Philippine history : reassessed / Isidro Escare Abeto.

Filipinos Unite to Retaliate

On June 3, 1571, the Filipino rulers united all their forces in Tondo.
Subsequently, Sulayman, Malinog Gat Maitan, Toray Gat Pandan, Gat
Salian and the other native chieftains gathered altogether eighty barotos
(native canoes) manned by 300 warriors. They were armed with bows and arrows, lances, bolos and hatchets. Their intention was to attack the galleons,
climb aboard and behead every enemy.
A Visayan Informs Legazpi
A Visayan by the name of Kalatagan got informations from the
trusted men of Rahas Lakandula and Matanda that the inimical native rulers
were making battle preparations against the Spaniards. He immediately reported this to Legazpi. The latter reacted and ordered all his men not to leave
their galleons but to keep themselves always on the alert for any eventuality.
300 Filipino Warriors at Sea
On that most fateful 3rd day of June, 1571, the weather was good and
the houses and all objects along the coastline of the bay of Manila were clearly
visible. Eighty barotos moved out to the bay in three compact formations
with 300 warriors. The Filipinos shouted cursing the Spaniards at the same
time brandishing in the air their native weapons in defiance. Raha Sulayman
led the formations holding overhead his talibong (a special kind of bolo used
for fighting), as he thundered his command to paddle the boats faster. Legazpi
ordered his soldiers and artillerists to hit only the rowers of the boats. When
the Filipino warriors were within a striking distance, the Spaniards fired their
harquebuses followed by the thundering bursts of cannonades. Six native
boats were hit and sank and 35 warriors of the first column were killed. Their
blood colored the water surrounding them.

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