MANILA – The country placed third among countries with least rude locals, according to a survey conducted by a travel search site.

Philippines tailed behind Brazil and Caribbean.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday that the poll was conducted by travel search site, http://www.skyscanner.net.

"Of course, we are known worldwide for our hospitality at ang pagka-pleasant at pagka-polite natin. So, at least, this receives worldwide attention," Valte said.

Online voters, who visit the Skyscanner site to buy tickets or choose their holiday destination, rated the Philippines as among the three countries with the least rude locals.

The survey received over 1,200 responses, 65 percent from the United Kingdom and Ireland, plus elsewhere in Europe, North America and Australia.

Skyscanner claims to be Europe's leading travel search site, operating in over 25 languages with over 25 million visits and over 11 million unique visitors per month. It has offices in Edinburgh, Scotland and Singapore.*