MANILA, Philippines — Three in five Filipinos believe that the United States' defense commitment to the Philippines is strong, according to a Social Weather Stations survey released Wednesday. The survey found that 61 percent (31 percent strongly believe, 30 percent somewhat believe) believe the Philippines' long-time ally will defend the country, 9 percent said they do not believe to such commitment while 30 percent were undecided. The poll also showed that 47 percent of those who believe in Washington's commitment to Manila have been previously aware of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the two countries. < >Among those already aware of the MDT, 80 percent said they believe the US will defend the Philippines if there was an invasion. "The Social Weather Survey items on people’s opinion about the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty were non-commissioned.

Source: Philippine Star December 12, 2018 05:44 UTC