Manila: House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday hailed Google Maps' recognition of the "West Philippine Sea" label as a "geopolitical affirmation" of the Philippines' maritime claims and a boost to international support for the country's sovereign rights. Romualdez said the move marks more than a cartographic update, highlighting its political and diplomatic significance.

According to Philippine News Agency, Romualdez stated that Google's decision to reflect the West Philippine Sea label is a significant geopolitical statement that enhances global awareness and adds considerable weight to the Philippines' maritime claims. He emphasized that the change aligns with the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which legally recognizes the Philippines' rights under international law over parts of the South China Sea within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Romualdez further described the recognition as a symbolic and moral victory for the Filipino people, underscoring the decades-long struggle to protect the nation's territorial rights. He also credited the result to the country's diplomatic efforts and peaceful assertion through legal channels, viewing the map update as a historic recognition of the Philippines' rights and sovereignty.

Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives (Negros ACE), echoed Romualdez's sentiments, calling the inclusion of the West Philippine Sea on Google Maps a victory for the nation. In a Facebook post, Benitez highlighted the historical and emotional significance of this recognition for Filipinos.

Similarly, the Philippine Army's 79th Infantry Battalion, based in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, welcomed the development, recognizing it as an affirmation of the Philippines' valid claim under international law. 1st Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza emphasized the importance of deepening public understanding of the West Philippine Sea's historical, legal, and geopolitical significance through ongoing information campaigns.

The initiative by the Philippine Army is part of a broader effort to promote national awareness, unity, and patriotism in support of the country's sovereign rights. This development is seen as a potential precedent for other international platforms to acknowledge and respect the Philippines' maritime claims.