Statement of Malacañang on WPS being on Google Maps Now
Malacañang press officer Atty. Claire Castro reacted to the inclusion of the West Philippine Sea on Google Maps.
The Philippines and China have a long standing fight over the ownership of the West Philippine Sea which is part of the broader South China Sea. Previously, the defense ministry of China even claimed that their “patience is limited” on the South China Sea issue.
Amid the Philippines and China’s ongoing territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea, it was recently found out that the body of water has entered the records of Google Maps. Malacañang recently reacted to its inclusion in the web-based and mobile mapping service offered by Google.
According to Malacañang press officer Atty. Claire Castro, the Palace is happy over the inclusion of the West Philippine Sea in the Google Maps. Based on a report on GMA News, she stressed that they are happy that the WPS will gain prominence amid the claims that the body of water is allegedly non-existent.
‘Definitely po, masaya po ito, nakakatuwa po ito. Masaya na makilala ang West Philippine Sea kahit na ang iba ay sinasabing gawa-gawa lamang daw ang West Philippine Sea,” the Malacañang Press Officer said.
Based on the report, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was also elated by the inclusion of the West Philippine Sea on Google Maps. According to the AFP, it is a reaffirmation of the sovereign rights of the Philippines in the area.
However, despite the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling that sided on the Philippines regarding the territorial dispute between PH and China, the government of the latter has continuously ignored the said decision. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said that China had “no legal basis” in its claim.
Furthermore, the PCA ruling stated that the Spratly Islands, the Ayungin Shoal, the Recto or Reed Bank, and the Panganiban or Mischief Reef are within the exclusive economic zone or EEZ of the Philippines.
Amid the several instances of tension between the Philippines and China over the latter’s move in the South China Sea, Pres. Bongbong Marcos claimed that the issue cannot be ignored. The Philippine President spoke about it at the ASEAN Summit in Lao PDR.