GOOGLE Maps has officially added “West Philippine Sea” to its geographical records, a development noted on Monday. A search for Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal), located within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), now shows the area within the designated “West Philippine Sea.”
The Philippines officially adopted the name “West Philippine Sea” in 2012 under Administrative Order No. 29, encompassing areas west of the archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and waters around the Kalayaan Island Group and Scarborough Shoal.
This designation followed the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in The Hague, which invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea and affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over areas including Scarborough Shoal, Ayungin Shoal, the Spratly Islands, Panganiban Reef, and Recto Bank. The ruling also declared Scarborough Shoal a common fishing ground.
Despite the Hague ruling, China continues to disregard the decision and aggressively asserts its presence in the area, engaging in actions such as using water cannons and ramming Philippine vessels.
