By Priam Nepomuceno – PNA News
MANILA — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday expressed doubts on the result of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which claims that 84 percent of Filipinos oppose the alleged inaction of the government regarding China’s military incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“I have doubt on accuracy of the survey. Surveys can lie specially if the survey sample is not representative of the population. In fact one can tailor a survey that would agree with a preferred conclusion,” he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.
Lorenzana also questioned the timing of the SWS survey as it came out during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first state visit in the Philippines.
“Why was the survey (release) timed during the state visit of President Xi Jinping?,” the DND chief asked.
The SWS conducted the survey from Sept. 15 to 23, but released the results only on Tuesday, the same day Xi arrived in Manila for a two-day state visit.
According to the survey, the number of Filipinos rejecting the government’s “policy of doing nothing about China’s intrusion” in the WPS has increased from 81 percent in June 2018 to 84 percent in September 2018.
The survey also claimed it found out that awareness on the WPS conflict among Filipinos have increased to 89 percent, with 87 percent saying it is important that the Philippines should regain control of the islands occupied by China.
It also found out that 65 percent of Filipinos are aware of the reported Chinese Coast Guard abuses against Filipino fishermen.
