Google Explains Brief Disappearance of 'West Philippine Sea' Label on Maps

Google recently clarified why the label “West Philippine Sea” briefly vanished from its Maps service, saying it was caused by a technical glitch. The issue was quickly fixed, and the label is now visible again.

On April 30, the missing label raised eyebrows online, especially since Google had just announced weeks before that it made the label more visible across different zoom levels. People noticed the sudden disappearance and began sharing screenshots and theories across social media.

Some users believed the label had been removed permanently or was only added by individuals through a map pin, but Google was quick to address the concern. They emphasized that the label has always been part of their map data, especially in areas recognized as part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

A group called Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute also posted a screenshot showing the “West Philippine Sea” tagged as a business on the platform, adding to the confusion.

This isn’t the first time the label has drawn attention. Back in 2012, then-President Benigno Aquino III made it official by signing an administrative order that renamed portions of the South China Sea within the Philippine EEZ as the West Philippine Sea. It was a move to affirm the country’s claim amid tensions with China. He also tasked the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority with publishing updated maps reflecting the new label.

Aquino’s administration also took the bold step of bringing China to an international tribunal in 2013 after a tense encounter at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which China currently controls.

Though this recent label glitch may have been technical, it served as a reminder of the sensitive and ongoing issue surrounding maritime rights in the region.