Survey: Majority of Filipinos Back Duterte ICC Trial

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

A recent survey released Friday, April 11, showed that more than half of Filipinos believe former President Rodrigo Duterte should appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and be held accountable for crimes against humanity.

According to the latest Philippine Public Opinion Monitor by research firm WR Numero, 61.7 percent of respondents said Duterte should personally stand trial before the ICC, with 50.3 percent agreeing and 11.4 percent strongly agreeing.

Meanwhile, 19.7 percent disagreed, including 15.2 percent who disagreed and 4.5 percent who strongly disagreed, while 18.6 percent remained unsure.

The survey also revealed that 61.4 percent believe the ICC investigation is important to uncover the truth about the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

This includes 52.1 percent who agree and 9.3 percent who strongly agree, while 20.9 percent disagreed and 17.7 percent were unsure.

About 51.5 percent of Filipinos agreed that Duterte should be held accountable for crimes against humanity related to drug war killings.

In contrast, 23.9 percent disagreed and 24.5 percent said they were unsure.

A majority of 52.9 percent also said they trust the ICC to conduct a fair investigation and trial, while 10.6 percent disagreed and 36.5 percent were unsure.

Additionally, 75 percent of respondents agreed that no one should be above the law, including former presidents.

Only 9 percent disagreed, while 15 percent were unsure.

About 66.3 percent of Filipinos said the Philippine government should allow the ICC to ensure a fair trial for Duterte, with 57.7 percent agreeing and 8.6 percent strongly agreeing.

Meanwhile, 17.1 percent disagreed and 16.7 percent were unsure.

The survey also found that 61.1 percent of respondents believe Duterte’s co-perpetrators should be held accountable, with 49 percent agreeing and 12.1 percent strongly agreeing.

Those who disagreed accounted for 20.8 percent, and 18.1 percent were unsure.

A larger majority, 67.5 percent, agreed that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should investigate police officers involved in killings during Duterte’s term.

This includes 53.5 percent who agreed and 12 percent who strongly agreed, while only 16.9 percent disagreed and 17.6 percent were unsure.

The nationwide survey interviewed 1,894 registered voters through face-to-face interviews from March 31 to April 7.

It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percent and a 95 percent confidence level.