drugs, results of a Social Weather Stations survey released Monday showed.

According to the survey, 32% of Filipinos disagreed, 15% were undecided while 4% said they didn’t know enough to give an opinion. 

The survey was commissioned by the Stratbase Group.

It asked this question: Gaano po kayo sumasang-ayon o hindi sumasang-ayon na dapat panagutin si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa International Criminal Court ukol sa mga patayang may kaugnayan laban sa illegal na droga noong panahon ng kanyang administrasyon?

(How much do you agree or disagree that former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable in the International Criminal Court for the killings related to illegal drugs during his administration?)

The survey also said that the call for accountability was highest in Visayas at 54%, followed by Metro Manila at 53%, and Balance Luzon at 52%.

Meanwhile, only 39% agreed in Mindanao.

Aside from this, the SWS said that Filipinos aged 55 and above agreed the strongest at 62%. This was followed by Filipinos aged 45 to 54 at 52%, millenials at 45%, and Gen Zs at 43%.

The survey was conducted from September 24 to 30 with face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide: 300 in Metro Manila, 600 for Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila), and 300 each in Visayas and Mindanao.

The sampling error margins are ±3% for national percentages, ±4% for Balance Luzon, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The ICC Prosecutor has charged Duterte with murder and frustrated murder over 49 incidents in his war on drugs when he was mayor of Davao City and as president of the Philippines. 

Last week, the ICC denied the interim release request of Duterte after it found that the latter’s detention continued "to remain necessary under article 60(2) of the Statute based on each of the requirements set by article 58(1) of the Statute."

For its part, Duterte's camp said it filed an appeal to the ICC decision "a week ago."

Duterte has denied the allegations against him. 

GMA News Online reached out to Duterte's camp for comment and will publish it once available.

In a press statement, Stratbase Group president Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit said the survey underscored the growing public recognition that accountability must prevail regardless of political power. 

“The data clearly show that Filipinos believe justice and rule of law are essential foundations of our democracy. People understand that no one, not even a former president, should be above the law," he said. 

He added the survey results show an important shift from popularity to responsibility.   —AOL, GMA Integrated News