The latest Tugon ng Masa nationwide survey by OCTA Research paints a clear picture: most Filipinos remain wary of China. The poll, conducted from July 12 to 17, 2025, shows that 85 percent of respondents distrust Beijing, while only 15 percent say they trust it. For many, the reason is twofold — China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea and the steady flow of smuggled goods that undercut local industries.
Tugon ng Masa Nationwide Survey Results
According to OCTA, 74 percent of Filipinos now view China as the biggest threat to the country. That number dwarfs concerns about Russia or North Korea. When asked why, 66 percent of respondents pointed to China’s actions in Philippine waters. Another 13 percent said their distrust stemmed from the influx of smuggled Chinese products, which continue to harm local farmers and small businesses. The rest cited crimes linked to Chinese nationals and competition for jobs.
The findings suggest that Filipinos’ distrust is not based on distant geopolitics alone, but on issues that directly affect households, markets, and livelihoods.
Smuggled Goods Fuel Distrust
Smuggling has become a flashpoint in recent years. In July 2025, customs officers intercepted ₱34 million worth of onions and frozen mackerel from China misdeclared at Manila Port. The seizure followed a string of similar busts. In 2024 alone, the Bureau of Customs reported confiscating ₱85.1 billion worth of smuggled products, from counterfeit luxury items to cigarettes and food staples.
The Department of Agriculture’s enforcement unit also tallied ₱2.83 billion in agricultural contraband seized last year. Rice made up the largest share, but fish, onions, and even frozen meat were also discovered in containers misdeclared as other goods.
For small producers, these shipments are devastating. Farmers complain they cannot compete with the artificially low prices of smuggled imports. Vendors at wet markets also feel the squeeze, while the government loses billions in taxes and duties. Customs officials have warned that some of these misdeclared goods, if not caught, could slip into public markets, raising food safety concerns. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has even branded agricultural smuggling a “national security threat” and ordered a tighter crackdown.
Maritime Tensions Add to Unease
While smuggling affects daily life, Filipinos also point to China’s actions at sea as a major source of distrust. Earlier this month, a Chinese navy ship collided with a Chinese coast guard vessel near Scarborough Shoal after it cut across its path while pursuing a Philippine boat. The crash damaged the coast guard vessel and was the first known collision between Chinese forces in those contested waters.
This incident comes on top of repeated use of water cannons against Philippine resupply missions and constant swarming of Filipino-occupied outposts. For many, such confrontations are proof of Beijing’s disregard for Philippine sovereignty. It is no surprise that the West Philippine Sea topped the list of concerns in the latest survey.
Government Response and Outlook
The government is responding on two fronts. Domestically, agencies like the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture are under pressure to plug holes at the ports and stop smuggling at its source. Internationally, Manila has stepped up naval patrols and joint exercises with allies such as the United States, Australia, and Canada to counterbalance Beijing’s presence.
