The Philippines’ claim over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has gained a significant boost on the global stage as Google Maps now prominently labels the disputed waters within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The move, according to the National Maritime Council (NMC), reflects growing international recognition of the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction.

The NMC emphasized that this development is a reflection of increasing global acceptance that the waters in question fall within the country’s legal maritime entitlements under international law.

“We look at this initiative of Google Maps as a reflection of the growing acceptance that the waters of the West Philippine Sea are within our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and as bolstered by Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” the NMC said in a statement on April 18.

The label drew public attention on April 14, when Filipino social media users and several government agencies noticed that Google Maps had started using the “West Philippine Sea” tag in the western portion of the Philippine EEZ. A search of Scarborough Shoal, also known locally as Panatag Shoal, now reveals it situated within waters clearly marked as part of the WPS.

Google clarified that the West Philippine Sea label had long existed on the platform but was recently made more visible across additional zoom levels to enhance accessibility and public awareness. “The West Philippine Sea has always been labeled on Google Maps. We recently made this label easier to see at zoom levels,” the digital mapping giant explained in a statement last week.

For NMC, “It provides an internationally visible reference freely available to all across the globe and contributes to a stronger sense of national identity and unity among Filipinos, reinforcing pride in the country’s rights as a maritime and archipelagic nation. Its usage in other global mapping and navigation services would be most welcome.”

According to the council, this development is also a recognition of the Philippines’ authority to name its maritime zones, a long-standing right under international practice.

“It is also a recognition of the practical value of our national prerogative to name our own maritime zones, which will hopefully help encourage consistency in the term’s use by the international community and facilitate the upholding of the freedom of navigation in the WPS, which is largely composed of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone,” the council added.

The term “West Philippine Sea” was first formally adopted in 2012 through Administrative Order No. 29 issued by then-President Benigno Aquino III. The order directed that the term be used to refer to maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and waters surrounding the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

The policy was part of the government’s broader effort to assert the country’s maritime sovereignty amid increasing Chinese incursions and presence in the area.

The NMC underscored that the new visibility of the label on a global platform like Google Maps reinforces this long-standing assertion and increases public awareness both domestically and internationally.

“The use of the ‘West Philippine Sea’ label in a global platform, such as Google Maps, raises domestic and international public awareness regarding the Philippines’ lawful maritime entitlements,” the council noted.

NMC also reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding national interests. 

“The NMC reaffirms its commitment to protect and uphold the country’s maritime rights and entitlements, in accordance with international and domestic law, and urges continued unity in promoting the national interest, especially in the West Philippine Sea,” it said.

More groups hail move

Senator Joel Villanueva echoed the NMC’s sentiments, describing the use of the West Philippine Sea label as a symbolic yet significant victory for the Philippines, especially in light of China’s aggressive maritime activities in the region.

“Assigning and specifying in Google Maps the West Philippine Sea area is a big victory for the country against China’s attempts to bully us by forcing entry into our territory. There is power in labeling; in this case, it clarifies ownership and establishes identity, serving as a global recognition of our rightful ownership of WPS,” Villanueva said in mix of Tagalog and English. 

He added that the label goes beyond geopolitics, it plays an important role in civic education and national identity formation. 

“This milestone is also important in teaching and giving clarity to each Filipino, especially the children, on topics surrounding territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, especially in the age of digital technology.”

“If we are to strengthen the narrative of our country on the West Philippine Sea, we need to inspire, transform, and educate the younger generation,” the senator added. 

The Trabaho party-list also welcomed Google’s move, highlighting the larger, more visible WPS label as more than just a visual update — it is a powerful symbol of sovereignty.

“The size of the West Philippine Sea label matters as it speaks clearly of our ownership and rights—atin ang West Philippine Sea—and the international community can see that as well,” said party-list spokesperson Mitchell-David Espiritu.

Espiritu emphasized that asserting the country’s maritime claims is not just about today, it’s about safeguarding future generations’ rights to the country’s marine resources. 

“By asserting our sovereignty, it’s about ensuring that existing and future generations of Filipinos can benefit from the wealth and resources in our own waters,” he said.

China reacts

Meanwhile, China, which claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas within the Philippine EEZ, has issued a brief but firm response to the label.

“Let me point out that South China Sea is the geographic name that has long been used, recognized, and accepted by the international community, including countries worldwide and international organizations such as the UN,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jiang during a regular press briefing last week.

In recent years, China has consistently rejected the Philippines’ claims and the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims to nearly all of the South China Sea, including areas well within the Philippines’ EEZ.

Despite China’s objection and continued presence in the area, the Philippines remains firm in asserting its maritime entitlements under international law, backed by both UNCLOS and the landmark 2016 arbitral award.

Photo credit: Senator Joel Villanueva Facebook page. Senator Joel Villanueva.