Metro Manila, Philippines – Majority of Filipinos said they are committed to supporting efforts to defend the country’s territory, including asserting sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, a survey conducted by OCTA Research showed.
The survey commissioned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) found that 76 percent of Filipinos strongly agree with the statement: “I am committed to support the government in defending its territory and asserting sovereign rights, including over the West Philippine Sea.”
Meanwhile, 17 percent were undecided when asked and seven percent disagreed with the statement.
According to the survey, agreement is highest in the National Capital Region with 83 percent and Balance Luzon at 77 percent, while the lowest level is recorded in the Visayas at 68 percent. Disagreement is highest in Mindanao at 13 percent.
“Of particular note is the Davao Region, which records not only one of the lowest agreement rates in Mindanao but also the highest national disagreement rate at 34 percent — a figure that demands targeted policy and communications,” the research firm said.
The survey was conducted from March 19 to 25, 2026, using face-to-face interviews with a total of 1,200 respondents nationwide. The study has a ±3% margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.
