Most Filipinos distrust, see China as the greatest threat to PH — OCTA survey

Majority of Filipinos distrust China and see the country as the greatest threat to the Philippines, according to the results of the latest Tugon ng Masa survey by OCTA Research released on Monday.

“A great majority of adult Filipinos (85%) continue to distrust China, with only 15 percent saying the Philippines should trust the country,” OCTA said.

Several regions such as MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Caraga reported a full 100% distrust with China. Distrust is lowest in Cagayan Valley at only 34%.

“China is also overwhelmingly viewed as the greatest threat to the Philippines, cited by 74 percent of respondents, far ahead of Russia and North Korea at 4 percent each,” OCTA said.

According to OCTA, the main reasons for Filipinos’ distrust with China are the following:

• China’s aggressive acts in the West Philippine Sea (66%)
• the influx of smuggled products from China that hurt local industries (13%)
• the increase in criminal cases involving Chinese nationals (9%)
• job competition from Chinese workers (8%).

Meanwhile, OCTA also said the survey results showed that the great majority of Filipinos at 76% strongly support defending the country’s maritime rights, affirming that the WPS is a vital part of the nation’s maritime entitlements and backing government efforts to assert them.

The non-commissioned poll was conducted by OCTA from July 12 to 17, 2025 through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above.

This survey had a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level, according to OCTA. 

Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have the following margins of error at a 95% confidence level: ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, OCTA added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News