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Don Pedro Almazán, a wealthy leader from the present-day Ilocos Norte, led the first Ilocano revolt. With his effort, the Ilocanos turned out to be the first ethnic group outside Manila to rebel against the Spanish authority.
Pedro Almazán was angered by the severe injustice of the Spaniards. In protest against Spanish despotism and to expel the colonizers from his domain, Almazán planned of staging armed revolution. In preparation to his unstoppable scheme, he transformed a certain part under his house into a secret dungeon with a repository of shackles. He intended to chain all the Spanish soldiers and friars in the dungeon and would not release them forever. He was joined in his plot by Juan Magsanop, a leader from Bacarra, Bangui. To strengthen their scheme, Almazan suggested the marriage between his son and Magsanop's daughter.[1]
Almazán was more convinced with his plans with news from Lieutenant Andres Malong's successful uprising in Pangasinan, which was now self-proclaimed king of the area by December 1660.[2] When a mutiny ensued in La Union, a huge contingent of Spaniards from Ilocos went to support their besieged comrades. The Augustinian Friar José Arias, who was renowned for his viciousness, joined the party. The absence of Arias was seen by Almazán and Magsanop as the best opportunity for their brood's wedding, which was only a cover for their rebellion. And so, they set it for the end of the month. They sent to fellowmen in Laoag led by Gaspar Cristobal and the latter agreed to Almazán's plans for rebellion. Chieftains and warriors of Kalinga and the Isnegs of Cagayan also joined Almazán's party. They pledged their allegiance and full support to their newly installed king. The entire community jubilantly waved banners as they extensively celebrated the coronation of Almazán as King of Ilocos.
On January 31, 1661, the Dominican friar of Clavería, José Santa María, was distracted by a commotion outside the church. A frightened Spanish soldier rushed in and reported to the priest that a furious mob was causing the commotion. Ignoring the soldier, he went out of the church, only seeing himself caught up by the mob. He was beheaded after being attacked with knives.
翌日、アリアスを含む9人の修道士が、ザンバルの戦闘員の大集団を鎮圧したことを祝ってナルバカンで祝っていたところ、イロコス北部で別の侵略が勃発した。迫りくる危険にもかかわらず、仲間の説得にも耳を貸さず、アリアスは急いでバカラに戻った。到着すると、アルマサンを王と叫ぶ人々と出会い、修道士を連れ出そうと急いだが無駄だった。反乱者の1人であるフアン・ボアヤは、アリアスの密かな出発を手伝うことに同意した。彼は召使いに、修道士をすぐにラオアグに連れて行くように命じた。しかし、反乱軍は修道士に追いついた。戦士たちはアリアスの首を切り落とし、切り落とした首をマグサノップに持ち帰った。マグサノップはすぐに首をアルマサンに届け、事件の経緯を王に報告した。クリストバルと反乱に参加した全員が祝賀会に集められた。
スペイン当局は、アルマサンとその部下を殲滅するためにイロコスのロレンソ・アルケロスを派遣した。アルケロスの部隊は、数人のスペイン人と、主に協力者である1000人以上の先住民で構成されていた。アルマサンと数人の部下が南イロコスからの多数の支援者の到着を待っていたところ、アルケロスとその部隊は奇襲攻撃を仕掛け、アルマサンから王国を要塞化する機会を奪った。アルマサンとその部下は逃走戦に巻き込まれ、徐々に森へと退却せざるを得なかった。スペイン軍は、一部の先住民協力者の案内でアルマサンを追跡した。アルケロスに捕らえられたマグサノップは自害を決意した。敵に圧倒的に数で劣勢だったにもかかわらず、アルマサンの残りの部隊は戦い続けた。絶望したアルマサンは馬に乗り、勇敢にスペイン軍と戦った。アルマサンは町の広場で絞首刑に処された。二人の指導者が死亡したため、残りの戦士たちは逃走した。