Once established, Manila became a central center of commerce with multiple nations from South Asia, as well as China and Japan, which traded with porcelain, silk, and wood.

His contingent comprised 2000 soldiers, 2000 sailors, and 1500 colonists,[10] including entire families, ransom women captured in China and Japan, farmers, carpenters, artisans, doctors, and all goods necessary to establish a settlement.

The main difference in the battle was seemingly the superior experience and training of the Spanish soldiers, as well as their defensive positions, the opportune arrivals of reinforcements, and other tactical considerations.

Three messengers were sent by sea, but lack of wind caused the pirate fleet to catch up with them, forcing the Spaniards to abandon the boats and continue on foot by land.

[10] With Goiti dead, Sioco resumed his march towards Manila, but the locals had heard the battle and warned the garrison in time for the defense to be prepared.

Sioco, realizing tactical advantage was lost and likely fearing the intervention of more Spanish reinforcements, called for a retreat to Cavite, where they had accorded to reunite with Limahong.

The situation in Manila was conflicted, as many still believed the pirates worked for the raja of Borneo, so Lavezaris arrested two local Muslim chieftains, Numanatay and Rajabago, suspecting they might be enemy insiders.

[18] After setting fire to many coastal houses with incendiary grenades, including the San Agustín Church, Sioco ordered his troops to divide into three contingents, hoping to attract the Spaniards outside, where they could envelop them from three sides.

Finally, Sioco's hand was forced under fire, and he gave the order to assault the walls in a two-pronged attack, leaving his third company in the rearguard.

[10] The citizens initially repulsed all attacks, but one of the Spanish commanders of alabarderos, Ensign Sancho Ortiz, was overwhelmed and shot down, resulting in his bulwark becoming open to the Chinese pirates.

Assuming the Spaniards would be defeated, groups of natives capitalized on the battle to sack empty houses, and a mass of slaves broke out intending to escape.

They stole launches and tried to flee through the Pasig River, but they did so with such haste that several boats were overturned and many slaves drowned; they were also attacked by other natives, who saw the chance to take revenge for previous servitudes and enmities.

There were also riots in Tondo and Mindoro, where the locals sacked Christian churches and took hostages among the clergy members to offer to Limahong as tributes in case of his victory.

His men were sent to sack the nearby places while Limahong set two stranded ships on fire, hoping to deviate Salcedo's attention, but the Spanish captain saw through the ruse and fell over the sackers.

[22] While Lavezaris called in forces from Panay, Camarines, and Cebu to gather a chase fleet, Salcedo was sent to solve the riots in Tondo and Mindoro.

[21] The remnants of Limahong's fleet were later discovered on an island of the Agno river in Pangasinan, where Francisco de Saavedra had traveled to warn the Ilocans against the pirate.

Limahong had installed his settlement there, spreading propaganda about a supposed victory over the Spaniards and falsely promising a rule without tributes, hoping to cause a revolt against the Spanish.

Three months after, in March 1575, Lavezaris launched the anticipated expedition to punish Limahong, reuniting 60 ships crewed by 250 soldiers, 400 sailors, and 1,700 indigenous warriors, including some locals unhappy with the warlord.

After sacrificing his wounded men, the warlord broke out artfully from the siege, moving improvised boats through a channel he excavated secretly, and disappeared into the sea.

[10][21] For his part, Limahong would be defeated in Palau by the Chinese navy, commanded by viceroy Wang Wanggao of Fujian, and escaped in a single ship, offering his services in Siam and India before disappearing from the historical record.