IN THE 1840's, what is now Davao was ruled by Datu Mama Bago who would kill anyone from Luzon or Visayas who tried to enter his domain.
Don Jose Oyanguren, a Basque adventurer from Spain, was given three warships by Governor General Narciso Claveria, one of which was the "Elcano."
It was unable to approach Datu Bago's "kuta" at the Davao riverside cliff. After three months of erecting channels for his cannons over swampy terrain, Oyanguren finally subdued Datu Bago's forces. On his hillside fort, Datu Bago lost Gunogunap, one of his three wives and a son who was defending the fort. That night, Datu Bago escaped with his family up river.
After his victory, Don Jose Oyanguren gathered his men for thanksgiving prayers on June 29, 1848. He named his domain Nueva Vergara after his hometown and Nueva Guipozcoa after his province in Spain.
Let us not forget the beginnings of Davao History.