tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30186366251327264882024-02-07T19:09:57.261+08:00Ka Jaime BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-41633408516256153532016-10-30T08:15:00.003+08:002016-10-30T09:29:42.063+08:00Photo Journal of Pandi, Bulacan, 26th October 2016 - Part 1 of 2<br />
<b>Pandi</b> is a second class urban <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_municipality" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="Philippine municipality">municipality</a> in the <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_province" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="Philippine province">province</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulacan" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="Bulacan">Bulacan</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="Philippines">Philippines</a>. The municipality of Pandi lies 41 kilometres (25 mi) north-east of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="Manila">Manila</a> and is located at the eastern portion of <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulacan_Province" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="Bulacan Province">Bulacan Province</a>. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 89,075 inhabitants. With the continuous expansion of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Manila" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="Metro Manila">Metro Manila</a>, Pandi is now included in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Manila_Area" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="Greater Manila Area">Greater Manila</a>'s built-up area which reaches <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Ildefonso,_Bulacan" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="San Ildefonso, Bulacan">San Ildefonso, Bulacan</a> at its northernmost part.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="title1" style="font-weight: bold;">Fast Facts</span><br /><br /><span class="title2" style="font-weight: bold;">Physical and Socio-Political</span></span><br />
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Land Area 3,120 has.<br />
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No. of Barangays 22<br />
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Population (2007) = 60,637<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="title1" style="font-weight: bold;">Commerce and Industry</span><br /><br /><span class="title2" style="font-weight: bold;">Major Industries:</span><br />Farming, embroidery, poultry, piggery, metalcraft, furniture<br /><br /><span class="title2" style="font-weight: bold;">Major Products:</span><br />Processed Food and Rice<br /><br /><span class="title1" style="font-weight: bold;">Political Subdivision</span><br /><br /><span class="body">Pandi is politically subdivided into the following 22 <a class="thmlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay" style="color: #b16f9f;" target="_blank" title="Wikipedia: Barangay">barangays</a>:</span></span><br />
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1. Bagbaguin<br />
2. Bagong Barrio<br />
3. Baka-Bakahan<br />
4. Bunsuran 1st<br />
5. Bunsuran 2nd<br />
6. Bunsuran 3rd<br />
7. Cacarong Bata<br />
8. Cacarong Matanda<br />
9. Cupang<br />
10. Malibong Bata<br />
11. Malibong Matanda<br />
12. Manatal<br />
13. Mapulang Lupa<br />
14. Masagana<br />
15. Masuso<br />
16. Pinagkuartelan<br />
17. Poblacion<br />
18. Real de Cacarong<br />
19. San Roque<br />
20. Santo Niño<br />
21. Siling Bata<br />
22. Siling Matanda<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="title1" style="font-weight: bold;">Contact Information</span><br /><br /><span class="title2" style="font-weight: bold;">Municipal Officials:</span><br />Mayor Celestino T. Marquez<br />Vice Mayor Napoleon Mauro C. Roxas<br /><br /><span class="title2" style="font-weight: bold;">Mailing Address:</span><br />Mr. Wilfredo R. Concepcion<br />Municipal Planning and Development Office<br />MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF PANDI, BULACAN<br />Pandi, Bulacan 3014 Philippines<br /><br /><span class="title2" style="font-weight: bold;">Contact Nos:</span> </span><br />
Tel. No.: +63(44) 797-0043 (Mayor's Office); 914-0066 (MPDC Telefax)<br />
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<b>Oct. 25, 2016 Photos of Barangay Poblacion Pandi (using Olympus Camera)</b><br />
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<b>Jose Rizal Street</b></div>
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Jose Rizal street - towards the direction of Church of Pandi</div>
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<b>Sergio Osmena Street, the road leading to Municipio</b></div>
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The old house of the late Doctora Aring Galvez</div>
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Pandi Police Station</div>
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Pandi Municipal Hall.</div>
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<b>Continuation of Sergio Osmena Street leading to Pandi Health Office and Sports Complex</b></div>
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Road ;leading to Pritil (siguro)</div>
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Looking towards the Municipio</div>
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<b>Continuation of Sergio Osmena Street leading to Pandi Health Office and Sports Complex</b></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250038.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250039.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250040.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250041.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250042.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250043.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250044.jpg" height="366" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Pandi Health Office (or Health center) is the building on the left.</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250045.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250047.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250048.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250049.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250050.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250049.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250050.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250051.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250052.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250054.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250055.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250056.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250059.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250060.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * *</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250057.jpg" height="386" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
M.G. Santos Street (from Sports Complex to Jose Rizal street on the vicinity of Marcos building</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250058.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>
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Continuation of Sergio Osmena Street leading to J. Bernardo street .</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250061.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250062.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Continuation of Sergio Osmena Street leading to J. Bernardo street . Pandi-Angat Road.</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250063.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J. Bermardo Street / Pandi Balagtas Road - looking towards the direction of Gulod</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250064.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J. Bernardo street / Pandi Balagtas Road (towards the direction of Jose Rizal street)</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250065.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250066.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On the right is a small towards "Pantyon ng Puropot" or the Municipal Cemetery.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250067.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250068.jpg" height="406" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250069.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250070.jpg" height="406" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250071.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250072.jpg" height="354" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250073.jpg" height="450" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J. Bernardo street / Pandi Balagtas Road (Vicinity of Pandi Central Elementary School</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250074.jpg" height="350" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250075.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250076.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J. Bernardo Street / Pandi Balagtas Road</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/IMG_0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/IMG_0188.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Corner of Jose Rizal St. and J. Bernardo St;.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250077.jpg" height="370" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jose Rizal St.</div>
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</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250078.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250079.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250080.jpg" height="338" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250081.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250082.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250083.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a><br />
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Church of Pandi</div>
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On the right is Sta Maria-Pandi Road. On the left is street leading to Cale and to Pandi Cemetery.</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250092.jpg" height="404" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lambak area of Poblacion. Pandi-Sta Maria Road;</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250094.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a><br />
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Jose Rizal Street / Pandi-Sta Maria Road (vicinity of Church of Pandi and Rural Bank.</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250095.jpg" height="486" width="640" /></a><br />
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Street leading to Cale street and to Pandi Cemetery</div>
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On the left is leading to Cale Street, on the right is small street leading to Pandi Cemetery</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250101.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a><br />
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Immaculate Concepcion Memorial Park</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250102.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250102%20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250102%20a.jpg" height="304" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250103.jpg" height="334" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250105.jpg" height="322" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250106.jpg" height="334" width="640" /></a><br />
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* * * * *</div>
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<b>E. Rodriguez Street ( mas kilala sa pangalang Cale) </b></div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250099.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250112.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250113.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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On the left is the back of Convento.</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250114.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250120.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250121.jpg" height="508" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250122.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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The road linking Cale Street to Jose Rizal Street.</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250123.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Jose Rizal Street. On the left is the continuation of Jose Rizal Street, On the right is the street<br />
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leading to Municipio.</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250124.jpg" height="348" width="640" /></a><br />
Jose Rizal Street. (Kanto kanila Aquino) On the left is the continuation of Jose Rizal Street, On the right is S. Osmena street leading to Municipio.<br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250125.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Jose Rizal Street leading to Kanto kanila Marcos.</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/25th%20Oct/PA250126.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/28th%20Oct%202016/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/28th%20Oct%202016/IMG_0003.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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Corner of Jose Rizal Street and J. Bernardo Street.</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/28th%20Oct%202016/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/28th%20Oct%202016/IMG_0004.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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Corner of Jose Rizal Street and J. Bernardo Street.</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/28th%20Oct%202016/IMG_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/28th%20Oct%202016/IMG_0021.jpg" height="348" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/28th%20Oct%202016/IMG_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Pandi/28th%20Oct%202016/IMG_0027.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a><br />
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Andres family one-storey business complex.</div>
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The road to Angkan ng Bubuwit</div>
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Perya in Barangay Poblacion malapit sa CMI at sa old Shell gas station.</div>
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Perya in Barangay Poblacion malapit sa CMI at sa old Shell gas station.</div>
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Vicinity of CMI</div>
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College of Mary Immaculate (CMI)</div>
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Pretty Staffs of Rico's Grills</div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">Related story :</span></b><br />
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<b>Photo Journal of Pandi Bulacan, 26<sup>th</sup> Oct. 2016</b> – Part 2 of 2<br />
http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2016/10/photo-journal-of-pandi-bulacan-26th_28.html<br />
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<b>The Sleepy Town of Pandi Bulacan</b><br />
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<a href="http://jibrael.blogspot.com/2008/10/the-sleepy-town-of-pandi-bulacan.html">http://jibrael.blogspot.com/2008/10/the-sleepy-town-of-pandi-bulacan.html</a><br />
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<br />
<b>History and Photos of Kakarong Republic – Pandi Bulacan</b><br />
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http://jibrael.blogspot.com/2007/05/history-and-photos-of-kakarong-republic.html<br />
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<b>YouTube Video</b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/x6N3LkyTvGU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x6N3LkyTvGU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<b>Pandi Aming Bayan</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-81895663148813319952016-10-30T08:09:00.002+08:002016-10-30T08:09:38.485+08:00Photo Journal of Pandi, Bulacan, 26th October 2016 - Part 2 of 2<br />
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Ex Mayor leonardo C. Andres apparently was Mayor of Pandi from 1980 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1998.</div>
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<br />
After the downfall of late President Marcos and the assumption of office of late Pres. Cory Aquino,<br />
all Governors, Mayors, and other local government officials were suspended by the then President Cory Aquino, and were replaces by OICs.<br />
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The late Mayor Anastacio R, Hilario was the Municipal Mayor from (apparently) 1986 to 1988, his abrupt termination as Mayor/OIC was due to fact that he was suspected as the mastermind of the BarangayKupang Ambush where ex Mayor Narding Andres was shot and wounded and a Pandi Policeman Armando Cruz was killed by unknown assailants. According to some newspaper reports during that time. the late ex-Mayor Anastacio Hilario till his death in prison, maintained that he is innocent of the criminal charges against him. </div>
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M.G. Santos Street (looking towards Jose Rizal Street</div>
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M.G, Santos Street</div>
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<b>View of Hulo / Gulod in Barangay Poblacion</b></div>
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Corner of Sergio Osmena Street and M. Bernardo Street / Pandi-Angat Road</div>
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<b>Barangay Mapulang Lupa</b><br />
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<b>Privately-owned Dry and Wet Market in Barangay Mapulang Lupa</b><br />
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NHA Housing Project "Pabahay" located on the west side of Pandi-Angat Road in </div>
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Barangay Mapulang Lupa adjacent to Barangay Siling Bata boundary. The entrance toad of this NHA Pabahay is beside the Dry and Wet Market.</div>
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<b>Pandi Village 1 - an NHA "Pabahay" located on the east side of Pandi-Angat Road, the entrance is lo9cated in Barangay Mapulangn Lupa while the nm Pandi Village 1 pabahay is apparently located in Barangay Siling |Bata.</b></div>
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Another NHA "pabahay" in Barangay Mapulang Lupa ;located on the west side of Pandi-Angat Roa.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-65965267056608371682016-07-04T08:11:00.003+08:002016-07-04T08:11:21.044+08:00The West Philippine Sea Dispute - by Justice Antonio Carpio.
