Rafael de Echagüe y Bermingham (13 February 1815 – 23 November 1915)[1] was a Spanish officer who was governor of the Philippines from 9 July 1862 to 24 March 1865.

[1] His first military experience was during the First Carlist War (1833 – 1840), during which he was a field assistant to General Leopoldo O'Donnell.

[1] He returned to Spain, where he participated in campaigns to quell uprisings throughout the country, and served in numerous military positions.

[2] He pursued friendlier relations with the French, aiding them in their campaign in Cochinchina (present-day Vietnam) by sending a battalion of about a thousand native men.

One such calamity was the earthquake of 3 June 1863, which destroyed most of Manila and led to the deaths of hundreds of citizens.

[1][2] Echagüe immediately ordered the repair of the damaged buildings, made efforts to lift the spirits of the inhabitants of the city, and provided comfort and compensation to those whose relatives died during the earthquake.

[1] He officially ended his term on 24 March 1865, with Joaquin del Solar e Ibáñez assuming the position of acting Governor-General.