A navigation app’s use of “West Philippine Sea” to refer to waters off the west coast of the country should leave no more room for doubt that this part of the world belongs to the Philippines.
Prior to the update, Google Maps used “South China Sea.”
The platform’s use of WPS reflects a growing global acknowledgment of the Philippines’ sovereignty over the waters as affirmed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in its 2016 ruling on our claim.
The name change, however, should give Filipinos further impetus to assert our sovereignty amid continued bullying and harassment by China.
On Monday, April 15, a vessel of the China Coast Guard sailed dangerously close to a vessel of the Philippine Coat Guard near Scarborough Shoal. The Chinese vessel even blocked the route of the Philippine vessel.
PCG Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the incident highlights the CCG’s non-compliance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. “It reflects a blatant disregard for safety at sea.”
And then, on Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard detected a Chinese research vessel off Batanes, some 78 nautical miles northeast of Itbayat. The PCG issued a radio challenge to the vessel, saying its presence was a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and that it had no authority to conduct research within the Philippines’ EEZ. There was no response from the Chinese ship.
This is just the latest in a string of provocative acts by the Chinese in various parts of Philippine territory. The list of infractions is long, the maneuvers audacious.
To be sure, the Philippines has been protesting within the appropriate diplomatic channels. Last week, even before the two latest incidents, the Philippines raised these concerns during the meeting of the joint working group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Specifically, the Philippines highlighted incidents that endangered its vessels and personnel as well as actions that infringed on its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
The joint working group is undertaking negotiations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China for a Code of Conduct.
The difficulties created for the Philippines by China’s actions in waters established as ours are as much a defense and security issue as they are economic. Therefore, Philippine officials must be unrelenting in their protest and uncompromising in their position. They have the support of the people behind them, because the issue strikes at who we are as a people.
The use of “West Philippine Sea” in an online map may be a small thing. Still, the first step to addressing an issue is recognizing it and giving it an apt name. Our next steps should go beyond names; they should reflect a diplomatic but firm assertion of what is ours, basic respect for each nation’s boundaries, and adherence to international law.