Manila

:For other meanings of the word, see Manila (disambiguation).

History

Manila began as a Muslim settlement at the mouth of the Pasig River along the shores of Manila Bay. The name came from the term maynilad, literally "there is nilad." Nilad is a white-flowered mangrove plant that grew in abundance in the area.

Related Topics:
Pasig River - Manila Bay

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In the mid-1500s, the areas in present-day Manila was governed by three rajahs, or Muslim community leaders. They were Rajah Sulayman and Rajah Matanda who ruled the communities south of the Pasig, and Rajah Lakandula who ruled the community north of the river. Manila was then the northernmost Muslim sultanate in the islands. It held ties with the sultanates of Brunei, Sulu, and Ternate in Cavite.

Related Topics:
Rajah Sulayman - Rajah Matanda - Rajah Lakandula - Brunei - Sulu - Ternate - Cavite

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Arrival of the Spanish

In 1570, a Spanish expedition ordered by the conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi demanded the conquest of Manila. His second on command, Martín de Goiti departed from Cebu and arrived in Manila. The Muslim Tagalogs welcomed the foreigners, but Goiti had other plans. The Spanish force of 300 soldiers marched through Manila and a battle was fought with the heavily armed Spaniards quickly defeating and crushing the native settlements to the ground. Legazpi and his men followed the next year and made a peace pact with the three rajahs and organized a city council consisting of two mayors, 12 councilors, and a secretary. A walled City known as Intramuros, at the southern banks of Pasig River was built to protect the Spanish colonizers. On June 10, 1574, King Philip II of Spain gave Manila the title of Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad ("Distinguished and Ever Loyal City"). In 1595, Manila was proclaimed as the capital of the Philippine Islands.

Related Topics:
1570 - Spanish - Conquistador - Miguel López de Legazpi - Martín de Goiti - Cebu - Tagalog - Intramuros - Pasig River - June 10 - 1574 - King Philip II - 1595

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The Philippine Revolution

U.S. Occupation and Period

The headquarters for USAFFE were located here as were the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment and the U.S. 808th Military Police Company. The headquarters and bulk of the Philippine Division was located just to the south, at Fort William McKinley. The headquarters for the Far East Air Force was on the outskirts of town, at Nielson Field. Nearby, at Nichols Field was the U.S. 20th Air Base Group. A battalion of the U.S. 12th Quartermaster Regiment was located in the port area and training was conducted there for quartermasters of the Philippine Army.

Related Topics:
USAFFE - U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment - U.S. 808th Military Police Company - Philippine Division - Fort William McKinley - Far East Air Force - Nielson Field - Nichols Field - U.S. 20th Air Base Group - U.S. 12th Quartermaster Regiment - Philippine Army

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There were 6 airfields, for the Far East Air Force, within 130 km of Manila, notably Clark, Nichols, and Nielson fields.

Related Topics:
Airfield - Far East Air Force - Km - Clark - Nichols - Nielson

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World War II

After American combat units were ordered withdrawn from the city on December 31 , 1941, Manila was declared an open city by President Manuel L. Quezon and was occupied by Japanese forces on January 2, 1942, but on February 5, 1945 American General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled a promise to return to the Philippines (see Battle of Leyte). From February 3 to March 3, after the climactic battle at Intramuros ended, the thoroughly devastated city of Manila was officially liberated. Allied troops did not reach the city in time to prevent the Manila Massacre though.

Related Topics:
December 31 - 1941 - Manuel L. Quezon - Japan - January 2 - 1942 - February 5 - 1945 - Douglas MacArthur - Battle of Leyte - February 3 - March 3 - Liberated

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Manila and Security

Manila has been subject to militant attacks. The metropolis have been targeted twice by groups Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf. In addition, Al-Qaida cells have been discovered in the metropolis.

Related Topics:
Moro Islamic Liberation Front - Abu Sayyaf - Al-Qaida

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Project Bojinka, which was a large-scale attack being planned in late 1994 and early 1995, was being planned in Manila. The project was abandoned after the night of January 6, 1995 and the morning of January 7, when an apartment fire led investigators to a laptop computer containing the plans.

Related Topics:
Project Bojinka - 1994 - 1995 - January 6 - January 7

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