West Philippine Sea, kinilala ng Google Maps; Scarborough Shoal, sakop ng WPS
- West Philippine Sea has now been incorporated by Google Maps into its digital mapping platform
- Google did not exactly state as to when the digital mapping platform make the update but a quick search on Monday, April 14, would already show the label “West Philippine Sea” on Google Maps
- A search for Scarborough Shoal would also show its location within the contested body of water under the Philippine name
- While only a digital recognition, the term itself faces opposition from some in the Philippines, even as officials like Commodore Tarriela strongly assert the claim
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The West Philippine Sea label has been included in the digital mapping platform, Google Maps.
Source: UGC
With this latest move, it would seem that the digital mapping landscape has shifted with Google Maps’ recent inclusion of the “West Philippine Sea” designation, a development that brings into focus the ongoing territorial disputes in the region.
This update, observed on Monday, marks a cartographic acknowledgment of the Philippines’ official nomenclature for its western maritime territories.
A search for Scarborough Shoal, or Panatag Shoal, a crucial fishing ground within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), on Google Maps now clearly places it within the body of water labeled “West Philippine Sea.”
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This aligns with the Philippine government's 2012 Administrative Order No. 29, which formally designated the maritime areas west of the archipelago as the West Philippine Sea.
The 2012 order, issued during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, aimed to solidify the Philippines’ claim over these waters, encompassing the Luzon Sea, the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands), and Scarborough Shoal.
This move was intended to establish a distinct Philippine identity for these contested maritime areas.
This cartographic update by Google Maps gains added significance in the context of the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
The international tribunal delivered a landmark decision that overwhelmingly favored the Philippines, rejecting China's “nine-dash line” claim and affirming the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its EEZ, which includes the areas now labeled as the West Philippine Sea on Google Maps.
However, the naming of the “West Philippine Sea” has not been without controversy.
SAGIP Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta has previously expressed strong opposition to the term, arguing that it could inadvertently legitimize China’s claims in the region.
He has advocated for a different approach that he said would emphasize the Philippines’ sovereign rights without using a name that could be open for misinterpretation.
Marcoleta, however, emphasized the need to stand firm on the 2016 arbitral ruling, regardless of the terminology used.
In contrast, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson, has consistently asserted the Philippines' unequivocal claim over these waters and repeatedly used the term “West Philippine Sea.”
He has emphasized the strategic and economic importance of the West Philippine Sea, highlighting its rich marine resources and its integral role in the nation’s maritime security.
Commodore Tarriela has been vocal in condemning what he describes as aggressive actions by foreign vessels within the Philippine EEZ, reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to defending its sovereign rights.
The inclusion of the West Philippine Sea on Google Maps, while a digital development, reflects the ongoing geopolitical complexities surrounding the region.
It highlights the divergence of opinions within the Philippines regarding the best approach to asserting the country's claims, while also underscoring the importance of these waters to the nation's identity and future.
The map update serves as a visual representation of the ongoing territorial dispute, and the importance of the 2016 arbitration ruling.
News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable to just about simply everyone around.
In other news, a one-year-old boy, Baby Jared James, died after being attacked and bitten six times on the head by a diamond snake in North Cotabato. The snake attacked while the child was briefly left alone at home by his grandmother in Sitio Layangan, Brgy. Salayan, Matalam. Neighbors helped kill the snake using a "de bomba" after the grandmother was unable to remove it alone. The child was buried promptly following Islamic traditions after succumbing to the injuries.
Still in other news, a man was declared dead on arrival at the hospital after allegedly falling from the 3rd floor of the Legazpi City Public Market. The victim is believed to be over 40 years old and a resident of Ligao City; his identity has not yet been released. Police are still investigating the circumstances of the fall to determine if it was accidental or involved foul play. The incident has raised concerns about safety measures in public places, prompting a possible review by local authorities.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
