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Philstar.com
June 10, 2026 | 5:57pm
Ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy steam in formation during a group sail exercise as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the South China Sea, April 28, 2026.
US Marine Corps / Manuel A. Serrano
MANILA, Philippines — Nearly nine in 10 Filipinos believe the government should work with like-minded countries to defend the West Philippine Sea in accordance with the 2016 arbitral award, according to a Pulse Asia survey.
The survey, conducted from May 3 to 7 and commissioned by think tank Stratbase Institute, found that 86% of respondents agreed with the statement that the Philippine government should defend the West Philippine Sea with countries with similar interests based on the ruling that invalidated China's sweeping claims over the South China Sea.
Only 3% disagreed, while 11% said they could not say whether they agreed or disagreed.
The findings were released ahead of the 128th anniversary of Philippine independence and a month before the country marks the 10th anniversary of the arbitral ruling.
Agreement with West Philippine Sea statement
Pulse Asia Research / Stratbase survey | May 3-7, 2026 | Philippines | In percent
Test statement: “The Philippine government should defend the West Philippine Sea with like-minded countries in accordance with the 2016 Arbitral Award.”
Source: Pulse Asia Research / Stratbase, May 3-7, 2026 survey.
Broad support across regions
Support was highest in Mindanao at 91%, followed by the National Capital Region at 90%, the Visayas at 86% and Balance Luzon at 82%.
Across socioeconomic classes, 88% of respondents from Classes ABC agreed with the statement, followed by 87% from Class D and 75% from Class E.
The survey also found that 56% of respondents nationwide strongly agreed that the Philippines should defend the West Philippine Sea with like-minded countries, while 30% somewhat agreed.
Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres Manhit said the results showed public support for a strategy that combines diplomacy, defense and partnerships.
"The 2016 arbitral award remains a cornerstone of our lawful claims in the West Philippine Sea. The survey results show that Filipinos want the government to continue pursuing a strategy that combines principled diplomacy, credible defense, and strong partnerships with like-minded nations," Manhit said.
Manhit said Filipinos were "sending a clear message" that the country should remain firm in defending its rights while working with partners that support international law and a rules-based Indo-Pacific.
US, Japan top preferred partners
Asked which countries or organizations the Philippines should work with in defending the West Philippine Sea, 84% of respondents chose the United States.
Japan followed with 67%, while Australia was chosen by 57%, Canada by 51% and South Korea by 44%.
Other choices were the United Kingdom at 32%, the European Union at 26%, Taiwan at 23%, China at 18% and India at 9%.
Entities the Philippines should work with in defending the West Philippine Sea
Pulse Asia Research / Stratbase survey | May 3-7, 2026 | Philippines | In percent | Multiple response, up to 5
Source: Pulse Asia Research / Stratbase, May 3-7, 2026 survey.
Support for working with the United States was broadly high across regions, with 86% in Metro Manila, 85% in Balance Luzon and Mindanao, and 79% in the Visayas.
Japan drew its strongest support from Metro Manila at 87%, while Australia received its highest regional support in the Visayas at 69%.
The figures for the United States and Japan were higher than their ratings in a similar Stratbase-commissioned survey conducted from Dec. 12 to 15, 2025, where they received 82% and 64%, respectively.
"These suggest that Filipinos distinguish between countries that support the Philippines' lawful rights in the WPS and those whose actions have contributed to tensions in the area," Manhit said.
