Majority of Filipino adults distrust China and consider it the greatest external threat to the Philippines, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey conducted by OCTA Research.
As this developed, some senators are considering filing a resolution to recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare certain Chinese Embassy officials persona non grata following heated exchanges with Philippine officials, Senator Erwin Tulfo said.
“Only the President can declare a diplomat persona non grata…What we can do, and what we are contemplating, is to discuss filing a resolution declaring them persona non grata and recommending it to the Palace so the President can take action,” Tulfo said.
The National Maritime Council on Wednesday likewise underscored the importance of accurate, evidence-based discussion on maritime issues and stressed that official engagements with other countries must be conducted following established diplomatic and legal channels.
“Such engagements are governed by international law and mutual respect, not by rhetoric, misinformation, and disinformation, or attempts to inflame public sentiment…The Philippines does not seek provocation or escalation. Our approach is measured and responsible: to protect our people, uphold our sovereign rights and maritime entitlements, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes through lawful and diplomatic means,” the NMC said.
The OCTA survey found that 79 percent of respondents identified China as the country’s biggest external threat, up from 74 percent in July 2025.
Russia and the United States trailed far behind, cited by 5 percent and 4 percent of respondents, respectively.
Across all major regions, China emerged as the top perceived threat, with figures ranging from 78 percent to 84 percent. Concern was highest in the National Capital Region, OCTA said.
The survey also showed that 60 percent of Filipino adults believe the Philippines should not trust China, while only 13 percent said the country should place trust in it.
Trust levels remained low across regions, ranging from 8 percent to 18 percent, with the highest recorded in Mindanao.
The face-to-face survey was conducted from December 3 to 11 among 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above.
It has a margin of error of ±3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level, while subnational estimates for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have margins of error of ±6 percent.
For his part, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for taking a firm, law-based stand in defending Philippine territory, saying the recent survey results show that Filipinos overwhelmingly support efforts to protect the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“President Marcos has been clear and consistent: we will defend what is ours, anchored on law and diplomacy,” said Ortega, a House leader from La Union, a West Philippine Sea–facing province.
“For a small country, resolve matters. Strength is not measured by size, but by the courage to stand firm and by our commitment to the rule of law.”
“The message from the people is unmistakable. They expect their government to defend the nation’s territory, protect those on the frontlines, and do so with dignity and discipline. That is exactly what the President is doing,” he added.
As this developed, Malacañang on Wednesday said it will not comment on the meeting between Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan.
“There will be no reaction from the President and the Palace whatever the mayor of Davao City does…We have a saying: ‘Buntot niya, hila niya.’ Whatever he (Duterte) does, the consequence is on him,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
In a social media post, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Jing, who stayed in Davao City for two days, also met with members of the Filipino-Chinese community.
“Ambassador Jing had a fruitful meeting with Mayor Sebastian Duterte and City Councilors of Davao, exchanging views on enhancing bilateral ties and exploring cooperation in economic, high-tech, cultural, educational fields and so on,” the embassy said.
Meanwhile, DFA spokesman for ASEAN Dax Imperial said the regional bloc and China are committed to concluding the Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations this year, with discussions expected to move forward based on agreements reached in previous meetings.
In a press briefing ahead of today’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM), Imperial said the upcoming “confidential” meeting aims to facilitate progress in the negotiations.
“The Philippines, as chair, is really facilitating the progress of the discussions in terms of encouraging more meetings so that we’ll be able to at least endeavor to conclude the negotiations or the discussions within the timeline that was given under the guidelines which was set back in 2023,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated story. Earlier posted under the headline “More Pinoys see China as biggest external threat—survey.”
