Filipino officials have praised Google's decision to label part of the South China Sea as the "West Philippine Sea." They see it as a sign that more people around the world are recognising Manila's sovereignty over the area, especially as it continues to have ongoing disputes with Beijing.

Google Maps recently updated its app to show the waters that the Philippines claims as part of its exclusive economic zone. This update has sparked some doubts about the international support for Manila’s claim. Before this, the name "West Philippine Sea" only appeared when searching in the Google Earth app. Now, with the change in Google Maps, users can see the "West Philippine Sea" label when looking at the South China Sea on the map, with the disputed waters shown to the north and west of the West Philippine Sea. This Week in Asia's checks revealed that the newly marked area is close to the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which is called Huangyan Island by China and Panatag Shoal by the Philippines.

On Monday, Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino said that the label on Google Maps indicates Manila's control over the West Philippine Sea. “[This] represents a victory for all Filipinos. It is also an affirmation of the correctness of the Philippines’ current policy to assert its sovereign rights in line with international law and multilateralism,” Tolentino said in a statement. “The world is taking notice because of our unity and collective efforts as a people. And this is despite the aggressive actions of China to drive away Philippine government ships and fishermen from our very own exclusive economic zone,” said Tolentino, who drafted the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

Military spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla stated on Monday that Google Maps labelling the area confirms international recognition of the country's sovereign rights, as supported by the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“As defenders of national sovereignty, the Armed Forces of the Philippines sees this as a valuable contribution to truthful representation and public awareness,” she said, noting that the military remained resolute in performing its mandate in protecting national integrity. Online users in the Philippines also praised Google's actions, which were first noticed in the Philippine Defence Forces Forum on February 20. After officials raised the issue this week, some Filipinos took to social media to call for caution. One person pointed out that the latest development wouldn't mean much if Manila couldn't effectively protect its territorial rights.

Another internet user contended that, considering the Internet giant's substantial commercial interests in China, Google would eventually remove the label.“Whoever has the money has the power to do anything. Just like [America’s National Basketball Association] or any other US companies that have branches in China, they cannot comment on Taiwan,” he said. 

Raymond Powell, an American security expert and director of SeaLight – a project at Stanford University that tracks China's activities in the disputed maritime zones – said that the Google Maps label highlighted Manila's successful effort to make the West Philippine Sea a recognised term in global discussions, especially about the South China Sea. “I’m sure that China will be unhappy, and we may expect China to protest. And China has been successful in the past in getting companies to change their lexicon for something that China approves. You’ve seen the nine-dash line, for example, make it onto certain maps,” Powell told This Week in Asia.

In February, Congressman Rodante Marcoleta, a strong supporter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, stated that the West Philippine Sea didn't exist, not even on local maps. “That is a creation by us. Even if you check in our maps, there is no West Philippine Sea,” Marcoleta said at a committee hearing to address disinformation in the country. Aldrin Alba, a legal expert at the Political Economic Elemental Researchers and Strategists think tank, explained to This Week in Asia that the name "West Philippine Sea" comes from a decision made by the late former President Benigno Aquino III, along with several changes to laws over time.

He was referring to the Maritime Zones Act, which outlines the areas at sea that the Philippines has control over. Another related law, the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, defines the country's closest maritime zones. “By labelling it only goes to show that the Philippines is asserting and will continue to assert its claim to the said area as provided in the arbitral ruling. For sure, there will be a huge effect on ordinary Filipinos especially to fishermen who are dependent on its natural resources,” Alba said.

According to Alba, the recent changes in Google Maps could lead to China becoming more aggressive in the disputed waters, possibly even targeting Filipino fishermen. “Naming the area as the West Philippine Sea will gain [global] support [for Manila] in defending our sovereign rights and help Filipino fishermen regain control of the disputed area,” Alba said. “China’s tactic is to assert its claim by all means and hoping that after some time it will be acknowledged by other countries to their favour,” he added. An online user commented on a GMA News report about the change in Google Maps, saying that the "West Philippine Sea" has not been internationally recognised yet.

“For a geographic name to gain international recognition, it must be formally reviewed and approved by bodies such as the UNGEGN. Until such approval is granted, the global standard name ‘South China Sea’ remains in use in international references and mapping authorities like the International Hydrographic Organisation,” she said. Alba agreed that the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) is in charge of standardising geographical names, including names of bodies of water. “However, its recommendations are not legally binding, and are mere suggestions for adaptation for the international community. Which often leads to naming disputes even after formal decisions have been made,” Alba said.