Majority of Filipinos believe joint patrols in WPS 'sufficient' —SWS commissioned survey

ILOCOS NORTE - Majority of Filipinos expressed belief that the administration's measures in addressing issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are sufficient, a survey result showed on Thursday. 

According to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by Stratbase, 60% of Filipinos believed that the government’s actions in conducting joint patrols and military exercises with allied nations and partners are enough.

The same survey indicated that 72% of Filipinos agreed that the Philippine government should form an alliance with other countries when it comes to defending the Philippine territory. 

To recall, the Philippines had several joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea with troops from the United States, Australia, Japan, and France amid the aggressive actions of Chinese forces in the region. 

At present, the Philippine Navy is studying the possibility of conducting a rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal as part of a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) with allied countries. 

A resupply mission could be part of a multilateral exercise involving several nations. In such a scenario, ships and aircraft from countries such as the US, Japan, UK and Australia could conduct simultaneous patrols with Philippine forces in the South China Sea. 

Tensions continue amid China’s massive claim in the South China Sea including the portion the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea. 

Beijing has since ignored the arbitral ruling invalidating its massive claims in the region as it continues its hostile actions in the West Philippine Sea. 

The survey was conducted on June 23 to July 1, 2024, involving 1,500 respondents nationwide. The survey had sampling error margins of ±2.5%. —VAL, GMA Integrated News