_Testimony in certain investigations made by Doctor Santiago de Vera,
president of the Philipinas_
In the city of Manila, on the twentieth of May in the year one thousand
five hundred and eighty-nine. Doctor Santiago de Vera, of the Council
of the king, our lord, and his governor and captain-general in these
Philipinas Islands, stated that inasmuch as it is proper and necessary
to inform the king our sovereign of the compact and conspiracy which
the Indian chiefs and natives of these islands and the vicinity of
Manila had plotted against the service of God, our Lord, and against
his Majesty, and of the inquiry and investigations made thus far in
order to ascertain and verify the facts, and the status of the case:
he therefore would order, and he did order, Estevan de Marquina,
notary-public of Manila--before whom most of the trial has been
conducted, of which an account has already been given three times to
the royal Audiencia--to draw up an attested record of the said trial
in a summary and relation, or such documents as shall be necessary,
in order to send them to the royal Council of the Indias this present
year. He also ordered him to inform his Majesty of what is occurring,
and of what has been done about the matter. This was what Doctor
Santiago de Vera declared, ordered, and signed.
By order of his Lordship:
_Thomas Perez_
In fulfilment of the command and decree of Doctor Santiago de Vera,
governor and captain-general of these islands, and president of the
royal Audiencia, I, Estevan de Marquina, notary-public for the king our
sovereign, of the number [authorized] in the city of Manila, testify
that a trial and criminal process has been conducted and is still
pending before the said governor and captain-general. The parties are
the royal department of justice of the one part, and certain Indian
chiefs, natives of the villages of Tondo, Misilo, Bulacan, and other
villages in the neighborhood of Manila, of the other part. The cause
of this contention seems to be that on the twenty-sixth of October
of last year, one thousand five hundred and eighty-eight, Doctor
Santiago de Vera, governor and captain-general of these islands,
and president of the royal Audiencia, learned that the following
persons: Don Agustin de Legaspi, one of the chiefs of this land;
Martin Panga, governor of the village of Tondo, and his first cousin;
Magat Salamat, the son of the old lord of this land; and other chiefs,
had not long ago sent a present of weapons and other articles to the
king of Burney, and that they were quite intent upon holding meetings
and their usual drunken feasts, swearing to keep secret whatever they
discussed. He also learned that they had sold and were selling their
landed property. In order to ascertain what the condition of affairs
is, the governor made an inquiry and many witnesses were summoned. From
this inquiry and other investigations and inquests made in the course
of the trials, it appears that the said Don Agustin de Legaspi and
Magat Salamat had sent a quantity of shields, arquebuses, and other
weapons to Xapon and to the petty king of Burney, who has thus been
enabled to put himself on a war-footing. They warned these powers to
fortify themselves in their strongholds, because the Spaniards intended
to go there. They added that the said Don Agustin would notify them in
person of what was taking place; and that, for this purpose, he would
ask permission to set out on his commercial enterprises. Likewise
we learned that the people of the kingdom of Burney were thinking of
manning a fleet for the purpose of attacking the Spaniards; and that
they had killed a Franciscan friar and other Spaniards while on their
way to Malaca from Manila with messages and despatches for the king,
our sovereign. It appears that on the fourth of November of the said
year, when the inquiry had not gone further than this, Captain Pedro
Sarmiento arrived in this city from the Calamianes, which are islands
near Burney; and brought the news and information that he had left
behind in the said Calamianes three Indian chiefs of Tondo, namely,
Magat Salamat, Don Agustin Manuguit, son of Don Phelipe Salalila, and
Don Joan Banal, brother-in-law of the said Magat. Through Don Antonio
Surabao, his servant and chief of his encomienda, he had learned that
these men were going as ambassadors to the petty king of Burney, in
