More Filipinos supported the expanded maritime patrol and presence of forces in the West Philippine Sea, a recent OCTA Research survey showed on Wednesday.

The survey noted that "support for expanded naval patrols and troop presence increased from 65 percent in October 2023 to 72 percent in December 2023, then settled at 69 percent in March 2026."

"Despite these movements, support has remained consistently high throughout the period. The broader pattern suggests sustained public support for maintaining a visible Philippine presence in areas where the country asserts sovereign rights and jurisdiction," it stated.

The poll conducted from March 19 to 25, also stressed that awareness on the developments on the West Philippines Sea "is widespread across regions, socioeconomic classes, and age groups."

"The survey finds 72 percent of adult Filipinos are familiar with current developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), indicating that the issue has become part of the broader national discourse rather than a niche foreign policy concern," the survey said.

In a statement the Office of the AFP Special Spokesperson for West Philippine Sea said that the military are "deeply encouraged that the top measures favored by (the Filipino) citizens to address the West Philippine Sea conflict focus heavily on territorial assertion, diplomacy and defense modernization."

"These insights reinforce our implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC). Your AFP remains steadfast in securing our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), reinforcing our maritime presence and protecting Filipino fishermen," it stated.

"This overwhelming public trust fortifies our determination to defend our national sovereignty and resist any coercive and aggressive actions in our maritime domain," it added.

Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP public affairs chief, expresses the military's "gratitude for the continued support of the Filipino people and reassures the nation of its unwavering commitment to its mandate by strengthening its capabilities, supporting diplomatic initiatives, and upholding a rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea in pursuit of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for all Filipinos." Robina Asido/PHS