Philippine Embassy in Chile Receives Official Replica of Murillo Velarde 1734 Map
The turnover of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map replica to the Philippine Embassy in Santiago, Chile was held in Mandaluyong City on July 12, 2023. In the photo (left to right): Mr. Richard Recella, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of American Affairs Assistant Director; Amb. Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Philippine Embassy in Santiago, Chile; Chairman Velarde, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and NOW Group; Mr. Francis Xavier L. Manglapus, AIJC Trustee and NOW Corporation Vice Chairman; Ms. Therese San Diego Torres, Research, Policy, and Advocacy (RPA) Director, AIJC
MANDALUYONG 18 July 2023 – On the seventh anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration at The Hague in the Netherlands, the Embassy of the Philippines in Santiago, Chile received an official replica of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, the first scientific map of the entire Philippine archipelago.
Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and NOW Group Chairman Mel V. Velarde turned over the replica of the map, also known as the “Mother of All Philippine Maps,” to Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat in Mandaluyong City on July 12, 2023.
The Embassy in Santiago—one of the three Philippine foreign missions in South America alongside the Philippine Embassies in Buenos Aires and Brasilia—holds concurrent jurisdiction over Peru and Ecuador.
Guided by the principles of national security, economic diplomacy, and assistance to nationals, the Embassy champions Philippine interests in relation to Chile, Peru, and Ecuador and recognizes the value of the map to its public diplomatic initiatives and West Philippine Sea advocacies in the region.
As cited by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are the twin anchors of the policy and actions of the Philippines on the West Philippine Sea.
During the turnover, Mr. Velarde expressed his gratitude for partners and allies who stand in solidarity with the Philippines in upholding the arbitral ruling and international law. He called for continuing commitment to asserting territorial rights over the West Philippine Sea and ensuring freedom of navigation and food security.
In a statement released on July 12, 2023, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo wrote, “Just as lighthouses aid vessels in navigating the seas, the Award will continue to illuminate the path for all who strive towards not just the peaceful resolution of disputes but also the maintenance of a rules-based international order.” He added, “We will continue to translate the positive outcomes of the Award into positive gains for our people to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain, and to promote peace, security and prosperity in our region.”
The Philippine Embassy in Santiago, Chile now holds a copy of the ancient map that was presented among the pieces of evidence at The Hague, where the country—under the leadership of late former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio—sought a fair and unbiased resolution to the maritime dispute.
Mr. Velarde and Amb. Balatbat signed the Deed of Donation and Acceptance during the turnover. They were joined by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of American Affairs Assistant Director Richard Recella, AIJC Trustee and NOW Corporation Vice Chairman Francis Xavier L. Manglapus, and AIJC Research, Policy, and Advocacy (RPA) Director Therese San Diego Torres. (END)
Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and NOW Group Chairman Mel V.Velarde turned over a replica of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat
During the turnover of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map replica to the Philippine Embassy in Santiago, Chile, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and NOW Group Chairman Mel V. Velarde presented Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat a copy of the book, “The South China Sea Dispute: Philippine Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” by retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and a compilation of news and articles about the map.
During the turnover of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map replica to the Philippine Embassy in Santiago, Chile on July 12, 2023, Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat and Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and NOW Group Chairman Mel V. Velarde signed the Deed of Donation and Acceptance. The signing ceremony was held in Mandaluyong City.
For more information, visit https://www.santiagope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChile.