Nearly seven in 10 Filipinos support the government’s continued public disclosure of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, according to a nationwide Pulse Asia survey conducted from February 27 to March 2, 2026, underscoring strong domestic backing for a policy that has defined Manila’s stance in its maritime dispute with Beijing.
The survey found that 68 percent of Filipinos favor revealing China’s coercive activities against Philippine vessels and fishermen in the contested waters, while 28 percent oppose the approach and 4 percent remain undecided. The poll interviewed 1,200 adults through face-to-face interviews and carries a margin of error of ±2.8 percent.
The findings land at a pivotal moment as the Philippines chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, placing Manila’s approach to maritime transparency under regional scrutiny.
Strongest Support in Luzon
Support for continued public disclosure is most pronounced in Metro Manila and Balance Luzon, where 75 percent of respondents favor the policy. In Mindanao, 68 percent express support, while the Visayas records 45 percent, the lowest among the major island groups.
Across socioeconomic classes, backing remains robust: 76 percent in Class ABC, 67 percent in Class D, and 63 percent in Class E support transparency on developments in the West Philippine Sea.
The results suggest that public backing for disclosure cuts across income groups, though it is strongest among higher-income Filipinos and residents of Luzon, where political and media institutions are concentrated.
Trust Tilts Heavily Toward the United States
The survey also highlights where Filipinos believe support should come from. Seventy percent identified the United States as the most trusted partner in defending the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Other countries received significantly lower trust ratings:
Japan – 46 percent
Australia – 37 percent
Canada – 26 percent
ASEAN as a bloc – 24 percent
South Korea – 20 percent
Russia – 19 percent
United Kingdom – 16 percent
Germany – 13 percent
Taiwan – 6 percent
Trust in China remains low. A related Pulse Asia survey conducted in December 2025 found only 11 percent of Filipinos expressing trust in China as a partner in the West Philippine Sea.
That December survey, commissioned by Stratbase, also recorded 82 percent trust in the United States, reinforcing the perception that Filipinos see Washington as Manila’s primary strategic counterweight in the dispute.
Diplomatic Protests and Rising Tensions
The public sentiment reflected in the survey unfolds against a steady stream of diplomatic protests. Data from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) show that the Philippines filed 47 diplomatic protests in 2025 alone over incidents involving blocking maneuvers and the use of water cannons against Philippine vessels.
Since 2020, the total number of protests has reached 445, reflecting sustained friction in waters that an international tribunal ruled in 2016 fall within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
For coastal communities, these confrontations are not abstract geopolitical skirmishes but daily risks. Fishing boats navigating disputed waters face harassment, affecting catch volumes and, by extension, market supply and food prices.
“National Dignity” and Food Security
Victor Andres “Manong Vic” Manhit, founder and CEO of Stratbase Group, framed the survey results as evidence of growing public awareness.
“Filipinos are conscious of who infringes upon our rights and are aware of who our allies are. The situation in the WPS impacts our fishermen, our food security, and our national dignity.”
The link between maritime access and household welfare resonates strongly in an archipelago where fish remains a primary source of protein. Reduced fishing grounds can ripple outward — from coastal incomes to urban market prices — much like a tide that gradually shifts the shoreline.
Military Sees ‘Morale Booster’
The Armed Forces of the Philippines regards the findings as affirmation of its efforts to uphold a rules-based order in the contested waters.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson of the AFP, said: “Filipinos understand that, despite the many false narratives and malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party, we should trust like-minded nations who support international law when it comes to the West Philippine Sea. It is a very strong morale booster to the AFP.”
The military has increased joint patrols and exercises with allied nations in recent years, moves that align with the high trust ratings for the United States and other defense partners such as Japan and Australia.
A Public Mandate for Transparency
The Pulse Asia findings suggest that the government’s policy of publicly documenting and releasing footage of maritime incidents — once a cautious diplomatic calculation — now carries clear majority support.
While 28 percent oppose continued disclosure, potentially reflecting concerns about escalation or economic repercussions, the dominant view appears to favor openness over quiet diplomacy.
As the Philippines steers ASEAN discussions this year, the survey serves as a domestic barometer: a strong majority of Filipinos want the government to keep the spotlight on developments in the West Philippine Sea — and to stand visibly alongside partners they trust.
In a dispute defined by shifting tides and competing narratives, public opinion has drawn a firm line. Transparency, for most Filipinos, is no longer optional. It is expected.
