2 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

With the overwhelming vote of confidence from

our legislature and the ardent support of the Filipino people, your Defense Department will strive even more to deal with the rebellion decisively and expeditiously. Makaaasa ang sambayanan na hindi namin sasayangin ang tiwalang ito. Gagampanan ng ating

Hukbong Sandatahan ang pagtatanggol sa bayan at mga mamamayan nang buong katapatan. Sa mga patuloy na nalilihis ang landas, magbalik loob na kayo. Handa kayong tanggapin ng inyong gobyerno anumang oras na gustuhin ninyo nang walang hinihinging kondisyon. Ang oportunidad para tayong lahat ay umunlad sa marangal na

A vast representation of our people has made a

resounding statement. The 17th Congress, voting jointly--261 as against 18--favored the extension of the Martial Law and the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus until 31 December 2017. The AFP take this both as an acclamation and as a challenge. It is an acclamation of the sacrifices of every soldier, airman, sailor, and marine who died; or were wounded or whose limbs were lost fighting or while supporting the fight to retake Marawi and liberate the hostages. The task to neutralize the terrorists-extremists and degrade their capability; to rescue civilians trapped

or held hostage; and to set the conditions for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the City is a daunting challenge. But your AFP, aware of the enormity of the job that still needs to be done and the great expectations of our people, will measure up to the test. While the AFP thank the people for their overwhelming support and manifestation of appreciation, it beseech fellow Filipinos to join hands to fight violent extremism and never to allow its seeds to take roots. Only by accompanying our words of commitment with our resolute and united actions will the forces of good reign over that of evil. PHOTOS BY PCOO

AFP StAtEMENt on Martial law

ExtEnsion

on thE ExtEnsion of Martial law in Mindanao

paraan ay ibinibigay ng pamahalaang ito. But if you persist in your crooked ways, the armed forces and the police will come after you without let up. PHOTOS BY PCOO -Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

on the Congressional approval to extend Martial Law in Mindanao

President Rodrigo Duterte and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana visit the troops of the tactical Command Post (TCP) Joint Special Operations task Force (JSOTF) at Barangay Kilala in Marawi City on August 4, 2017.

The President inspects the firearms that were confiscated from the Marawi teroorists during his visit to the troops in Camp Ranao, Marawi City on July 20, 2017.

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 I 3 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

The defenders and rebuilders of our One Defense Team are dauntless. We take pride on how the men and women of the

Philippine military courageously fight the enemies of peace in the armed conflict in Marawi. Many soldiers have sacrificed their lives and some their future, but the resolve of those who remain in the battle zone grows stronger as they close in on the enemies. Undeterred by the ongoing fighting in the few remaining barangays where the Maute-led terrorists continue to fight it out despite their obvious eventual defeat, the task force for the rebuilding of the besieged City of Marawi is also already on the ground and are beginning the arduous task of making the city rise again from the rubbles of war. They, too, are dauntless. And so are our leaders. Unperturbed by the apparent dangers, President Rodrigo Duterte and Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana frequent Marawi to boost the morale of our soldiers and personally be on top of the situation. Secretary Lorenzana also takes every opportunity to listen to and dialogue with the people of Marawi, respected religious leaders and elders of our Muslim brothers and sisters as well as the local government executives to effectively address their plight and promote peace not only in Marawi but in the whole of Mindanao. Many other sectors have shown courage in the face of this adversity. They are the local leaders who work with the national government to resolve this problem, the AFP reservists who work with our troops, the relief workers and the volunteers who attend to the immediate needs of the internally displaced population of Marawi, the reporters who embed with our troops and brave it out there like soldiers and many other Filipinos whose bravery we may never hear of. All of them unmindful of the deafening sounds of airstrikes and the thought of the bullets that might zing above their heads at any given time. Our hopes for peace remain high because of their courage and collective strength. And because of them, MArAwi shAll rise AgAin.

