The National Security Council (NSC) welcomed the results of a survey conducted by a private research firm which found that majority of adult Filipinos agree with the current administration's approach to handling the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The “Tugon ng Masa” (TNM) survey conducted by the OCTA Research from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 with 1,200 respondents showed that 58 percent of adult Filipinos support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s policies and programs in WPS in the third quarter of 2023.

"We appreciate the support of the Filipino people and the public can be assured that the NSC will always advance the national interest and protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity at all times," National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said in a statement on Thursday, Dec. 28.

The results of the survey saw a 15 percent increase in public support compared to the 43 percent approval in a survey in July.

"The survey results show that the Filipino people consider the WPS as a major concern and that the lives and livelihood of our people, especially the fisherfolk who depend on the seas, are primordial concerns which cannot be taken for granted," Año noted.

"The survey results show that the country's foreign and security policies, including strengthening our ties with partners, allies and friends, are on the right track and we shall pursue our national interest with greater resolve in the coming year," he added.

Marcos has restored the country's warm ties with the United States and pushed to further cooperation with other allies to advance Manila's interests in the West Philippine Sea, a move that turned back the policies implemented by his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, which leaned towards China.

The expression of public support by majority of the Filipinos came as Beijing escalated its aggressive actions in the WPS.