By Brian Campued
The inclusion of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Google Maps further asserts the country’s internationally recognized sovereign rights over its maritime territory, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday.
“As defenders of national sovereignty, the AFP sees this as a valuable contribution to truthful representation and public awareness,” AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla stated.
“The AFP [remains] resolute in performing our mandate to protect our territory and uphold national integrity,” Padilla added.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, likewise, welcomed the development as it aligns with the country’s “long-standing position” following the 2016 Arbitral Ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), where the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines over China’s claims in the South China Sea.
“Ang paglalagay ng West Philippine Sea sa pangunahing mapa ay isang makasaysayang pagkilala sa ating karapatan at soberanya,” Romualdez said in a statement Tuesday.
He also stressed that the inclusion of WPS on Google Maps “is not just a ‘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,” the Speaker said. (with reports from Patrick de Jesus and Mela Lesmoras / PTV News)
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