SWS: Pinoys not quite as hopeful on peace with MILF in 2nd quarter

From GMA News (Sep 30): SWS: Pinoys not quite as hopeful on peace with MILF in 2nd quarter

Filipinos are not quite as hopeful about peace efforts between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, according to a new survey by pollster Social Weather Stations.

The SWS' June 28-30 survey showed that while seven out of 10 Filipinos remain hopeful government and the MILF can forge a deal, this was a drop from 79 percent in March 2013, and 83 percent in June 2011.

Results of the survey were posted Monday on SWS' media partner BusinessWorld.

Negotiators of the government and MILF have yet to reach a final agreement on power sharing and normalization, nearly a year after signing a framework agreement that promises to have a Bangsamoro political entity replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The survey used face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide, with error margins of +/-3% for national and +/-6% for area percentages applying to the survey.

Very hopeful, somewhat hopeful

The SWS survey showed the percentage of those "very hopeful" and "somewhat hopeful" that the government and MILF will reach an agreement was at 70 percent as of end-June, this was below the 79 percent in the first quarter of 2013.

It said this percentage had fallen to 71 percent in September 2011, and was between 58 and 64 percent from December 2011 to August 2012.

However, the SWS said this gained to 79 percent in March 2013 but fell to 70 percent in June 2013.

Of the 70 percent who believed a peace deal can be reached, 28 percent were “very hopeful” - lower than 41 percent in March; while 42 percent who were “somewhat hopeful” compared to 38 percent in March.

Those “somewhat not hopeful” about a peace pact rose to 14 percent from 10 percent in March, while those “not hopeful” increased to 16 percent from 11 percent.

Of those "not hopeful at all" about a peace pact, their ranks rose to 16 percent from 11 percent in March, the survey showed.

Mindanao remained the most optimistic with 34 percent "very hopeful" of a peace agreement, along with 30 percent in the Visayas, 27 percent in Metro Manila, and 24 percent in Balance Luzon.

* 35% believe peace pact can be forged during pnoy's term

The survey also showed fewer Filipinos - 35 percent compared to 49 percent in March - believe a peace agreement can be reached during the term of President Benigno Aquino III.

Those who believe a peace deal can "not ever" be signed rose to 34 percent from 22 percent in March, while those who believe a deal can be signed in 2013 dipped from 11 percent in March to 10 percent in June.

At least 25 percent believe a deal can be reached between 2014 and 2016, while 28 percent believe it can be reached between 2016 and 2020.

Mindanao optimistic

The survey showed Mindanao respondents expect a peace deal to be achieved this year, with 23 percent expecting it to happen in 2013, along with 9 percent in Balance Luzon, 4 percent in Metro Manila, and 3 percent in the Visayas.

Those who believe a peace pact is possible in the final three years of the Aquino administration included 28 percent in the Visayas, 27 percent in Mindanao, 25 percent in Metro Manila (25%), and 22 percent in Balance Luzon.

As for those who believe a deal would never happen, they include 43 percent in the Visayas, 35 percent in Balance Luzon, 34 percent in Metro Manila, and 24 percent in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, those who believe the next administration in 2016 to 2022 will approach a peace deal include 34 percent in Metro Manila, 29 percent in Balance Luzon, and 24 percent each in Visayas and Mindanao.

Muslims and Christians

The survey showed Muslims were most hopeful for a peace agreement with 59 percent saying they were "very hopeful," along with 29 percent of non-Catholic Christians and 27 percent of Catholics.

Also, the survey showed 43 percent of Muslims expect a deal to be signed this year, along with 10 percent of Catholics and 8 percent non-Catholic Christians.

Meanwhile, 84 percent of Muslims, 36 percent of Catholics and 22 percent of non-Catholic Christians expect a deal to be signed before the Aquino administration ends.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/328711/news/nation/sws-pinoys-not-quite-as-hopeful-on-peace-with-milf-in-2nd-quarter