WEST PHILIPPINE SEA IS NOW ON GOOGLE MAPS

WEST Philippine Sea can now be seen on Google Maps.

A quick search on the global mapping platform showed Monday that the portion of the South China Sea west of the Philippines is now labeled by Google Maps as the West Philippine Sea.

Several reviewers left comments asserting the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, with phrases like “Atin ito (This is ours).”

Dr. Chester Cabalza, founder and president of the International Development and Security Cooperation, told ABS-CBN News that the presence of the West Philippine Sea on Google Maps is a great manifestation that the world recognizes our United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)-backed territorial claims.

“It brings back the same joy and enthusiasm when we won the arbitral award in July 2016,” she said.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela welcomed the news of the West Philippine Sea label on Google Maps.

“For anyone wondering if you can search for the West Philippine Sea on Google,” Tarriela wrote on his social media accounts. 

The term “West Philippine Sea” was first used in 2011 during the administration of the late president Benigno Aquino III when referring to the maritime areas on the western side of the archipelago that are within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In 2012, the maritime areas on the western side of the nation were named by Aquino III as the West Philippine Sea through his Administrative Order 29.

It was also on that time that Manila initiated an arbitration process to protest Beijing’s claims in almost the entire South China Sea.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, in 2016 invalidated China’s dash-line claims. However, Beijing continues to ignore the decision.

Since then, there have been frequent clashes between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed waters.

The National Mapping and Resource Information Agency (NAMRIA) has also included the West Philippine Sea in its official digital eMapa in accordance with Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act signed in November 2024.

The designation reflects the Philippine government’s claim over the waters within its EEZ in the South China Sea. 

Meanwhile, the same “West Philippine Sea” label in the same waters west of the Philippines can also be found on Google Earth.