Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don
Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa
|
|
|---|---|
| 4th Governor and Captain-General of the Philippines | |
| In office April 1580 – 10 March 1583 |
|
| Monarch | Philip II of Spain |
| Governor | (Viceroy of New Spain) Martín Enríquez de Almanza Lorenzo Suárez de Mendoza, 5th Count of Coruña |
| Preceded by | Francisco de Sande |
| Succeeded by | Diego Ronquillo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Arévalo, Spain |
| Died | 10 March 1583 Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
| Parents |
|
Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa (died 10 March 1583) was an important Spanish leader. He served as the fourth Spanish governor and captain-general of the Philippines. He held this position from April 1580 until he passed away in 1583. His nephew, Diego Ronquillo, took over after him. Before coming to the Philippines, Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa worked as a Royal Court Marshal in Mexico.
Contents
Leading the Philippines: Governor Ronquillo's Time
Making Manila the Capital
When Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa became governor, he made a big decision. In 1582, he ordered that Manila would be the main city of the Philippines. This meant Manila became the center for both government and business. He also built the Palacio del Gobernador (Governor's Palace) in Intramuros, Manila. This palace helped bring all government work together in one place.
Travel Rules and Important Arrivals
On March 30, 1582, Governor Ronquillo de Peñalosa made a new rule. He said that no one could leave the Philippines without his permission. He had heard that some Franciscan priests had traveled to China without permission. He wanted to make sure all travel was approved by the government.
In June 1582, a very important person arrived: Domingo de Salazar. He was the first bishop of Manila. In the same month, Jesuit missionaries also came to the Islands. These arrivals were important for the spread of the Catholic faith.
Expanding Spanish Control and Defending Lands
Governor Ronquillo de Peñalosa also reported on military successes. The Spanish forces successfully took control of Tidore, one of the Moluccan Islands. He also told the King that another island, Ternate, was in danger. It was being threatened by attacks from the British, led by Sir Francis Drake.
In a letter dated June 16, 1582, he suggested making Spanish bases in the Philippines stronger. He also thought Spain should have more power than Portugal in the Moluccas. He even considered taking Macau from Portugal. King Philip II replied to his letter. The King told him how to organize a system where local people would contribute their labor for public projects.
In 1582, the Spanish also had an important victory. They successfully defended Cagayan from Chinese and Japanese pirates. This stopped possible attacks and invasions in the area.
Governor Ronquillo's Final Days
Captain Gabriel de Rivera, who was Manila's attorney-general, made a complaint against Governor Ronquillo de Peñalosa. He argued that the governor should not hold his position for life. In 1583, while this complaint was being looked into, Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa died. He passed away at his home in Manila. His nephew, Diego Ronquillo, then took over as governor.
See also
In Spanish: Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa para niños
