Manila, March 7 -- A recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed that at least 77 out of 100 Filipinos are in favor of the Philippines holding joint sails and patrols with foreign states as a way to strengthen alliance and help assert the country's rights over the West Philippine Sea.

The Stratbase ADRi-commissioned poll was conducted from Feb. 15 to 19 and asked a total of 1,800 respondents nationwide.

Seventy seven percent of the number agreed that the "Philippine government must further strengthen its alliance with other countries" through joint patrols, joint sails, and joint military exercises to assert and defend the country's territorial and economic rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Respondents from the Nationa...