Most Filipinos support government war on drugs - Survey

Majority of Filipinos support Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, China's Xinhua news agency reported, citing an independent poll released on Monday.

A survey by Pulse Asia Inc conducted from Sept 24 to 30 showed that 88 per cent of the 1,200 people surveyed nationwide "expressed support for the campaign."

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman, Ernesto Abella, said, "We are pleased with the September 2017 survey showing that more than eight out of 10 Filipinos support the government's campaign against illegal drugs."

"This goes to show that our people appreciate the administration's efforts to reduce the incidence of crime and make the streets safer and the communities more peaceful," Abella said in a statement.

"Only two percent of Filipinos are not supportive of the campaign while nine percent are unable to say if they support or do not support the (war on drugs)," the pollster said.

As regards to the allegation that EJKs are taking place in the administration's implementation of its war on drugs, the Pulse Asia said 73 per cent of Filipinos "believe this is true a view echoed by majorities in all areas and classes."

On the other hand, it said 20 per cent of Filipinos do not believe EJKs are happening in the implementation of the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Duterte last week return to anti-narcotics operations to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) after the police caught flak for handling the war on drugs.

With the return of anti-drugs operations to PDEA, Abella said the administration expects the focus to shift to arrests of drug lords and narco-politicians, the interdiction of smuggled or locally-made drugs, and the prevention and rehabilitation of addicts.

-- BERNAMA