<b>.</b><br />
<b>Justice Carpio's Presentation on West Philippine Sea Issues</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;"><i>http://www.gov.ph/1900/11/07/the-philippine-claim-to-a-portion-of-north-borneo-treaty-between-the-kingdom-spain-and-the-united-states-of-america-for-cession-of-outlying-islands-of-the-philippines-1900/</i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Owing
to some mistakes by Spanish authorities, the Scarborough Shoal / Bajo de Masinloc
was outside of the treaty limit as mentioned by the Treaty of Peace Between the
United States and Spain, December 10, 1898.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Treaty of Peace
Between the United States and Spain; December 10, 1898</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/sp1898.asp</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
mistakes was corrected by Treaty of Peace Between the Kingdom of of Spain and
the United States of America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Treaty
between the Kingdom of Spain and the United States of America for cession of
outlying islands of the Philippines (1900)</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">http://www.gov.ph/1900/11/07/the-philippine-claim-to-a-portion-of-north-borneo-treaty-between-the-kingdom-spain-and-the-united-states-of-america-for-cession-of-outlying-islands-of-the-philippines-1900/</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-37741963270518675892016-07-04T08:06:00.002+08:002016-07-04T08:06:33.351+08:00Important International Treaties and Documents related to the Philippines<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16.9869px; text-indent: 25px;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>December 10, 1898</b></span></div>
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The United States of America and Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain, in the name of her august son Don Alfonso XIII, desiring to end the state of war now existing between the two countries, have for that purpose appointed as plenipotentiaries:</div>
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The President of the United States, William R. Day, Cushman K. Davis, William P. Frye, George Gray, and Whitelaw Reid, citizens of the United States;<br />
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And Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain,<br />
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Don Eugenio Montero Rios, president of the senate, Don Buenaventura de Abarzuza, senator of the Kingdom and ex-minister of the Crown; Don Jose de Garnica, deputy of the Cortes and associate justice of the supreme court; Don Wenceslao Ramirez de Villa-Urrutia, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary at Brussels, and Don Rafael Cerero, general of division;<br />
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Who, having assembled in Paris, and having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in due and proper form, have, after discussion of the matters before them, agreed upon the following articles:</div>
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<b>Article I</b></div>
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Spain relinquishes all claim of sovereignty over and title to Cuba.And as the island is, upon its evacuation by Spain, to be occupied by the United States, the United States will, so long as such occupation shall last, assume and discharge the obligations that may under international law result from the fact of its occupation, for the protection of life and property.</div>
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<b>Article II</b><br />
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Spain cedes to the United States the island of Porto Rico and other islands now under Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies, and the island of Guam in the Marianas or Ladrones.</div>
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<b>Article III</b><br />
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Spain cedes to the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine Islands, and comprehending the islands lying within the following line:<br />
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A line running from west to east along or near the twentieth parallel of north latitude, and through the middle of the navigable channel of Bachi, from the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) to the one hundred and twenty-seventh (127th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich, thence along the one hundred and twenty seventh (127th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich to the parallel of four degrees and forty five minutes (4 [degree symbol] 45']) north latitude, thence along the parallel of four degrees and forty five minutes (4 [degree symbol] 45') north latitude to its intersection with the meridian of longitude one hundred and nineteen degrees and thirty five minutes (119 [degree symbol] 35') east of Greenwich, thence along the meridian of longitude one hundred and nineteen degrees and thirty five minutes (119 [degree symbol] 35') east of Greenwich to the parallel of latitude seven degrees and forty minutes (7 [degree symbol] 40') north, thence along the parallel of latitude of seven degrees and forty minutes (7 [degree symbol] 40') north to its intersection with the one hundred and sixteenth (116th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich, thence by a direct line to the intersection of the tenth (10th) degree parallel of north latitude with the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich, and thence along the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich to the point of beginning.The United States will pay to Spain the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) within three months after the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty.</div>
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<b>Article IV</b><br />
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The United States will, for the term of ten years from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty, admit Spanish ships and merchandise to the ports of the Philippine Islands on the same terms as ships and merchandise of the United States.</div>
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<b>Article V</b><br />
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The United States will, upon the signature of the present treaty, send back to Spain, at its own cost, the Spanish soldiers taken as prisoners of war on the capture of Manila by the American forces. The arms of the soldiers in question shall be restored to them.<br />
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Spain will, upon the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty, proceed to evacuate the Philippines, as well as the island of Guam, on terms similar to those agreed upon by the Commissioners appointed to arrange for the evacuation of Porto Rico and other islands in the West Indies, under the Protocol of August 12, 1898, which is to continue in force till its provisions are completely executed.<br />
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The time within which the evacuation of the Philippine Islands and Guam shall be completed shall be fixed by the two Governments. Stands of colors, uncaptured war vessels, small arms, guns of all calibres, with their carriages and accessories, powder, ammunition, livestock, and materials and supplies of all kinds, belonging to the land and naval forces of Spain in the Philippines and Guam, remain the property of Spain. Pieces of heavy ordnance, exclusive of field artillery, in the fortifications and coast defences, shall remain in their emplacements for the term of six months, to be reckoned from the exchange of ratifications of the treaty; and the United States may, in the meantime, purchase such material from Spain, if a satisfactory agreement between the two Governments on the subject shall be reached.</div>
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<b>Article VI</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.1558px; line-height: 16.9869px;">Spain will, upon the signature of the present treaty, release all prisoners of war, and all persons detained or imprisoned for political offences, in connection with the insurrections in Cuba and the Philippines and the war with the United States.</span><br />
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Reciprocally, the United States will release all persons made prisoners of war by the American forces, and will undertake to obtain the release of all Spanish prisoners in the hands of the insurgents in Cuba and the Philippines.<br />
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The Government of the United States will at its own cost return to Spain and the Government of Spain will at its own cost return to the United States, Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines, according to the situation of their respective homes, prisoners released or caused to be released by them, respectively, under this article.</div>
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<b>Article VII</b><br />
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The United States and Spain mutually relinquish all claims for indemnity, national and individual, of every kind, of either Government, or of its citizens or subjects, against the other Government, that may have arisen since the beginning of the late insurrection in Cuba and prior to the exchange of ratifications of the present treaty, including all claims for indemnity for the cost of the war.<br />
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The United States will adjudicate and settle the claims of its citizens against Spain relinquished in this article.</div>
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<b>Article VIII</b><br />
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In conformity with the provisions of Articles I, II, and III of this treaty, Spain relinquishes in Cuba, and cedes in Porto Rico and other islands in the West Indies, in the island of Guam, and in the Philippine Archipelago, all the buildings, wharves, barracks, forts, structures, public highways and other immovable property which, in conformity with law, belong to the public domain, and as such belong to the Crown of Spain.<br />
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And it is hereby declared that the relinquishment or cession, as the case may be, to which the preceding paragraph refers, can not in any respect impair the property or rights which by law belong to the peaceful possession of property of all kinds, of provinces, municipalities, public or private establishments, ecclesiastical or civic bodies, or any other associations having legal capacity to acquire and possess property in the aforesaid territories renounced or ceded, or of private individuals, of whatsoever nationality such individuals may be.<br />
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The aforesaid relinquishment or cession, as the case may be, includes all documents exclusively referring to the sovereignty relinquished or ceded that may exist in the archives of the Peninsula. Where any document in such archives only in part relates to said sovereignty, a copy of such part will be furnished whenever it shall be requested. Like rules shall be reciprocally observed in favor of Spain in respect of documents in the archives of the islands above referred to.<br />
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In the aforesaid relinquishment or cession, as the case may be, are also included such rights as the Crown of Spain and its authorities possess in respect of the official archives and records, executive as well as judicial, in the islands above referred to, which relate to said islands or the rights and property of their inhabitants. Such archives and records shall be carefully preserved, and private persons shall without distinction have the right to require, in accordance with law, authenticated copies of the contracts, wills and other instruments forming part of notorial protocols or files, or which may be contained in the executive or judicial archives, be the latter in Spain or in the islands aforesaid.</div>
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<b>Article IX</b><br />
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Spanish subjects, natives of the Peninsula, residing in the territory over which Spain by the present treaty relinquishes or cedes her sovereignty, may remain in such territory or may remove therefrom, retaining in either event all their rights of property, including the right to sell or dispose of such property or of its proceeds; and they shall also have the right to carry on their industry, commerce and professions, being subject in respect thereof to such laws as are applicable to other foreigners. In case they remain in the territory they may preserve their allegiance to the Crown of Spain by making, before a court of record, within a year from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty, a declaration of their decision to preserve such allegiance; in default of which declaration they shall be held to have renounced it and to have adopted the nationality of the territory in which they may reside.<br />
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The civil rights and political status of the native inhabitants of the territories hereby ceded to the United States shall be determined by the Congress.</div>
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<b>Article X</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.1558px; line-height: 16.9869px;">The inhabitants of the territories over which Spain relinquishes or cedes her sovereignty shall be secured in the free exercise of their religion.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16.9869px;"><b>Article XI</b></span><br />
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The Spaniards residing in the territories over which Spain by this treaty cedes or relinquishes her sovereignty shall be subject in matters civil as well as criminal to the jurisdiction of the courts of the country wherein they reside, pursuant to the ordinary laws governing the same; and they shall have the right to appear before such courts, and to pursue the same course as citizens of the country to which the courts belong.</div>
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<b>Article XII</b><br />
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Judicial proceedings pending at the time of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty in the territories over which Spain relinquishes or cedes her sovereignty shall be determined according to the following rules:<br />
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1. Judgments rendered either in civil suits between private individuals, or in criminal matters, before the date mentioned, and with respect to which there is no recourse or right of review under the Spanish law, shall be deemed to be final, and shall be executed in due form by competent authority in the territory within which such judgments should be carried out.<br />
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2. Civil suits between private individuals which may on the date mentioned be undetermined shall be prosecuted to judgment before the court in which they may then be pending or in the court that may be substituted therefor.<br />
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3. Criminal actions pending on the date mentioned before the Supreme Court of Spain against citizens of the territory which by this treaty ceases to be Spanish shall continue under its jurisdiction until final judgment; but, such judgment having been rendered, the execution thereof shall be committed to the competent authority of the place in which the case arose.</div>
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<b>Article XIII</b><br />
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The rights of property secured by copyrights and patents acquired by Spaniards in the Island of Cuba and in Porto Rico, the Philippines and other ceded territories, at the time of the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, shall continue to be respected. Spanish scientific, literary and artistic works, not subversive of public order in the territories in question, shall continue to be admitted free of duty into such territories, for the period of ten years, to be reckoned from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty.</div>
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<b>Article XIV</b><br />
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Spain will have the power to establish consular officers in the ports and places of the territories, the sovereignty over which has been either relinquished or ceded by the present treaty.</div>
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<b>Article XV</b><br />
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The Government of each country will, for the term of ten years, accord to the merchant vessels of the other country the same treatment in respect of all port charges, including entrance and clearance dues, light dues, and tonnage duties, as it accords to its own merchant vessels, not engaged in the coastwise trade.</div>
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<b>Article XVI</b></div>
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It is understood that any obligations assumed in this treaty by the United States with respect to Cuba are limited to the time of its occupancy thereof; but it will upon termination of such occupancy, advise any Government established in the island to assume the same obligations.</div>
