National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures

Location: Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur (Region IX)
Category: Structure
Type: Fortification
Status: Level II – Historical Marker and National Cultural Treasure per Presidential Decree No. 260, s. 1973
Marker Date: 1949
Marker Text:
FORT PILAR

FOUNDED AS SOUTHERN OUTPOST OF SPANISH DOMAIN UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF MELCHOR DE VERA, 1635; ATTACKED BY THE DUTCH, 1646; DESERTED WHEN TROOPS WERE CONCEN-TRATED IN MANILA TO DRIVE AWAY CHINESE PIRATES, 1663; RECONSTRUCTED BY THE SOCIETY OF JESUS, 1666; REBUILT THE MANAGEMENT OF JUAN SICARRA, 1719; STORMED BY DALASI, KING BULIG, WITH 3,000 MOROS, 1720; CANNONADED BY THE BRITISH, 1798; WITNESSED THE MUTINY OF SEVENTY PRISONERS, 1872; ABANDONED BY THE SPANIARDS, 1898; SEIZED BY THE JAPANESE, 1942; TAKEN OVER BY THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, JULY 1946.