EIGHT out of 10 Filipinos believe that the Marcos Jr. administration should work with the United States amid continuing tension in the West Philippine Sea, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by international think tank Stratbase Institute.   

The polling firm released the survey results on Tuesday during a forum entitled, “Fortifying Cyber Cooperation Towards Digital Security”, also organized by Stratbase.   

The survey conducted from December 3 to 7, 2023, asked 1,200 respondents from all over the country about their view on the countries or organizations they want the Philippines to work with considering the implications of the tensions in the West Philippine Sea on the country’s security and economy. The respondents were allowed to choose up to three answers.   

Seventy-nine percent of Filipinos said they want the Marcos Jr. administration to work with the United States, while almost half of Filipinos answered Australia (43%) and Japan (42%).  

Stratbase President Professor Dindo Manhit said the results show the need for the Marcos administration to bolster its alliance and partnerships with like-minded states like the US, Australia, and Japan.   

“These countries have continued to voice their support for the Philippine position and have condemned Chinese actions against Filipino vessels. Their resounding statements of support boost the confidence of the Philippines in the international community. In the face of asymmetric security challenges, the Philippines must leverage its relations with states with shared values and with the same commitment to defend the rules-based international order,” Manhit explained.   

Manhit noted that only one out of ten Filipinos or 10% favored working with China.   

“As evidenced by the survey results, 90% of Filipinos are not in favor of working with China. This is only natural, as the Philippines continue to encounter aggressive and coercive acts in the West Philippine Sea. In addition to diplomatic protests, the Philippines is also exiting from China’s Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.   

Results from the same Pulse Asia survey also shows that majority or 55% of Filipinos believe that the Marcos administration can fulfill its promise of protecting the West Philippine Sea against the illegal and aggressive actions of other states.