Duterte popularity dips after Philippines drug war protests: Poll


Team Udayavani, Oct 10, 2017, 8:56 AM IST

Manila:  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has suffered his first major drop in popularity, an independent pollster found, after the deaths of two Manila teenagers in his controversial anti-crime crackdown triggered mass protests.

The decline in support shown by the Social Weather Stations survey — down to 67 per cent from 78 per cent in June who said they were “satisfied” with Duterte’s performance as president — came amid growing public outrage over drug war killings in the Philippines.

Duterte assumed office in June last year vowing to eradicate illegal drugs in society by killing up to 100,000 traffickers and addicts. In the 15 months since he came to power police have reported killing more 3,850 people in anti-drug operations. Thousands of other people have been murdered in unexplained circumstances that rights groups partly attribute to vigilante death squads.

Although Duterte’s drug war remains largely popular among a citizenry fed up with high crime, growing unease with the killings resulted in August and September in large street protests over the deaths of two Manila teenagers.

The Manila-based pollster, which has been regularly running the quarterly surveys since 1986, did not explain the drop shown in yesterday’s figures. But analysts told AFP it was likely linked to growing public concern over the drug war killings.

“It may likely reflect growing concerns over the direction of (the) war on drugs, particularly the death of minors and indiscipline within ranks of the law enforcement agencies,” political analyst Richard Heydarian said. State prosecutors are studying the possible filing of murder charges against four anti-drugs officers over the August 16 shooting death of Manila student Kian delos Santos, 17.

Several other officers are under investigation after they killed alleged robbery suspect Carl Angelo Arnaiz, 19, the following night. His neighbour Reynaldo de Guzman, 14, was later found murdered by unknown suspects in the northern Philippines. “It’s the first significant slide since the president was inaugurated,” said Victor Andres Manhit, chief executive of Manila-based political consultancy Stratbase ADR Institute, of the survey.

Duterte’s aides largely shrugged off the new numbers. “The love is still there,” Duterte spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters, adding the poll numbers were consistent with the pattern of previous Filipino presidents who saw dips in their popularity after their first year in office.

Heydarian, who has recently published a book titled “Rise of Duterte”, said the lower poll numbers still left the president with “relatively high approval ratings and enough momentum” to pursue his political agenda. Social Weather Stations said Duterte’s declining popularity among Filipino poor largely accounted for his poll drop.

Manhit said: “They are his main constituents, but they are also the main victims of the drug war.”  A representative nationwide sample of 1,500 adults were asked in person between September 23-27: “Please tell me how satisfied or dissatisfied you are in the performance of Rodrigo Duterte as president of the Philippines.” 

Social Weather Stations said it conducted the poll for itself and was not commissioned by any other party. The number of dissatisfied over Duterte also rose by seven percentage points from June to 19 per cent, with the undecided up by four points to 14 per cent, it added.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Nelamangala accident: Police expedite probe, CCTV images being scrutinised

Minister Parameshwara directs police to ensure tight security in Bengaluru on New Year’s eve

Teachings of Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony: PM Modi at Christmas celebrations

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal passes away

Passenger gets back misplaced bag containing valuables worth Rs 20 lakh at Mangaluru airport

Karnataka govt approves 9 industrial projects worth Rs 9,823 Cr

Shami not fully fit yet, ruled out of remaining two Tests in Australia

Related Articles More

‘Send Sheikh Hasina back to country’: Bangladesh writes to India

India & Kuwait elevate ties to strategic level; ink defence pact after PM Modi meets top Kuwaiti leaders

In Kuwait, PM Modi meets yoga practitioner, other influencers from Gulf country

PM Modi receives Kuwait’s highest honour

PM Modi in Kuwait meets translator, publisher of Mahabharata, Ramayana in Arabic

MUST WATCH

Tulunadu Daivaradane

Feeding Birds with Creative Paddy Art!

Areca Nut

HOTEL SRI DURGA BHAVANA

Harish Poonja


Latest Additions

Kalaburagi: Woman sustains burns after live electric wire falls on her

Nelamangala accident: Police expedite probe, CCTV images being scrutinised

Rohan Estate Mukka – Resort-style luxury layout launched

Minister Parameshwara directs police to ensure tight security in Bengaluru on New Year’s eve

Teachings of Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony: PM Modi at Christmas celebrations

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.