Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

The original Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, known as the Mother of All Philippine Maps, donated by Mel Velarde on display at the Treasures of the National Library of the Philippines hall in Manila on August 28, 2024. The map was part of the country's arbitral award from The Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague against China on claims on the West Philippine Sea in 2016. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Murillo Velarde Map on Display

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177390686487520240828-murillo-velarde-map-MD-4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The original Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, known as the Mother of All Philippine Maps, donated by Mel Velarde on display at the Treasures of the National Library of the Philippines hall in Manila on August 28, 2024. The map was part of the country&#x27;s arbitral award from The Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague against China on claims on the West Philippine Sea in 2016. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Thursday said the 1990 Scarborough Shoal document being invoked by China in its claims over Bajo de Masinloc came from a “doubtful source” and is being used to mislead.</p><p>NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez said the document was being used out of context to support Beijing’s narrative in the disputed waters.</p><p>“Ang National Maritime Council ay naninindigan na ang tinatawag na 1990 Scarborough document na isang liham ng ating dating ambassador sa Germany 34 years na ang nakakalipas ay nagbibigay ng maling kahulugan o paliwanag sa ating teritoryo,” Lopez said in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/16/ph-has-indivisible-sovereignty-over-bajo-de-masinloc-dfa-1756"><strong>PH has &#x27;indivisible sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc,&#x27; alleged letter of concession posted by China Embassy &#x27;without value&#x27; — DFA </strong></a> </div><p>“Ito ay pilit ginagamit ng China upang iligaw ang publiko lokal man o international,” he added.</p><p>Lopez said the document was issued in response to an inquiry from an amateur radio group and lacked the authority to define territorial claims. </p><p>“Itong sulat o liham ng ating dating ambassador – at di pa tukoy kung saan ang pinanggalingan nito, kumbaga doubtful ang source – ay walang kapangyarihan o authority na bawasan o alisin ang sovereignty ng Pilipinas sa Bajo de Masinloc,” Lopez said. </p><p>He added that only the Philippine president can formally declare positions on sovereignty. </p><p>China has cited portions of the letter suggesting that Bajo de Masinloc is not Philippine territory but lies within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Lopez said this interpretation is misleading and selective. </p><p>“Pinipili lamang kasi ng Tsina ang bahagi ng liham na pabor sa kanilang naratibo. Pinapakita na inamin ng Pilipinas noong 1990 na wala tayong soberanya dahil nga daw ang BDM ay di teritoryo ng Pilipinas,” Lopez said. </p><div><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-ph/politics/government/defense-chief-slams-chinese-embassy-says-1990-letter-on-scarborough-not-binding/ar-AA1YNCBz?ocid=BingNewsSerp"><strong>Defense chief slams Chinese Embassy, says 1990 letter on Scarborough ‘not binding’ </strong></a> </div><p>He added that the document, which the Chinese Embassy earlier asserted has merit, is not a treaty or agreement and cannot be used as basis to undermine the country’s sovereignty in Bajo de Masinloc. </p><p>The NMC maintained that the Philippines’ claim over the shoal remains “long-standing, consistent and indivisible,” anchored in international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. </p><p>Lopez said the country has also demonstrated effective control over the area through law enforcement, marine scientific research and military exercises.</p><p>He added that they are awaiting the full report from the Philippine Coast Guard to serve as a formal basis for a diplomatic protest against China and their “illegal” or “harassment and coercive” actions in the West Philippine Sea. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eeKAQ_B_ixk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hY2DcdsHvsA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The National Maritime Council said the document was being used out of context to support Beijing’s narrative in the disputed waters.</p>

The National Maritime Council said the document was being used out of context to support Beijing’s narrative in the disputed waters.

Maritime Council says 1990 Scarborough document from 'doubtful source'

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Maritime Council says 1990 Scarborough document from 'doubtful source'

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 19, 2026 03:51 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 19, 2026 03:55 PM PHT

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Maritime Council

Scarborough shoal

Bajo de Masinloc

sovereignty

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