Filipinos distrust China, Russia — poll
MANILA — A large majority of Filipinos distrust China and Russia despite President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to forge stronger relationships with the two countries, according to a Pulse Asia survey released on Thursday.
The survey showed that majority of Filipinos (76 percent) still trust the United States, a long-time and close ally of the Philippines.
Duterte has been hostile towards the US ever since assuming office following criticism against his anti-drugs campaign. A huge majority of Filipinos also trust the United Nations (74 percent), which has been calling on Duterte to stop extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in the country.
According to the survey, 61 percent of Filipinos distrust China while 58 percent share the same opinion with Russia.
The nationwide survey was conducted from December 6 to 11, 2016 using face-to-face interviews among 1,200 adult respondents with a ± 3 error margin.
A report from a New York-based thin tank said that rising political instability is possible in the Philippines this year due to opposition to the government's domestic and foreign policy agenda.
A Harvard study defines political instability as the propensity for government collapse or failure.
The Duterte administration has been insistent on its pivot toward an independent foreign policy which appears to be at the expense of the country's 70year alliance with the US.