DAUNtLESS FOR PEACE

EDItORIAL i

Public Affairs Service (PAS) department of national defensePas Building, natividad avenue

Camp General Emilio aguinaldo, Quezon City 1110

tel: (+632) 982-5679 Fax: (+632) 911-7113

Email: publicaffairs.dnd@gmail.com

Editor-in-ChiefMiriam G. albao

Managing EditorMarina M. agustin

News Editornoriza s. atienza

ArtistJasmin Michelle l. añana

Media RelationsPrime s. Berunia

Financenelson l. Gallarde

A CREDIBLE DEFENSE ORGANIZAtION, A RELIABLE PARtNER IN NAtIONAL DEVELOPMENt, AND A StRAtEGIC PLAYER IN tHE ASIA PACIFIC REGION

ContributorsOffice of the Assistant Secretary for

assessments and international affairs (dnd), Office for Defense Reform (DND),

Eva delos santos (dnd), Yrrah Millena (dnd), Col Edgard a arevalo, (afP)

Cpt Joe Patrick a Martinez, 4id, Pa, (afP)

Photographersrenato P. alba, ssg saudi s Yusop Paf,

ssg avelino a Velasco Jr Pa

Asst. Photo EditorPinky a. hernandez

Support Servicessg anthony B Cadiz, sgt isidro r areja,

Cpl Celso P Castromayor, shella d. sonogan,lyn tropa

Public Affairs Offices ofPhilippine army, Philippine navy/Philippine

Marine Corps, Philippine air force

4 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

In line with the 50th Anniversary of the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines hosted the inaugural meeting of the Experts Working Group (EWG) for Cybersecurity of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) - Plus on July 17-19, 2017, at the Hotel

Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners to strengthen security and defense cooperation

for peace, stability, and development in the region. It includes ten ASEAN Member States, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, and eight Plus countries, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, ROK, Russian

Ph hosts CYBErsECuritY ExPErts ConfErEnCE

Federation and the United States. The Department of National Defense (DND), through its Management Information System Service headed by Dir. Jesus V. Lomeda, Jr. holds the Co-Chairmanship of the said EWG, together with Mr. Mike Thompson, Director (Asia) of the International Branch,

Ministry of Defence of New Zealand. Meanwhile, Prof. Raymund Jose G. Quilop, DND Assistant Secretary for Assessments and International Affairs (ASAIA) is the Working Group

Leader of the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM) Plus. The first leg of the inaugural meeting aims to establish confidence-building and rapport among ADMM-Plus countries by designating a Point-of-Contact (POC) for each member country. Expert delegates will be presenting their respective country’s cyber security structure, concerns, and current focus to fellow member-countries. In addition, the meeting will provide a venue for experts to examine the current state of existing cyber security policies and capabilities, enhance awareness on cyber security challenges, responsibilities of each nation and the international community to address such challenges, and how to leverage on the capabilities of each nation in addressing cyber security threats. The group will also endeavor to encourage the ASEAN member states and the international community to take a common stand and exert efforts for the protection of cyberspace, and develop appropriate mechanisms for cooperation among the defense and military establishments of ADMM Plus in addressing cyber security.

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 I 5 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

The challenge posed by violent extremism is a

problem for all of us in the region; hence the Philippines could count on the support of Singapore in its fight against the Maute-ISIS in Marawi. This was personally conveyed by Singapore’s Minister of Defense Dr. Ng Eng Hen to PH Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana when the two ministers met in Manila on July 18, 2017. Secretary Lorenzana expressed appreciat ion for Singapore’s offer to provide assistance for ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), transport of supplies for the rehabilitation of Marawi and training relative to built-up cities. Minister Ng also offered the utilization of Singapore’s HADR Center to galvanize foreign contributions

for the reconstruction of Marawi. Originally put up to coordinate foreign assistance to Southeast Asian countries devastated by natural calamities, Minister Ng said that the center could likewise be used for Marawi’s rehabiliation. Agreeing in principle as regards to Singapore’s offer, Secretary Lorenzana instructed the AFP to examine the ISR capabilities that Singapore is ready to provide. Singapore’s provision of C-130 to help transport supplies and provision of training regarding building up cities are things the AFP could readily avail of, Secretary Lorenzana said. Meanwhile, both ministers expressed their respective support to each other’s chairmanship of ASEAN. The Philippines is

ASEAN’s chair for 2017, something it will pass on to Singapore which will chair ASEAN next year. Secretary Lorenzana acknowledged that coordination between the current and incoming chairs, like what the Philippines and Singapore are doing, is a best practice that could be emulated by succeeding chairs of ASEAN. This is to ensure continuity of programs and projects launched by an ASEAN chairman.

