A considerable majority (70%), nearly 7 out of 10 Filipino adults, oppose the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) intervention in political disputes, according to a survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.
In the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey, results showed that only 5% of Filipino adults agree with the AFP’s intervention, and 22% remain ambivalent.
Opposition to the AFP’s intervention in politics is more pronounced in Mindanao, with 79%, followed closely by NCR at 78%.
Meanwhile, it is relatively lower in Visayas (71%) and Balance Luzon (63%).
The highest levels of disapproval were recorded in Northern Mindanao (86%), SOCCSKSARGEN (86%), MIMAROPA (83%), Western Visayas (83%), and Eastern Visayas (82%).
Most regions show a majority against military intervention, except in the Ilocos Region (47%) and Cagayan Valley (35%), where ambivalence is more prominent, with 48% and 65% undecided, respectively.
Overall, agreement with the AFP intervention remains below 10%, except in MIMAROPA (14%) and the Negros Island Region (12%).
Notably, there were no respondents in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, or Bicol Region who supported military intervention.
According to OCTA, these results suggest that even in areas where trust in the military tends to be higher, such as Mindanao, the majority of respondents still favor civilian authority over military involvement.
These regional variations may reflect differences in political awareness and varying exposure to destabilization narratives circulating online and in local discourse.
The survey also revealed that agreement remains low across all major areas and socio-economic classes, with percentages ranging from 3% to 7%.
Meanwhile, ambivalence is significantly higher in Balance Luzon, at 28%, while it ranges from 14% to 19% in other areas.
Among classes, Class E (25%) showed the highest ambivalence, followed by Class D (21%) and Class ABC (19%).
OCTA also noted that the overwhelming majority of Filipinos rejecting the idea of military intervention in politics reaffirmed their strong commitment to civilian supremacy, democratic stability, and constitutional governance.
The survey was conducted amid heightened public debate and online rumors of retired generals exploiting a controversial corruption probe to stir up military adventurism between late September and October 2025.
However, these claims were swiftly denied by AFP and government officials, who reaffirmed their adherence to the Constitution and rejection of any extra-constitutional actions.
The face-to-face survey was conducted from September 25 to 30, with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above.
