A majority of adult Filipinos support the Marcos administration’s handling of the West Philippine Sea disputes, according to a non-commissioned OCTA Research survey released Friday.
The survey, conducted from April 20 to 24 among 1,200 adult respondents nationwide, found that 66 percent agreed with the government’s response to the maritime issue.
Thirteen percent disagreed, while 1 percent said they could not say whether they agreed or disagreed. The survey had a ±3 percent margin of error.
The results were released ahead of the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 arbitral ruling, which rejected China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea and affirmed key Philippine maritime rights.
Support for the administration’s West Philippine Sea response was recorded across all major geographic areas.
Agreement was highest in the National Capital Region at 70 percent, followed by Balance Luzon at 68 percent, the Visayas at 65 percent, and Mindanao at 62 percent.
Disagreement was highest in Mindanao at 19 percent, followed by NCR at 13 percent, Balance Luzon at 12 percent, and the Visayas at 11 percent.
Across socioeconomic classes, Class ABC registered the highest support at 68 percent, followed by Class D at 67 percent and Class E at 63 percent.
By age group, agreement was highest among respondents aged 75 and above at 75 percent. They were followed by those aged 55 to 64 at 68 percent.
Respondents aged 18 to 24, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, and 65 to 74 each recorded 67 percent agreement, while those aged 25 to 34 posted the lowest support at 62 percent.
Urban and rural respondents posted equal support at 66 percent. By gender, agreement was higher among males at 69 percent than females at 64 percent.
By educational attainment, support was highest among respondents with high school education at 67 percent. Those with no formal or elementary education and those with college or postgraduate education both recorded 66 percent, while respondents with vocational education posted 64 percent.
The latest findings follow a March OCTA survey showing that 72 percent of adult Filipinos were aware of the territorial disputes, while 76 percent said they were committed to defending Philippine territory.
The March survey also found that 71 percent believed joint military exercises between the Philippines and its allies help strengthen West Philippine Sea security.