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<b>Article XVII</b></div>
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The present treaty shall be ratified by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and by Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain; and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington within six months from the date hereof, or earlier if possible.</div>
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In faith whereof, we, the respective Plenipotentiaries, have signed this treaty and have hereunto affixed our seals.</div>
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Done in duplicate at Paris, the tenth day of December, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight.</div>
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[Seal] William R. Day<br />
[Seal] Cushman K. Davis<br />
[Seal] William P. Frye<br />
[Seal] Geo. Gray[Seal] Whitelaw Reid<br />
[Seal] Eugenio Montero Rios<br />
[Seal] B. de Abarzuza[Seal] J. de Garnica<br />
[Seal] W. R. de Villa Urrutia<br />
[Seal] Rafael Cerero</div>
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<tr><td class="sourcecell" style="font-size: 11.687px;">Source:<br />
A Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain, U.S. Congress, 55th Co</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.1558px;"><b>Web link:</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.1558px;">Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain; December 10, 1898</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.1558px;">http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/sp1898.asp</span></div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 28.8px;">T</span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: inherit;">reaty Between the Kingdom Spain and the United States of America for</span></b><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cession of </span></b><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Outlying </span></b><br />
<b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Islands of the Philippines [1900]*</span></b></div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">ARTICLE</b></div>
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Relinquishment of islands to the United States.</div>
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The United States of America and Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain, in the name of Her August Son, Don Alfonso XIII, desiring to remove any ground of misunderstanding growing out of the interpretation of Article III of the Treaty of Peace concluded between them at Paris the tenth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and ninety eight, whereby Spain cedes to the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine Islands and comprehending the islands lying within certain described lines, and having resolved to conclude a Treaty to accomplish that end, have for that purpose appointed as their respective plenipotentiaries:</div>
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The President of the United States, John Hay, Secretary of State of the United States;</div>
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and Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain, the Duke de Arcos, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Spain to the United States;</div>
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who, having met in the city of Washington and having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in due and proper form, have agreed upon the following sole article:</div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">SOLE ARTICLE</b></div>
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Spain relinquishes to the United States all title and claim of title, which she may have had at the time of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace of Paris, to any and all islands belonging to the Philippine Archipelago, lying outside the lines described in Article III of that Treaty and particularly to the islands of Cagayan, Sulu and Sibutu and their dependencies, and agrees that all such islands shall be comprehended in the cession of the Archipelago as fully as if they had been expressly included within those lines.</div>
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The United States, in consideration of this relinquishment, will pay to Spain the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) within six months after the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty.</div>
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The present treaty shall be ratified by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and by Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain, after approval by the Cortes of the Kingdom, and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington as soon as possible.</div>
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In faith whereof we, the respective Plenipotentiaries, have signed this Treaty and have hereunto affixed our seals.</div>
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Done in duplicate at the city of Washington, the 7<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> day of November, in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred.</div>
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JOHN HAY (SEAL)<br />
ARCOS (SEAL)</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Footnotes:</strong></div>
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* The Philippine National Territory: A Collection of Documents, Raphael Perpetuo M. Lotilla, ed. (1995), at 38.<br />
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<b>Web link :</b><br />
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<b>Treaty between the Kingdom of Spain and the United States of America for cession of outlying islands of the Philippines (1900)</b></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.8px;">http://www.gov.ph/1900/11/07/the-philippine-claim-to-a-portion-of-north-borneo-treaty-between-the-kingdom-spain-and-the-united-states-of-america-for-cession-of-outlying-islands-of-the-philippines-1900/</span></span><br />
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Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines; August 30, 1951<a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#1" name="b1" style="color: #c2791d;">(1)</a></h2>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 15.36px;"><b><a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#art1" style="color: #c2791d;">Art 1</a></b></td><td style="font-size: 15.36px;"><b><a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#art2" style="color: #c2791d;">Art 2</a></b></td><td style="font-size: 15.36px;"><b><a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#art3" style="color: #c2791d;">Art 3</a></b></td><td style="font-size: 15.36px;"><b><a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#art4" style="color: #c2791d;">Art 4</a></b></td><td style="font-size: 15.36px;"><b><a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#art5" style="color: #c2791d;">Art 5</a></b></td><td style="font-size: 15.36px;"><b><a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#art6" style="color: #c2791d;">Art 6</a></b></td><td style="font-size: 15.36px;"><b><a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#art7" style="color: #c2791d;">Art 7</a></b></td><td style="font-size: 15.36px;"><b><a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#art8" style="color: #c2791d;">Art 8</a></b></td></tr>
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The Parties to this Treaty,</div>
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Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the <a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/unchart.asp" style="color: #c2791d;">Charter of the United Nations</a> and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all Governments, and desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in the Pacific Area,</div>
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Recalling with mutual pride the historic relationship which brought their two peoples together in a common bond of sympathy and mutual ideals to fight side-by-side against imperialist aggression during the last war,</div>
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Desiring to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity and their common determination to defend themselves against external armed attack, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone in the Pacific Area,</div>
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Desiring further to strengthen their present efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security pending the development of a more comprehensive system of regional security in the Pacific Area,</div>
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Agreeing that nothing in this present instrument shall be considered or interpreted as in any way or sense altering or diminishing any existing agreements or understandings between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines,</div>
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Have agreed as follows</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="art1">ARTICLE I</a></h3>
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The Parties undertake, as set forth in the <a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/unchart.asp" style="color: #c2791d;">Charter of the United Nations</a>, to settle any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="art2">ARTICLE II</a></h3>
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In order more effectively to achieve the objective of this Treaty, the Parties separately and jointly by self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="art3">ARTICLE III</a></h3>
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The Parties, through their Foreign Ministers or their deputies, will consult together from time to time regarding the implementation of this Treaty and whenever in the opinion of either of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of either of the Parties is threatened by external armed attack in the Pacific.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="art4">ARTICLE IV</a></h3>
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Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.</div>
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Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="art5">ARTICLE V</a></h3>
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For the purpose of <a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#art4" style="color: #c2791d;">Article IV</a>, an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="art6">ARTICLE VI</a></h3>
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This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations of the Parties under the <a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/unchart.asp" style="color: #c2791d;">Charter of the United Nations</a> or the responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="art7">ARTICLE VII</a></h3>
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This Treaty shall be ratified by the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines in accordance with their respective constitutional processes and will come into force when instruments of ratification thereof have been exchanged by them at Manila.<a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#2" name="b2" style="color: #c2791d;">(2)</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="art8">ARTICLE VIII</a></h3>
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This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Either Party may terminate it one year after notice has been given to the other Party.</div>
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.</div>
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DONE in duplicate at Washington this thirtieth day of August 1951.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1">(1)</a> TIAS 2529, 3 UST 3947-3952. Ratification advised by the Senate, Mar. 20, 1952; ratified by the President, Apr. 15,1952; entered into force, Aug. 27. <a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#b1" style="color: #c2791d;">Back</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2">(2)</a> Instruments of ratification were exchanged Aug. 27, 1952. <a href="http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp#b2" style="color: #c2791d;">Back</a></div>
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<tr><td class="sourcecell" style="font-size: 11.687px;">Source:<br />
American Foreign Policy 1950-1955<br />
Basic Documents Volumes I and II<br />
Department of State Publication 6446<br />
General Foreign Policy Series 117<br />
Washington, DC : U.S. Governemnt Printing Office, 1957</td></tr>
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<b>Link :</b></div>
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<b>Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.1558px;">http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-49493867929384862932016-07-04T08:04:00.002+08:002016-07-04T08:04:37.501+08:00Fisherfolks of Masinloc, Zambales rallied against China last 22nd June 2016.
Last June 22, 2016 I traveled to Masinloc.Zambales to participate in the rally of Masinloc fishermen which China barred from fishing in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) since the year 2012.<br />
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Bajo de Masinloc is under the jurisdiction of the town of Masinloc during the Spanish colonization era. Bajo de Masinloc is just about 120 nautical miles from Zambales coast and well inside the United Nation's mandated 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zones.<br />
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<b>Masinloc Muncipal Hall located in the highway. </b><br />
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<b>The old Masinloc Church located near the market and the seashore.</b><br />
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<b>Apparently this Masinloc Church was built during the Spanish colonial era, however there is</b></div>
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<b>no marker or plaque indicating the date it was built. Also the door is closed that time and not able to talk to the Priest or incharge of the Church.</b></div>
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<b>Seaside area of Masinloc town. Near the town public market.</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">June 22, 2016</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Masinloc Grand Protest Rally against China's invasion, Occupation and Militarization of the West Philippine Sea organized by the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea (NYMWPS) on collaboration with the PRRV and KOMPre Zambales Chapters.</span></b><br />
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Fishermen from Masinloc together with the leader of PPRV and KOMPre Zambales chapter held a meeting before the raly.</div>
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NYMWPS National Chair Philippines, Sir Gerald Miranda, leads the fisherfolk of Zambales, residents of Masinloc, and other advocates of West Philippine Sea during the protest rally at Masinloc, Zambales,</div>
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NYMWPS Global Secretariat Ma'am Norms Vittoria Silvestre, leads the fisherfolk of Zambales, residents of Masinloc, and other advocates of West Philippine Sea during the protest rally.</div>
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<b style="text-align: left;">The arrival of the group of Ex Cong. Roilo Golez the leader of MARCHA (Movement and Alliance to Resist China's Aggression)</b></div>
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<b>Ex Cong. Roilo Golez</b></div>
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<b style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 22.2333px; text-align: left;">Photo Credits to NYMWPS and to Director Paolo Magsino for the below photos.</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Related stories / postings about Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal and Scarborough Shoal.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>PatrioticFilipino
youths harassed by China Coast Guard at Bajo de Masinloc</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2016/06/patriotic-filipino-youths-harassed-by.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2016/06/patriotic-filipino-youths-harassed-by.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Scarborough
Shoal 101</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2016/06/scarborough-shoal-101.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2016/06/scarborough-shoal-101.html</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<h1 class="watch-title-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; display: table-cell; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 824px; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Filipinos on Guam and Saipan Join Global Rally </span></div>
<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Filipinos on Guam and Saipan Join Global Rally Against China Presence in West Philippine Sea"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">Against China Presence in West Philippine Sea</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">June 22, 2016</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-67715871491005227582016-07-04T08:02:00.002+08:002016-07-04T08:02:50.112+08:00Patriotic Filipino youths harassed by China Coast Guard at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) last June 12, 2016.
