(Eagle News) — Trust in the government’s security forces are at record-high levels based on a recent Social Weather Stations survey.
A whopping 75 percent of adult Filipinos have “much trust” in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or a net trust score of +66 or “very good,” according to the survey conducted from March 30 to April 2.
Sixty nine percent of adult Filipinos, on the other hand, have “much trust” in the Philippine National Police.
This translates to a net trust rating of +55, also a “very good” based on the SWS definition.
Highest outside Metro Manila
According to the SWS, net public trust in both the AFP and PNP was highest outside of Metro Manila.
The AFP’s net trust rating was highest in the Visayas, pegged at an “excellent” +70, followed by a “very good” in Balance Luzon and Mindanao with a +69, and Metro Manila at a “good” +47.
The PNP’s net trust rating was highest in Mindanao, with a “very good” +62, followed by Balance Luzon with a “very good” +59, Visayas with a “very good” +58, and Metro Manila with a “moderate” +29.
For both the PNP and the AFP, net trust rating was higher in urban areas than in rural areas.
The AFP garnered an “excellent” +70 in rural areas, which was 10 points more than the +60 it got in rural areas.
The PNP’s net public trust was at a “very good” +65 in rural areas, and at a “good” +42 in urban areas.
Lower classes
The AFP and the PNP garnered higher trust ratings among lower classes.
The AFP’s net trust rating was at an “excellent” +70 among members of Class E, at a “very good” +66 among members of Class D, and at a “good” +43 among members of Class ABC.
The PNP garnered a “very good” +64 net trust rating among members of Class E, a “very good” +54 among members of Class D, and a “good” +45 among members of Class ABC.
The survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide—300 each in Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Sampling error margins were pegged at ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The prevailing events at the time the survey was conducted did not include the Marawi crisis which began on May 23, nor the Pigcawayan, North Cotabato incident, which took place in June.