(Eagle News)—-Majority of Filipinos believe policemen themselves are behind the illegal drug trade, a Social Weather Stations survey said.
According to the survey conducted from Dec. 16 to 19, 68% of Filipino adults say it is definitely or probably true, 26% are undecided, and 5% say it is definitely or probably not true.
The SWS said belief in the accusation that policemen are involved in the illegal drug trade was highest in Metro Manila at 75%.
This was followed by Balance Luzon at 68%, Mindanao at 67%, and the Visayas at 66%.
“It was higher among those in urban areas at 71% …compared to those in rural areas at 66%,” the SWS said.
When asked if accusations that policemen are involved in the extrajudicial killings of illegal drug trade suspects, 66% of Filipino adults say it is definitely or probably true, 28% are undecided, and 5% say it is definitely or probably not true.
According to the SWS, this belief was highest in Metro Manila at 72%, followed by Balance Luzon at 67%, and the Visayas and Mindanao at 63% each.
It said it was higher among those in urban areas at 69%, than in rural areas at 64% .
Based on the survey, 58% of Filipino adults say allegations policemen plant evidence against the drug suspects they arrest are definitely or probably true, 33% are undecided, and 9% say they are definitely or probably not true.
The SWS said this was highest in Metro Manila and Balance Luzon at 59% each, followed by the Visayas at 56%, and Mindanao at 55%.
“It was higher among those in urban areas at 61%, compared to those in rural areas at 55%,” the SWS said.
The survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 360 each in Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Sampling error margins were pegged at ±2.6% for national percentages, and ±5% each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.