The Philippines and Thailand have always been natural partners bilaterally and through ASEAN-related engagements and the conclusion

of the Terms of Reference (TOR) on the Joint Committee on Military Cooperation (JCMC) is another milestone. This was stressed by Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana during the signing of the TOR at the Department of National Defense on 17 August 2017. Undersecretary of National Defense Cardozo M. Luna and Thai Permanent Secretary for Defense General Chaichan Changmongkol signed the TOR with Secretary Lorenzana and Thailand Ambassador to the Philippines Thanatip Upatising

witnessing the signing. The TOR completes the series of arrangements that have been previously inked at the level of the two countries’ major services, with that of the Philippine Navy being signed in 2012, Philippine Army in 2015 and Philippine Air Force in 2016. With the TOR signed, the JCMC convened for the first time. Co-chaired by Philippine Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Quilop and Thai Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defense General Chatudom Titthasiri, the committee assessed the current state of Philippines-Thailand defense cooperation and identified ways forward for the partnership. With both sides acknowledging the robustness of the two ministries’ defense engagements, there was a shared sense to explore cooperation in the areas of research and development as well as science and technology, in recognition of the increasing need to develop defense capabilities that are indigenous to the two neighbors. The two delegations also exchanged views on current and emerging security issues such as violent extremism and terrorism, maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR). Both sides expressed mutual support for each other’s advocacies and initiatives within the ambit of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus. with Thailand’s assurance of continued support to the Philippines’ chairmanship of the ADMM this year, the Philippine delegation thanked Thailand for its tangible contributions to the AseAn defense sector, to include the establishment of an AseAn Center for Military Medicine.

dEfEnsE MinistrY lEVEl tor siGnEd BEtwEEn Ph and thailand

snd rECEiVEs sinGaPorE dEfEnsE MinistEr

6 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

tasK forCE BanGon Marawi uPdatEsWith the fighting almost over, it is time to

rebuild the city in ruins

While the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ recovery and clearing operations of the

remaining hideouts and creepholes of what used to be the strongholds of the Maute-led terrorists who occupied parts of the city are nearing the end, there is the equally important task of reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi City. The internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Marawi because of the protracted crisis in the city are more than anxious to go back to their homes. But for most of the Maranaos, the Marawi residents who were victimized by the violence and lawlessness of the extremists and pillagers who wantonly ravaged what used to be one of Mindanao’s vital cities, there are no more homes to go back to. The task of rebuilding this capital of Lanao del Sur province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is now in the hands of Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) which was created by the President thru Administrative Order No. 3 to orchestrate government’s unified and comprehensive effort to rebuild this city in ruins. Task Force Bangon Marawi has to ensure that efforts for the rehabilitation of Marawi City and the alleviation of the condition of the IDPs are synchronized. In a forum on the Marawi Crisis at the National Defense College of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo, Defense Operations Undersecretary Cesar B. Yano, who is the Task Force Bangon Marawi Executive Director, emphasized the importance of the role of the local government u n i t s (LGUs) in the planning and implementation of the

interagency efforts. Prioritization of beneficiaries or families who will qualify for the transitional

housing for the IDPs for instance, has to be done in consultation with, and based on the criteria of the LGU and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The transitional housing is a priority of the Task Force to help sustain the IDPs,

starting with 1,200 families or evacuees who will be staying in the temporary

shelters that will be provided by the Task Force. Work on the provision

of 22 sq m housing units with water, electricity and comfort

room is underway and construction is scheduled

to begin in September.

