Chello Gonzales October 02, 2023
5 out of 10 Filipinos are skeptical of China, while the United States is the most trusted by Filipinos, according to the latest national survey conducted by Oculum Research and Analytics.
This third quarter poll revealed that among 1,200 respondents, 51% of them, which is equivalent to 549 individuals, expressed that they did not trust China.
The Oculum third quarter national poll interviewed 1,200 respondents 18 years old and above. They were randomly selected through a multistage probability sampling method.
Oculum Chief Political Analyst Dr. Dennis Coronacion stated that the Filipinos' distrust in China can have correlation to the media reports about their behaviors in the West Philippine Sea.
“Several incidents of harassment committed against the Philippine coast guard and the Filipino fishermen by the Chinese coast guard in the disputed waters have always resulted in negative public perception toward China," Coronacion added.
Similarly, Oculum Oversight Board member Manny Mogato said that this survey proved that this can be attributed to China's "increased coercive activities in the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea.”
He also noted that Rodrigo Duterte’s move during his six-year presidency to have closer relationships with Beijing “failed to influence Filipinos to raise trust ratings in China," even though he was the most popular leader at that time.
China-Philippines relationship
China’s action towards the West Philippine Sea is not new for Filipinos, as their aggressive behavior shows and multiplies as time goes by.
In 2023, a series of events happened between Chinese vessels and Filipino vessels in relation to their territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
February
Chinese Coast Guard ship aimed lasers at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Malapascua causing temporary blindness on its crews.
July
Philippine Navy noticed 48 Chinese fishing vessels around the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
August
Chinese ships fired water cannons at Philippine supply boats near Ayungin Shoal.
China's presence at Ayungin Reef and its pursuit and shadowing of Philippine Coast Guard vessels
September
China installed a floating barrier at Scarborough Shoal (known as Bajo Masinloc Reef) to stop Filipino fishing vessels from entering.
Filipinos amidst geographical issues
Furthermore, Russia, which, like China, has a history of country aggression, but with Ukraine, also topped the list with 48% distrust ratings.
"Similar to China's case in the South China Sea region, the Filipino public feel that there is no moral justification for acts of aggression by these states," Coronacion stated.
Meanwhile, Kuwait, which ranks third with 31% distrust, might be linked to the "unpleasant experiences" of OFWs in the country, as he also stated.
The third quarter poll results revealed Filipinos' positions and perspectives on geographical issues impacting the country.
This was conducted on July 17-31, 2023 wherein the respondents were asked to rate their support for 14 countries that have geopolitical issues with the Philippines, and those who have high numbers of OFW.
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