Filipinos back PH decision to confront China

By: Matikas Santos - 10 years ago

Mahar Mangahas, SWS president with DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez during presentation of survey results. PHOTO BY MATIKAS SANTOS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – A vast majority of Filipinos agree with the Philippine’s decision to stand up to China over the issue of the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Dr. Mahar Mangahas, Social Weather Stations (SWS) President, presented the results of their survey commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Monday, which showed that a large majority are aware and agree with the government’s actions against China’s increasingly aggressive territorial claims.

Asked about the Philippine’s filing of an arbitration case against China before the United Nations (UN), 62 percent of the respondents said they strongly agree, while 20 percent said they

somewhat agree.

On whether the Philippines should seek help from other nations regarding China’s strengthening of its military forces in the West Philippine Sea, 56 percent said they strongly agree, while 24 percent said they somewhat agree.

At least 93 percent answered yes when asked whether the Philippines should defend its territory and the resources in the West Philippine Sea through lawful means.

“The people overwhelmingly support the rule of law approach of the government in the West Philippine Sea issue and that they strongly and fully support the arbitration case that we have filed against China,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

Regarding awareness, 73 percent said they were already previously aware of the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea while 68 percent are aware that there could be oil and gas reserves in the seabed of the region.

The survey was conducted from December 11 to 16, 2013 with a sample size of 1,550 respondents from all over the country.