OCTA survey: Filipinos identify China as ‘greatest threat’ to the Philippines

Majority of Filipinos perceive China as the “greatest threat” to the Philippines, based on an OCTA Research survey conducted in the first quarter of 2024.

During the survey conducted from March 11 to 14, 1,200 respondents were asked to select, from a list of 10 countries, which they believe posed the greatest threat to the Philippines.

The survey results, released late Wednesday, June 5, revealed that 76 percent of Filipinos perceive China as the greatest threat to the country.

OCTA noted that this perception remained "statistically unchanged" from the December 2023 results of 79 percent, taking into account the margin of error of +/-3 percent.

In each of the major areas, OCTA said at least 71 percent see China as the greatest threat, with Metro Manila having the highest percentage of adult Filipinos who believe China is the greatest threat to the Philippines, at 86 percent.

In terms of socio-economic class, Classes D (77 percent) and E (76 percent) perceive China as the greatest threat to the country.

Only 63 percent of Filipinos in Class ABC believe the same.

In comparing March 2024 with the figures from the initial survey conducted under the administration of President Marcos in October 2022, it was found that the percentage of adult Filipinos perceiving China as the greatest threat to the Philippines surged by 17 percent, rising from 59 to 76 percent.

Few Filipinos see other nations as top threat

During the same survey period, OCTA found that less than 10 percent of Filipinos believe that five other nations on the survey list pose the biggest threat to the Philippines.

These countries were Russia (9 percent), North Korea (2 percent), Pakistan (2 percent), Japan (2 percent), and Saudi Arabia (1 percent).

Based on the survey results, no respondents identified the United States, India, Great Britain/United Kingdom, or Australia as the greatest threat to the Philippines.

Meanwhile, 5 percent said none of the countries on the survey list pose the greatest threat, and 2 percent refused to answer.

China’s economic impact

After respondents identified the country they perceived as the greatest threat to the Philippines, the survey delved into adult Filipinos' perceptions of China's economic impact on the nation.

OCTA reported that the percentage of adult Filipinos who believe China has a positive impact on the country's economic conditions decreased by 3 percent, dropping from 16 percent to 13 percent.

Meanwhile, 44 percent of adult Filipinos remained undecided on the matter.

According to OCTA, 42 percent hold a negative view of China’s impact on the economy.