'Great majority' of Filipinos ready to defend PH if conflict erupts —OCTA survey

A great majority of Filipinos are willing to defend the country "in the event of a conflict," according to the OCTA research's latest study.

Based on their latest Tugon ng Masa survey, 70% of adult Filipinos were willing to fight for the country, while 30% of the respondents said that they were unwilling or undecided.

Majority of the willing respondents (79%) were from the National Captial Region, followed by Balance Luzon (73%).

By socioeconomic class, willingness is highest among Class ABC (79%), followed by Class D (70%) and Class E (64%). In terms of age, the highest record of willingness was recorded among Filipinos aged 75 or older (77%).

"This enduring sentiment reflects a deeply ingrained sense of patriotism and collective identity that cuts across socioeconomic, regional, cultural, and ethnic divides. Defending the nation continues to serve as a unifying moral anchor for many Filipinos—a shared belief that transcends differences in background and circumstance," OCTA said in its research.

There was also a sizable percentage of willingness for "Gen Z" (73%) and "millenial" (75%) respondents.

“This strong patriotic sentiment among the younger generations may reflect a renewed and active form of nationalism—one that combines emotional commitment with civic awareness and a sense of shared responsibility for the country’s future," the study added.

Decline

Despite the high numbers, OCTA noted that the numbers declined by 8 points from June 2024’s 78%.

OCTA shared that the decrease may be attributed to the Philippines’ economic, political, and social climates.

“Persistent political scandals, high inflation, economic insecurity, local political dynamics and unequal access to credible information may have weakened patriotic confidence among poorer and more vulnerable sectors. In contrast, heightened national conversations on sovereignty, defense, and regional security appear to have reinforced national pride and resolve among the middle and upper classes,” the study read.

“These patterns indicate that economic stability and civic awareness may play a decisive role in shaping how Filipinos perceive patriotism and their willingness to defend the nation,” it added.

Data used in the study was gathered from face-to-face interviews of 1,200 respondents nationwide, conducted between September 25 to 30.

The survey has a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level. —VAL, GMA Integrated News