50% of adult Filipinos want Duterte held accountable for drug war deaths: SWS survey

Fifty percent of adult Filipinos believe former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for deaths during his administration's drug war, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The survey, commissioned by the Stratbase Group and conducted from September 24 to 30 among 1,500 adults, found 32% disagreed and 15% were undecided.

Support for accountability was highest in the Visayas (54%), Metro Manila (53%), and Balance Luzon (52%), with Mindanao showing the lowest rate at 39%.

Older Filipinos, particularly those aged 55 and above (62%), expressed greater support for holding the former president liable compared to younger demographics.

Stratbase Group President Victor Andres "Dindo" C. Manhit stated that the findings indicate a growing public recognition of the need for accountability regardless of political power.

However, Vice President Sara Duterte stated that the survey results are "not useful" to the Philippines as her father's trial is being held at The Hague.

She also declined to comment on her father's rejected interim release request, preferring to await the International Criminal Court's decision on their appeal.