Manila, April 14 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday welcomed the inclusion of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Google Maps.

In a message to reporters, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said this "affirms international recognition of the country's sovereign rights" as upheld by the 2016 Arbitral Ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"As defenders of national sovereignty, the AFP sees this as a valuable contribution to truthful representation and public awareness," she said.

Padilla said the AFP remains resolute in performing its mandate in protecting the territory and upholding its national integrity.

It was not immediately known when Google Maps entered WPS on its ...