By Filane Mikee Cervantes
MANILA – Eighty-four percent of Filipinos support the national government’s efforts to defend and assert maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to a recent survey released by OCTA Research on Friday.
The Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey, conducted Nov. 10 to 16, 2024, showed strong support for the government’s initiatives in protecting the WPS, with Metro Manila showing the highest approval at 90 percent while Balance Luzon recorded the lowest at 81 percent.
Among socioeconomic classes, the highest level of support was observed in Class D at 84 percent, followed closely by Class E at 83 percent.
In terms of age group, respondents aged 25 to 34 expressed the highest level of agreement at 89 percent, while the 18 to 24 demographic showed the lowest support at 71 percent.
The survey also reported that awareness of the territorial disputes in the WPS is widespread, with 91 percent of respondents familiar with the issue.
Conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above, the survey has a ±3 percent margin of error and a 95 percent confidence level.
The National Security Council (NSC) earlier said the Philippines is not tolerating the illegal activities of Chinese maritime forces within Philippine waters as it confirmed that China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, dubbed a “monster ship” due to its size (165 meters), continues to operate illegally within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Philippine assets are challenging the presence of Chinese vessels on a daily basis.
Malaya also said the government’s maritime domain awareness capabilities have been focused on detecting illegal activities being conducted by the CCG.
The National Maritime Council (NMC) previously underscored that illegal activities by the Chinese are clear violations of Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act; international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; and the 2016 arbitral ruling that affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its maritime zones, especially in the WPS.
“The Philippine government has been vigilant and unwavering in upholding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction within its maritime zones,” the NMC statement read. (PNA)
