Majority of Filipinos now believe former president Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for the killings tied to his administration’s war on drugs, according to a recent national survey.
For a human rights lawyer, the survey marks a turning point — a sign that fear no longer prevents the public from speaking out.
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, conducted from February 15 to 19 and commissioned by the Stratbase Group, found that 51 percent of respondents agreed Duterte should face accountability for the drug war deaths. Only 25 percent disagreed, while 14 percent were undecided. Ten percent said they did not know enough to offer an opinion.
The survey, which did not specify what form of accountability respondents preferred, was conducted prior to any potential action by the International Criminal Court (ICC), where Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity. The ICC has been investigating the thousands of killings linked to his anti-drug campaign, many of which are alleged to be extrajudicial.
Human rights lawyer Maria Sol Taule of Karapatan described the survey results as a reflection of growing public consciousness and a break from what she called a “culture of fear” fostered under Duterte’s rule.
“Fear was the tool Duterte used during his administration to silence the public and prevent them from criticizing his government’s policies,” Taule said in response to the survey. “That’s why it is not true that the majority supported the war on drugs — many simply kept quiet out of fear.”
Taule noted that the increasing willingness of Filipinos to demand accountability is the result of sustained efforts by victims’ families, human rights advocates, and civil society organizations to shed light on the realities of the drug war, which disproportionately targeted poor communities.
“This is why it is important to continue raising public awareness about the true nature of the war on drugs campaign and other anti-poor policies of the government,” said Atty. Taule.
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The February poll’s regional breakdown showed the highest support for Duterte’s accountability in the Visayas, with 62 percent agreeing he should be held responsible. Support was also high in balance Luzon at 49 percent, followed by 45 percent in Metro Manila. Even in Mindanao — long considered Duterte’s political stronghold — 44 percent of respondents said he should be held to account.
The latest findings reinforce the results of a previous SWS survey conducted in December 2023, which showed that most Filipinos supported an ICC investigation into drug war-related killings during Duterte’s presidency.
Since its launch in 2016, Duterte’s anti-drug campaign has drawn condemnation from both domestic and international human rights groups over alleged extrajudicial killings and other serious abuses. Despite the Philippine government’s refusal to cooperate, the ICC has continued its investigation, citing evidence of widespread human rights violations.
The survey results suggest that calls for justice and accountability are gaining ground, even as the Duterte camp continues to reject international scrutiny. For advocates like Taule, the shift in public sentiment is a crucial step in challenging impunity and seeking redress for the victims of the drug war.
