Most Filipinos (74 percent) perceived China as the greatest threat to the Philippines, surpassing Russia and North Korea with four percent each, based on the latest survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.
In its latest Tugon ng Masa survey, results showed that Filipinos dislike China due to its aggressive acts in the West Philippine Sea, with 64 percent and 76 percent of respondents across central areas sharing this view. Participants in Metro Manila registered the strongest sentiment.
Aside from maritime disputes, 13 percent of Filipinos are concerned about the influx of smuggled goods harming local industries. Nine percent highlight the increase in criminal cases involving Chinese nationals, while eight percent worry about competition from Chinese workers affecting jobs and livelihoods.
The survey also revealed that 76 percent of adult Filipinos fully support the Philippine government’s efforts to assert sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
This sentiment is pronounced in the National Capital Region and Mindanao, with 86 percent and 21 percent, respectively. In contrast, undecided responses are more observed in Balance Luzon (25 percent) and the Visayas region (21 percent).
According to OCTA Research, this may reflect an alignment between highly urbanized and peripheral regions and varying levels of awareness, local priorities, or concerns about maritime disputes’ economic and security implications.
The face-to-face survey was conducted from July 12 to 17, 2025 with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above.
This survey has a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have the following margins of error at a 95% confidence level: ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
