La defensa del indio en la temprana literatura hispanofilipina colonial (1569-1581)

Abstract

The first years of the Spanish presence in the Philippines gave birth to a rich array of literature, most of it of an epistolary nature, which was meant to communicate to the authorities in New Spain and Madrid what was happening in this furthest outpost of the empire. In this collection of reports, letters and accounts the numerous critical texts (most notably by Martin de Rada) stand out, following the footsteps of Las Casas, and denouncing the crimes of the Spanish soldiers against the indigenous Filipinos. This article will analyze the most significant discursive strategies in these letters.