Manila, June 10 -- Nearly nine in 10 Filipinos want the Philippines to work with like-minded nations, specifically the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and South Korea, in helping defend the West Philippine Sea, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey.

The poll, commissioned by Stratbase Institute, were made public on Wednesday, ahead the Philippine Independence Day and the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea that invalidated Beijing's sweeping claims over the vital sea lane.

The survey asked 1,500 respondents from May 3-7, 2026, whether they agreed or disagreed that the Philippines should defend the West Philippine Sea with like-minded countries in accordance with the 2016 decision.

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