The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) welcomed last week the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing overwhelming public support for the government’s transparency initiatives in the WPS and strong confidence in its defense of Philippine sovereignty.
“We thank the Filipino people for their trust in the NTF-WPS and its member agencies, particularly the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine Navy, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, all of whom gained high trust ratings from the public,” the task force said.
The survey, conducted from September 27 to 30, showed that 41 percent of Filipinos consider the PCG the most trustworthy agency for updates on the WPS situation. An overwhelming 94 percent also expressed support for the continued transparency policy that exposes China’s coercive and aggressive actions in the area.
“This strong vote of confidence is not just a reflection of institutional performance; it is a reflection of national unity in the face of continuing challenges to our sovereignty,” the NTF-WPS noted.
The task force vowed to sustain and further strengthen its transparency policy, saying: “We will continue to shine light on every illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activity in our waters. We will not be silenced, we will not be intimidated, and we will never turn away from our duty to defend the Filipino people’s rights and the nation’s dignity.”
The same survey also revealed that 77 percent of respondents view the United States as the country the Philippines can most rely on — a finding that NTF-WPS said underscores the enduring strength of the Philippines-U.S. alliance.
“This partnership is rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of law,” the task force added, stressing the need to strengthen ties with like-minded nations upholding a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific.