Fernando
Bobadilla was again charged with the government of Zamboanga (February
15, 1662).

The authorities and citizens of Manila were the victims in May, 1662,
of a fearful panic, on account of the claim by the powerful Chinese
pirate Kue-Sing that the little realm of Filipinas should render
him homage and be declared his tributary, under penalty of his going
with his squadrons to destroy the Spaniards--as he had done with the
Dutch, expelling them from Formosa. This embassy, which was brought to
Manila by the Dominican father Fray Victorio Ricci, and the consequent
indignation against the Chinese, were the origin of an insurrection
by those who resided in Manila, which was subdued; and the conference
of authorities resolved to expel them from the country and repel
by force of arms the aggression of Kue-Sing--the governor-general
making ready great armaments, and whatever preparations for defense
seemed to him necessary that he might come out victorious from the
tremendous danger that threatened the island.

But the most important and most far-reaching of the measures
adopted by the council at which Manrique de Lara presided was the
abandonment of the advantageous post of Zamboanga--the advanced
sentinel of our domination over the coasts inhabited by the fierce
Malay Mahometans--and those of La Sabanilla, Calamianes, and Iligan
(which were also important in the highest degree), with the intention
of concentrating in Manila all the forces which garrisoned those posts
(May 6). This notification caused, among the Spanish subjects of those
lands, or it may be among the Lutaos, profound sorrow and the utmost
fear. They complained bitterly of the unprotected state in which they
were left, remaining exposed to the vengeance of the Moros--who no
longer could consider them as belonging to their race, and bore a
mortal hatred to them for having become Christians. [97] These just
complaints, and the knowledge of the damages which would result from
the withdrawal of the Spanish forces, impelled the governor of the
fort, Don Fernando Bobadilla, and the learned Father Combes to entreat
the governor-general to revoke his mandate, both explaining to him the
very cogent and strong reasons which prompted their advice. The news
that the Spaniards were involved in so tremendous a conflict encouraged
the Joloans to repeat once more their terrible incursions. The datos
of Jolo, Tawi-Tawi, Lacay-Lacay, and Tuptup, equipped sixty vessels,