Seventy percent of Filipinos want the national government to assert the country's territorial rights in the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS) through diplomacy and other peaceful methods, according to the recent Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey conducted by OCTA Research.
The results of the TNM poll, released on Sunday, August 13, showed that most of the individuals who are in favor of this measure come from the Visayas region with 84 percent.
This was followed by Mindanao with 70 percent affirmation, the National Capital Region (NCR) with 67 percent, and Balance Luzon with 64 percent.
OCTA Research Tugon ng Masa Nationwide Survey Conducted July 21 to 26 2023 on "Measures to be Prioritized by Government to Address the Conflict in the West Philippine Sea." 70% of respondents favored diplomacy and other peaceful methods. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/HUsIdh8URy
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) August 13, 2023
The survey also found that 65 percent of Pinoys want to put forward the country's territorial rights through military action.
Respondents also answered that they want the Marcos administration to take the following measures:
- Modernize and strengthen the capability of the Philippine military - 61 percent
- Expand diplomatic efforts with the countries within and outside the region to reduce tension in the area - 41 percent
- Conduct joint maritime patrol and exercises with ally countries - 40 percent
The last action that Filipinos want the government to take is shelving disputes to join economic development of the area with 19 percent.
The results of the polls was released weeks after the China Coast Guard (CCG) dangerously maneuvered and illegally blasted water cannons on its Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels near Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.
The TNM survey was conducted from July 22 until 26, with a +3% margin of error.
A total of 1,200 respondents participated nationwide.
