A majority of Filipinos want the government to continue asserting the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to a recent Pulse Asia survey.
Stratbase ADR Institute president Victor Andres Manhit presented the results of the survey during a forum on the anniversary of the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral win against China over the dispute in the South China Sea.
The 2016 Arbitral Award, issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague favored the Philippines and dismissed Beijing’s “nine-dash line” claim as having no legal basis under international law.
Despite being a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China has repeatedly ignored the ruling and continued its assertive activities in contested waters.
Based on the results, the National Capital Region (NCR) has the most respondents (83 percent) who agreed that the current administration must continue its efforts in the WPS.
Balance Luzon followed suit with 82 percent, the Visayas with 60 percent, and Mindanao with 59 percent.
Only seven percent disagreed with the Philippine government’s claim over the WPS, while 18 percent remained undecided.
The respondents were also asked about measures the Philippines should pursue to assert its sovereign rights over the disputed territories.
Around 65 percent said the Philippine government should support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard to enhance national defense and ensure territorial integrity.
Fifty-one percent said the administration should reinforce alliances and elevate partnerships by conducting joint patrols and military exercises with allies and partners.
On the other hand, 33 percent believed the Philippine government should establish defense and security agreements with like-minded partners.
Around 14 percent said the administration should hold leaders accountable and ensure commitment to defend the country’s interest in its maritime territories.
Meanwhile, 12 percent said the Philippine government should file formal protests and continue to engage China diplomatically.
Commissioned by Stratbase, the survey was conducted from June 26 to 30 using 1,200 respondents.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro raised alarm over China’s ongoing rejection of the 2016 Arbitral Award, calling it a threat to regional peace and the rule of law.
“It is worrisome that China has continued to reject the binding Arbitral Award and persists with illegal, coercive, and aggressive actions under cover of a revisionist, self-serving interpretation and application of international law, particularly UNCLOS,” she said in the same forum.
“The Award not only sets reason and right in the South China Sea, but is like a lighthouse that guides how maritime matters and concerns in the region ought to be addressed,” said Lazaro.
The foreign affairs chief described China’s interpretation of international law as “revisionist” and “self-serving,” warning that such actions pose long-term dangers to global maritime governance.
She also noted that the award has been recognized in subsequent legal opinions, including a recent advisory from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on climate change.
Lazaro then emphasized the need to uphold diplomacy while simultaneously strengthening national defense and security capabilities.
She said the Philippines will continue engaging China through formal mechanisms such as the Foreign Ministry Consultations and the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the West Philippine Sea.
“Building our national capacities is essential in enabling our authorities to assert, protect and defend our interests. But at the same time, the President has been very consistent and unequivocal in saying that the Philippines will be a paragon for the peaceful settlement of disputes,” Lazaro said.
The secretary highlighted the Marcos administration’s efforts to deepen partnerships with allies like the United States, Australia, South Korea, and Japan.
Visiting Forces Agreements with several countries have likewise expanded, including new ones with New Zealand and ongoing negotiations with Canada and France.
She said these partnerships are essential in bolstering the country’s multilateral and bilateral strategies to protect its maritime interests.
While asserting the Philippines’ sovereign rights, Lazaro reiterated the country’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
“If we can engage our most challenging relationships, then surely we can produce effective strategic outcomes with our allies, partners, and other like-minded countries,” she said.
The secretary ended her speech by affirming that the Philippines will continue to reject any attempt to dilute or undermine the legitimacy of the arbitral ruling.
She warned that efforts to erode the rules-based order only embolden aggression and place smaller nations at greater risk.
“We count on the support of our partners and the international community to help us uphold the rule of law and ensure peace in our seas,” she concluded.
