On December 3, 1574, Limahong and his bandits departed from Manila to Pangasinan, where they founded a kingdom near the mouth of the Agno River.
Limahong, a notorious Chinese pirate and warlord, invaded the northern Philippine Islands in 1574. He declared to the people that he had conquered the Spaniards and intended to rule over them as their king.
Approximately four miles from the sea, near the mouth of the Agno River, Limahong constructed a fort with an outer palisade of palm logs and an inner enclosure of palm planks, housing his palace. He also erected pagodas and dwelling places in preparation for a permanent settlement.
Choosing to establish himself there, Limahong aimed to become the master of the region, amassing wealth and remaining beyond the reach of both the Spaniards and the Chinese emperor. The neighboring villages were filled with terror as they all, without exception, acknowledged Limahong as their king, obeying him and paying him tributes.
In response to Limahong’s presence, the Spanish colonizers couldn’t tolerate it. On March 23, 1575, they dispatched an expedition to Lingayen, driving out the bandit who escaped into the China Sea towards his former lair.
Reference: Philippine News Agency archives
(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)