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Most Filipinos Are Skeptical Of Duterte’s Motives In Bloody Drug War, Survey Shows

REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

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Anders Hagstrom Justice Reporter
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A majority of Filipinos agree that Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war is only killing poor drug users, a survey revealed Monday.

Social Weather Stations (SWS) surveyed 1,200 Filipinos in June and found that 60 percent believed police were only killing poor drug pushers, Reuters reported. Police admit to killing 3,800 drug users who they claim resisted arrest, but many claim the kill-count is much higher and that police are killing people indiscriminately. Nearly 75 percent also agreed that Duterte should release his long-touted secret list of 6,000 top drug dealers currently operating in the country.

The Philippines remains deeply split on whether the police are trustworthy, with 28 percent saying police are lying about drug users resisting arrest and 25 percent saying they were being honest. (RELATED: Duterte Vows To Have Son Killed If Drug Allegations Are True)

The SWS report shows that while Duterte still enjoys widespread support among the working class, many are beginning to question the motives and effectiveness of his drug war. This skepticism has long existed outside the Philippines, with many European nations expressing concern about the death toll.

Duterte remains adamant that his sole motive is to end the country’s drug crisis, but many wonder why he has continued to withhold his file of top drug dealers in the country. Critics say that releasing such a list would go far to granting the public context for the war’s prosecution, and perhaps allay fears that Duterte’s administration is targeting the poor.

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