Map of the Van Spilbergen expedition in the Philippines

From 9 February to 10 March 1616 Joris van Spilbergen’s fleet was in the Philippines after crossing the Pacific Ocean from Mexico. After arriving at the island of Capul the fleet continued to Manila. He was informed that a large fleet waited for him at Manilla and sailed there. The information proved incorrect as the Spanish fleet had left Manila around the time that Spilbergen arrived in the Philippines. The winds prevented Van Spilbergen from attacking Manila. In March, Van Spilbergen heard that the Spanish fleet was headed for Ternate and decided to follow it there.

This map shows how the fleet of Van Spilbergen arrived in the Strait of San Bernardino and the island of Capul. The ships continued through the strait of Manilla to the bay of the city. On the left and right we see depictions of the indigenous people of the Philippine archipelago.