Malacañang welcomed the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing majority of Filipinos supporting President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, saying the public believes on the factual and legal basis of the proclamation. He also said that the second quarter SWS survey, where 57 percent of the respondents said they supported martial law in Mindanao, validated a poll that yielded a “very good” satisfaction rating for Duterte. “Hence, the need for the call of martial law, in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, as provided by the Constitution,” Abella said. The June 23-26 survey released on Tuesday showed that more than half of Filipinos supported Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, but more than six out of 10 Filipinos opposed expanding military rule to the Visayas and Luzon. Duterte has said that he may expand the coverage of martial law in Luzon and Visayas if the Islamic State-inspired terrorists reached the islands.

Source: Manila Times July 12, 2017 03:45 UTC