Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (File photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Malaca帽ang welcomed on Saturday the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that most Filipinos supported President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 proposal to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, which both chambers of Congress granted on July 22.
鈥淲ell, we鈥檙e certainly thankful that the majority of the Filipino people have shown support for the declaration of martial law 鈥檔o,鈥� presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing on Saturday. 鈥淣ote that although only 50 plus responded that they support the declaration of martial law, the undecided is still in two figures, 鈥檔o.鈥�
鈥淪o it could be that the number of individuals supporting could still increase,鈥� he added.
An SWS survey result released on Friday found that 54 percent of adult Filipinos agreed and 30 percent disagreed with the President鈥檚 proposal to Congress to extend martial rule in Mindanao until the end of the year due to the attacks of Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists in Marawi City.
鈥淏ut we stress that the declaration of martial law was necessary to deal with actual terrorism in Marawi,鈥� Roque said. 鈥淚t was not just a threat. It resulted in actual fighting and it lasted more than 50 days.鈥�
鈥淪o we feel that the declaration was very much justified and we appreciate the support of the people for such a declaration,鈥� he added.
SWS also said the net agreement with Duterte鈥檚 decision to extend martial law was highest in Mindanao at a 鈥渧ery strong鈥� +41, followed by the Visayas at a 鈥渕oderately strong鈥� +22, Balance Luzon at a 鈥渕oderately strong鈥� +18, and Metro Manila at a 鈥渕oderately strong鈥� +16.
The third quarter survey, conducted from Sep. 23 to 27 among 1,500 respondents, had sampling error margins of 卤3 percent for national percentages, 卤4 percent for Balance Luzon, and 卤6 percent each for Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao. /atm