MANILA – A new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reveals that a majority of Filipinos believe former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during his administration’s controversial war on drugs. The survey, conducted from February 15-19 and commissioned by the Stratbase Group, polled over 1,800 respondents nationwide.
The results show 51% of Filipinos agree that Duterte should be held liable for the killings of drug suspects, while 25% disagree. 14% were undecided, and 10% said they lacked sufficient knowledge to offer an opinion.
Significantly, even in regions considered Duterte strongholds, support for holding him accountable remains substantial. In Visayas, 62% of respondents agreed, and in Mindanao, 47% expressed the same view.
Stratbase Group President Dindo Manhit emphasized the importance of accountability in a democratic society, stating, “Accountability is the bedrock of any democratic society. No leader, regardless of position or influence, should be above the law. Holding government leaders accountable is not about political vendetta; it is about ensuring that justice prevails in our country.”
Duterte is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, facing charges of crimes against humanity related to the alleged killings. While the ICC cites approximately 43 cases, human rights groups estimate the number of killings to be around 30,000. A hearing to confirm the charges is scheduled for September 23.
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