AFP welcomes 'West Philippine Sea' on Google Maps

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed on Tuesday, April 15, the inclusion of the term 'West Philippine Sea' on Google Maps and Google Earth.

According to AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, this move affirms international recognition of the country's sovereign rights upheld in the 2016 arbitral ruling under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).

A quick search on these platforms shows the term 'West Philippine Sea' on the western portion of the country’s maritime territory.

The AFP spokesperson encouraged more entities to follow suit in labeling the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as backed by international law, stressing that the AFP remains resolute in performing its mandate to guide national sovereignty and sovereign rights under international laws.

Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed the development, calling it a 'geopolitical milestone' that adds significant weight to the Philippines' sovereign rights over waters within its EEZ.

The inclusion of WPS in Google Maps updates highlights the growing recognition of the Philippines’ territorial claims and strengthens its position internationally.