Most Filipinos support PBBM’s approach on West Philippine Sea

MANILA – A survey conducted by OCTA Research showed that most Filipinos support the policies and programs of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address the territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.

Results of the September 30 to October 4 survey released on December 28 showed that 58 percent of the respondents now agree with the Marcos administration’s policies and programs to handle conflicts related to the West Philippine Sea.

This is a significant 15-point increase from the 43 percent recorded in the second quarter Tugon ng Masa nationwide survey conducted last July.

Based on the survey, the National Capital Region (NCR) had the highest agreement rating at 67 percent, while Visayas and Mindanao had the lowest agreement rating at 54 percent.

In terms of socioeconomic classes, the Marcos administration’s policies and programs in the West Philippine Sea have the highest agreement ratings from Filipinos belonging to class D at 60 percent and the lowest agreement ratings from Filipinos belonging to classes ABC at 51 percent.

“Agreement rating with the Marcos Jr. administration’s policies and programs in the West Philippine Sea increased since July 2023 by 15 percentage points,” OCTA Research said.

“Meanwhile, the disagreement rating decreased by 3 percentage points,” the polling firm added.

Across the major areas, OCTA Research said it was only in Mindanao where the agreement rating decreased by 6 percentage points.

Mindanao also had the highest increase by 10 percentage points in the disagreement rating.

On the contrary, Visayas had the highest decrease by 24 percentage points.

The polling firm said it is in classes ABC and D that adult Filipino’s agreement rating with the Marcos administration’s policies and programs in the West Philippine Sea has increased since July 2023 by 6 and 20 percentage points, respectively.

In class E, it decreased by 6 percentage points. In classes ABC, the disagreement rating with the policies and programs in the West Philippine Sea increased by 3 percentage points, OCTA Research said.

In class D, it decreased by 5 percentage points. Bicol Region had the highest agreement rating at 89 percent, while Cagayan Valley had the lowest agreement rating at 2 percent.

On the other hand, disagreement with the Marcos administration’s policies and programs is highest in Northern Mindanao at 41 percent.

Dual approach

The same survey showed a significant majority of adult Filipinos favored a dual approach of diplomacy and military action for asserting territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Based on the results of the poll, 70 percent of adult Filipinos want the Marcos administration to further assert the Philippines’ territorial rights through diplomacy and other peaceful methods.

Meanwhile, almost two-thirds, or 65 percent, of the respondents said they want to fight for the Philippines’ territorial rights through military action.

OCTA defined “military action” as expanded naval patrols and troop presence in the West Philippine Sea.

On the other hand, 62 percent of Filipinos want to modernize and strengthen the military’s capabilities first to protect the country’s territories.

Meanwhile, 42 percent of Filipinos said they want the government to have joint maritime patrols and exercises with ally countries, while 42 percent want expanded diplomatic efforts with countries within and outside the region to reduce tension in the West Philippine Sea.

Most adult Filipinos in the NCR prefer asserting the Philippines’ territorial rights through diplomacy and other peaceful methods at 81 percent and military action at 82 percent.