Pulse Asia: Filipinos oppose sending troops abroad

Apparently feeling that healing is better than destruction, most Metro Manilans want the government to help the US in the war against international terrorism but not to send Filipino troops to fight a foreign war.

According to the latest Pulse Asia survey, 78 percent of respondents would like the Philippine government to help in the US-led international coalition to fight terrorism.

However, Pulse Asia president and STAR columnist Felipe Miranda said a "liberal, dovish" sentiment emerges (49 percent) when a military response is explicitly considered as a possible government reaction to terrorism.

"It seems Metro Manilans are questioning the wisdom of full military response and tend more to healing rather than destruction," Miranda said.

Of the 49 percent, 27 percent was willing to eradicate terrorism and support any action of the US and the United Nations except the use of military force. The other 22 percent did not want to get involved in any way with the issue of terrorism.

But of the 51 percent who favored military force, only 17 percent said the Philippines should volunteer troops to the endeavor.

Most of the respondents favored sending only a medical contingent to help American forces against the terrorists while 32 percent were willing to grant the US access to the country’s air and seaports as well as its former military bases in the country.

"It appears that a lot of people remember what happened in Vietnam or the Soviet Union’s experience in Afghanistan. Perhaps they’re asking why Filipinos should take the risk," Miranda said.

Miranda said a liberal mindset is reflected by Metro Manilans in emphasizing that measures used to eradicate terrorism must be within the boundaries of the law.

"Interestingly, the well-to-do and better-off respondents (those from socioeconomic class ABC) are much less impressed by the need to be lawful on this issue than their poor counterparts," Miranda added.

While Metro Manila may be considered as a bellwether of national sentiment, Miranda clarified that in some parts of the country, particularly in Mindanao where terrorist violence is more prevalent, the sentiment may be opposite that of Metro Manilans.

Miranda said Pulse Asia is still conducting a separate survey, which will likely be out by October, to determine if respondents in the South feel the same way as Metro Manilans.

The survey was conducted among 300 selected respondents, 18 years old and above, in Metro Manila from Sept. 22 to 26 and was allowed a margin of error of plus or minus six percent.