By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Majority of Filipinos across socio-economic classes and across the archipelago declared sentiments of disapproval against China on multiple facets, according to the results of the July 2025 Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by OCTA Research.
This, as the East Asian nation continues to ramp up its aggressive acts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), on top of the influx of smuggled products and an uptick in criminal cases involving Chinese nationals.
The poll results paint a picture of a multi-dimensional distrust against China on matters concerning sovereignty, as well as economy and security, with 88% of respondents in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Balance Luzon having negative views on the country.
Moreover, in comparison to other countries, China topped the list of the countries that were perceived as the greatest threat to the Philippines, with 78% of survey participants in Balance Luzon placing the East Asian nation ahead of Russia and North Korea in terms of the danger that they pose to the Southeast Asian nation.
When quizzed about their reactions to the government’s unwavering efforts to assert sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea amid various challenges, 76% of adult Filipinos expressed approval of the prompt action exercised by members of the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, and Armed Forces of the Philippines in defending the country’s territorial waters.
These findings underscore the citizenry’s sentiment vis-à-vis President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s firm stance on the WPS issue, embodying a nation that is unified under the President’s resolve “to not let China have even an inch of our territory”.
The survey was conducted from July 12 to 17, 2025, with 1,200 male and female respondents aged 18 and above participating in face-to-face interviews. (with report from Patrick de Jesus/PTV News)
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