Conquest and Reduction of Bislig

In the year 1597, the Spaniards penetrated the Province of Caraga "with great zeal, but they could remain in there because of the ferocity of the natives, and for the other casualties, which make those province less habitable. However, the natives are subdued by the conquistador when Governor Juan de Silva declared war against those natives in 1609.

By 1613, Bislig was conquered and reduced by Captain Juan Mendez Porras and accompanied, for the common consolation of the soldiers, by Father Fray Lorenzo de San Facundo and Fray Father Diego Santa Ana, together with the villages of Cateel and Baganga. The natives at first seemed hostile to the Spaniards but with friendly persuasion the "Cross and Sword" triumphed.

In the "Confirmacciones de Encomiends, 1616-1700" stated that in 1619, the District of Bislig and Cateel was given to Alferez Juan de Las Mariñas as his encomienda (land grant arrangement), where the encomendero could "tax the areas they settle - that they assumed the responsibility for the natives, but in practice it was outrageously abusive." The natives were "treated worse than slaves," some dying "under the lash." the natives were compelled to pay a certain amount in taxes in goods or gold and to require certain labor services to rendered by the inhabitants.

Some in 1655, Bislig became encomienda of Sergeant Juan Camacho dela Peña and it has two parish priest and has three hundred tribute payers with the following station: Hinatuan, Cateel, and Banganga.