manila

Long before Philippines was Christianized by the Spaniards, Manila and surrounding districts were peopled by Muslim communities. The banks of Pasig River extending up to Manila Bay have a small settlement of locals carrying an active trade with Chinese and other foreign merchants.

When Legazpi arrived in 1571, he defeated the corps of Rajah Sulayman who was then the muslim ruler of Manila, and built a European-style walled city intended only for the Spaniards. Natives were removed elsewhere and Chinese were required to live within gun range.