Mamburao (Tagalog pronunciation: [mɐmbʊraw]) is a second class municipality in the province of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. It is the capital of Occidental Mindoro. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 39,237 people and has 20,344 registered voters (2010).

History

Mamburao was settled by the Moro people and was one of their strongholds in the island of Mindoro. The settlement was the first one to be visited in Mindoro by the Spaniards. In January 1, 1560, Miguel López de Legazpi sent a fleet of 15 boats from Panay which was led by his grandson Juan de Salcedo to conquer the Muslim town. Another expedition was sent to Mamburao, led by Salcedo and Martin de Goiti with the intent of establishing Spanish presence in Mindoro.

Christianity was propagated in Mamburao and the town was placed under the third convent district based in Calavite. Mamburao was subjected to invasion and piracy by Muslims between the 17th and 18th centuries. Mamburao was made into a pirate haven by Muslims, who used it as base of their piracy operations against coastal towns in Mindoro, Luzon and Visayas. In the late 19th century, Mamburao saw an influx of Ilocano and Tagalog immigrants.