Usec Yano and other officials of the Task Force, Housing and Urban Development Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson Eduardo Del Rosario, Hon. Majul Gandamra, City Mayor of

Marawi and other local government officials and the Office of Civil Defense among others have been conducting meetings and ocular inspection of the evacuation centers and transitional housing sites this August. Among the main concerns of the Task Force is ensuring that the condition and sensitivities of our Muslim brothers and sisters are taken in consideration in the building of houses and rebuilding of communities. Water for instance is not just a life line for them as it is also a necessity in their conduct of regular act of worship. For the basic necessities such as water and electricity, the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and the Lanao Del Sur Cooperative Inc. (LASURECO) have already started installation of facilities. To immediately provide sufficient water supply in the evacuation centers, Usec Cesar B. Yano also initiated the installation of overhead water tanks, ground water containers and deep well pump at Sta. Elena Evacuation Center, Iligan City and Pantar Evacuation Center, Lanao del Norte in coordination with DPWH, Barangay Captains, and Camp Managers with the Office of Civil Defense providing the logistical requirements and expenses. As part of its efforts to fully reach out to the IDPs, the Tak Force also conducta a Moral Recovery and Psychosocial Program, in collaboration with the Marawi Sultanates League, Philippine Army and the Mindanao State University.PHOTOS BY OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 I 7 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

WINNING tHE PEOPLE’S SUPPORt IN tHE QUESt FOR PEACE AND UNItY IN MINDANAO”

BY: CPt JoE PatriCK a MartinEz

“This was also clear during the joint congress hearing when the ML has to be extended, that one commentator that I respect so much once said, You could really see the difference of the answers of Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief of Staff Gen Eduardo Año as compared to the other people who testified, that they were more prepared, they were ready to answer questions in a very informed and professional [way] and that impressed a lot of people.” Fr. Yap concluded. People have also extended their fair - share of support to the affected civilians, and the troops who are in the frontline. With the outpouring of support, soldiers are now more motivated to work hand-in-hand with all the stakeholders. AFP is slowly reaping the fruit of its labor, although while in the process of achieving victory, some of its soldiers have paid their ultimate sacrifice. They will now be remembered in history. In the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) alone, soldiers received a total of Php 9.8 Million worth of in-kind donations from the civilian sector . Wounded soldiers who are being treated at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital received medical care kits, wheelchairs, beds and linens. Food and care packages were delivered to all troops who are in the frontline in Marawi. Recently, a group of elementary and high school students from Cagayan de Oro City initiated a very heartwarming donation drive that has inspired not just the soldiers but everyone because of its symbolism of love, hope, and unity. A total of 3,000 pcs of Victory Boxes, which contain care packages including letters of support and encouragement, were given to the soldiers in a very simple yet very symbolic ceremony that was held at the 4ID Grandstand in Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 3 2017 I 7

Life is so meaningful for each and every soldier whenever

their countrymen, to whom they dedicate their service, unite and extend their trust and support for the attainment of lasting peace. It has been years since the Armed Forces of the Philippines have felt this kind of overwhelming support. In today’s Martial Law in Mindanao, soldiers are making remarkable progress in their quest to liberate Marawi from terrorists as well as in winning back the support of every Filipino. At first, some people, particularly those who have experienced atrocities under the past Martial Law, were very resentful as they feared that it will only reopen the wounds of the past. However, in more than three months of the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao, people have seen and realized a positive change. They felt more secured when the government implemented stricter security measures; there were no Human Rights violations committed by any soldier in the area; and the local government units still freely exercise their political decisions for their respective constituents. Fr. Roberto C Yap, President of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan said,

“I was one of those who signed the statement when Martial Law was declared, among the Ateneo presidents, the five who signed the statements, we said that all of us went through the previous ML and until the end, when we saw the abuses, we saw the hardships, we were very nervous. We certainly asked our constituents, our stakeholders, to be vigilant. And after

two months since the ML declaration, I think what we can say is that we

have seen the military acted very professionally in general. I saw this brochure; you have stated what are the safeguards about this ML. It was the first time I’ve seen the cards and I was very impressed in learning about

this. “It is really impressive

to see the professionalism that the military have shown

as you implemented ML. There is a very strong sense of respect for the Constitution, respect for the rule of law, the human rights, and respect certainly for the limitations set by the 1987 Constitution. I think in many ways this has really calmed a lot of fears and anxieties. With the extension of ML, some of us have accepted it in a certain calmness primarily because of the professionalism shown by the military.

