Public perception of AFP improves

Public perception of the Armed Forces has improved from negative 10 (-10) to positive six (+6), according to the military.

The AFP said its effort to improve its public perception rating by fighting corruption has gained significant results as indicated in the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey of enterprises on corruption released last November.

The SWS survey was conducted from Sept. 9 to Oct. 10, 2008, from face-to-face interviews with managers of some 400 business enterprises in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.

The AFP is among eight government agencies that gained improvement from last year’s survey.

“The AFP is very pleased with the results of the SWS survey,” the AFP said in a statement.

“It showed a significant improvement in the perception of businessmen and the public perception in general towards the AFP, in particular our efforts to combat corruption within the whole military organization.”

Military officials said the AFP shall continue to improve and strengthen its efforts to professionalize the Armed Forces and continue to strive to be an effective and efficient security force for the protection of the country’s sovereignty and the Filipino people.

The AFP’s negative perception in the past was attributed to some accusation by some sectors that some military personnel were behind extra-judicial killings. – Cecille Suerte Felipe