National Maritime Council welcomes inclusion of ‘West Philippine Sea’ label on Google maps

DAVAO CITY (April 21) — The National Maritime Council (NMC) has welcomed Google Maps’ recent inclusion of the label “West Philippine Sea,” describing it as a positive step toward international recognition of the Philippines’ maritime rights.

In a statement issued Friday, the NMC said the move reflects “growing acceptance that the waters of the West Philippine Sea are within our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

“This development also recognizes the practical value of our national prerogative to name our own maritime zones,” the council stated, adding that it could encourage consistency in terminology within the international community and further reinforce the principle of freedom of navigation in the area.

The West Philippine Sea is largely composed of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The label was first officially adopted by the Philippine government in 2012 and has since gained widespread usage among Filipinos at home and abroad.

The NMC emphasized that including the term on a global platform like Google Maps “raises domestic and international public awareness of the Philippines’ lawful maritime entitlements” and strengthens national identity and pride in the country’s maritime heritage.

“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,” the statement added. “Its usage in other global mapping and navigation services would be most welcome.”

The council reiterated its commitment to uphold the country’s maritime rights under both international and domestic law and called for continued unity in defending Philippine interests, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.