NTF-WPS hails strong public support for transparency initiatives

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

NO YIELDING. The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea asserts its claims over Pag-asa Island’s Cay 1, Cay 2, and Cay 3, and surrounding waters on April 27, 2025. The NTF-WPS on Wednesday (Oct. 15) hailed the latest Pulse Asia survey showing public support for the government’s resolute defense of the country’s sovereignty. (Photo: PNA)

MANILA – The National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Wednesday hailed the latest Pulse Asia survey showing strong public support for the government’s transparency initiatives in the WPS.

In a statement, the task force also welcomed the Filipino public’s “strong confidence” in the resolute defense of the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS.”

“We thank the Filipino people for their trust in the NTF-WPS and its member agencies, particularly the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine Navy, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, all of whom gained high trust ratings from the public,” the NTF-WPS statement read.

The survey, held from Sept. 27 to 30, also showed 41 percent of respondents identified the PCG as the most trustworthy government agency for updates and reports concerning the WPS.

“This strong vote of confidence is not just a reflection of institutional performance; it is a reflection of national unity in the face of continuing challenges to our sovereignty,” the NTF-WPS said.

According to the Pulse Asia survey, 94 percent of Filipinos believe that the transparency initiative to expose China’s coercive behavior in the WPS should continue.

The survey results, according to NTF-WPS, send a clear and powerful message that “the Filipino people stand for truth, transparency, and the defense of what is rightfully ours.”

“We also draw our strength from the fact that 94 percent of respondents believe that the Philippines should continue its transparency policy and persist in publicly exposing China’s coercive and aggressive behavior,” it added.

With this, the NTF-WPS vowed to sustain and further strengthen its transparency policy.

“We will continue to shine light on every illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive (ICAD) activity in our waters. We will not be silenced, we will not be intimidated, and we will never turn away from our duty to defend the Filipino people’s rights and the nation’s dignity,” it said.

The survey showing 77 percent of the respondents identified the United States as the top country the Philippines can rely on reflects the enduring strength of the Philippines-US alliance.

It also said this partnership is rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of law.

“This reinforces the need for the Philippines to strengthen its partnerships with like-minded nations who believe in a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the task force said.