MANILA (UPDATED) — An official of the National Security Council said Tuesday that the “West Philippine Sea” label on Google maps was a “big victory” and hoped that it could signal to Beijing that the recognition of Manila’s claim over these waters was not confined within the Philippine government.

NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya thanked the private companies using the term “West Philippine Sea,” adding that it is critical in upholding international law and rules-based international order. He urged other firms to do the same.

“Hindi lang Google maps, hindi lang Apple maps, in fact Waze is using West Philippine Sea... So nagpapasalamat po tayo. We thank all of these social media companies, apps that they are now using… the terminology of the West Philippine Sea. Because they understand that utilizing the proper term is important to uphold international law, the rules-based international order, and also to uphold Philippine legislation,” Malaya said.

West Philippine Sea is now on Google Maps

“‘Yung conformity of these various companies to utilize West Philippine Sea is a big victory for the Philippines. We thank Google, of course, and we also request, sumama na ‘yung ibang mga kumpanya, lahat ng gumagawa ng mapa, navigation, please start using West Philippine Sea, because it’s now becoming a standard across the world. And we hope it really becomes a big signal to the People’s Republic of China that it’s not just the government that’s doing this, all the business sector is doing this,” he added. 

Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela also lauded Google’s move.

“Masaya na ako, kasi doon sa mga taong nagsasabing you cannot even Google West Philippine Sea, at least pwede na nilang ma-Google. Without mentioning his name, parang ‘yun ang main argument nila,” he said.

“It doesn’t really say much when it comes to the international community recognizing it as West Philippine Sea, but I thank Google for putting West Philippine Sea sa Google maps. And not just Google, I also checked ‘yung Apple maps, they also use West Philippine Sea. Also for the flight radar, they’re also using West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela added.

In a statement, Google said that the "West Philippine Sea has always been labeled on Google Maps."

"We recently made this label easier to see at additional zoom levels," a spokesperson said. 

The term “West Philippine Sea” was first used in 2011 during the administration of late President Benigno Aquino III when referring to the maritime areas on the western side of the archipelago that are within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

TV PATROL: West Philippine Sea, nasa Google Maps na

In 2012, these areas were named by former President Benigno Aquino III as the West Philippine Sea through his Administrative Order No. 29. During this time, Manila also initiated an arbitration process to protest Beijing’s claims in almost the entire South China Sea.

Four years later, in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China’s nine dash-line claims. 

However, Beijing continues to ignore the decision. Since then, there have been frequent clashes between Philippines and Chinese vessels in the waters.

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