West Philippine Sea

The first use of the term "West Philippine Sea" by the Philippine national government
was during the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III way back in the year
2011. The name was made for purposes of the national mapping system and to symbolize
disagreement with China's sovereignty claim over the whole South China Sea. In the Philippine
law, the West Philippine Sea shares only to the portions of the South China Sea which the
Philippine government claims to be part of the country's exclusive economic zone or EEZ. It is
stated that the Philippines has sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea area under the 1982
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The naming of the area became official through Administrative Order No. 29 issued by
the late President Benigno Aquino III on September 5, 2012. The order also cites Presidential
Decree No. 1599 which was issued in 1978 during the tenure of President Ferdinand
Marcos which established the Philippine EEZ. The West Philippine Sea exemplifies the country's
great marine diversity. Hundreds of species of fish, coral, seagrass, and other marine life have
been discovered in its waters, forming interdependent systems that educate us about the planet's
complexity, fragility, and resilience. These habitats provide more than just the fishes that
consumes the Filipino fishing boats.

When a country employs pressure, subversion, disinformation, or other shady means to

advance its position in the South China Sea, it denies our neighbours and partners the right to
build a sustainable future. Leaders from ASEAN have voiced worry about operations and major
incidents in the South China Sea, which have "eroded trust and confidence."