Manila, Aug. 26 -- The result of a recent OCTA Research survey is proof of the Filipinos' "unwavering resilience" against China's "influence operations," Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday.

"It (survey) shows a growing public awareness of the realities facing our country in the WPS (West Philippine Sea), and the unwavering resilience of Filipinos against China's malign influence operations in the country," Teodoro said in a statement.

OCTA's "Tugon ng Masa" survey, conducted from July 12 to 17 using face-to-face interviews and had 1,200 male and female respondents, shows 85 percent of Filipinos distrust China while 76 percent "strongly" support asserting the country's maritime rights in the ...