All these stories, that are now part of history, will be forever cherished by each and every member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Fr. Roberto C. Yap

8 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

EDITOR’S NOTE: On this second part of his series on Defense System of Management (DSOM) vis-à-vis the Performance Governance System (PGS), author COL JOSE ELY P. ALBERTO PA (GSC), Office for Defense Reform Chief, continues with a backgrounder on the processes in an organization and then proceeds to focus on the Department of National Defense as a government organization.

Outputs are produced by the work carried out during the execution of a process. Outputs can be viewed as an important result to emerge from a project, but an even more important class of result takes the form of the end-effect generated as a consequence of the implementation of those outputs. Such results are called

outcomes. Although outcomes are not displayed in the IPO model, they represent the very reason for producing outputs. While an output is always a tangible artefact, an outcome is always a measurable effect.

Processes can be categorised into three, according to the particular set of ‘‘management rules’’ we use to guide their execution: Business (or operational) process. If a piece of work has a reliable script, run it as a business process (using the practices of operational management). Operational management practices are generally applied to repeated, ‘‘relatively complex’’ processes.Ad hoc task. If a piece of work has no script and it is ‘‘small’’, execute it as an ad hoc task (by making it up as you go along). Treatment as an ad hoc task is suited to all ‘‘relatively simple’’ processes, regardless of their novelty.Project. If a piece of work is ‘‘large’’ and has no script, run it as a project (using the practices of project management). Project management practices are suited to novel processes and become more effective as the complexity of the work increases.

Hence, an Organization, a unit of people that is structured and managed to meet a need or to pursue collective goals, includes the following characteristics: • Organizations perform work that share many characteristics

o Performed by peopleo Constrained by limited resourceso Planned, executed, and controlled

• Organizations perform work categorized intoo Operationso Projectso Ad-hoc Tasks

• Organizations perform work that produces resultso Outputso Outcomes

My Understanding of DSOM and PGS(Part 2 of a 4-part series)

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 I 9 DEFENSE CHRONICLEOn the DND as a Government Organization:

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GOP), as a whole, has a societal goal, and each sector corresponds to its respective sectoral goal. As part of the Security sector, the DND has an organizational outcome, and to attain such, it is categorized into Mission Areas’ (MAs). Further, the objectives and requirements of the MA are implemented through its Programs/Activities/Projects (PAPs). Accordingly, the PAPs conforms to the roles and functions that the DND, its bureaus, units and offices are mandated to perform and accomplish in the delivery of public services.

Figure 4: The Department of National Defense has mandated roles and functions as an essential component organization of the Government of the Philippines

As such, DND bureaus, units and offices have a defined organizational structure to deliver particular sets (menu) of government services. Throughout the duration of the organizational existence, DND bureaus, units and offices, regularly fine-tune their focus and efforts to improve, develop, and responsively provide the services required

Hence, not all of the services in the menu may be delivered in a particular period, rather, they are prioritized based on needs and budgetary constraints. Figure 5: The Department of National Defense has a mandated organizational

goal, objectives and functions that translates into a list of public services that can be offered and deliveredAs such, the DND is an essential

Organization of the GOP with the following characteristics:

• Has a particular role in the GOP and specified goals under the Security Sector• Has a limited menu of services that can be delivered to its customers• Services are delivered in accordance with priority, schedules, and necessity, as well as authorized by funds and regulations (law)• DND performs a lead or support role in relation to other departments of the government (there are no duplication of services)• Reforms and Transformation are necessary to adapt to developments

NEXT ON THIS SERIES: THE PHILIPPINE DEFENSE REFORM (PDR) PROGRAM

Figure 6: The particular services of the Department of National Defense (DND) are delivered to the public in accordance with the programming and funding of the Government of the Philippines (GOP); being a component organization, the attainment of the DND’s organizational goal must contribute to the attainment of the goal of the GOP.