order to induce him to send a fleet to attack the Spaniards, and to
join the chiefs of Jolo, and Sumaelob, chief of Cuyo, who had already
come to terms and offered to help them with two thousand men. They had
persuaded the said Don Antonio Surabao to accompany them and carry
out their plans; but the latter while on the one hand he promised
to help them, in order not to arouse their suspicion, on the other
hand unfolded the plan to Captain Sarmiento. He added, moreover,
that Amarlangagui, chief of Baibai, who was within the jurisdiction
of Manila and held the office of master-of-artillery, had told him,
while in this city, that all the chiefs of this neighborhood had
plotted and conspired with the Borneans to rebel against the service
of the king our sovereign, and to kill the Spaniards of this city,
while they were off their guard. The plan was that when the fleet
of Burney reached the port of Cavite, and the Spaniards trustfully
called these chiefs to their aid, they would all immediately enter
the houses of the Spaniards with their men, fortify themselves in
them and thus take possession of them one by one. If the Spaniards
took refuge in the fortress, Indian soldiers would follow them; and,
being two to one, they would surely kill the Spaniards. Maluco offered
an example of this; for with but few people they had taken so large a
fortress from the Portuguese. To this end the people of Burney were
building seven galleys and other warships, and were getting ready
ammunition and war-material. Thus it is affirmed by the said Don
Antonio Surabao himself, who says that, under the pledge of friendship
and secrecy, he was made acquainted with all this, and was persuaded
to join the said conspiracy. Upon this, with the governor's approval,
soldiers and attendants were immediately despatched with his orders to
arrest the said chiefs, and to bring them to this city as quickly as
possible. From the inquiry and secret investigations which were taken
up anew, it appears that last year, five hundred and eighty-seven,
when Captain Don Joan Gayo and many Japanese with merchandise arrived
at this city in a ship from Xapon, Don Agustin de Legaspi became
very friendly to him, inviting him many times to eat and drink at
his house which is on the other side of the river of this city. The
agreement and stipulation which he made with Don Joan Gayo through
the Japanese interpreter, Dionisio Fernandez, and in the presence of
the said Magat Salamat, Don Agustin Manuguit, Don Phelipe Salalila,
his father, and Don Geronimo Bassi, Don Agustin de Legaspi's brother,
was, that the said captain should come to this city with soldiers from
Xapon, and enter it under pretext of peace and commerce, bringing in
his ship flags for the use of the Spaniards, so that the latter should
think his intentions peaceful. It was also agreed that the chiefs
of the neighborhood would help them to kill the Spaniards, and would
supply the provisions and everything necessary. The said Don Agustin
de Legaspi was to set out to meet them; and, in order that they might
recognize one another, he would carry some of the weapons which the
said captain had given him. After they had conquered the Spaniards,
they would make him [Don Agustin] king of the land, and collect the
tribute from the natives, which would be divided between Don Agustin
and the Japanese. They swore this after their fashion, by anointing
their necks with a broken egg. Don Agustin de Legaspi discussed and
arranged the whole plan with Amaghicon, an Indian chief of Navotas,
warned him to keep the secret, and gave him some of the weapons which
the Japanese had given him, in order that they might recognize one
another. According to the declarations of Dionisio Fernandez, the
Japanese interpreter, Don Phelipe Salalila, Don Geronimo Basi, Magat
Salamat, and other witnesses who were present at the said meetings and
compacts, and as it appears also from the trial and investigations,
it seems that when Don Martin Panga, under the charge of adultery,
Don Agustin de Legaspi, for accounts demanded of him at the time when
he was governor of Tondo, Don Gabriel Tuambaçan, Don Francisco Acta,
his son, and Pitongatan were taken to the prison of this court, each
and every one of them swore, after their fashion, to help one another
with their persons and property in all matters--be it concerning the
liberty of their slaves, or in any other difficulty.
