MANILA, Philippines — Over a decade after Filipino businessman Mel Velarde bought the 1734 Murillo Velarde map in a London auction, the historical document is finally on permanent display at the National Library of the Philippines.
The map is the oldest known document that proves Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc — then known as Panacot — is part of the Philippine islands, as documented by Spanish Jesuit Pedro Murillo Velarde. It was drawn by Francisco Suarez and engraved by Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay, both Filipinos.
It plays a role in recent Filipino history, too: The map was used to bolster the Philippines’ claim on the shoal when it took China to court in 2013. Although the arbitral tribunal did not and could not rule on who has sovereignty over Scarborough, the 2016 Arbitral award reaffirmed the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In this video, we walk you through the history of the map, and how it informs where the Philippines could head. – Rappler.com
The map is part of the National Library of the Philippines’ permanent gallery. Walk-ins are welcome, but you’ll need to request ahead through this link if you want a guided tour. The National Library of the Philippines is located along T.M. Kalaw St. in Ermita, Manila.
