Google Maps has reportedly removed the label “West Philippine Sea” from the portion of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western part of the country, sparking renewed discussions online.
Users recently noticed the absence of the label, which had previously appeared near the South China Sea. A check on April 30 revealed that the name still appears as a search result pin on the mobile app, but not on the desktop version or as a default label on the map itself.
This change comes just weeks after local media reported the label’s appearance on the platform, seen as a reflection of the Philippines’ official stance on the maritime region.
The name “West Philippine Sea” was adopted under the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III in 2012, following an executive order that aimed to reinforce the country’s maritime claims. The directive also instructed national mapping agencies to use the label in official charts and maps.
China, however, continues to assert sweeping claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with the Philippines’ EEZ. Despite a 2016 international arbitral ruling rejecting Beijing’s claims, the tension over naming, mapping, and maritime rights in the region remains unresolved.