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Photo and Video credits to member of the groups "Kalayaan Atin Ito", "Sea Access by International Law", and to Mr. Anders Corr.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last 12th June 2016 a group of 15 Filipino volunteers, one American volunteer, and one Vietnamese volunteer have sailed to Bajo de Masinloc also known as Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to bring and place the Philippine flag on top of the rock in that shoal in celebration of Philippine Independence Day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The volunteers were member of Kalayaan Atin Ito movement and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">SAIL (Sea Access by International Law) traveled by a wooden fishing boat "MB Hani John" to Bajo de Masinloc, however near the entrance of the shoal they were stopped and harassed by China Coast Guard vessels. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After about 3 hours stand-off with China Coast Guard the group of patriotic volunteers returned to the town of Masinloc Zambales. </span><br />
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<b>The group of patriotic youth onboard a wooden fishing boat sailed from the fishing port of Masinloc town of Zambales province.</b></div>
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<b>At Masinloc Zambales</b></div>
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<b>Philippine Defense Forces Forum : Scarborough / Panatag Shoal</b><br />
http://s3.zetaboards.com/Defense_Philippines/topic/7744295/4/#new<br />
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<b>Securing the Shoals / What must be done ?</b><br />
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<b>US Coast Guard map of Bajo de Masinloc</b><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-89739346865051454512016-06-12T15:07:00.000+08:002016-06-12T15:14:23.175+08:00Bajo de Masinloc - Scarborough Shoal 101<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A chunk of rock appearing on the ocean surface has now become the source of tension between the Philippines and China,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scarborough Shoal - or to what Philippines refers to as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc - is one of the crucial disputed land formations between the two countries, It lies about 118 nautical milesa west of Zambales province and withing the Philippines' 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as specified by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In April 2012 a Philippine warship tried to arrest Chinese fisherme, whose presence in the shoal was illegal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Chinese Coast Guard intervened, resulting in a standoff that went of for months,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">China says it has owned Scarborough for centuries, based on what it calls its historical rights to the area.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #171717; line-height: 27.1314px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the oldest known map of the Philippines - the Velarde-Murillo Map of 1734 - shows Panatag Shoal, then called Panacot Shoal, as part of "Las Islas Filipinas" or the Philippine islands which were then administered by Spanish colonizers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #171717; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 27.1314px;">The 2012 standoff ended only after Manila and Beijing agreed to pull out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #171717; line-height: 27.1314px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But China did not stop, it sent its patrol ships back and eventually closed off the shoal to Filipinos.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #171717; line-height: 27.1314px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The move would set in motion the Philippine maritime case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #171717; line-height: 27.1314px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But no one knows the gravity of the situation like the fisherfolk of Masinloc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Their only source of livelihood has been the shoal for as long as they can remember.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now they have been restricted to the area, they\re losing 300 thousand pesos a week.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">From CNN Philippines : </span></b><br />
<b>West Philippine Sea 101 - Scarborough Shoal</b><br />
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/07/23/west-philippine-sea-101-scarborough-shoal.html</div>
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<b>Bajo de Masinloc / Scarborough Shoal is a Rock since it cannot sustain a human habitation or economic life. The rock is located in the North east and South east part of the shoal.</b></div>
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<b>Ancient Chinese Map </b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-7223370347422857072016-06-01T06:25:00.002+08:002016-06-01T06:25:19.644+08:00The Philippine Claim to Sabah (North Borneo)<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #555555; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.75em; margin-bottom: 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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Spanish Map of Philippines - circa 1800</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. From the time it was acquired by the Sultan of Sulu from the Sultan of Brunei up to 24 April 1962 when it was formally ceded and transferred to the Republic of the Philippines under the title of sovereignty, the Sultanate of Sulu had continuously been the rightful sovereign of the portion North Borneo known as Sabah.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.1. In the course of internal armed conflict in the Sultanate of Brunei referred by some historians as “civil war,” lasting for more than 10 years, the Sultan of Brunei requested the assistance of the Sultan of Sulu, with the promise that in the event of victory he would grant him the territories in North Borneo under his dominion. Following the victory of Sultan Muaddin of Brunei, with the armed intervention of the Sultan of Sulu, accordingly he ceded Sabah to the Sultan of Sulu in 1704.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.2. By the Declaration of 24 April 1962 issued by the Heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, the territory of Sabah as thus required by cession from the Sultan of Brunei was ceded and transferred in sovereignty to the Republic of the Philippines. The Declaration was entitled “Recognition and Authority in Favour of the Republic of the Philippines.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.2.1. By this Declaration, the Philippine claim to sovereignty and dominion over a portion of North Borneo became a legal claim. After the cession from the Sultanate, the Philippines acquired the rights over the territory of North Borneo which it was duty-bound as a sovereign to protect and preserve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.3. This Declaration followed the petition of 5 February 1962 of the Heirs of the Sultan of Sulu addressed to the Department of Foreign Affairs. In this Petition the Heirs expressed their intention to have the portion of North Borneo included in the national territory of the Philippines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.3.1. By the Instrument of 12 September 1962, the Republic of the Philippines accepted the cession of sovereignty over Sabah proclaimed by the Sultanate of Sabah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.3.2. On 24 April 1962, congress adopted “Resolution urging the President of the Philippines to take the necessary steps for the recovery of a certain portion of the Island of Borneo and adjacent islands which belong to the Philippines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.3.3. On the basis of the Declaration of 24 April 1962 of the Heirs of the Sultan of Sulu on the transfer of sovereignty over Sabah, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 5446 amending the Baseline Law in Republic Act No. 3046, the amendment providing that the “Philippines has acquired dominion and sovereignty” over Sabah situated in North Borneo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. Malaysia’s claim to sovereignty over Sabah was based on its inclusion in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. It is a claim of derivative title, based on:<br />(a) whatever interests the British Government had in Sabah, which were derived from<br />(b) whatever interests the British North Borneo Company (BNBC) had in Sabah, which were derived from whatever interests Overbeck and Dent derived from their 1878 agreement with the Sultan of Sulu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.1. Sufficient evidence has been shown on the side of the Sultan of Sulu that the Deed of 22 January 1878 executed by Sultan Mohammed Jamadul Alam with Gustavus Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent was an agreement of lease. “In consideration of this (territorial) lease…[they] promise to pay His Highness…and to his heirs and successors the sum of five thousand dollars annually to be paid each and every year.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.1.1. Written in Arabic, the agreement had been authoritatively translated by an American and by a Dutch scholar as “lease.” In the Spanish translation, the agreement has been described as an “arrendamento” which means “lease.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.1.2. In a speech before the House of Commons, the British Prime Minister himself, William Gladstone, made reference to the Deed of 1878 as a contract of lease: “We do not see how this Protectorate Agreement [of 1888], viewed in the light of the 1878 contract, can possibly divest the Sultanate of Sulu of the latter’s sovereignty or dominion. On the contrary, after 1888, the British North Borneo Company entered into a Confirmatory Deed with the Sultan of Sulu, thereby confirming and ratifying what was done in 1878. And we hold the view that far from repudiating the lease contract of 1878, the British North Borneo Company, said to be under British protection, confirmed British protection, confirmed and reiterated in 1903 the existence of lease relationship.” (Emphasis added.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.1.3. Overbeck and Dent as private individuals have no legal status in international law to assume the power of sovereignty involved in the cession of territory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.1.4. Overbeck and Dent therefore had nothing to transfer in terms of title to sovereignty over Sabah to the British North Borneo Company (BNBC).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.1.5. By Proclamation of 25 November 1957, the Sultan of Sulu declared “The termination of the said lease in favour of Gustavus Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent, their heirs and assignees, effective the 22nd day of January 1958, and that from and after that date all the lands covered by the said lease shall be deemed restituted to the Sultanate of Sulu.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.2. When the British Government granted a royal charter to the BNBC, did it provide authorityfor the BNBC to acquire territory by title of sovereignty?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.2.1. Lord Earl Granville, British foreign minister, in his letter of 7 January 1882 to British Minister Morier: “The British Charter therefore differs essentially from the previous Charters granted by the Crown to the East India Company, the Hudson’s Bay Company…, in the fact that the Crown in the present case assumes no dominion or sovereignty over the territories occupied by the Company, nor does it purport to grant to the Company any powers of Government thereover; it merely confers upon the persons associated the status and incidents of a body corporate, and recognizes the grants of territory and the powers of government made and delegated by the Sultan to whom the sovereignty remains vested. (Emphasis added.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.2.2. In response to the protest of Spain and the Netherlands in regard to the grant of BNBC Charter in North Borneo, Glanville replied: “The territories ceded to Mr. Dent will be administered by the Company under the suzerainty of the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu, to whom they have agreed to pay a yearly tribute. The British government assumes no sovereign rights whatever in Borneo. (Emphasis added.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.2.3. In making assurances to the Dutch Minister Count de Bylant, Glanville stressed that BNBC was purely a private commercial enterprise, declaring: “The Majesty’s Government have already explained to the Government of the Netherlands that the grant of the Charter did not in any way imply the assumption of sovereign rights in North Borneo. It is therefore unnecessary to pursue this discussion further.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.2.4. Reinforcing Glanville’s position, Julian Pauncefote, assistant permanent undersecretary of the British Foreign Office, declared: “We must be careful…to preserve the Sultan’s status as a Sovereign to the east coast of Borneo.” Further he said: “The sovereignty of North Borneo is vested in the Sultan of Sulu”; any stipulation Britain might make “respecting that territory must have the previous assent of the Sultan signified by him through the Company.” (Emphasis added</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.75em;">3. However, in derogation of the foregoing commitment and declarations, on 26 June 1946 the British Government entered into an agreement with the British North Borneo Company (BNBC) whereby “The company…transfers and cedes the Borneo Sovereign Rights to the Crown with effect from the day of transfer, to the intent that the Crown shall, as from the day of the transfer, have full sovereign rights over, and title to, the territory of the State of North Borneo and that the said territory shall thereupon become part of His Majesty’s dominions.” The agreement was entitled “Agreement for the Transfer of the Borneo Sovereign Rights and Assets from the British North Borneo Company to the Crown, 26th June 1946.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.75em;">3.1.Taking into account the said Agreement of 26 June 1946, the British Crown upon the advice of his Privy Council ordered as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.75em;">“1. This Order may be cited as the North Borneo Cession Order in Council, 1946, and shall come into operation on the fifteenth of July 1946.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.75em;">“2. As from the fifteenth day of July, 1946, the State of North Borneo shall be annexed to and shall form part of His Majesty’s dominions and shall be called, together with the Settlement of Labuan and its dependencies, the Colony of North Borneo.