Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has signed a National Maritime Council (NMC) initiative recommending the adoption of Philippine names for 131 unnamed features in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) within the Spratlys.
This move, one of Manalo’s final acts as DFA chief, aims to standardize naming practices as part of the country’s assertion of sovereignty.
The features to be named are expected to include sandbars, reefs, and similar maritime formations.
A similar initiative began in 2020 when the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan named six nearby features to strengthen the Philippines’ territorial claim amid ongoing tensions with China.
The NMC, created in 2024 by President Marcos through Executive Order No. 57, is chaired by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and includes top-level officials from defense, foreign affairs, and national security agencies.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 28, 2025
DFA BACKS NAMING OF 131 SPRATLY FEATURES WITH FILIPINO NAMES
Latest from News
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act 12312, officially banning Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs)
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced it will suspend the number coding scheme on October
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced it will hire additional officers ahead of the Christmas and
The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced it will investigate violations of President Marcos Jr.’s price freeze
The Philippine Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) kicked off on October 28 at the