Most Filipinos believe Duterte should answer for drug war killings
(UPDATE) A MAJORITY of Filipinos believe former president Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) related to his war on drugs, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey shows. The survey, commissioned by the Stratbase Group, was conducted in February or a month before Duterte was arrested by the International Criminal Court, through the International Police, to face charges of crimes against humanity. Duterte was arrested on March 11 and flown to The Hague in the Netherlands. He is now detained at the Dutch prison Scheveningen in The Hague awaiting trial. Conducted from Feb. 15 to 19, the SWS survey interviewed 1,800 respondents nationwide and has a ±2 margin of error, Stratbase said. The survey showed that 51 percent of Filipinos agree that Duterte should be held accountable for the killings related to his antidrugs drive during his administration, while 25 percent said they disagree. Fourteen percent said that they were undecided, while 10 percent said that they lacked knowledge to give an opinion. Visayas reported the highest agreement to holding the former president accountable for the EJKs at 62 percent. Visayas is "considered to be a Duterte stronghold," Stratbase said. Almost half of Mindanao — Duterte's bailiwick — or 47 percent also agree with holding Duterte accountable for the drug war killings. Stratbase Group president Dindo Manhit said these results showed the importance of accountability for a majority of Filipinos. "Accountability is the bedrock of any democratic society. No leader, regardless of position or influence, should be above the law," he said. "Holding government leaders accountable is not about political vendetta; it is about ensuring that justice prevails in our country," Manhit said. The Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) noted the "historic arrest" of Duterte. Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR chairman and member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, said Duterte's arrest marked "a decisive step in the fight against impunity." "No individual, regardless of power or position, is above the law. Justice for the victims is nonnegotiable," Barrends said in a statement on March 11. "This landmark arrest is a beacon for international human rights, affirming that accountability is the cornerstone of a just society," said Rangsiman Rome, APHR board member and Thailand Parliament member. Charles Santiago, APHR co-chairman and former member of the Malaysian Parliament, said Duterte "must be held accountable for all of his crimes against the Filipino people." Wong Chen, APHR board member and Malaysian Parliament member, said, "Every act of injustice leaves an indelible mark." The APHR "reaffirms its commitment to advancing robust human rights standards and democratic governance throughout Southeast Asia." It also called on the Philippine government to ensure full cooperation throughout the legal process — from detention through trial — so that justice is neither delayed nor obstructed.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) A MAJORITY of Filipinos believe former president Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) related to his war on drugs, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey shows.
The survey, commissioned by the Stratbase Group, was conducted in February or a month before Duterte was arrested by the International Criminal Court, through the International Police, to face charges of crimes against humanity.
Duterte was arrested on March 11 and flown to The Hague in the Netherlands. He is now detained at the Dutch prison Scheveningen in The Hague awaiting trial.
Conducted from Feb. 15 to 19, the SWS survey interviewed 1,800 respondents nationwide and has a ±2 margin of error, Stratbase said.
The survey showed that 51 percent of Filipinos agree that Duterte should be held accountable for the killings related to his antidrugs drive during his administration, while 25 percent said they disagree.
Fourteen percent said that they were undecided, while 10 percent said that they lacked knowledge to give an opinion.
Visayas reported the highest agreement to holding the former president accountable for the EJKs at 62 percent. Visayas is "considered to be a Duterte stronghold," Stratbase said.
Almost half of Mindanao — Duterte's bailiwick — or 47 percent also agree with holding Duterte accountable for the drug war killings.
Stratbase Group president Dindo Manhit said these results showed the importance of accountability for a majority of Filipinos.
"Accountability is the bedrock of any democratic society. No leader, regardless of position or influence, should be above the law," he said.
"Holding government leaders accountable is not about political vendetta; it is about ensuring that justice prevails in our country," Manhit said.
The Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) noted the "historic arrest" of Duterte.
Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR chairman and member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, said Duterte's arrest marked "a decisive step in the fight against impunity."
"No individual, regardless of power or position, is above the law. Justice for the victims is nonnegotiable," Barrends said in a statement on March 11.
"This landmark arrest is a beacon for international human rights, affirming that accountability is the cornerstone of a just society," said Rangsiman Rome, APHR board member and Thailand Parliament member.
Charles Santiago, APHR co-chairman and former member of the Malaysian Parliament, said Duterte "must be held accountable for all of his crimes against the Filipino people."
Wong Chen, APHR board member and Malaysian Parliament member, said, "Every act of injustice leaves an indelible mark."
The APHR "reaffirms its commitment to advancing robust human rights standards and democratic governance throughout Southeast Asia."
It also called on the Philippine government to ensure full cooperation throughout the legal process — from detention through trial — so that justice is neither delayed nor obstructed.
