Most Pinoys favor martial law extension in Mindanao
Majority of adult Filipinos support the extension of martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed.
Results of the Third Quarter 2017 Social Weather Survey conducted from Sept. 2327 showed that 54 percent of 1,500 adult Filipinos interviewed agreed with the President’s proposal to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, while 30 percent disagreed.
This resulted in a net agreement score (percent agree minus percent disagree) of +24, classified by SWS as “moderately strong.”
The President imposed a 60-day martial rule in Mindanao on May 23 in the wake of terrorist attacks by the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.
After the 60-day period, President Duterte asked the Congress to extend his martial law proclamation, a proposal approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives meeting jointly on July 22.
On Oct. 16, Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Maute terror group leader Omar Maute, the two leaders of the IS-inspired terrorists, were killed in fighting with the government troops.
The next day, five months since the start of the battle that left more than 1,000 people dead including more than 800 terrorists, Mr. Duterte declared Marawi “liberated from terrorist influence.”
Net agreement with the President’s proposal to extend martial law was “very strong” +41 in Mindanao. It was “moderately strong in the Visayas at +22, in Balance Luzon at +18 and in Metro Manila at +16.
By socioeconomic class, support for Mr. Duterte’s move to extend martial law in Mindanao was stronger among Class ABC (extremely strong +51), compared to Class D (moderately strong +26), and Class E (neutral +4)
By gender, men are more supportive of the martial law extension (very strong +34) compared to women (moderately strong +13).
[SWS terminology for net agreement: +50 and above, “extremely trong”; +30 to +49, “very strong”; +10 to +29, “moderately strong”, +9 to –9, “neutral”; –10 to –29, “moderately weak”; –30 to –49, “very weak”; –50 and below, “extremely weak.” The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The same survey found 54 percent agreeing with the Congress’ approval of extension, but 28 percent disagreed for a net agreement of “moderately strong” +25.
By location, net agreement with the approval of Congress was highest in Mindanao at “very strong” +42. It was “moderately strong” +22 in both Metro Manila and Balance Luzon, while it was +16 in the Visayas, also classified “moderately strong.”
Support for Congress’ July 22 decision was stronger among Class ABC at +49, while it was +28 and +6 among Class D and Class E, respectively.