Editing Miguel López de Legazpi (section)

=== Luzon and the capture of Manila ===
{{Main|Battle of Manila (1570)|Battle of Bangkusay}}
In 1570, having heard of the rich resources in [[Luzon]], López de Legazpi dispatched [[Martín de Goiti]] to explore the northern region. Landing in [[Batangas]] with a force of 120 Spaniards, de Goiti explored the [[Pansipit River]], which drains [[Taal Lake]].<ref name=halili2004 />{{rp|1=[https://books.google.com/books?id=gUt5v8ET4QYC&pg=PA79 79]}} On 8 May, they arrived in modern [[Manila Bay]]. There, they were welcomed by the natives. Goiti's soldiers camped there for a few weeks while forming an alliance with the [[Muslim]] leader, Rajah Ache (better known as [[Rajah Matanda]]), who was a vassal under the Sultan of Brunei. López de Legazpi wanted to use Maynila's harbor as a base for trade with China. However, the Rajah's ally in northern shores of the bay, historically known as the young Bambalito of [[Macabebe, Pampanga|Macabebe]], asked [[Rajah Sulayman|Rajah Soliman]] (Old Ache) to revoke his alliance with the Spaniards. Rajah Matanda refused because of the "word of honor" of the Spaniards. Rajah Soliman had his conditions for Bambalito that if they were able to kill as least 50 Spaniards, he would revoke his alliance with López de Legazpi, and the Old Ache would help to expel the conquerors. Bambalito rode back to Macabebe and formed a fleet of two thousand five hundred moros consisting of soldiers from the villages along Maynila Bay particularly from Macabebe and [[Hagonoy, Bulacan|Hagonoy]].<ref name="Mann2012">{{cite book |last=Mann |first= Charles C. |author-link= Charles C. Mann |title= 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-lB3sy0aH4AC&pg=PA32 |access-date= 28 August 2012 |year=2012 |publisher= Random House Digital, Inc. |isbn= 978-0-307-27824-1 |page=32 }}</ref> On 30 May 1570, Bambalito sailed to Tondo with Caracoas and encountered the Spaniards at Bangkusay Channel, headed by Martin de Goiti on 3 June 1571. Bambalito and his fleet lost the battle and the Spaniards occupied the Islamized states of [[Tondo (historical polity)|Tondo]] and [[Rajahnate of Maynila|Maynila]]. Maynila was prepared by Goiti for López de Legazpi who left Panay.{{efn|name=titles}}

In the same year, more reinforcements arrived in the Philippines, prompting López de Legazpi to leave Cebu for Panay and then for Luzon. He recruited 250 Spanish soldiers and 600 native warriors to explore the regions of Leyte and Panay. The following year, he followed Goiti and Salcedo in Maynila, after learning that the villages had been conquered.

During the early phase of the exploration of the northern part of the Philippines, López de Legazpi remained in Cebu and did not accompany his men during their conquest of Maynila because of health problems and advanced age.

In Maynila, López de Legazpi formed a peace pact with the native councils as well as the local rulers, [[Rajah Sulayman]] and [[Lakandula|Lakan Dula]]).{{efn|name=titles}} Both groups agreed to organize a city council, consisting of two mayors, twelve councilors and a secretary. López de Legazpi established a settlement there on 24 June 1571, and he also ordered the construction of the walled city of [[Intramuros]]. He proclaimed the town Manila to be the island's capital.

Upon the defeat of Bambalito, López de Legazpi ordered the exploration of the villages north of Manila. In September 1571, Goiti pacified [[Lubao, Pampanga|Lubao]] and Betis, using riverine tributaries of Rio Chico, then he reached the settlements in [[Calumpit]] and [[Malolos]] on 14 November 1571 and other old villages mostly along Manila Bay. López de Legazpi had established a government on the islands and became the first Spanish [[Governor-General of the Philippines|governor-general of the Philippines]].
[[File:SanAgustinChurch,Manilajf0364 07.JPG|thumb|382x382px|Tomb of Legazpi in [[San Agustin Church (Manila)|San Agustin church]] inside the [[Intramuros|walled city]] of [[Manila]]]]