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SWS: 87% of Filipinos say it is important for PHL to regain full control of West Philippine Sea


The results of the Second Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey showed that 87 percent of adult Filipinos say it is important that the Philippines regains control of the islands occupied by China in the West Philippine Sea.

In question for the survey, conducted from June 27-30, 2018, was “In your opinion, is it important that the control of the islands that China currently occupies in the West Philippine Sea be given back to the Philippines?”

The reply of correspondents showed that 69 percent answered very important, 18 percent somewhat important and only 1 percent somewhat not important and 1 percent not at all important. Meanwhile, 11 percent were undecided about the matter.

The June survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults aged 18  and above and done nationwide with 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The area estimates were weighted by Philippine Statistics Authority medium-population projections for 2018 to obtain the national estimates.

The Social Weather Survey items on people’s opinion about the West Philippine Sea conflict were non-commissioned. They were included on SWS's own initiative and released as a public service.

China is afraid to face any court

On the statement, "China is afraid to face any court because they know that they are not on the side of justice," 69 percent agree (with 45 percent strongly agree and 24 percent somewhat agree) while 8 percent disagree (6 percent somewhat disagree and 3 percent strongly disagree), with the statement. Twenty-two percent were undecided.

This gives a net agreement score of +61, classified by SWS as “very strong”.

The SWS terminology for net agreement: +50 and above, "very strong"; +30 to +49, "strong"; +10 to +29, "moderate", +9 to -9, "neutral"; -10 to -29, "poor"; -30 to -49, "weak"; -50 and below, "very weak".

On China's alleged abuses of Filipino fishermen

The survey tested four specific issues, presented in random order, about the West Philippine Sea.

There are 65 percent of respondents who are aware that the Chinese coast guard has forced Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea to turn over their catch even before the survey. The remaining 35 percent learned about the issue for the first time during the interview.

However, 43 percent say the government's non-protest of the actions of China is not considered treachery.

The next statement to which respondents reacted was, “Because China did not recognize the ruling of the International Arbitral Tribunal regarding the West Philippine Sea, they have been continuing their unjust actions in the area such as construction of artificial islands, military airbases, and forcing Filipino fishermen to turn over the fish they catch in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – these actions of China are not being protested by the government of the Philippines. In your opinion, is the non-protest by the government of the Philippines a form of treachery by Pres. Duterte?”

At least 43 percent answered No, it is not a form of treachery while 29 percent believe the government's non-protest stance is a form of treachery, and 28 percent said they do not know.. — BAP, GMA News

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