MANILA, Philippines — An overwhelming majority of Filipinos continue to distrust China and view it as the country’s greatest threat, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa nationwide survey released Monday by OCTA Research.

The July 12–17 poll found that 85 percent of adult Filipinos distrust China, while only 15 percent said the Philippines should trust it. Levels of distrust were highest in Metro Manila and Balance Luzon at 88 percent, and lowest in the Visayas at 77 percent. In some regions — including MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Caraga — respondents reported 100 percent distrust.

When asked which country poses the biggest threat to the Philippines, 74 percent of Filipinos pointed to China, far outpacing Russia and North Korea at 4 percent each. The top reason cited was China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (66 percent), followed by concerns about smuggled Chinese goods harming local industries (13 percent), rising criminal cases involving Chinese (9 percent), and job competition from Chinese workers (8 percent).

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At the same time, 76 percent of the respondents strongly support defending the Philippines’ maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea and back government efforts to assert sovereignty there. Only three percent disagreed, while 19 percent were undecided. Support was strongest in Metro Manila and Mindanao, both at 86 percent.

Most Filipinos distrust China, see it as biggest threat — OCTA survey

The survey polled 1,200 adult Filipinos nationwide through face-to-face interviews. It has a ±3 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.