SWS: Filipinos' net trust in China negative since 2012

MANILA, Philippines - The Filipinos' trust in China has been negative since 2012, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported on Monday.

In a media briefing at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), SWS President Mahar Mangahas said trust rating in China is at net -17 percent in 2013 and has been negative since 2012. Net trust is measured by the number of Filipinos who have much trust on China minus those with little trust. 

The Philippines is embroiled in a territorial dispute with China which claims virtually the entire South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), overlapping with exclusive economic zones of other countries including the Philippines. On the other hand, a net +82 percent of Filipinos trust the United States (US) the most in 2013. The Philippines has a mutual defense treaty with the US.

According to a survey commissioned by DFA, majority of Filipinos support the government's move to file a case against China in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

Based on data gathered by SWS in December, a net +73 percent of Filipinos agree with the Philippine government bringing the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute to the attention of ITLOS. Citizens from the National Capital Region agree the most (+83 percent), followed by Visayas (+74 percent), Mindanao (+72 percent) and Luzon (+69 percent).

In January 2013, the Philippines filed a notification and statement of claim before the international tribunal in an attempt to invalidate China's claim to virtually the entire West Philippine Sea.

Filipinos overwhelmingly believe the Philippines should defend its territory and natural resources in the West Philippine Sea through lawful means, with about 93 percent of Filipinos expressing their agreement. About 2 percent disagree while 5 percent don't know.

Majority of Filipinos also agree that the Aquino administration should seek help of other countries amid China's efforts to strengthen its military forces in the disputed territories, with a net +70 percent agreeing to ask for help.

Seventy-seven percent also believe that international law is a great equalizer against countries like China, which are militarily and economically stronger than the Philippines. Fifteen percent disagreed while 8 percent don't know.

"The overwhelming support of the Filipino people for the arbitration case and our rules-based approach to the West Philippine Sea dispute proves that taking a principled stance, one that is based on respecting the rule of law and pursuing peaceful settlement of disputes, strongly resonates with the Filipino people," DFA Spokesperson Raul Hernandez said.

Hernandez added that the state agency has yet to discuss the implications of the survey on policies concerning the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute.