SWS: 3 of 4 voters back WPS defenders

Three out of four Filipino voters would choose a leader who will firmly defend the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to the latest survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The survey, commissioned by Stratbase Consultancy and conducted from 11 to 15 April, found that 75 percent of voters prefer candidates who believe the Philippines must assert its rights against China’s aggressive actions.

Only 25 percent said they would support candidates who don’t share that view. While still showing strong support for a firm stance, the April results mark a slight drop from February 2025, when 78 percent expressed the same preference.

SWS interviewed 1,800 registered voters face-to-face across the country — covering Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao — with a margin of error of ±2.31 percent nationwide.

In the survey, voters were asked: “Which of the two candidates will you vote for?” — one who believes the Philippines must assert its rights, or one who does not believe it should.

Tension between the country and China has been escalating for years over the WPS, which China claims as part of the bigger South China Sea, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidating its claim.

The Philippines and the United States recently kicked off their first integrated coastal defense drills just after China claimed it had seized control of Sandy Cay, a reef near Thitu Island (Pag-asa) in the West Philippine Sea.

Chinese state media reported that the coast guard had “implemented maritime control” over the tiny sandbank.

However, the Philippine Navy rejected China’s claim on Monday that it has taken control of Sandy Cay, which China refers to as Tiexian Reef.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for the Navy in the WPS, stated that the claim is likely an attempt to shift public attention away from concerns over Chinese espionage and the alleged hiring of a troll farm by the Chinese Embassy in Manila back in 2023.

This year’s “Balikatan” exercises involve 17,000 troops and will simulate full-scale battle scenarios aimed at boosting defense against potential threats in the disputed waters.