OCTA: Most Pinoys see China as top threat to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — A large majority of Filipinos distrust China and perceive it as the greatest threat to the Philippines, according to a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.

The survey, conducted from July 12 to 17, found that 74 percent of the respondents selected China as the country that poses the greatest threat to the Philippines.

Some 10 percent said none, while the rest were between one and four percent (Russia and North Korea, four percent each; United States and Iran, two percent each; Pakistan, Japan and Saudi Arabia, one percent each).

The survey also asked respondents how much trust they have in China. Eighty-five percent said they distrust China (44 percent not too much trust, 44 percent no trust at all), while only 15 percent said they trust it (one percent great deal of trust, 14 percent fair amount of trust).

Distrust in China was highest among respondents in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon at 88 percent, followed by those in Mindanao at 84 percent and the Visayas at 77 percent.

Across socio-economic classes, it was highest among those in class E at 90 percent, followed by those in class D at 85 percent and classes ABC at 80 percent. The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said there were no threats “this time” against Philippine troops on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal despite the unusual presence of Chinese vessels in the vicinity.

“But of course we are always on alert. We don’t know what they’re thinking,” Teodoro said, referring to the Chinese, on the sidelines of the commemoration of National Heroes’ Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

The troops on Sierra Madre, he said, were under orders to remain vigilant.

“We see nothing extraordinary. We have monitored increased presence, not just in Ayungin. Sometimes there’s an increase, sometimes there’s none. Maybe it’s because Exercise ALON, the largest held in Palawan, had just ended,” he added.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Canadian Navy held a joint maritime cooperative activity last Saturday in the West Philippine Sea under Exercise ALON.

No change in a stance

Teodoro emphasized there is no change in the Philippines’ stance despite increased Chinese presence in Ayungin Shoal, noting that the country has an obligation to defend its territory.

“To change our stance will be to the great detriment to our national interest. That’s something nobody can do under our Constitution and our moral obligation,” he said.

The National Maritime Council (NMC) also reported no significant Chinese activity around Ayungin Shoal.

“As reported by the commander of the Western Command, they (Chinese vessels) are not that many... one or two Chinese Coast Guard and other Chinese militia vessels were in the vicinity. But basically on a day-to-day basis, this is what we monitor in Ayungin Shoal,” NMC spokesman Alexander Lopez said in a television interview. — Pia Lee-Brago, Helen Flores