The latest OCTA Research survey on January 17 revealed that an overwhelming majority of Filipinos back the government’s efforts to resolve the maritime territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea.
According to the Tugon ng Masa poll conducted in November 2024, 84 percent of Filipinos expressed support for the government’s actions in asserting the country’s maritime rights in the contested waters. The highest levels of support were recorded in the National Capital Region (90 percent), followed by the Visayas (87 percent), Mindanao (83 percent), and Balance Luzon (81 percent).
“Agreement levels of at least 90 percent were recorded in MIMAROPA (100 percent), Bicol Region (99 percent), Negros Island Region (98 percent), Zamboanga Peninsula (95 percent), Davao Region (94 percent), Western Visayas (93 percent), National Capital Region (90 percent), Ilocos Region (90 percent), and Eastern Visayas (90 percent),” OCTA said.
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) recorded the lowest support level at 66 percent.
Across socioeconomic classes, support was strongest among Class D (84 percent), followed by Class E (83 percent) and Class ABC (77 percent).
In socioeconomic classification, Class A, B, C, D and E are used to categorize individuals or households based on income, education, occupation and access to resources, with E being very poor or marginalized such as those living below the poverty line.
The survey revealed that 91 percent of Filipinos are familiar with the West Philippine Sea disputes. Awareness was highest in the Visayas at 96 percent, with Mindanao reporting the lowest rate at 87 percent.
OCTA noted that Filipinos in rural areas exhibited slightly higher awareness (93 percent) compared to those in urban areas (90 percent). Awareness was also highest among those with college or postgraduate education (95 percent) and lowest among individuals with vocational education.
The non-commissioned survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above, with a margin of error of ± three percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
United in sovereignty defense
Meanwhile, the National Security Council (NSC) has vowed to intensify efforts to protect and preserve the nation’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, following the OCTA survey showing that majority of Filipinos strongly support the national government’s efforts to assert its maritime rights.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the findings highlight widespread engagement with the territorial dispute. “This affirmation from the people reflects a shared commitment to protect our national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Año said in a statement over the weekend.
He pointed to the survey’s finding that 91 percent of Filipinos are aware of the territorial dispute as evidence of the public’s informed and unified stance.
“With 91 percent of Filipinos aware of the ongoing territorial disputes, it is evident that the public is not only informed but also united in supporting the country’s efforts to defend its rights and interests in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
Año reiterated the government’s adherence to the Philippine Maritime Zones Law, the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law, and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which affirms the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
“This ruling is binding under international law and remains a cornerstone of our position,” Año said. He also assured that the Philippines would continue to operate within international legal frameworks while focusing on sustainable practices in the region.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Filipino fisherfolk, marine resources, and economic activities in the disputed waters, aligning with both environmental conservation and national interests.
“We will continue to emphasize sustainable fishing practices, marine conservation, and the protection of all economic activities in the West Philippine Sea, especially those of our fishermen. The unity and awareness shown by Filipinos across all regions, socio-economic classes, and both rural and urban areas are vital as we continue to address these challenges,” said Año.
He concluded by thanking the Filipino people for their trust and unity, emphasizing that public support strengthens the nation’s resolve to secure its maritime rights. “We thank the Filipino people for their continued trust and support. Our unity strengthens our nation,” Año said.
China continues to assert its claim over nearly the entire South China Sea, dismissing a 2016 international arbitration ruling that found no legal basis for its expansive territorial assertions.
In recent months, tensions have escalated with multiple confrontations reported between Filipino boats and Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the disputed waters.
Photo credit: National Security Council of the Philippines. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.