Apparently, we have not been clued in on the use of the terms “West Philippine Sea” and “South China Sea.”
In an ANC interview, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio explained that the West Philippine Sea “refers to the body of water consisting of the Philippines’ territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and extended continental shelf.”
Carpio clarified that we are not claiming that the West Philippine Sea covers the entire South China Sea.
“If you’re talking about the entire dispute of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, you have to use ‘South China Sea,'” he said.
So when do we use West Philippine Sea?
Carpio replied: “If you’re talking about the dispute between China and the Philippines, you use ‘West Philippine Sea.'”
In short:
China vs. Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei = South China Sea
China vs. Philippines = West Philippine Sea
