Over 70 percent of Filipino adults expressed commitment to defend the country's territory including the West Philippine Sea, a recent OCTA research survey result shows.

The survey that was conducted in the first quarter noted that, "three in four adult Filipinos (76 percent) express willingness to support the government in defending the country's territory and sovereign rights, including over the West Philippine Sea."

"This patriotism is broad-based — with only 7 percent in disagreement, the survey establishes a clear and durable national consensus, one that cuts across class, gender, locale, and generation," it added.

In a statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said "the AFP welcomes the latest OCTA Research survey results, which reveal that 76 (percent) of Filipinos stand firmly behind the government’s commitment to defend our national territory, particularly the West Philippine Sea."

"This overwhelming manifestation of support with only 7 percent disagreement strengthens our resolve to keep performing our mandate. It also underscores that the defense of our sovereignty, sovereign rights and maritime entitlements is a collective duty anchored on national unity," he added

Trinidad assures that the AFP, "guided by our constitutional mandate and the CADC, remains unwavering in its duty to secure our EEZ and protect our Filipino fishermen."

"This strong public trust fortifies our determination to resist coercive and illegal actions in our waters. We assure the Filipino people we will continue to perform our operations with professionalism, transparency and adherence to international law," he said.

According to the survey, "agreement is highest in NCR (83 percent) and Balance Luzon (77 percent), while the lowest level is recorded in the Visayas (68 percent). Further, disagreement is highest in Mindanao

(13 percent).

It also shows that "regional disaggregation reveals considerable variation in public commitment to territorial defense."

"The highest agreement rates are concentrated in Mimaropa (93 percent), Caraga (91 percent), Western Visayas (90 percent), Bicol Region (83 percent), and Central Luzon (81 percent). In contrast, agreement is markedly lower in Central Visayas (45 percent), Ilocos Region (61 percent), Davao Region (61 percent), and Eastern Visayas (63 percent)," the survey stated.

"Of particular note is the Davao Region, which records not only one of the lowest agreement rates in Mindanao but also the highest national disagreement rate at 34 percent — a figure that demands targeted policy and communications attention," it added. Robina Asido/PHS