A recent survey conducted by OCTA Research revealed that a majority of Filipinos support the policies and programs of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in addressing the territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. The survey, conducted from September 30 to October 4, showed that 58 percent of the respondents agree with the Marcos administration’s approach to handling conflicts related to the West Philippine Sea. This marks a significant 15-point increase from the 43 percent recorded in the previous survey conducted in July.
The survey also provided insights into the regional and socioeconomic breakdown of the respondents’ opinions. The National Capital Region (NCR) had the highest agreement rating at 67 percent, while Visayas and Mindanao had the lowest agreement ratings at 54 percent. In terms of socioeconomic classes, Filipinos belonging to class D showed the highest agreement ratings at 60 percent, while those belonging to classes ABC had the lowest agreement ratings at 51 percent.
According to OCTA Research, the increase in agreement rating with the Marcos administration’s policies and programs in the West Philippine Sea since July 2023 is a positive trend. The polling firm also noted a decrease in the disagreement rating by 3 percentage points. However, there were some variations across different regions and socioeconomic classes. Mindanao experienced a decrease of 6 percentage points in the agreement rating, while Visayas had the highest decrease by 24 percentage points. In terms of socioeconomic classes, classes ABC and D showed an increase in the agreement rating by 6 and 20 percentage points, respectively, while class E saw a decrease of 6 percentage points.
The survey also explored the preferred approach of adult Filipinos in asserting territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea. A significant majority, 70 percent, favored a dual approach of diplomacy and military action. This means that they want the Marcos administration to further assert the Philippines’ territorial rights through diplomacy and other peaceful methods. Additionally, 65 percent of the respondents expressed their support for military action, which OCTA Research defined as expanded naval patrols and troop presence in the West Philippine Sea.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that 62 percent of Filipinos believe that it is important to modernize and strengthen the military’s capabilities first to protect the country’s territories. Additionally, 42 percent of Filipinos expressed their desire for joint maritime patrols and exercises with ally countries, while another 42 percent called for expanded diplomatic efforts with countries within and outside the region to reduce tension in the West Philippine Sea.
The survey also provided insights into the preferences of adult Filipinos in the NCR. The majority, 81 percent, preferred asserting the Philippines’ territorial rights through diplomacy and other peaceful methods, while 82 percent expressed their support for military action.
These survey results highlight the opinions and preferences of Filipinos regarding the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea. The majority of respondents support the policies and programs of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in addressing these conflicts, with a significant proportion favoring a dual approach of diplomacy and military action. It is important for the government to consider these insights and take appropriate actions to protect the country’s territorial rights while maintaining regional stability and peace.
Source: The Manila Times