Likewise it appears that after they left the said prison, the said
Don Martin Panga was exiled from the village of Tondo for a certain
period, and went to live in the village of Tambobo, not far from this
city. There he and Don Agustin de Legaspi invited the other leaders to
come together for a secret meeting. Under pretext of visiting said Don
Martin Panga, a meeting was held in the said village by Don Phelipe
Salalila, Don Agustin Manuguit; Magat Salamat, chief of Tondo; Don
Pedro Bolingui, chief of Pandaca; Don Geronimo Basi and Don Grabiel
Tuam Basar, Don Agustin's brothers; Don Luis Amanicalao and Calao
his son; the brothers Don Dionisio Capolo and Don Phelipe Salonga;
Don Phelipe Amarlangagui, chief of Catangalan; Don Francisco Acta and
Amaghicon; with other Indian timaguas, servants, and allies of his. For
three days they met, and drank after their fashion. During this time
they resolved to act in harmony and with one mind in everything. If
their slaves demanded liberty, they were to help one another against
them; for already they were not regarded or obeyed as before. They
possessed neither slaves nor gold, and found themselves poor and
cast down, ready to go to prison any day. Their sorrow was very keen
because their wives were being taken away from them, and given to
others to whom, they claimed, they had been first married. For all
these reasons they were very sad, and they discussed and plotted,
and took oath, according to their custom, that if an enemy came to
Manila to attack the Spaniards, they would unanimously and with one
mind aid the enemy against the Spaniards. Thus they would once more
become masters, as they had been before, and exercise the old tyranny
over the common people--who now were much favored by the Spaniards,
being promoted to superior places by them. The said Don Agustin de
Legaspi proposed to them the plan and compact which he had made with
the said Japanese Don Joan Payo [Gayo]; and the other chiefs declared
that they were ready to help him and to accede to his wishes.
After this, it appears that in the month of February, one thousand
five hundred and eighty-eight, when we heard of the English pirate
who passed through these islands and plundered the ship "Santana,"
the said chiefs made preparations, thinking he would come to this city,
to carry out their plan.
A few days afterward, Don Estevan Taes, chief of Bulacan, came to
the village of Tondo where they were. He conferred with Don Martin
Panga; and they decided that since the Englishman had not come, and
the compact made at the meeting of Tambobo had not been carried out,
they should call another meeting to discuss what had been planned at
the former one. To this end, he offered to notify and call together
all the chiefs from his village as far as Tondo, while Don Martin
Panga was to summon the other chiefs as far as Cavite. To this end,
the said Don Martin Panga said that he would carry a letter to the
governors of Malolos and Guiguinto, and tell them to hasten to the
meeting; and that, when they were assembled, he could communicate
to them the bad or the good which he kept within his breast. After
Don Esteban Tael [_sic_] had told him to leave the matter in his
hands, Don Martin Panga declared, in the presence of Pitongatan,
that he and Don Agustin had planned to call together the men of La
Laguna and Comitan; and that, when the people were all gathered,
they would discuss the means of regaining the freedom and lordship
which their fathers had enjoyed before them; and, with all the people
collected at Tondo, would attack Manila, as arranged with Balaya,
chief of Vangos, and with the natives of Batan. It seems that the
said meeting did not take place, on account of various occupations
which detained the said chiefs. Moreover it appears that about the
same time, when certain Indian chiefs of Panpanga came to Manila on
business connected with their province, on passing through the village
of Tondo, Don Agustin Panga summoned them; and he, together with
Don Agustin de Legaspi, Sagat Malagat, and Amanicalao, talked with
them, and inquired after the business that took them to Manila. The
chiefs answered that they came to entreat the governor to command the
cessation of the lawsuits concerning slaves in Panpanga, until they
could gather in the harvest. Don Martin said that this was very good,
and that they also wished to make the same entreaty and to bring their
slaves to court; but that to attain this it would be best to assemble
and choose a leader from among them, whom they should swear to obey
in everything as a king, in order that none should act alone. The
chiefs of Panpanga said that they had [no] war with the Spaniards,
to cause them to plot against the latter, and that they had a good
king. Thus they did not consent to what was asked from them by the
