Filipinos’ mistrust of China is growing; AFP rejects Beijing’s claim for Ayungin’s scarf
THE SPEECH of Filipinos distrusting China increased to 64% in July from 55% in March, reflecting the public’s attention to the South China Sea disputes, according to an OCTA survey released on Wednesday.
“This suggests that many Filipinos are moving away from uncertainty and have settled on a strong – and distrustful – view of China,” OCTA said in its report.
Reliance on China dropped to 14% from 17%, while the share of undecided respondents dropped to 21% from 28%, indicating that more Filipinos have settled in Beijing.
OCTA said public opinion appears to be “more responsive to the information environment,” especially when maritime issues dominate national discourse.
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a Viber message seeking comment.
The results of the study coincided with a new focus on the Philippine Sea following the 10th the 2016 anniversary of an arbitration ruling that dismissed China’s claims in the South China Sea. This period also saw ongoing political exchanges and maritime incidents involving Philippine and Chinese ships.
“The findings are consistent with the perception that increased public attention in the Philippine Sea is accompanied by a significant increase in mistrust of China,” OCTA said.
The researcher said that the latest results have reversed the monitoring trend that has been going on for almost two years. Distrust fell from a record high of 95% in 2024 to 85% in July 2025 before falling sharply to 55% in March this year.
OCTA said the previous decline was “weak,” noting that it reflected growing ambivalence rather than growing confidence in China.
“One period of national attention is enough to reverse more than a year of low confidence,” he said.
Of all the regions, mistrust was strongest in Mimaropa, where 94% of respondents expressed mistrust of China, followed by Caraga with 88%. Central Visayas recorded the lowest mistrust rating at 47%, although it remains the dominant view in the region.
By age group, respondents aged 18 to 24 posted the highest distrust rating of 73%, followed by those aged 25 to 34. OCTA found no significant differences by gender or income group.
The survey was conducted from July 4 to 11 through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adult respondents across the country. It had a margin of ±3 percentage point at the 95% confidence level.
The latest findings come as Manila continues to protest China’s actions in the South China Sea while upholding a 2016 arbitral award, which Beijing rejected.
‘FALSE NARRATIVE’
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea have rejected China’s claim to authorize the medical evacuation of Philippine Navy guards injured in the Second Thomas Shoal, saying that the operation was carried out by the Philippine authorities only in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“The Philippines does not ask for, and does not need, the permission of any foreign country to conduct activities in its exclusive economic zone,” the AFP statement said.
The military said the July 21 evacuation of wounded Navy guards in the area BRP Sierra Madre it was jointly conducted by the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), adding that Beijing has no legal basis to authorize or control Philippine activities in the area.
AFP said Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ, as confirmed by a 2016 arbitration award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Calling China’s statement a “false story,” the military said Beijing was trying to create the impression that it has jurisdiction over the waters when it has no legal authority.
The response came after China’s Coast Guard said it allowed the evacuation “out of concern for the people” and said it was monitoring the operation.
The task force also disputed Beijing’s account, saying the exodus was not authorized by China and was done as an act of kindness by China.
Instead, the task force said the China Coast Guard’s heavy-duty boats engaged in dangerous preventive measures during operations, hindered the transfer of injured personnel to PCG vessels and increased the risk of critical equipment at the time.
“China’s subsequent assertion that it ‘allowed’ the operation contradicts the behavior of its personnel on the scene,” the panel said.
It added that medical evacuations should never be prevented or exploited to advance illegal maritime claims.
The task force said the incident reflected what it described as China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive and manipulative” behavior, including dangerous actions at sea and disinformation aimed at legitimizing its claims in the South China Sea.
AFP and the task force urged Beijing to stop interfering with the Philippines’ work and comply with international law.
“We remain firm in fulfilling our legal mandate to protect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Philippines, and we will continue to conduct legitimate activities throughout the West Philippine Sea without seeking the consent of China or any other foreign power,” AFP said.
The latest exchange follows a clash near Ayungin Shoal earlier this week that left a Philippine Navy personnel injured.
Philippine authorities said the sailor suffered a head injury after encountering Chinese Coast Guard personnel during an exchange and delivery of supplies at the dock. BRP Sierra Madreserving as Manila’s military force in the disputed area.
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via Viber.
THE MACOS-RUBIO MEETING
Also on Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the Philippine-US alliance, promising deeper cooperation in economic security, defense and emerging technologies during Mr. Rubio’s visit to Manila.
The two officials agreed to increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest during Mr. Rubio in Malacañang, held on the sidelines of the ministerial meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the Presidential Communications Office.
“In general, it was to… strengthen our relationship,” Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez told reporters. “Yes, the President expresses his gratitude for the continuous support we have received from the United States in all matters, not only in defense but also in the economy.”
Mr. Rubio also conveyed greetings from US President Donald J. Trump, Mr. Romualdez said, adding that the US leader may visit the Philippines in November for the ASEAN Leaders Summit.
Mr. Romualdez said Mr. Marcos welcomed progress on the Luzon Economic Corridor and the US-backed Pax Silica initiative as key to economic security.
“He is very happy that it is moving quickly and that will really help the Philippine economy and our desire to have this kind of economic development that we wanted because it means economic security for us,” he said.
Pax Silica includes plans for a 1,618-hectare economic security zone in New Clark City, Tarlac, focusing on artificial intelligence, semiconductor-related industries and other strategic technologies.
The program is part of a broader effort to strengthen property financing and attract investors, although some groups have expressed concerns about land use, resource management and environmental impact.
Mr. Romualdez said that issues concerning the International Criminal Court and the American campaign against this court were not discussed.
“That has not been said, those things have been transferred to the system, that is to say to the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs],” he said.
He also said that Philippine trade officials are handling negotiations with Washington involving possible US trade actions under Section 301 of the US Trade Act.
“Our Department of Commerce, our trade coordinator involved in that, will come up with some explanations on how we can avoid some of those tariffs related to 301,” said Mr.
The meeting comes as the Philippines and the US celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations. – Erika Mae P. Sinaking again Pexcel John Bacon
