Martín de Goiti
Martin de Goiti (b.15?? - d.1574) was a Spanish conquistador and founder of the city of Manila.
Goiti was one of three conquistadors that accompanied Miguel López de Legazpi and Juan de Salcedo's conquest of the Philippines in 1565. He was the leader of the expedition to Manila , ordered by Legazpi in 1569. There he fought a number of battles against the muslim ruler, Rajah Suliman for control of lands.
War and Destruction of Manila
Goiti and his soldiers defeated and killed most of Suliman, Lakandula and Matanda's warriors at Tondo on May 24, with a force of 300 soldiers and taking the rulers as prisoners and executing those who refused to accept Spanish rule. Goiti and Salcedo then took possession of the city on June 6, 1570 and burned it to the ground, killing most of the natives.
After the battle, both sides could not settle an agreement with each other and open war broked out, continuing their bloodsheds and sieges, for the next 10 months. Goiti and Salcedo, finally succeded in gaining full control of the settlements and putting down the rebellion on June 24, 1571, after the arrival of Legazpi in Manila, who agreed to a peace aggrement.
Spanish Manila
Goiti's bloodshed conquest, paved the way for the establishment of Manila as a permanent Spanish settlement and capital city of the Philippines. He later explored Pampanga, Pangasinan and founded several cities in Luzon between the periods of 1571 -1573.
Fall of Goiti
Goiti died in the war against the invasion of 3,000 Chinese pirates and warriors, who besieged on Fuerza de Santiago and the city of manila in the early periods of 1574. Goiti was killed by Lim ah hong and Limahon's warriors, who massacred most of the Spaniards in the city.
Most of the Spanish reinforcements came from Vigan and Cebu. His second on command, Juan de Salcedo left Ilocos Sur, after hearing the news and traveled to Manila were he discovered the city had fallen to the hands of the Chinese warriors. Salcedo's forces attacked and droved the Pirates out of Manila. Salcedo avendge Goiti's death, by capturing and killing Lim ah hong and Lim ah hong's warriors at the river of Pangasinan and burning their ships to the ground.
Legacy
Goiti is laid to rest in a tomb inside the Church of San Agustin, at his home at Intramuros.
References
- Morga , Antonio de. (2004). The Project Gutenberg Edition Book : History of the Philippine Islands - 1521 to the Beginning of the XVII century. Volume 1 and 2.
- Legazpi , Don Miguel López de. (1564 - 1572). Cartas al Rey Don Felipe II : sobre la expedicion, conquistas y progresos de las islas Felipinas. Sevilla, España.