aforesaid chiefs, and proceeded to Manila in order to transact their
business. In Manila they were again invited to go to Tondo, to take
food with the plotters; but the Panpanga chiefs refused. On the same
day a meeting was held in Tondo by Don Agustin de Legaspi and Don
Martin Panga; Don Luis Balaya, chief of Bangos; Agustin Lea and Alonso
Digma, his nephews; Don Phelipe Salalila and Don Agustin Manuguit, his
son; Don Luis Amanicalao, and Calao, his son; Don Grabiel Tuambacar,
Don Francisco Acta, Don Phelipe Salonga, and other natives who rendered
service. While they were thus assembled, they all resolved and agreed,
amid the usual drinking, that the abovementioned Magat should go to the
Calamianes and from that place notify the Borneans to come to Manila
to attack the Spaniards; and the chiefs would wait for them here,
and would take care to receive and help them. In fulfilment of this,
the said chief Magat Salamat went to the Calamianes, which are near the
kingdom of Burney, taking with him the chiefs Don Agustin Manuguit and
Don Joan Banal. Thence he went to the island of Cuyo, where it seems
that he discussed the matter with Sumaelob, chief of the said island,
and persuaded him to come with the Borneans to plunder Manila. At
that time he was arrested for this trial, was brought to this city,
and openly confessed that what has been said actually occurred.
The said inquiries and investigations made in reference to the
trial of the aforesaid persons were examined by the governor and
captain-general; and he gave orders to arrest those who appeared
guilty, in the various regions and provinces in which they were
to be found, and on different days, letting no one of the guilty
ones escape. The men were arrested and their confessions were taken
down separately. At the proper time and place they were each charged
with the crime which resulted against each of them; and a copy of the
charge was given to them and to their attorneys on their behalf. Their
cases were received on trial in a certain order and for a certain
period, so as to give them, during that period, an opportunity of
clearing themselves from the charge. The time expired, and the trial
was definitely closed. The governor and captain-general reviewed the
trial, and on different days pronounced a final sentence against each
one of them, according to their guilt. The sentence is in substance
as follows:
Don Agustin de Legaspi and Don Martin Panga, as leaders and chiefs, and
being convicted by witnesses, were condemned to be dragged and hanged;
their heads were to be cut off and exposed on the gibbet in iron cages,
as an example and warning against the said crime. All their goods
were to be confiscated and set apart, half for the royal treasury
and half for judicial expenses. The above-mentioned appealed from
the aforesaid sentence to the royal Audiencia of these islands; but
after having examined the trial, the Audiencia confirmed the aforesaid
sentence, and returned the case to the governor and captain-general
in order that justice might be done. The death-punishment was to cut
their heads off and to expose them on the gibbet in iron cages. The
sites of their houses were to be plowed and sown with salt. All their
property, after the judicial expenses had been defrayed, should be
set aside for the royal treasury. This sentence was executed upon
the abovementioned persons as here stated.
Dionisio Fernandez, Japanese interpreter in the negotiations with
Xapon, having confessed and having been convicted, was condemned to
be hanged and to lose his property, half of it to be set aside for
the royal treasury and half for judicial expenses. He appealed from
this sentence to the royal Audiencia; but this court, after it had
examined the trial, returned it to the governor and captain-general,
in order that justice might be done. The sentence was executed upon
him as here stated.
Don Pedro Balinguit, chief of the village of Pandaca, was sentenced to
six years of prescribed exile in Nueva España, and was condemned to
pay six taes of orejeras gold [14] for the treasury of the king our
sovereign, and for judicial expenses. The fiscal and he appealed to
his Majesty's chamber--I mean to the royal Audiencia--and this court
returned the case to the captain-general, so that justice might be
done. This man is about to sail in these ships for his place of exile.
Pitongatan, chief of the village of Tondo, was sentenced to exile in
Nueva España for eight years. His property was to be equally divided
between the treasury of the king, our sovereign, and the judicial
expenses. He and the fiscal appealed to the royal Audiencia; and this
court on a second examination sentenced him to exile in such place
as the governor should choose, for two years--one prescribed and the
other unconditioned--and to pay costs only.