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3.2. The colonization of North Borneo by the British Crown by means of Cession Order of 1946 appears to cede and transfer all “the rights, powers and interests” of BNBC in North Borneo which the British Government itself openly acknowledged as excluding the power of sovereignty and that territorial sovereignty remained with the Sultan of Sulu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3.3. Hence, the legality of British annexation of North Borneo, including Sabah, persists as a fundamental issue in the Philippine claim to Sabah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3.3.1. Former American Governor-General in the Philippines, Francis Burton Harrison, described the annexation as “political aggression” and urged the Philippine Government to take action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. When Sabah was incorporated into the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, the illegality of annexing Sabah as a Crown Colony remains in Malaysia’s succession-in-interest from Great Britain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.1. Through the Government of Malaya, the British Government announced that its territories in North Borneo, including Sabah, would form part of a new Federation of Malaysia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.2. The Philippines protested the British decision and called Britain’s attention to the sovereign rights of the Philippines over Sabah. After protracted negotiations, the British Government agreed to meet Philippine representatives to discuss the problem of North Borneo. Held in London in 1963, the negotiations proved to be inconclusive. In the meantime, the founding date of the new Federation was announced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.75em;">5. On the initiative of President Diosdado Macapagal, a Summit conference was convened in Manila from July 30 to August 5, 1963. In this conference, on 31 July 1963, President Soekarno of Indonesia, President Diosdado Macapagal and Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman of the Federation of Malaysia “approved and accepted the Manila Accord, paragraph 12 of which stipulates as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.75em;">“The Philippines made it clear that its position on the inclusion of North Borneo in the Federation of Malaysia is subject to the final outcome of the Philippine claim to Borneo. The Ministers took note of the Philippine claim and the right of the Philippines to continue to pursue it in accordance with international law and the principle of the pacific settlement of disputes. They agreed that the inclusion of North Borneo in the Federation of Malaysia would not prejudice either the claim or any right thereunder. Moreover, in the context of their close association, the three countries agreed to exert the best endeavors to bring the claim to a just and expeditious solution by peaceful means…of the parties’ own choice, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and the Bandung Declaration.” (Emphasis added.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.75em;">5.1 In the same Summit Conference, the three Heads of Government signed a Joint Statement on 5 August 1963, paragraph 8 of which reads:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.75em;"><span style="line-height: 1.75em;">“In accordance with paragraph 12 of the Manila Accord, the three Heads of Government decided to request the British Government to agree to seek a just and expeditious solution to the dispute between the British Government and the Philippine Government concerning Sabah (North Borneo)…The three Heads of Government take cognizance of the position regarding the Philippine claim to Sabah (North Borneo) after the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia as provided under paragraph 12 of the Manila Accord, that is, that the inclusion of Sabah (North Borneo) in the Federation of Malaysia does not prejudice the claim or any right thereunder.” (Emphasis added.)</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/up-forum-march-april-2013-011-cropped.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #571586; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="up forum march-april 2013 011-cropped" class=" wp-image-2294" src="http://up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/up-forum-march-april-2013-011-cropped-1024x617.jpg" height="385" style="background: transparent; border: none; margin: 5px 5px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.75em;">Haji Butu, W.C. Cowie, Sultan Jamal-ul-Kiram and Alexander Cook. Cowie, manager of the Company, sought to aid the Sultan Jamalul Kiram II to end the Mat Salleh revolt in North Borneo in 1898. (N. Tanling “Sulu and Sabah” p. 286). Alexander was the Officer-in-Charge of Sandakan. Photo from The Genealogy of the Sulu Royal Families (2003) by Sururul-ain Ututalum and Abdul-Karim Hedjazi, published by Professional Press (USA).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6. Malaysia had repeatedly acknowledged the Philippine claim to Sabah and that it is a claim that should be settled as soon as possible, including the prospect of settlement in the International Court of Justice. On its part, the Philippines persistently offered the settlement of dispute arising from its claim to Sabah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6.1. In February 1964, the Malaysian Prime Minister had the understanding with the Philippine President to discuss “as soon as possible the best way of settling the dispute, not precluding reference to the International Court of Justice.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6.2. In August 1964, the two governments agreed in an exchange of aides memoir to a meeting of their representatives in Bangkok for the purpose of clarifying the Philippine claim and of discussing the means of settling the dispute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6.3. In February 1966, in response to Malaysia’s diplomatic note reiterating its assurance to comply with the Manila Accord and the concomitant Joint Statement, the Philippines proposed that “both Governments agree as soon as possible on a mode of settlement that is mutually acceptable to both parties.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6.4. In June 1966, the two Governments, in a joint communiqué, agreed once again to abide by the Manila Accord and the Joint Statement; they reiterated their common purpose to clarify the Philippine claim and the means of settling it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6.5. In July 1968, the Philippine delegation presented the Malaysian delegation with a written question, “Will you discuss with the modes of settlement of our claim at the conference in Bangkok, irrespective of your own unilateral assessment of the sufficiency of the clarification given?” Malaysia’s answer was unqualifiedly in the affirmative.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6.6. In August 1968, again in a joint communiqué, the two Governments agreed that talks on an official level would be held as soon as possible regarding the Philippine claim to Sabah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6.7. The foregoing undertakings assume significance for the reason that they are not unilateral acts of the Philippines; they are commitments jointly made by Malaysia and the Philippines. They repeatedly affirm Malaysia’s recognition of the existence of the Philippine claim to Sabah and its willingness to settle the dispute arising from this claim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6.7.1. In complete disregard of its commitments, Malaysia has been in full retreat. It is now in denial of the existence of the Philippine claim to Sabah. In consequence, it rests its case on the illegality of the colonization of Sabah by the British Crown.</span><br />
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<b>Credit to </b>:</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">An Outline of the Philippine Claim to Sabah</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Posted on</span> <a href="http://www.up.edu.ph/an-outline-of-the-philippine-claim-to-sabah/" rel="bookmark" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4:37 PM">August 28, 2013</a> <span class="meta-sep" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">by</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Atty. Merlin M. Magallona in <a href="http://www.up.edu.ph/category/up-forum/" rel="category tag" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">UP Forum</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.up.edu.ph/an-outline-of-the-philippine-claim-to-sabah/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Some Documents, Maps and Old Photos of Sulu and Sabah</b></span></span></div>
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<b>Sulu Sultanate version's of 2nd Concession Treaty on 22 January 1878</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Circa 1900</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Modern Map of Sulu and Sabah</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>* * * * </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Related Stories</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Philippine-Malaysia Dispute over Sabah:
A Bibliographic Survey</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/research/journals/apssr/pdf/200712/4Fernandez.pdf</span></div>
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<h1 style="border: 0px; color: #474747; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Does Sabah really belong to the Philippines?</span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">http://globalnation.inquirer.net/66689/does-sabah-really-belong-to-the-philippines</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sultanate of Sulu</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultanate_of_Sulu</span></span></div>
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<pre style="line-height: 19.2px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">T<b>he History of Sulu, by Najeeb M. Saleeby</b></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41771/41771-h/41771-h.htm</span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>British Borneo, by W. H. Treacher</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.gutenberg.org/files/27547/27547-h/27547-h.htm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<pre style="text-align: center;">* * * *</pre>
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<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Aljazeera - Sabah Conflict Inside Story (Sultanate of Sulu - Pawn orLlegacy)">Aljazeera - Sabah Conflict Inside Story<br />(Sultanate of Sulu - Pawn orLlegacy)</span></h1>
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<pre style="text-align: center;"><h1 class="watch-title-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: table-cell; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; width: 824px; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<pre style="text-align: center;"> </pre>
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<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Philippine-Malaysia on Sabah claim (Part 1)">Philippine-Malaysia on Sabah claim (Part 2)</span></h1>
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<b>The claim to Sabah : A historical perspective</b></div>
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<b>Filipino protesters calls on Malaysian govt to stop violence </b></div>
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<b>in Sabah region.</b></div>
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<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Understanding the Moro People and Philippine Claim on Sabah: Princess Jacel Kiram on Updates">Understanding the Moro People and Philippine <br />Claim on Sabah: Princess Jacel Kiram on Updates</span></h1>
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<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Duterte Vows to Pursue PHL's Claim to Sabah"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Duterte Vows to Pursue PHL's Claim to Sabah</span></span></h1>
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<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="PM : No one can stake claim on Sabah">PM : No one can stake claim on Sabah</span></h1>
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<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="101 East - Sabah's Invisible Children">101 East - Sabah's Invisible Children
</span></h1>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-52177965997047101492016-05-29T08:21:00.004+08:002016-05-29T08:22:27.663+08:00China's Fabrication of Nanking Massacre<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>False Accusation of Nanking Massacre</u></b></span></center>
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by Moguro Fukuzo<br />
Yokohama Japan</div>
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<a href="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a02_zpszhwifu4j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a02_zpszhwifu4j.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">C O N T E N T S</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="top"></a><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/index.html#a01" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Open Message from the Author</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/index.html#a02" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Photo Gallery (photos taken just after the fall of Nanking)</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/index.html#a03" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Recommended Youtube Videos</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page01.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Lies of the Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page07.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">What is the real number?</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page08.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Documents of the Nanking Safety Zone</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page04.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page09.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Video: Fake of Nanking</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page05.html" style="color: crimson;">Shanghai Black Saturday "Crying Baby" Staged Photo</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page06.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Tactical Absurdity of the Nanking Massacre<img border="0" src="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/box/new01.gif" /></a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page02.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Maps and Chronology of Events</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page03.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">The Documentary Film "Nanking"</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page10.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Is UNESCO a propaganda machine of PRC?<img border="0" src="http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/box/new01.gif" /></a></li>
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<span style="line-height: 26.6667px;">Mao would often hark back with great bitterness to that December 1937 when Wang Ming prevailed. This stands in stark contrast to the fact that not once in his long life did he mention another event that took place at exactly the same time - a huge massacre in Nanjing, in which an estimated up to 300,000 Chinese civilians and prisoners of war were slaughtered by the Japanese. Mao never made any comment, then or later, about this, the single biggest human tragedy of the Sino-Japanese War for his fellow countrymen.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 26.6667px;">______________</span><span style="line-height: 26.6667px;">________________________</span></div>
