The West Philippine Sea (WPS) is recognized by an international online search platform that is widely used in different parts of the world.

It was learned on Monday that Google has formally labeled the western section of the country's exclusive economic zone as West Philippine Sea on its map.

The Google Map shows the West Philippine Sea covering the waters in the western side of the country before the South China Sea.

It also shows that Scarborough Shoal which is located 120 nautical miles away from the coast of Zambales is within the West Philippine Sea.

Following the standoff between China and the Philippines in the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, the late President Benigno Aquino III signed Administrative Order No. 29 naming the "maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago" as the West Philippine Sea.

"These areas include the Luzon Sea as well as the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo De Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal," the EO stated.

"The naming of the West Philippine Sea is without prejudice to the determination of the maritime domain over territories which the Republic of the Philippines has sovereignty and jurisdiction," it added. Robina Asido/DMS