75% Of Filipinos Aware Of VFA Not In Favor Of Pact

According to the October nationwide survey, of those who are aware of the VFA, 75% oppose it while 15.9% are in favor of the pact. 58.5% of the 1,496 respondents said they were aware of the VFA...

Friday, 13 November 2009

As US State Secretary Hillary Clinton defended the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) during her visit today in Malacañang, latest results of the IBON survey show that many Filipinos oppose the pact.

According to the October nationwide survey, of those who are aware of the VFA, 75% oppose it while 15.9% are in favor of the pact. 58.5% of the 1,496 respondents said they were aware of the VFA.

The VFA, ratified by the Philippine Senate in 1999, allows the movement of US troops, vessels and aircraft in the Philippines, among others. The pact became even more controversial recently because of the provision that allows the US to retain jurisdiction over US troops accused of crimes committed in the country.

The latest survey was conducted across various sectors and regions nationwide to find out people's perception on the economy, their livelihood and income, government performance, and other pressing issues. The latest survey was conducted on October 2 to 8 and has a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.

Below is the tabulation of results on the respondents' perception on the Visiting Forces Agreement.

Do you know that the Philippines has a VFA with the US that gives US troops, vessels and aircraft unrestricted movement into and within the country and that allows the US to retain jurisdiction over US troops accused of crimes committed in the country?

October 2009
Yes:	58.49
No:	39.17
No Answer:	2.34
Total: 100.00

Are you in favor of the VFA?

October 2009
Yes:	15.89
No:	75.09
Don't Know:	8.80
No Answer:	0.23
Total: 100.00

The full results of the October 2009 survey may be viewed at www.ibon.org.