Majority of Filipinos believe that government actions on some issues in the West Philippine Sea are sufficient, according to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by the Stratbase ADR Institute. The polling firm conducted the survey on June 23 to July 1, 2024 and asked 1,500 respondents nationwide. Results show that 60% of Filipinos believe that the government’s actions in conducting joint patrols and military exercises with allies, friends, and partners are sufficient.
Furthermore, results from the same survey also show that 72% of Filipinos agree that the Philippine government should form an alliance with other countries in defending the Philippines’ territorial and economic rights in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines has conducted at several joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea with the United States, Australia, Japan, and France since late last year, following the repetitive aggressive and coercive actions of China in the West Philippine Sea. However, geopolitical expert Stratbase ADR Institute President Dindo Manhit said there is a need for to conduct more joint patrols with likeminded nations in light of China increasing aggression in Philippine waters.
Manhit noted that results from the latest Pulse Asia survey likewise show that 51% of Filipino believe there is a need to reinforce alliance and elevate partnerships by conducting joint patrols and military exercises with allies, friends, and partners.
“This year, we witnessed actions – the most aggressive by far — performed against our fellow Filipinos at sea. Our troops, fisherfolk, and vessels encountered several attempts to block rotation and reprovision missions, numerous occasions of firing of water cannons, and an alarming number of collisions and near-collisions,” Manhit said.
“We call on our friends, allies, and partners, who also value the rule of law to join us in our fight, and the Philippine government to reinforce cooperation and elevate partnerships by conducting more joint patrols and military exercises in the West Philippine Sea,” he emphasized.
During a Stratbase Institute conference celebrating the 8th anniversary of the arbitral ruling last week, at least 26 countries, through their ambassadors and their representatives, reaffirmed their support on the 2016 Arbitral Award.
On Tuesday, the Philippine Navy said it is looking into the possibility of conducting a rotation and reprovision mission to Ayungin Shoal with several nations, including US Japan, UK, and Australia, as part of a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity with these allied countries, During the last resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on June 17, China not only blocked Philippine vessels, but also seized our equipment and injured our people in an act of piracy.
Armed with axes and knives, the Chinese Coast Guard reprimanded and threatened Filipino soldiers for “trespassing” in their so-called “territory.” “As our military outpost, we should not be deterred from sending supplies and from improving that facility [BRP Sierra Madre]. What’s happening now is they’re [China] stopping us from moving forward.
Our supply ships should really push through. This is where we can maximize joint patrols and be shepherded by allies and friends during the resupply. Not to cause war but simply to exercise our own rights based on international law. Our military facility is within our Exclusive Economic Zone,” Manhit said.
“By conducting joint patrols with like-minded partners and allies, we are sending a strong message that the Philippines is not alone. Those who attempt to circumvent their obligations and behave aggressively will not be tolerated by the international community. We will not waver in our determination and commitment,” he explained.
Results from the same SWS survey also show that majority of Filipinos believe the government is doing sufficient actions in protecting Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea (57%) and in strengthening the military capability of the Philippines, especially the Navy (56%).
Most Filipinos also believe that the government is doing enough in protecting the marine resources in the West Philippine Sea (55%), in referring the issue to international organizations like the UN or ASEAN, for a diplomatic and peaceful negotiation with China about the claimed territories (54%), and in gathering evidence of China’s actions in the West Philippines Sea and publishing them (54%).
Meanwhile, 49% of Filipinos believe that the government’s actions in demanding that China leave the artificial islands it illegally constructed and then occupied in the West Philippine Sea were not enough.