10 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

Former SoCom ChieF now headS Government arSenal

VMMC welCoMes new Chief of MediCal staff

Retired MGen. Daniel R. Casabar, Jr., a former Commander of the Philippine Army’s elite Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and retired BGen. Mariano A. Mejia, a military surgeon who previously headed the Armed Forces of the Philippines

(AFP) Medical Center, joined the Department of National Defense (DND) as Director of the Government Arsenal (GA) and Chief of Medical Staff of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, respectively. Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana presided over their oath-taking ceremony witnessed by DND senior leaders and officials of concerned bureaus / offices along with family members of Casabar and Mejia on 15 August 2017 at Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The Defense Chief also graced the formal turnover ceremony of the GA yesterday, August 16, 2017 at Camp Gen. Antonio Luna in Limay, Bataan where Casabar officially took

over the post from Director Jonathan C. Martir. Secretary Lorenzana lauded Dir. Martir’s contribution to the advancement of the DND’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Program during his time as GA Director and welcomed MGen Casabar’s addition to the One Defense Team. “I trust that the incoming Director, MGen. Casabar, can carry on the reforms and good governance that MGen Martir started,” Secretary Lorenzana said. “I know that the Government Arsenal is in good hands with MGen. Casabar on top, confident that he can stir the GA to realize our long-time dream of having a self-reliant defense posture,” Secretary Lorenzana added. Under the SRDP Program, the GA is envisioned to become the primary

supplier of rifles and ammunition not only to the AFP, but to the entire security forces of the Philippine government including the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and other government security agencies. Before his retirement from active military service, MGen. Casabar served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Commander of Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Army Support Command (ASCOM) and of the 56th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. Created under Republic Act No. 1884, the Government Arsenal is one of the five bureaus under the DND which is tasked to “design, manufacture, procure, stockpile and allocate small arms, weapons, ammunition for these

weapons government arsenal and other munitions for the AFP, PNP and other government law enforcement agencies; and to sell and export excess products.” Meanwhile, retired BGen. Mejia also assumed his post at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) vice Dr. Martha Nucum. The 59-year-old former Surgeon General of the AFP is no stranger to the job as he had previously headed the AFP Medical Center in V. Luna Avenue, Quezon City. He also served as former Army Chief Surgeon and Commander of various military hospitals and facilities like the Fort Bonifacio General Hospital, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo Hospital, among others.

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 2017 I 11 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

REPLICA OF 1734 MURILLO-VELARDE MAP

TURNED OVER TO THE DND

The Scarborough Shoal has been a part of Philippine territory for centuries. This is evident in the 1734 Murillo-Velarde map or the Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de la Yslas Filipinas Manila 1734, the first scientific map of the Philippines also known as the mother of all Philippine maps. As illustrated in the map, a tiny island with the label

“Panacot” which was later named “Bajo de Masinloc” or “Scarborough Shoal” formed part of the Philippine Territory.

The Department of National Defense now owns an official replica of this map which is considered as the Holy Grail of Philippine cartography. Philantropist Mr. Mel Velasco Velarde turned over the replica to the DND in a simple ceremony on July 20, 2017 at the EDSA Lounge of the DND Building in Camp Aguinaldo. The 1734 Murillo-Velarde is a very detailed map of the entire Philippine archipelago, which is why it is regarded as the first ever scientific map of the Philippines. The map was named after the Spanish Jesuit friar Pedro Murillo Velarde who prepared it together with two Filipinos namely Mr. Francisco Suarez, and Mr. Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay. Here’s how the 18th Century

treasure found its way back to the Philippines: It was discovered by Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Carpio that the Murillo-Velarde map was among the 80 heirlooms owned by the Duke of Northumberland, Ralph George Algemon Percy, that were scheduled to be auctioned by the Sotheby’s London on November 4, 2014. Justice Carpio shared this information to various public and private museums and individuals including Filipino technology entrepreneur and educator Mel Velasco Velarde. Mr. Velarde, who is also a known philanthropist, happens to carry the same family name of Father Pedro Murillo Velarde but is not related to the

Spanish priest. Driven by a strong sense of patriotism and love of country, he participated in the auction and gained ownership of the artifact. And so the Pedro Murillo Velarde Map came home to the Philippines. Believing that the ownership of the map is every Filipino’s birthright, Mr. Velarde donated the map as a gift to the Filipino people through a deed of donation signed with the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippine Government. Replicas of the map are being donated to government agencies, academic institutions and private organizations to impart to the public the map’s significance to our cultural and historical heritage.