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Japanese troops brutally killed 300,000 men, women and children in Nanking. Japanfs wartime atrocities are still in our memory.</div>
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- CCP President Xi Jinping</div>
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">China spreads lies such as Nanking Massacre and continually creates border conflicts with neighboring countries. China is not qualified to become the world leader.</span></div>
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Li Denghui - former president of Taiwan</div>
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Open Message from the Author</blockquote>
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Demonizing the enemy is commonplace during a war. But demonizing Japan still goes on in 21st century.</div>
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It is well known that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is the main source of Nanking Massacre propaganda despite the fact that it was KMT (Kuo-ming-tang) the Japanese forces fought during the Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945.</div>
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(KMTfs official military records written by General He Yinqin describe in details military actions engaged by both KMT forces and Japan's Central China Front Force lead by General Matsui Iwane about the fall of the city. However, the same records do NOT comment on any mass-killing of civilians or prisoners of war. If mass-killing of 300,000 people actually took place, the KMTfs official military records should have pointed out the atrocity. It seems quite awkward and you would wonder why NO such information is written in the records.««)</div>
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<a href="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a01_zpsybyc5gvr.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a01_zpsybyc5gvr.gif" height="196" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">(Source: p82, ‰½ã«RíŠúŠÔŒRŽ–•ñ@•¶¯‘“X@1962, Taiwan)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">General He Yinqin was called the right-hand man of Chiang Kai-Shek, the head of the KMT forces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 26.6667px;">The author of this webpage wonders why the CCP officials constantly come up with gJapanfs Atrocitiesh in todayfs diplomatic scenes so often. Are they doing so out of the desire to criticize the Japanese peoplefs general lack of remorse, guilt or self-hate from the perspective of humanity?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 26.6667px;">Humanity! The CCP, the evil dictatorship, a group of murderers, thieves, robbers, liars or tale-bearers, the oppressor of Uyghur and Tibet and their own people, wants to talk about HUMANITY!</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px;">CERTAINLY, YOU ARE KIDDING ME !!</b></div>
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<a href="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/b05_zps2uxb5d60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/b05_zps2uxb5d60.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Jian Zemin, the former president of the CCP, tortured and killed many innocent Falun Gong practitioners.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px; text-align: -webkit-center;">REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE MASTER PROPAGANDISTS !!</b></div>
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<a href="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/b07_zpsw1lsjemk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/b07_zpsw1lsjemk.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Cultural Revolution was in essence the power struggle among the top echelon of the CCP. However, the ordinary people, instigated by the demagogues, lend themselves to violence, humiliated, tortured, and killed their village leaders.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px; text-align: start;">Diverting people's attention from their own failings is corwardice act of the CCP</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 26.6667px;">The author believes that the CCP in truth wants to stoke up the fire of hatred in peoplefs mind in order to create a common enemy; make the Chinese people band together against the common enemy; and thereby ward off the criticism of the people to their own failures through the blame-shifting manipulation.</span></div>
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By the way, there is one thing the CCP did not know. Along with General Matsuifs Amy, 120 newspaper reporters and camera crews of various movie producing companies entered the city and there are many photos taken in the city just after the fall of Nanking.</div>
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The CCP and the people who believe that the Nanking Massacre actually took place assert that the massacre continued for six weeks immediately after the fall of the city, which is December 13, 1937. If such assertion is true, how do you explain the following photos?</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">A Japanese officer giving sweets to Chinese children. This photo was taken on December 20, 1937, one week after the fall of Nanking, and published on December 30.</span><b style="font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px; text-align: -webkit-center;"> </b><br />
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<b style="font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px; text-align: -webkit-center;"> </b><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Chinese children asking Japanese Battalion Captain Iizuka to give sweets. This photo was taken on January 6, 1938 by Asahi Shimbun reporter Kawamura.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a25_zpsd7ait1bf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a25_zpsd7ait1bf.jpg" height="486" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The caption of the photo says gIt appears these women took cover in this underground air-raid shelter while the battles went on outside. After hearing the Armyfs declaration to ensure public peace, they are getting out of the shelter.h</span></div>
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Notice the generally relaxed feelings and attitude of these women.</div>
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This photo was taken on December 14, which is one day after the fall of Nanking by newsreporter Kadono dispatched by Asahi Shimbun newspaper.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The photo was punlished on December 16 on the Asahi Shimbun Newspaper.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">A Japanese Army unit patrols through the Taima Road, which leads to the Shakan Station. The Chinese Nationalists/KMT forces, before they fled to outside the city, had put fire on the main buildings of Nanking City with the intent of leaving nothing to the Japanese Army, causing great destruction on their own people. Notice the indifference of the Chinese man to the approaching Japanese Army unit. This photo was taken in January, 1938 by a camera crew attached to the Japanese Army.</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">A Japanese soldier enjoys boiled dumplings served by a street vendor. This photo was taken on December 15, 1937 by Sato Shinju, a photographer dispatched by Mainichi Shimbun newspaper</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a26_zpsqglsqaut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a26_zpsqglsqaut.jpg" height="459" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="line-height: 26.6667px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">No data is available for the author to identify when this photo was taken by whom. However, various testimonies say Chinese locals began to sell food on streets two to three days after the fall of the city.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another testimony of a soldier says: Chinese brothels began to operate a couple of days after the fall of the city and rape was charged with death by firing squad. Military police were everywhere. Therefore, it is unimaginable that anyone risked his life by not paying money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, it is well known that Korean men caused problems such as Lai Dai Han or Kopinos. The author has not heard of such abandoned mixed race children issue caused by the Japanese Army men after the fall of Nanking although they are criticized of gmass rapes of countless number of womenh even after 70 years. In a war, your enemy must be a devil. Vengeance falls upon the losers. I believe someone is telling a BIG LIE in order to exaggerate the evil nature of the Japanese race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">Nanking citizens selling food to Japanese soldiers. This photo was taken by Mainichi Shinbum reporter and published on February 1, 1938.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a19_zpsec9mkjek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/Abraham_Omega/Nanking%20Massacre/Fablication/a19_zpsec9mkjek.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This photo was taken within the Nanking Safety Zone on December 17, just after General Matsui's entry into the city. The note of photographer Sato Shinju writes, "When soldiers began distributing sweets, the citizens of Nanking, including women, gathered around them. They were not particulary vigilant about the Japanese soldiers."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Four days after the fall of the city into Japanese Army's hands, the people now understood battles were over and the peace of the city had been restored, From the faces of the Chinese people, you may notice the relaxed feelings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Notice some of the Chinese locals are smiling. Is it the scene to indicate mass murdering of 300,000 is going on somewhere in the Nanking City?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">This photo was taken on December 17 by photographer Sato Shinju. Contrary to the propaganda of the Chinese Communist Party today, the literature of the time shows that the Japanese Armyfs discipline was already well known to the Chinese people after the occupation of Shanghai.</span></div>
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For the first time in Chinafs history, the Chinese people experienced the modern national army, which is responsible for the safety and security of the people in occupied territories.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">After several days of pitched battles, food was scarce in the city of Nanking. Chinese locals applauded when the Japanese Army began to distribute food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: start;">This photo was taken on December 20, 1937.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: start;">This photo was taken on December 20, 1937.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: start;">This photo was taken on December 20, 1937 at an army field hospital in Nanking. Japanese medical officers provide medical treatment for wounded Chinese soldiers KMT left behind.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: start;">Japanese medical officers provide medical check-ups for Nanking citizens to defend them from plague. This photo was taken on December 20, one week after the fall of Nanking, by Asahi Shimbun newspaper reporter Hayashi and published in January 19, 1938 edition of Asahi-Graph.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: start;">This photo was taken on December 27, 1937.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: start;">This photo was taken on December 16,1937, inside the Nanking Safety Zone by Mainichi Shimbun photographer Sato Shinju.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This photo was taken on December 17, 1937.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The verdict of the Tokyo Trials states that gduring a couple of days since the Japanese Army occupied Nanking, at least 12,000 Chinese non-combatants were killed.h</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The city of Nanking in 1937 is rather small (about a quarter size of Washington D.C.). If the verdict is true, it is rather strange that there is a boy smiling in the middle of street and a man gets hair-cut in the midst of gmass killings.h</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Matsui was executed by hanging. No protests were made by him in the Tokyo Trials. He knew that it would be useless to make any protests in the court held by vengeful enemies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">This photo was taken on December 15, 1937. Are they eating lunch in the midst of mass killings?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Japanese soldiers check pass certificates of Chinese citizens at the Tongji Gate. Although the date of taking this photo is not known, the photo was published on March 20, 1938 edition of a photographic magazine. Therefore, this photo was taken probably at around late January or early February.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The Tokyo Tribunal determined that the massacre had continued for 6 weeks after the fall of the city, which was December 13, 1937. However, from the carefree look of the Chinese citizens, who stood beside Japanese soldiers, you cannot sense any such fear of the terrible experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Lieutenant Takashi Akaboshi walks hand-in-hand with a Chinese boy outside the Nanking Castle just after the fall of the city. This is a personal photo provided by his wife.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">This photo was taken on December 15, 1937. Where are mass killings of 300,000 citizens?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">The citizens in neighborhood came out on stilts to have fun with Japanese soldiers standing on sentry duty nearby Shakan Station.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nanking citizens came out to celebrate the establishment of the Nanking Autonomous Government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The four Kanji-letters indicate "Celebration for January 1"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">They are marching toward the Drum Tower iŒÛ˜Oj, a historic building located at the center of the Nanking Castle.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The Nanking Autonomous Government officially started on January 1, 1938. The citizens of Nanking came out to celebrate the start of the new government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Notice that the Autonomous Government Committee members stand on top of the gate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Again, the author wants to ask you how and why the citizens of Nanking came out to the open field in order to celebrate the formation of the new government after experiencing mass killings of 300.000.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;">The same scene with the above but looking from top of the building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Photos taken outside the city of Nanking</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Chinese children receiving candies from a Japanese soldier. Notice that they are not afraid of Japanese soldiers.This photo was taken on November 6, 1937 in the Yangtze delta area.</span></div>
