The West Philippine Sea is not the same as the South China Sea, according to Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

The West Philippine Sea, clarified Carpio, also refers to the body of water consisting of the Philippines' territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and extended continental shelf.

He said Manila is not claiming that the West Philippine Sea covers the entire South China Sea, and use of the terms in speaking or writing vary depending on what they are referring to.

"If you’re talking about the entire dispute of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, you have to use ‘South China Sea'," he said.

"If you’re talking about the dispute between China and the Philippines, you use ‘West Philippine Sea’," he said.