Battle of Bankusay Channel

Battle of Bankusay Channel
DateJune 3, 1571
LocationBangkusay Channel in Tondo, Manila, Philippines
Result Spanish victory
Kingdom of Tondo dissolved
Death of Tarik Sulayman
Belligerents
Kapampangan natives of Hagonoy and Macabebe Explorers in the service of Spain
Commanders and leaders
Tarik Sulayman and Rajah Sulayman Miguel López de Legazpi
Strength
40 caracoas (warships), around 2,000 warriors 27 vessels, 280 Spaniards, 600 native allies

The Battle of Bankusay on June 3, 1571 marked the last resistance by locals to the occupation and colonization by the Spanish Empire of Manila, the Philippines. Tarik Sulayman, the chief of Macabebes, refused to ally with the Spanish and decided to mount an attack at Bankusay Channel on Spanish forces, led by Miguel López de Legazpi. Sulayman's forces were defeated, and he was killed. The Spanish victory in Bankusay and Legaspi's alliance with Lakandula of Kingdom of Tondo, enabled the Spaniards to establish themselves throughout the city and its neighboring towns.

Background

Miguel López de Legazpi was searching for a suitable place to establish the Spanish colonial capital after being forced to leave first Cebu and then Iloilo by Portuguese pirates. In 1570, Martin de Goiti and Captain Juan de Salcedo, with food stocks diminishing, discovered a rich kingdom on Luzon and saw its potential. De Goiti anchored at Cavite, and tried to establish his authority peaceably by sending a message of friendship to Maynila. Rajah Sulayman, its ruler, was willing to accept the friendship that the Spaniards were offering, but did not want to submit to its sovereignty. Thus, Sulayman declared war.[1] As a result, De Goiti and his army attacked Maynila in June 1570. After a stout fight, Sulayman and his men were forced to flee uphill. After the Spaniards had left, the natives returned.

In 1571, the Spaniards returned with their entire force consisting of 280 Spaniards and 600 native allies, this time led by Legazpi himself. Seeing the Spanish approaching, the natives set the city on fire and fled to the Kingdom of Tondo. The Spaniards occupied the ruins of Maynila and established a settlement there. On May 19, 1571, Legaspi gave the title city to the colony of Manila.[2] The title was certified on June 19, 1572.[2]

A Kapampangan chieftain of the Macabebe tribe, later identified as Tarik Sulayman, refused to submit to the Spaniards and, after failing to gain the support of the chieftains of Manila (Lakandula, Matanda) and nearby old settlements of the present day Bulacan province mostly Hagonoy, Bulacan, gathered a force composed of Bulacan and Kapampangan warriors].

Battle

On June 3, 1571, Tarik Sulayman, supported by Rajah Sulayman, led his troops down the Pampanga River and fought the battle in the bay of Bangkusay, off the port of Tondo.[3]

The Spanish ships, led by Martin de Goiti, were ordered to be fastened two-by-two which created a solid mass formation which seemed to be an easy target. The native warships were lured by this deception and they surrounded the Spanish. The Spanish, surrounded by the native boats, open fire and the native fleet was scattered and destroyed.[3]

The chief who died at Bankusay is sometimes identified as Rajah Sulayman of the Kingdom of Maynila, Lakandula's contemporary. However, it is clear in the Spanish records that Rajah Sulayman was able to survive the battle by escaping to Pampanga and it was the nameless Pampango chief, identified as Tarik Sulayman, that fell in the battle.[3]

Aftermath

Legazpi was able to establish a municipal government for Manila on June 24, 1571, which eventually became the capital of the entire Spanish East Indies colony and subsequently the capital of the Philippines.

The initial population of the city was around 250.[3]

See also

Sources

  1. ↑ Filipiniana: Act of Taking Possession of Luzon by Martin de Goiti. Accessed September 06, 2008.
  2. 1 2 Blair 1911, pp. 173–174
  3. 1 2 3 4 Joaquin, Nick (1990). Manila, My Manila. Vera Reyes, Inc. pp. 18–20.

Further reading

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