The share of Filipinos who distrust China rose significantly in July, with 64% of respondents expressing distrust, up from 55% in March, according to a recent survey.
The poll indicates that the heightened public attention to disputes in the South China Sea has led to a shift in public opinion, with more Filipinos settling on a clear view of China.
Trust in China slipped to 14% from 17%, while the share of undecided respondents fell to 21% from 28%, suggesting that Filipinos have moved away from uncertainty and towards a more distrustful view of Beijing.
The survey results coincided with renewed attention to the West Philippine Sea following the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling that voided China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
The period also saw continued diplomatic exchanges and maritime incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels, highlighting the complexities of the issue.
According to the survey, distrust towards China was strongest in Mimaropa, where 94% of respondents expressed distrust, followed by Caraga at 88%, and Central Visayas recorded the lowest distrust rating at 47%.
The survey also found that across age groups, respondents aged 18 to 24 posted the highest distrust rating at 73%, followed by those aged 25 to 34.
The Philippine government continues to protest China's actions in the South China Sea while reaffirming the 2016 arbitral ruling, which Beijing rejects.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea rejected China's claim that it authorized the medical evacuation of an injured Philippine Navy serviceman from Second Thomas Shoal.
The AFP said the operation was carried out solely by Philippine authorities within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and that Beijing has no legal basis to authorize or regulate Philippine activities in the area.
The military called China's statement a "false narrative" and said Beijing was trying to create the impression that it exercises authority over waters where it has no lawful jurisdiction.
The incident highlights what the task force described as China's "illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive" behavior in the South China Sea.
In a separate development, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the Philippine-US alliance, pledging deeper cooperation on economic security, defense and emerging technologies during Mr. Rubio's visit to Manila.
The two officials agreed to boost collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including the Luzon Economic Corridor and the US-backed Pax Silica initiative.
The Pax Silica initiative includes plans for a 1,618-hectare economic security zone in New Clark City, Tarlac, focused on artificial intelligence, semiconductor-related industries and other strategic technologies.