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After the Battle of Shanghai, Japanese forces chased Chiang Kai-shekfs KMT forces fiercely. It does not necessarily mean they were brutal killers.</div>
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THE CHINESE YEARBOOK (1938-39) states that gsome 300,000 Chinese civilians had been slaughtered by Japanese in the Yangtze delta areah and Manchester Guardian Reporter J.H. Timperley often stated the same in his newspaper reports. However, this photo reveals that, exactly in the same area, Chinese children had good relationship with Japanese soldiers.</div>
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Today, it is well known that Timperley worked as a propaganda machine under the Ministry of Information of KMT.</div>
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The author trusts you can identify who is lying and who is telling the truth.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Japanese Army restored peace and security in the occupied area. The Army also opened schools and placed their officers on the posts of the principal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This photo was taken in December or January (the exact date is not known, but during the period in which mass killings should have been underway according to the CHINESE YEARBOOK or the verdict of Tokyo Trials) and published in Asahi-graph magazine on February 9.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photo shows a Japanese officer giving instructions to the female teachers of a newly opened elementary school in the city of Zhenjiang, about 60km away to the east of Nanking. The KMT placed guns in the city in an attempt to shoot to destroy Japanese gunships sailing upstream in the Yangtze River. But the city fell to the hands of the Japanese Army on December 9, 1937.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Japanese marine officers, who fought bravely in the battles in Shanghai against the large number of KMT forces, now enjoy being a temporary teacher here.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px;">Photos taken in other cities of China </span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; line-height: 26.6667px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px;">(not by the camera crew accompanied with </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px;">General Matsui's Army)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Citizens of Datong celebrate the establishment of the new government. This photo was taken on October 15, 1937. The Kanji-letters say gAllowing the spread of communism is suicide.h This means in Northern China, people felt the danger of communism. If you look back what had happened after Mao seized the power in 1949, these letters predicted what would happen in the future of China.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">This photo was taken on December 15, 1937 in Beijing, two days after the fall of Nanking. This day, the Chinese people gathered in the Tienanmen Square to celebrate the fall of Nanking into the hands of the Japanese Army and the establishment of a new government, waving Five Color Flags (the navy flag of the Qing Dynasy) and Japanese Hinomaru flags.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; text-align: start;">The Japanese Army entering the Baodong Castle •Û’èé, September 24, 1937 while the local Chinese citizens welcome their entry waving hinomaru flags. The photo was published on October 23.</span></div>
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The Japanese army invaded into China in order to: 1) punish the criminals who killed 300 Japanese residents in Tsushu; and 2) pacify the civil war turmoil in China. Chinese knew that and therefore, welcomed the advance of the Japanese troops</div>
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Wall posters appeared in the city of Jinan, Sandong Provice in 1939. The Kanji-letters say "Down with Chiang Kai-sheck."</div>
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U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt felt the sympathy for the Chinese people and extended a great deal of financial and military supports to the Generalissimo including gFlying Tigers.h However it seems that not all the Chinese people liked him.</div>
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Flying Tigers are American pilots controlling American fighter planes marked with gBlue Sky with a White Sun,h the symbol of KMT. This secret aid of the US to KMT - in complete breach of international laws - paved the way for Japanfs attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The Japanese Army troops marching on the Nanking Road in Shanghai while people applaud them waving hinomaru flags. This photo was taken on December 3, 1937 by Asahi Shimbun reporter Ogawa, and published on December 22, 1937.</span></div>
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The Battle of Shanghai started on August 13, 1937 and ended by early November when the Japanese 10th Army landed on the south of Shanghai. This photo proves that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIkrgOmsbVY" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">gBattle of Chinah directed by Frank Capra</a> is a piece of outright lie. If the bombardment of buildings in the movie was conducted by the Japanese fighter planes, you are unable to find out the reason why those people wave hinomaru flags.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">A western boy waves hinomaru flags from a window of a building while Japanese troops are marching in the Concession of Shanghai. This photo was taken by Asahi Shimbun reporter Miyauchi and published on December 22.</span><br />
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This may be a deja vu for some people of g55 Days at Peking.h In 1900, Japanese troops played an active role in defending western people from the Boxer Rebellion.</div>
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The Chinese people applaud the Japanese troops entering into their city. The photo was taken on March 6, 1938.</div>
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Although there is no source available for the author to identify the name of the city, if the Nanking Massacre actually took place in December and/or January, the news of the atrocity should have reached this city by March 6. Then it is quite awkward that those Chinese people welcome the Japanese Army entering their city.</div>
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The history of China shows that the people of China welcomed the occupation of Manchurian forces which destroyed the Ming Dynasty, which comprised of 100% Han Chinese, despite the fact that the Han Chinese had built the Great Wall to defend them against the threat of northern nomad tribes including Manchurians. This clearly means that the ordinary people of China do not care who their rulers are, inasmuch as the rulers are bona fide good rulers who guarantee their day-to-day lives.</div>
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This photo was published on December 7, 1938 edition of the Asahi-graph depicting a scene of Wuhan. Chian Kai-sek set fire on the city before evacuating from the city in order to leave nothing to the Japanese Army as he did so in Nanking and Changsha.</div>
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When people buzz about the gNanking Massacreh and the Second Sino-Japanese war, western media and people turn a blind-eye to the fact that this scorched land strategy of the Chinese KMT Force had caused significant devastation.</div>
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Notice that this photo was taken one year after the fall of Nanking.</div>
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If the Nanking Massacre actually took place, you may wonder why the old woman is smiling toward the Japanese soldiers and children sit on the table so close to the soldiers showing no sign of anxiety.</div>
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This photo was published on November 22, 1939 edition of the Asahi-graph depicting a scene of the gOriental Design Vocational Schoolh in Guangdong Province.</div>
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The young girl is looking forward to seeing a happy, bright future.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 26.6667px;">T<b>hen the disaster fell upon China</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; text-align: start;">The PLA (People's Liberation Army) enters the city of Nanking in 1949. Look at the face of the people. They seem to be nonplussed. No applauds, no waving of flags. (Source: MAO THE UNKNOWN STORY by Yung Chang and Jon Halliday)</span></div>
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No wonder when you consider the fact that Chiang Kai-shekfs Nationalist forces attacked PLAfs army base five times by this time to exterminate Maofs communist party, and PLA needed to run into the cave of Yanan.</div>
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The citizens of Nanking applauded the advancing Japanese Army entering into the city in 1937. Compare this photo with the above.</div>
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This photo also proves that there was no massacre in the distance between Shanghai and Nanking. Had there been any massacre such as gsome 300,000 Chinese civilians had been slaughtered by Japanese in the Yangtze delta areah as stated in THE CHINESE YEARBOOK (1938-39) and newspaper reports carried by Manchester Guardian Reporter J.H. Timperley, the citizens of Nanking would not have applauded the entry of the Japanese Army into the city.</div>
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(Source: PARAMOUNT NEWS EXTRA broadcasting the news of the fall of the city into the Japanese Army. Click the photo to watch the news.</div>
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Despite the narrative, which is unkind and hostile to Japan, dead bodies you will see in the news were not caused by the Japanese Army, since they were already there when the Japanese Army entered into the city.)</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Further comments from the Author</span></center>
<ul>The author of this webpage made an extensive study on the Battle of Nanking and reached the following conclusions:</ul>
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<li>There was a battle between the defending Chinese Nationalist Forces (approx. 50,000) and the attacking Japanese Central China Army (approx. 70,000) and as the consequence there were casualties of war.</li>
<li>.The Japanese infantry regiments encountered escaping Chinese soldiers in some areas outside the city, and in the pitched battles that followed a great number of Chinese Nationalist soldiers died.</li>
<li>However, all such casualties were the result of the battles (the Japanese soldiers were also injured and died). There was NO massacre of Nanking citizens and captured enemy soldiers committed by the Japanese Army. There was no such motive for the Japanese Army to commit atrocities in the first place.</li>
<li>The Nanking Castle was NOT a place you can defend against the modern howitzer guns. Had the Chinese Nationalist Forces surrendered the city to the Japanese Army before the battle took place, in compliance with the surrender ultimatum issued by Commander General Matsui, there would NOT have been even the casualties of war.</li>
<li>The Chinese Army killed their own soldiers at the north-west corner of the city, when the defending Chinese soldiers collapsed and tried to escape from the city. These gbarrier troopsh machine-gunned Chinese soldiers fleeing on the street to the North-West gate, the only way to swim over to the safe side of the Yantzi River, in order to push them back to the front.</li>
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<b>Related Story :</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Tactical Absurdity of the Nanking Massacre<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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http://www.howitzer.jp/nanking/page06.html</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
So-Called Nanking Massacre was a Fabrication</span></strong><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">http://www2.biglobe.ne.jp/remnant/nankingm.htm</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Nanking Massacre</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanking_Massacre</span></div>
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<b>YouTube Video</b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TIkrgOmsbVY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TIkrgOmsbVY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<b>Battle of China - 1944</b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoC0Xcjko0A/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YoC0Xcjko0A?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<h1 class="watch-title-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; display: table-cell; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 824px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="China’s V-Day military parade in Beijing 2015"><span style="font-size: small;">China’s V-Day military parade in Beijing 2015<br />China the new imperialist nation in Asia</span></span></h1>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-81040700477511854682016-05-26T09:10:00.001+08:002016-05-26T09:11:45.801+08:00A NATION UNDER ENDLESS TYRANNY<div abp="592" align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<b abp="596"><span abp="597" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION<o:p abp="598"></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span abp="605" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="606" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A nation is reborn in the Moro. Though centuries older than the Filipino nation in the North, it is long-lost in the debris and fame of the past. It last reasserted its identity decades after the entry of America. But it was not to claim past glory, rather, it was to unshackle the gory image put on it by colonialism</span><span abp="607" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.</span><span abp="608" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><o:p abp="609"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="605" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="607" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span abp="616" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="617" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Alas! This was a monumental error; for the name Moro symbolizes national identity, power and belief in one true God.</span> <o:p abp="618"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="621" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="622" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Today this error is being set right. Under the banner of Islam the Moro nation or what the MILF calls Bangsamoro is trying to make history repeat its laurels and feats for its honor - and even more, to reconstruct and build a vibrant, dynamic and progressive homeland for everyone to live happily ever after.