A strong majority of Filipinos support joint military exercises and patrols with allied nations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), viewing them as crucial to safeguarding the nation’s maritime territory, according to a recent OCTA Research survey.
Commissioned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the nationwide poll was conducted from March 19 to 25, 2026, sampling 1,200 adult respondents.
The data revealed that 71 percent of participants believe joint military operations with partner countries are either highly beneficial or somewhat helpful in protecting the country’s waters.
Conversely, 14 percent of respondents expressed concern that such activities could lead to negative consequences or complications. The remaining respondents were split, with 7 percent predicting no impact and another 7 percent staying undecided.
Regional Breakdown
Approval for allied military operations peaked in the National Capital Region (NCR) at 74 percent. Mindanao followed closely with 73 percent support, though it also registered the highest level of concern regarding potential drawbacks, at 17 percent. Both the Visayas and Balance Luzon recorded a solid 70 percent approval rate.
Socioeconomic Insights
Public opinion also varied slightly across socioeconomic classes. Support was strongest among Class ABC at 79 percent. While Class E registered the lowest level of approval among the groups, a definitive majority of 69 percent still favored the joint exercises.
Pockets of Skepticism
Despite widespread backing, certain regions demonstrated notable apprehension toward allied military engagements:
- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM): 35 percent viewed the activities as harmful
- Cagayan Valley (Region II): 33 percent viewed the activities as harmful
- Northern Mindanao (Region X): 25 percent viewed the activities as harmful
- Central Visayas (Region VII): 21 percent viewed the activities as harmful
OCTA Research suggested that these regional disparities might stem from uneven public awareness regarding the goals of international military cooperation.
“These regional gaps indicate that information about the nature and objectives of joint military activities has not been effectively disseminated to all communities, highlighting the need for improved public communication that is both accessible and sensitive to regional contexts.”
The survey features a ±3 percentage point margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level, while regional estimates have a margin of error of ±6 percentage points.