OCTA survey says 85% of Pinoys distrust China

A vast majority of Filipinos distrust China and view it as the nation that poses the greatest threat to the Philippines due to its aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, according to a new poll by OCTA Research.

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At least 85% of Filipinos distrust China, with only 15% saying the Philippines should extend trust to the country, according to the new OCTA poll conducted July 12 to 17.

This latest figure marks a slight dip from a similar survey conducted by OCTA in March 2024, where 91% of respondents said they distrusted China

The survey released Monday showed distrust toward China was highest in Metro Manila and Luzon, and lowest in Cagayan Valley at 34 percent. Several regions — including MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Caraga — recorded 100% distrust.

The poll was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adult respondents. OCTA says it has a +3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.

China as greatest threat. According to OCTA’s survey, Filipinos overwhelmingly perceive China as the largest threat to the Philippines above all other nations.

At least 74%, or about four in five respondents, identified China as the country that poses the greatest threat to the Philippines when asked to choose from a list of 10 nations — far higher than the 4% who chose Russia or North Korea. Meanwhile, 10% said no country from the list posed a threat.