SWS: More Filipinos support ICC probe of ‘war on drugs’

More than half of Filipinos support the ongoing investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, according to a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The survey held from Dec. 8 to 11 found that 53 percent of the respondents agree with the statement that the International Criminal Court “should investigate drug-related killings during the Duterte administration.”

At least 25 percent voted that they “strongly approve” of the proceedings and 28 percent said they “somewhat approve” of the ICC investigation.

Support for the ICC probe increased from the 45 percent (20 percent “strongly approve” and 25 percent “somewhat approve”) obtained in a similar survey conducted by SWS in March 2023.

Meanwhile, those who disapprove of the ICC investigation decreased from 24 percent to 21 percent. Those who were undecided decreased from 31 percent to 26 percent.

The latest survey also found that 57 percent of the respondents agree that the government should allow the ICC investigation regarding the drug-related killings during the Duterte administration.

It was up nine points from just 48 percent in the March survey.

Nineteen percent said the government should not allow the ICC investigation, down from 20 percent, while 25 percent were undecided, down from 31 percent.

Asked about their knowledge regarding the ICC investigation, 14 percent said it was “extensive,” while 30 percent said it was “partial but sufficient.”

Meanwhile, some 29 percent of the respondents said they had “much trust” that the ICC will be able to conduct an impartial investigation into the drug-related killings during the Duterte administration.

It was up from 22 percent obtained in the March 2023 survey.

Based on the survey, a majority or 55 percent were still unsure whether the ICC would be able to conduct an impartial investigation (almost similar to 56 percent in the previous survey), while those who had little trust decreased from 22 percent to 16 percent. — Vito Barcelo