Don Phelipe Salonga, chief of the village of Polo, was sentenced to
exile in Nueva España for six years. Half of his property was to be
set aside for the treasury of the king, our sovereign, and half for
judicial expenses. He and the fiscal appealed to the royal Audiencia;
but the case was returned to the captain-general, in order that
justice might be done.
Don Phelipe Amarlangagui, chief of Catangalan, was sentenced to
exile from his village for six years, to a place prescribed. His
property was to be divided equally between the treasury of the king,
our sovereign, and the judicial expenses. He and the fiscal appealed to
the royal Audiencia; but the case was returned to the captain-general,
in order that justice might be done, except that the exile was to be
for four years.
Daulat, chief of the village of Castilla, was sentenced to prescribed
exile from this district for four years, and condemned to pay ten taes
of orejeras gold, half for the royal treasury and half for judicial
expenses. He and the fiscal appealed to the royal Audiencia; but
the case was returned to the captain-general, in order that justice
might be done, except that of the four years of exile two were to be
prescribed and two unconditioned.
Don Joan Basi, chief and former governor of the village of Tagui,
was sentenced to prescribed exile from this jurisdiction [15] for
four years. Half of his property was set aside for the treasury of
his Majesty, and half for the judicial expenses. He and the fiscal
appealed to the royal Audiencia, whence the case was remitted to the
captain-general, with the exception that the whole penalty should
consist only of two years of prescribed exile.
Dionisio Capolo, chief of Candava, was sentenced to prescribed exile
from this jurisdiction for eight years, and was condemned to pay
fifteen taes of orejeras gold, half of which was to be set aside
for the treasury of his Majesty, and half for judicial expenses. He
and the fiscal appealed to the royal Audiencia, which, after having
examined the report of the trial, remitted it to the captain-general,
in order that justice might be done--save that the whole penalty
was to consist of four years of prescribed exile, and the payment of
twelve taes of orejeras gold. The sentence was executed.
Don Francisco Acta, chief of Tondo, was sentenced to four years of
prescribed exile. Half of his goods and property was to be divided
between the treasury of his Majesty and judicial expenses. He and the
fiscal appealed to the court of his Majesty; but the case was remitted
to the captain-general in order that justice might be done--save that
the whole penalty was to consist of four years' prescribed exile,
and nothing more.
Don Luis Amanicalao was sentenced to prescribed exile from this
jurisdiction for six years. His goods were to be divided between the
treasury of his Majesty and the judicial expenses. He and the attorney
appealed to the royal Audiencia, but the case was likewise remitted
to the captain-general in order that justice might be done--only that
the exile was to be reduced to three years. The sentence was executed.
Don Grabiel Tuambacar, chief of Tondo, was sentenced to exile from
this jurisdiction for four years, and was condemned to pay six taes
of orejeras gold--half for the treasury of his Majesty, and half for
the judicial expenses. He appealed to the royal Audiencia, as did the
fiscal also; but the case was remitted to the governor, in order that
he might execute justice upon him--except that the penalty was to be
only four years' exile.
Calao, chief of Tondo, was sentenced to exile from this jurisdiction
for four years. Half of his goods were to be applied as in other
cases. He and the fiscal appealed to the royal Audiencia, whence
the case was returned to the captain-general, in order that he might
execute justice--except that the only penalty was four years' exile.
Omaghicon, chief of Navotas, was sentenced to prescribed exile in
Nueva España for six years, and was condemned to pay sixty taes of
orejeras gold, half of it to be set aside for the treasury of his
Majesty, and half for the judicial expenses. This money was to be paid
within a month, under pain of hanging. The fiscal of his Majesty and
the culprit appealed to the royal Audiencia; there the sentence was
revoked, and the guilty man was condemned to die, and to lose half of
his goods, the latter to be applied as specified above. Thus he was
condemned on a new trial, and put to death; and inquiries are being
made about his goods.
