Malacañang welcomes WPS label on Google Maps

MALACAÑANG on Monday, April 21, 2025, welcomed the appearance of the “West Philippine Sea” (WPS) label on Google Maps.

Press Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the recognition affirms the country’s sovereign rights and brings pride to Filipinos.

During a Palace press briefing, Castro described the move by the global mapping platform as positive, occurring amid continued maritime disputes.

The Philippines, under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., consistently works to uphold sovereignty in the WPS. The administration calls for respect for international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling. That ruling invalidated China’s extensive claims over the South China Sea.

The WPS refers to areas of the South China Sea located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Upholding the country’s rights in the WPS is central to the administration’s foreign policy and defense posture, particularly in response to competing regional maritime assertions.

Castro reiterated that recognition on a widely used platform like Google Maps helps affirm the Philippines’ position regarding its maritime territory. / PNA