Six out of 10 Filipinos believe that the United States will defend the Philippines in case an invasion by another country occurs, a second quarter 2018 Social Weather Stations survey released Wednesday said.
The nationwide survey conducted from June 27 to 30 with 1,200 respondents found out that 61 percent either strongly or somewhat believe that the United States will defend the Philippines as a commitment under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
The respondents were particularly asked, “How much do you believe or not believe that the United States will defend the Philippines in case we are invaded by another country?”
Sixty-one percent said they believe the US will defend the Philippines (31 percent strongly believe, 30 percent somewhat believe), nine percent said they did not (six percent somewhat not believe, three percent strongly not believe), and 30 percent were undecided.
The proportion of those who believe that the US will defend the Philippines in case of invasion by another country was highest in the rest of Luzon at 70 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 64 percent, Visayas at 54 percent, and Mindanao at 48 percent.
It was higher in overall urban areas at 66 percent compared to overall rural areas at 56 percent.
It hardly varied by class, ranging from 60 percent to 65 percent. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)