Don Geronimo Bassi was sentenced to exile in Nueva España for ten
years. His property was to be divided between the treasury of his
Majesty and the judicial expenses. He and the fiscal of his Majesty
appealed to the royal Audiencia--which, after an examination and a
new trial, revoked the sentence and condemned him to death, and to
the loss of all his goods in favor of the royal treasury. The sentence
was executed.
Don Phelipe Salalila, chief of Misilo, was exiled to Nueva España for
twelve years, and condemned to pay seventy taes of gold _de orejeras_,
of which half was to be set aside for the treasury of his Majesty
and half for judicial expenses. He was to pay the money within twenty
days under pain of death. He and the attorney of his Majesty appealed
to the royal Audiencia--which, after an examination and a new trial,
revoked the sentence and condemned him to death, and to the loss of
all his goods in favor of the treasury of his Majesty. The sentence
was executed upon him.
Don Esteban Taes, chief of Bulacan, was sentenced to prescribed
exile in Nueva España for eight years, and condemned to pay sixty
taes of orejeras gold, for the treasury of his Majesty and for
judicial expenses. The money was to be paid within thirty days
under pain of death. He and the fiscal of the king appealed to the
royal Audiencia--which, on an examination and new trial, revoked the
sentence, and condemned him to death and to the loss of all his goods
in favor of the royal exchequer and the treasury of his Majesty. The
sentence was executed.
Magat Salamat was condemned to death. His goods were to be employed
for the erection of the new fortress of this city. He appealed to
the royal Audiencia; but the case was remitted to the governor, in
order that justice might be done--except that the goods were to be
set aside for the treasury. The sentence was executed.
Don Agustin Manuguit was sentenced to exile in Nueva España for six
years, and condemned to pay twenty taes of orejeras gold toward the
building of the new fortress. Failing to pay this sum, the term of
his exile would be doubled. He agreed to pay it, and the sentence
was executed.
Don Luis Balaya, chief of Bangos, was sentenced to exile from his
village for two years, one prescribed and the other unconditioned. He
was also condemned to pay ten taes of orejeras gold toward the building
of the fortress, to which he agreed.
Alonso Lea was acquitted on the trial.
Amarlangagui, chief of the village of Tondo, was exiled from this
jurisdiction for four years, two prescribed and two unconditioned. He
was also condemned to pay fifteen taes of orejeras gold toward the
said building of the fortress. He agreed to this, and the sentence
was executed.
Don Joan Banal, chief of Tondo, was sentenced to exile from this
jurisdiction for six years, and condemned to pay ten taes of orejeras
gold toward the building of the said fortress. He agreed to this,
and paid the money.
In the case of Amaghicon, Indian chief of the island of Cuyo, sentence
is yet to be passed by the governor; for the man was brought hither
only a short time ago, as he lived very far from this city.
The said sentences, as specified, were executed upon the above-named
persons. Those who were exiled to Nueva España are about to sail in
the ships which are to be despatched this year to that country. As for
the goods [confiscated], most of the men have paid their fines; but in
case of those who have failed to do this, the alcaldes-mayor have been
ordered to make investigations about them. They are already doing so,
as appears from the said trial and process, to which I refer. And,
in order that the whole matter may be evident, I give by the said
command the present record, in Manila, on the thirteenth day of July
in the year one thousand five hundred and eighty-nine. I affix my seal,
in testimony of the truth.
_Esteban de Marquina_, notary-public.
We, the notaries who have here signed our names, [16] certify and
attest that Esteban de Marquina, from whom proceeds this authenticated
record, is indeed a notary-public, of the number authorized in this
city, as is stated herein, and is now exercising his office; and
that the deeds, attestations, and records which have been and are
transacted in his presence have been and are thoroughly certified
and authenticated, both within court and without. Done at Manila,
on the thirteenth day of July in the year one thousand five hundred
and eighty-nine.