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Growing Anti-U.S. Feeling Among Filipinos Says Survey
JAKARTA, Nov 3 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - An overwhelming number of Filipinos now view the United States differently after it began its military campaign in Afghanistan, a survey in the Philippines indicated Thursday.
The aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. rallied a majority of Filipinos in condemnation of such the act.
But that support seems to be dwindling among the public. And there is a chance that the continued bombing of Afghanistan, which has so far failed to produce the expected results, may alienate more people in the country.
The survey by Pulse Asia, Inc. showed that 72% of respondents reported a change in views about America. In the regions, a very high 89% of Mindanao respondents said they look differently at the U.S. now, with 87% of village respondents sharing a similar view.
Among the economic classes, 75% of the country's poorest (Class E) said their views have "worsened," as compared to 50% of Class ABC who shared the view. Only two percent nationwide said their views have "improved".
More Filipinos, 30%, also believe the Philippine government should help eradicate terrorism and support any decision reached by the United Nations, including the use of military force against terrorists. Twenty-five percent said the government should support any action of the United States or the United Nations, except military force.
The question on terrorism was among the questions fielded in the September 22-October 4 surveys by Pulse Asia Inc.
On the other hand, the Philippines government released another part of the document, which showed that 52% of Filipinos agree with the Philippine government's policy of full support to the U.S.-led international coalition against terrorism.
The same majority also supported its use of military force against terrorists, according to the September 22 to October 4 survey by the same firm, Pulse Asia Inc.
Some 30% of the survey's 1,200 respondents agreed with the statement that the Philippine government should "help eradicate terrorism and support any decision reached by the United Nations including the use of military force."
In metropolitan Manila, support for the international coalition's military action against terrorism is only very slightly lower at 51%.
Only a minority, or 15%, felt that the Philippines should not do anything in the U.S.-led coalition's campaign against terrorism, the government report said.
With additional reporting by Kazi Mahmood
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