Filipinos have unequivocally voiced their support for aligning with the United States amidst mounting tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea, according to a comprehensive survey conducted by Oculum Research and Analytics.
The survey, which sampled 3,000 respondents nationwide through random sampling from February 21 to February 29, sheds light on the majority of the sentiments of the Filipino populace regarding the territorial dispute.
At a press briefing held in Intramuros, Manila, Racidon Benarte, research head of Oculum Research, stressed the importance of the survey findings.
“There is a clear trend of weariness upon the public towards deepening ties with China,” he said.
Benarte’s observation resonates with the survey results, which revealed that 43% of Filipinos prioritize aligning with the US over China in the event of heightened tensions in the highly-disputed waters.
Joseph Mercado, Oculum’s chief statistician, echoed Benarte’s sentiments, highlighting the factors contributing to the low level of trust in China.
“The low level of trust in China and a relatively high level of distrust could be attributed to geopolitical tensions, economic competition, territorial disputes, or concerns over political and human rights abuses,” Mercado said in a separate statement.
In addition to the preference for aligning with the US, the survey unveiled that 40% of Filipinos advocate for an autonomous approach to the dispute, expressing reluctance to align with any superpower.
The survey also gauged sentiments regarding potential military actions in the South China Sea. Results indicated that 32% of Filipinos recommend seeking military assistance from the US, while 31% advocate for defending the Philippines’ territory against China independently.
Furthermore, the survey also showed a stark contrast in perceptions of trustworthiness between China and other nations. Only 17% of Filipinos find China trustworthy, while 38% consider it untrustworthy. Among the 16 countries included in the survey, China garnered the highest level of distrust, followed by Russia with 19% distrust.
China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, particularly through its Coast Guard and maritime militia, have consistently sparked tensions in the region. Recent incidents, including the firing of a water cannon at a Philippine Navy supply boat en route to the Ayungin Shoal, have further exacerbated concerns regarding China’s aggressive posture.
Against this backdrop, the Philippines and the US commenced the Balikatan Exercises just last week, a joint military exercise aimed at enhancing bilateral defense cooperation.
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