16 November 2017•Update: 16 November 2017
By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
Many Filipino Muslims are unimpressed by the recent military operation in Marawi City, according to a survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS) released Wednesday.
Twenty-nine percent were satisfied with the military action, while 26 percent were dissatisfied among Muslims for a net satisfaction rating of three percent, the 3rd quarter poll conducted from September 23 to 27, 2017 revealed.
"Net satisfaction with PPRD (Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte) Fighting Terrorism, Reconciliation with Muslim rebels, lower among those dissatisfied with government in suppressing the Maute group."
The SWS survey showed 54% of Filipinos agree that the Armed Forces of the Philippines can suppress terrorist groups even without Martial Law, wherein 3 out 5 of them believe that the terrorist groups who invaded Marawi City are receiving money from the illegal drug trade.
Belief that the terrorist groups that invaded Marawi City also receive money from the illegal drug trade was highest in Metro Manila at 72%, followed by Mindanao at 65%, Visayas at 60%, and Balance Luzon at 54%.
The September 2017 SWS used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide, 600 in Balance Luzon and 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±4% for Balance Luzon, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao).
The exact survey questions were "How much do you agree or disagree with this statement: “The Armed Forces of the Philippines can suppress the Maute group and Abu Sayyaf even without Martial Law.” (Strongly agree, Somewhat agree, Undecided if agree or disagree, Somewhat disagree, Strongly disagree), "How much are you satisfief or dissatisfied of our government's actions in suppressing the Maute group that attacked Marawi City? Are you… (Very satisfied, Somewhat satisfied, Undecided if satisfied or not, Somewhat dissatisfied, Very dissatisfied)?" And "How much do yoepu believe or not believe that terrorist groups (Maute anf Abu Sayyaf) that invaded Marawi City are currently receiving money from the illegal drug trade? Do you… (Strongly believe, Somewhat believe, Undecided if believe or not, Somewhat disbelieve, Strongly disbelieve)?"
SWS employs its own staff for questionnaire design, sampling, fieldwork, data-processing, and analysis, and does not outsource any of its survey operations.
The September 2017 SWS poll has a margin of error of three percent for national percentages, four percent for Balance Luzon, and six percent each for Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao.
