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

“This actually affirms the international recognition of the country's sovereign rights, which was upheld in the 2016 arbitral ruling under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

A quick search on Google Maps and Google Earth shows the term “West Philippine Sea” on the western portion of the country’s maritime territory.

“For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as defenders of our national sovereignty, we see this as a valuable contribution to truthful representation, and of course public awareness,” Padilla said.

The AFP spokesperson encouraged more entities to “follow suit” in labeling the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as backed by international law. 

“The AFP remains resolute in performing our mandate in guiding our sovereignty and of course our sovereign rights. All of these are under international laws,” Padilla stressed.

It was in 2011 when the term West Philippine Sea was used under the administration of then president Benigno Aquino III in reference to the maritime areas located on the western side of the archipelago within its 200-nautical mile EEZ.

Some of the features located in the WPS are being claimed by China, earning the condemnation of several countries.