Eighty-four percent of Filipinos believe that the current administration should team up with the United States (US) in strengthening security cooperation to defend the country's national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, results of the latest survey of Pulse Asia revealed on Thursday, Jan. 5.

Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes released the survey results during a forum organized by Stratbase ADR Institute and the United States Embassy. The survey was conducted on November 27 to December 1, 2022, and was commissioned by Stratbase.

According to the pollster, aside from the US, 52 percent of Filipinos also believe that the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. should also work with Japan, 25 percent with Australia, 24 percent with the United Kingdom, and 23 percent with South Korea.

Meanwhile, 20 percent of respondents said that they want the Marcos administration to work with China to strengthen security cooperation to defend our national sovereignty.

Marcos is currently on a three-day state visit to China that is expected to address security issues and bolster trade and investment ties.

In his speech during the forum, Stratbase President Professor Dindo Manhit recalled that a June 2022 commissioned survey likewise showed that the top three countries most trusted by Filipinos for the Philippine government to work closely with include the United States, Australia, and Japan.

“This indicates that the Philippines must continue to work with its existing allies and forge relationships with new ones in order to competitively and efficiently address issues and incidents in the West Philippine Sea. Working with like-minded states, such as the United States, Australia, and Japan, and elevating these ties to strategic partnerships reaffirm the country’s 2016 Arbitral win and contribute to the security and stability in the region,” Manhit said.

The December 2022 Pulse Asia survey also shows that about 80 percent of Filipinos believe that to effectively address issues in the West Philippine Sea, the Marcos administration should prioritize strengthening the military capability of the Philippines, especially the Navy and the Coast Guard, and conduct joint maritime patrols and military exercises with allied countries.

The same survey also shows that 53 percent of Filipinos believe that the protection of marine resources and the environment in Philippine territory is the most important reason to strengthen our ability to defend and protect our seas, while 22% think the most important reason is the protection of rights of peoples and communities in the coastal areas.

Meanwhile, 14 percent of Filipinos believe that stopping China’s incursions in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ.