| Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash
NEW YORK — The nationwide poll, conducted from December 12 to 15, 2025, asked 1,200 respondents to identify up to five countries or organizations they believe the Marcos administration should work with to assert Philippine rights and safeguard national interests. The survey has a ±2.8 percentage‑point margin of error.
U.S. Tops List of Trusted Partners
The United States emerged as the most trusted partner, with 82 percent of Filipinos expressing confidence in Washington’s ability to support the Philippines amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Japan ranked a distant second at 64 percent, followed by Canada (58 percent) and Australia (51 percent). South Korea placed fifth at 37 percent, slightly ahead of the United Kingdom (33 percent) and the European Union (27 percent). Taiwan garnered 12 percent, while China — which continues to contest the Philippines’ maritime entitlements — ranked ninth with 11 percent. India rounded out the list with 4 percent.
Stratbase Group founder and CEO Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said the results reflect a public that is “fully aware of China’s aggression” in the WPS. “The sentiment is very clear. Filipinos know who is violating our rights, and they know who our friends are,” Manhit said.
Context: Rising Maritime Tensions
The survey was released as Philippine authorities continue to report incidents involving Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in areas within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Manhit cited National Maritime Council records showing 78 reported incidents of Chinese aggression, including 13 radio challenges, one ramming incident, seven dangerous maneuvers, and two water cannon attacks. The list also includes shadowing, blocking of Filipino fishermen, and the laying of nets near traditional fishing grounds such as Scarborough Shoal.
“These actions have put Filipino fishermen and Philippine Coast Guard personnel in danger and have disrupted fishing activities in waters that belong to the Philippines,” Manhit said.
Similar Findings in Other Pulse Asia Surveys
The results align with another Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the We Protect Our Seas Foundation in September 2025, which found that 77 percent of Filipinos view the U.S. as the country best able to help the Philippines address Chinese coercion in the WPS.
That survey also showed strong support for Japan (45 percent), Australia (30 percent), Canada (29 percent), and the United Kingdom (25 percent) as dependable partners in maritime security cooperation.
Across all major regions, the U.S. remained the top choice, with support highest in Metro Manila (82 percent) and Luzon (81 percent), followed by the Visayas (77 percent) and Mindanao (65 percent).
Public Confidence in Alliances
Analysts say the findings underscore broad public support for the Philippines’ deepening security ties with like‑minded democracies. The U.S. and the Philippines are bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, while the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) has expanded joint training, humanitarian response capabilities, and access to selected Philippine military bases.
The survey results, Manhit said, demonstrate that Filipinos “recognize the value of alliances” in defending national sovereignty and maintaining regional stability.
