Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday said the recognition of the West Philippine Sea label by Google Maps was a “simple yet powerful” affirmation of the Philippines’ sovereign rights and the increasing global support for its maritime claims.
“The proper and consistent labeling of the West Philippine Sea on the widely-used platform Google Maps is welcome news for every Filipino,” Romualdez said.
“This simple yet powerful update reflects the growing global acknowledgment of the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the maritime areas within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This reinforces what we have long asserted: That these waters are part of the Philippines’ territory, and all must respect our sovereign rights,” he added.
The House leader said the recognition was not just a technical or cartographic correction but a geopolitical milestone.
“Google’s decision to reflect the West Philippine Sea label is more than a map update. It’s a geopolitical affirmation. This platform shapes global consciousness, and this recognition adds significant weight to our cause,” he said.
“For the Filipino people, this is more than just a name on a screen. It is a symbolic and moral victory, a reminder of our decades-long struggle to protect what is rightfully ours,” Romualdez added.
The Speaker expressed hope that other institutions and nations would follow the lead of the Google platform in aligning with international law.
“We hope this move will encourage other mapping services, institutions, and governments to follow suit and acknowledge what the law and justice clearly uphold,” he said.
“Let this remind us: when we stand united in asserting our national interest, the world takes notice,” he added.
Google Maps not only plotted the WPS label but also showed the stretch of the area up to the Spratly Islands or the Kalayaan Group of Islands.
The name South China Sea remains visible to the north and west of the area now identified as the West Philippine Sea.
Beijing claims the South China Sea almost in its entirety despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier welcomed the inclusion of the WPS on Google Maps.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said: As defenders of national sovereignty, the AFP sees this as a valuable contribution to truthful representation and public awareness.”
WPS refers to waters within the country’s exclusive economic zone on its western side and extending up to 200 nautical miles.
The WPS was officially named as such during the term of then President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in 2012.
This was done through Administrative Order No. 29 signed on Sept. 5, 2012 which declares: “The maritime areas on the western side of the Philippines are hereby named the West Philippine Sea. These areas include the Luzon Sea as well as waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.”