Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/nation2/06/06/1734map-1.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Businessman Mel Velarde donated the framed replica of the 1734 Murillo map of the Philippine archipelago to Lt. General Romeo Tanalgo, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command. <em>Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - A Filipino businessman has donated a framed replica of a scientific map of the Philippines created nearly three centuries ago that shows the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc as part of Philippine territory.</p><p>Mel Velarde, president and CEO of New Corporation and chairman of the board of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, donated the framed replica of the 1734 Murillo map of the Philippine archipelago to Lt. General Romeo Tanalgo, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).</p><p>Originally called the Carta Hydrographica y Chrographica de las Filipinas and published in 1734, the Murillo Velarde map was drawn by the Jesuit priest Father Pedro Murillo Velarde. It is the first recognized internationally scientific map of the Philippines and shows Scarborough Shoal, then called Panacot Shoal or Panatag Shoal, as part of Philippine territory.</p><p>READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/06/07/15/ph-submit-300-year-old-map-un-case-vs-china">PH to submit 300-year-old map to UN in case vs China</a></p><p>Velarde also donated copies of the replica to other Nolcom field units.</p><p>The Philippine government has been using the map as proof of its claim over parts of South China Sea in the International Arbitral Tribunal against China.</p><p>Velarde said he was able to recover the map in an auction in London.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/nation2/06/06/1734map-2.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Business Mel Velarde and AFP Nolcom chief Lt. General Romeo Tanalgo point at the 1734 Murillo map. <em>Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>The businessman said the donation of the map replicas is meant to honor Filipino soldiers who are fighting to protect Philippines territory. He said he hopes to rekindle a sense of patriotism among Filipinos to promote sovereignty and to remind the public of the country&#x27;s indisputable claim over the shoal.</p><p>Velarde also hopes to donate replicas of the map to the Department of Education and push for its inclusion in public school textbooks.</p><p>Tanalgo said the map reminds Filipinos, including the country&#x27;s Armed Forces, about the important of the Philippines&#x27; claim to the disputed shoal.</p><p>He said Nolcom is always ready to protect and defend Philippine territory despite the lack of modern equipment.</p><p>Based on latest reports, Chinese Coast Guard ships and fishermen are continuously present in the Scarborough Shoal, blocking access of Filipino fishermen to their traditional fishing grounds.</p><p>READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/opinions/05/20/16/opinion-pnoy-del-rosario-responsible-for-ph-losing-control-of-scarborough">PNoy, Del Rosario responsible for PH losing control of Scarborough</a></p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/abs-cbnnews/a_images/access/tvpatrol/tvp062015/verafiles-4thumb.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Businessman Mel Velardo looks at the reproduction of the 1734 Murillo map he now owns. <em>Photo by Yvonne Chua</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Last week, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter warned that the US will take action if China will build permanent structures in the area.</p><div><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/global-filipino/world/06/04/16/us-warns-beijing-of-self-isolation-in-south-china-sea">US warns Beijing of &#x27;self-isolation&#x27; in South China Sea</a></div>

MANILA - A Filipino businessman has donated a framed replica of a scientific map of the Philippines created nearly three centuries ago that shows the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc as part of Philippine territory. 

LOOK: 1734 map shows Scarborough Shoal part of Philippines

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Focus

LOOK: 1734 map shows Scarborough Shoal part of Philippines

Jay Ruiz,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 06, 2016 07:42 PM PHT

Read More:

scarborough shoal

west philippine sea

map

murillo map

territory

northern luzon command

china

south china sea

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.