SWS: Majority of Filipinos back martial law extension

strong + 34) compared to women ( moderately strong + 13), and this support hardly varied across age groups.

On May 23, Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law after Islamic State-inspired terrorists stormed into Marawi City to establish a caliphate for Southeast Asian terrorists.

The Chief Executive ordered security forces to intensify offensives to the possible spread of hostile acts to other areas of the country.

Martial law in Mindanao may not be lifted immediately even after Duterte himself declared on October 17 the liberation of Marawi City following the death of terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

The same survey also found that 54 percent agreed while 28 percent disagreed with the Congress vote on July 22 to approve the extension of martial law in Mindanao until the end of this year. This gives a net agreement score of moderately strong +25.

The poll, posted on the SWS website on Friday, November 10, was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults nationwide, 600 in Balance Luzon and 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao.

It has sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages, ±4 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±6 percent each for the other areas.

In a press conference in Vietnam on Saturday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque welcomed the public’s decision to extend the declaration martial law in Mindanao.

“Well we’re certainly thankful that the majority of the Filipino people have shown support for the declaration of martial law. Note that although only 50 plus (percent) responded that they supported the declaration of martial law, the undecided is still in two of individuals supporting could still increase,” Roque told reporters.

“But we stressed that the declaration of martial was necessary to deal with the actual terrorism in Marawi. It was not just a threat. It resulted in 50 days so we feel that the declaration appreciate the support of the people for such declaration,” he added.