Gallup: Philippines one of safest countries in the world

In the city or area where you live, do you have confidence in the local police force? Within the last 12 months, have you had money or property stolen from you or another household member?

Do you feel safe walking alone at night in the city or area where you live?

Within the past 12 months, have you been assaulted or mugged?

Who would have thought that these four questions would determine the Philippines as one of the ‘safest countries’ in the world?

Out of 144 countries, the Philippines is tagged among the safest countries where citizens feel safe and have confidence with the local police, according to the 2020 Global Law and Order survey by American analytics firm Gallup.

Conducted in 2019, Gallup researchers surveyed nearly 175,000 adults in different countries to capture their sense of personal security and experience with crime and law enforcement. The Philippines ranked among the top 40 nations with the highest scores.

The Philippines landed on the 12th spot earning a law and order index score of 84 together with Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and Serbia.

With a law and order index score of 97, Singapore and Turkmenistan top the list, followed by China, Ireland, Kuwait, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan got the lowest ranking with a score of 43. Among the countries with the lowest scores are Gabon, Venezuela, Liberia, South Africa, Gambia, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Botswana, and Mexico.

Globally, 60% or seven out of 10 people said that they feel safe walking alone at night where they live and have confidence in their local police, Gallup claimed.

Gallup added that 12% or 1 out of 8 people had property stolen from them or another household member in the past year, while 6% were assaulted or mugged.

However, the results of the survey might be inconsiderable to other Filipinos, particularly those in human rights groups in the Philippines who have criticized the Duterte administration for violating human rights in the war against illegal drugs and extrajudicial killing.

Words by Louie Jay Vildosola Layout by Kiziah Magbanua