NET OPINION on the truthfulness of claims by police of resistance (“nanlaban”) by drug suspects had a steep decline in the third quarter of 2017, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) Survey published on its Web site on Monday night, Oct. 23.

Disbelief in ‘nanlaban’ dives to -20 -- SWS poll

The noncommissioned survey showed 37% of respondents saying the police are not telling the truth (19% definitely not telling the truth, 19% probably not telling the truth, correctly rounded), 45% undecided, and 17% saying the police are telling the truth (13 probably telling the truth, 5% definitely telling the truth, correctly rounded).

“This brings the net opinion about the truthfulness (% definitely/probably telling the truth minus % probably/definitely not telling the truth) of the police to a significant -20,” SWS said, adding, “This compares with the June 2017 survey, where 25% believed the police, 48% were undecided, and 28% did not believe the police, or a net balance of opinion of only -3.”

LOWEST IN METRO MANILA
The polling group noted further that, “Net opinion about the truthfulness of the police was lowest in Metro Manila at -34 (13% definitely/probably telling the truth, 47%probably/definitely not telling the truth,), followed by Balance Luzon at -31 (13% definitely/probably telling the truth, 44%probably/definitely not telling the truth), Visayas at -15 (20% definitely/probably telling the truth, 34% probably/definitely not telling the truth, correctly rounded), and Mindanao at +3 (27% definitely/probably telling the truth, 24% probably/definitely not telling the truth).”

SWS also noted a lower net satisfaction (% satisfied minus % dissatisfied) with President Rodrigo R. Duterte and with his administration among those who disbelieve the police claims on “nanlaban,” whereas satisfaction ranged from very good +60 to excellent +78 among respondents who believe the police were probably or definitely telling the truth about suspects resisting arrest.

PLUNGE
Net opinion on the truthfulness of police claims already had a low of -1 in Dec. 2016 that dipped to -8 in March the next year, easing toward -3 in June before the plunge to -20 as of September.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella when sought for comment said “surveys are snapshots of the public mood at a given time and we need to go back to the fact that this is actually part of the large survey that was done during that particular time just after the National Day of Protest.”

Mr. Abella was referring to Mr. Duterte’s declaration on Sept. 21, in response to planned demonstrations by his critics that day that were prompted by the drug war and also by his perceived conformity with the Marcos legacy of dictatorial rule largely by his accommodation of the Marcos family and his presumably following in the footsteps of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Mr. Abella added, “But given the trust and confidence of the large majority, the administration continues, of course, to work hard to address the public’s urgent needs and to deliver the exact services that the people need to bring a comfortable life for all.” — with Rosemarie A. Zamora

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