Most Pinoys back government actions in West Philippine Sea – OCTA poll

MANILA, Philippines — A large majority of Filipinos support government actions in the West Philippine Sea, according to a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.

Results of the Nov. 10 to 16 survey, released yesterday, showed that 84 percent “support the national government’s efforts to protect and assert the country’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.”

It was composed of 38 percent who said they “strongly agree” with the statement and 46 percent who “somewhat agree.”

Only one percent said they “somewhat disagree” to the government efforts in the region, while none said they “strongly disagree.”

Fifteen percent of the respondents said they cannot say if they agree or disagree with the government’s efforts in the West Philippine Sea, while one percent said they do not know.

Across areas, support for government actions in the area was highest among those in Metro Manila at 90 percent, followed by those in the Visayas at 87 percent, Mindanao at 83 percent and the rest of Luzon at 81 percent.

It was highest among socio-economic classes D and E at 84 percent and 83 percent, respectively, than those from classes ABC, which was at 77 percent.

The survey had 1,200 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent