8 in 10 Pinoys back govt efforts to assert maritime rights in WPS

3 PH warships conduct exercise near Scarborough

Some 84 percent of Filipinos support the government’s efforts to assert and protect its maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea, with 91 percent showing strong awareness of the ongoing dispute with China, a survey by OCTA Research showed.

Highest support for the government’s efforts to assert sovereignty in the WPS was recorded in Metro Manila, with 90 percent of adult Filipino respondents expressing agreement.

However, Balance Luzon recorded the lowest level of agreement at 81 percent.

When it comes to awareness of the WPS dispute, respondents from Visayas recorded the highest rate at 96 percent, while Mindanao had the lowest awareness level at 87 percent.

The survey reported that awareness levels of the territorial dispute vary across age groups, ranging from 87 percent to 98 percent.

The highest awareness was observed among individuals aged 25 to 34, while the lowest was among those aged 45 to 54 and 65 to 74.

The survey was conducted from November 10 to 16, 2024 with 1,200 male and female respondents aged 18 and above, through face-to-face interviews.

Josue Raphael Cortez, a lecturer at the School of Diplomacy and Governance at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, explained the high level of awareness among Filipinos, particularly regarding the dispute with China, can be largely attributed to extensive media coverage and the current administration’s transparency.

“Public opinion now on the matter becomes more and more formidable. Issues of our fisherfolks being continuously harassed and our own Coast Guard being challenged by their Chinese counterparts undoubtedly affect the general public’s sentiments as it is inherent in our culture that we get to show sympathy towards our fellow Filipinos,” Cortez told Manila Standard.

Cortez said the WPS issue is expected to continue shaping the 2025 elections, with candidates’ positions on the matter likely to influence voter preferences.

Meanwhile, three of the country’s major warships carried out a “unilateral exercise” aimed at enhancing and improving their crew and operation efficiencies while conducting sovereignty patrol in the WPS.

In a statement, Philippine Fleet public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Randy Garbo said the drill took place “in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc.”

The warships include the multi-mission capable frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), the Philippine Navy capital ships currently deployed in the WPS — the Del Pilar-class patrol vessels BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), Garbo said.

Similarly, Philippine Air Force (PAF) commander, Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, visited key installations in the WPS and reminded troops there of their vital role in defending the country.

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said Cordura’s visit from Tuesday to Wednesday included trips to Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and Pag-asa Island.

She said the PAF commander’s visit underscores the PAF’s commitment to national security and the well-being of its personnel.

For its part, fishers’ group Pamalakaya called on China and the United States to “demilitarize” the WPS amid the “recurring presence of foreign naval ships” from the two countries.

“For us fishermen, US and Chinese ships have no innocent passage in the West Philippine Sea because they both provoke each other,” Pamalakaya vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo said in a statement.

However, the US Embassy in Manila maintained that US presence in the WPS has always conformed with international maritime regulations.

“All of our operations are designed to be conducted in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows,” US Embassy Press Attaché Kanishka Gangopadhyay said. — Rachelle Tonelada & Rex Espiritu