Philippine Chile embassy receives 1734 Murillo Velarde map

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in Santiago, Chile received a replica of the 1734 Murillo Velarde map, the first scientific map of the Philippine archipelago.

The 1734 Murillo Velarde map, also known as the “Mother of All Philippine Maps,” was presented as evidence in the 2016 case against China’s illegal claims in the South China Sea.

“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,” the embassy said in a statement.

Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat received an official replica of the map in Mandaluyong City on July 12, coinciding with the seventh anniversary of The Hague court’s arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines.

“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,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on the day of the anniversary.