</span> <o:p abp="623"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="626" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br abp="627" /></span><span abp="628" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="629" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This book on the Moros is not presumed to be exhaustive and scholarly. It is not history either. The following pages constitute an attempt to explain the hows and whys the Moros became strangers to the land they had nurtured for centuries - and which they are now trying to liberate - with their "blood, seat and tears."</span> <o:p abp="630"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="628" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="629" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span abp="637" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="638" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Much has been written about this nation, but invariably all those, with due respect to where respect is due, are little lacking in vision necessary in order to feel and grasp the totality of the situation in our homeland. it is this author's firm conviction that only someone involved body and spirit in the present struggle could really portray our people's sentiments and aspirations. Outsiders may indulge in endless speculations from their respective postures or conduct tiresome researches but in all likelihood will perforce fail to paint a complete perspectives of this nation and its struggle. Paradoxically enough, the extent and intensity of a revolution, nay a jihad, can be felt and described much vividly by none save those who are in the thick of it or perchance those inspired by it.</span> <o:p abp="639"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="642" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br abp="643" /></span><span abp="644" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="645" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This book is written with the earnest hope to inform the unprejudiced readers about the crisis that had overtaken our people and our homeland. Without sustained efforts to expose the crimes of the Manila government against our people and, no doubt, also against humanity, the world might only connive at its tyranny, embolden its inhuman policies and perpetuate its brutality.</span> <o:p abp="646"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="644" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="645" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span abp="653" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="654" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">That the Moro is a nation under endless tyranny is a premise that his book tries to narrate and explain - and hopefully will prove.</span> </span><br />
<span abp="653" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="654" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span abp="659" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="660" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The original title of this book in the first edition is Bangsamoro: A Nation Under Endless Tyranny. In this edition, I dropped the word for brevity and more importantly to do away with the technical confusion arising out of it. Bangsamoro is literally translated into "Moro nation" and therefore to retain it is redundant. The readers may notice in the course of reading this book that the author uses only he word Bangsamoro as it was used by the MILF, MNLF or any group.</span> <o:p abp="661"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="659" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="660" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span abp="667" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This work would not have been made possible without the valuable assistance of Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, Ondel Meling, Dr. Esmael Disoma, Malik A. Mantawil, Manda Kalim, Esmael Abdula, Alfaro Alilaya, Yusuf Abdullah, Abdulwahab Guialal, Boy Alano, Al Mukhlis and other persons, whose identities right now cannot be disclosed for some guarded reasons. To them, I owe my special indebtedness.</span><span abp="668" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> <o:p abp="669"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="672" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br abp="673" /></span><span abp="674" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">To Atty. Lanang Ali for reviewing the manuscipt and offering some advice, especially on legal matters.</span><span abp="675" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> <o:p abp="676"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="682" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I am obliged to render my personal thanks to Dr. Alunan C. Glang for his warm support and moral encouragement.</span><span abp="683" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> <o:p abp="684"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="682" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<span abp="687" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I would like to express my unending gratitude to Abu Maarouph for all his professional, moral and material support in the making of this book. I will never forget.</span><span abp="688" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> <o:p abp="689"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="692" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br abp="693" /></span><span abp="694" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In conclusion, I say "thank you" to all of them.</span><span abp="695" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> <o:p abp="696"></o:p></span></div>
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<b abp="729"><span abp="730" style="color: #1f497d; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="731" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">CHAPTER 1 – ONCE UPON A TIME<o:p abp="732"></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b abp="735"><span abp="736" style="color: #1f497d; line-height: 115%;"><br abp="737" /></span></b><b abp="738"><span abp="739" style="color: red; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="740" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Crossing the Bridge<o:p abp="741"></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span abp="753" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It was widely believed forty years ago that people came to the Philippines in several migratory waves through land bridges that once linked the present islands of this country with mainland Asia. They walked dry-shod into this archipelago with their beasts of burden over these land bridges at a time, which pre-historians referred to as the Pleistocene or Great Ice Age. During this period, the waters of the ocean stood 156 feet below the present levels, thereby allowing many necks of land to protrude above the surface and form land masses or bridges which enabled the first man to cross into what would later be called the Philippines.<br abp="754" /><br abp="755" /> Centuries after this period the great flood took place. The polar ice thaw increased the volume of ocean waters, causing them to rise to the present levels. Subsequently, all the land bridges were inundated and disappeared from view, and all succeeding migrations were made possible only by the use of boats.<br abp="756" /><br abp="757" /> The wave migration theory was first advanced by Spanish friars who speculated on the origins of the Filipinos and the Moros. However, in some of their writings they were inclined to consider the latter as a separate race. In 1882, Ferdinand Blumentritt, an Austrian Filipinist, also subscribed to this theory that there were three waves of Malay migrants who came to our islands. But it was Prof. H. Otley Beyer, at one time head of the Anthropology Department at the University of the Philippines, who made this theory very popular and accepted for several decades. Beyer's long years of archaeological research dwelt on retrieving facts of past cultures in the islands mainly from artefacts, bones and other remains. His findings shed light on the cultural, political, economic existence and even the beliefs of peoples.<br abp="758" /><br abp="759" /> It was admitted, therefore, as a scholarly theory that there were three waves of migration of peoples towards the archipelago, including Mindanao and Sulu, each wave comprising several or scattered minor movements. The theory held that the first to arrive via the land bridges were the aborigines or first inhabitants. Estimated to have come as early as 21,000 or 22,000 years ago, they were dark-skinned, kinky-haired, short-statured, and primitive in styles. Among this group was the "Java Man," who came first, and was followed by the "little people": Negritos or ''Aetas,'' Australoid Sakai, and Proto-Malays.<br abp="760" /><br abp="761" /> Among the next group, after the Great Ice Age, from 3,000 BC onward, were people of the Indonesian stock, who came in two migratory waves by sea from South Asia and settled in the country. They came by dugout canoes or plank-built boats. These Indonesians, taller in height and lighter in skin, introduced bronze and the rice terraces.<br abp="762" /><br abp="763" /> The third migrants, who came centuries after the Indonesians, were the brown-skinned, medium-height Malays. They were expert navigators, potters, weavers, blacksmiths and bold adventurers. Most of the Filipinos and Moros today are descended from this group. However, in the case of the latter, it is believed that they first came to Mindanao and Sulu not later than the first century before Prophet Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him). </span><span abp="764" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p abp="765"></o:p></span></div>
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<b abp="790"><span abp="791" style="color: red; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="792" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Contrary View<o:p abp="793"></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span abp="801" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="802" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Up to 1953, Beyer's Wave Migration Theory remained unquestioned. Subsequently, however, most prehistorians surmised that there were only two movements of peoples into the islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific to explain the present populations. The first, occuring more than 6,000 years ago, was that of the Australoids, that included the Australian aborigines, the Ainus, the Dravidians - the population of the Vedda of Sri Lanka - and, debatably, the Melanesians, Negritos and Papuans. Generally, this group is characterized by dark skin pigmentation. The second wave, presumably from five or six thousand years ago, composed the Southern Mongoloids or what are commonly known as the "brown race." They are also called Austronesians, because their descendants speak languages belonging to that group. The Austronesian language family, also known as Malayo-Polynesian, has a variety of more than six hundred languages that spread from Madagascar in the coast of Africa to Easter Island near South America.<br abp="803" /><br abp="804" /> Additional research on the subject in the last forty years casts doubt on the Beyer's assumption. Geologists, archaeologists, linguists, and prehistorians, in their respective fields, all disagree in one or some of his theory. The main objection to his work is that it was flawed by inadequate evidence, dubious methodology and pure speculation.<br abp="805" /><br abp="806" /> One of those who dissented was Dr. Fritjof Voss, a German scientist, who studied the geology of the Philippines. He said the Philippines was never a part of mainland Asia as proven in 1964-67 when a scientific study was made on the thickness of the earth's crust. It was discovered that the 35-kilometer thick crust below China does not stretch to the Philippines. On the contrary, the Philippines sits along a great earth fault line reaching downward to deep trenches underneath.<br abp="807" /><br abp="808" /> In 1975, a young Filipino anthropologist, F. Landa Jocano, also criticized Beyer's theory, particularly on the issue of the Negritos as the first inhabitants of the Philippines. He argued that the fossil remains of ancient men whom Beyer tagged Negritos could in no way be conclusively identified as such. He even charged Western colonizers of deliberately fragmenting the population into ethnic groups to advance their colonial interests.'<br abp="809" /><br abp="810" /> Newer theories may arise in the future in the attempt to explain this Philippine phenomenon, but seen in the practical side of the lives of the people their value is negligible. For theories, in essence, are largely speculations, or at best, analyses of relation of facts to one another and, therefore, are yet to be proven or confirmed by further studies. What may be heretical today may be revered tomorrow, or vice versa.</span><span abp="811" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <o:p abp="812"></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b abp="819"><span abp="820" style="color: red; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="821" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pre-Islamic Society<o:p abp="822"></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span abp="830" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="831" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As mentioned earlier, the Moros belonged to the third wave of migrants in Beyer's Wave Migration Theory and second or last in the other theory. In either case, they were estimated to have arrived about two centuries before the birth of Prophet Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him) and they already exhibited a higher stage of development, especially in the art of warfare. They inhabited the plains, valleys, coastal lands, and riverside areas. They formed settlements or communities with political organizations along family or blood lines.<br abp="832" /><br abp="833" /> The Pre-Islamic Moro social structure had three classes: the datus or chiefs, the commoners or citizens and the slaves. The word datu was both a political function and social status and extended to the incumbent ruler and all members of the ruling elite. Generally, the right to rule hinged on direct descent from the ruling class. In some instances, like exceptional bravery or victory in war, a commoner could become a datu, or in the case of the slave, could buy off his liberty by paying a stipulated amount. The system was not as rigid as that of the caste system of India where no one was allowed to leave the caste into which he was born.<br abp="834" /><br abp="835" /> The realm of the datu was more or less equal to that of a village or the Spanish barrio today. However, there was no common term for this political unit for the Moros spoke at least thirteen languages or dialects, most of which were mutually unintelligible. Some say this political unit was called banua4. But this term is clearly Visayan, and therefore, leaves the claim in doubt. Among the Moro dialects and languages, only the Tausog exhibited a commonality with Visayan. Both belong to the central branch of the Australoid language being spoken in this country. In its political connotation, banua means natural environment or a country, a homeland. The banua covered island to island, including the seas thereat, as well as the vegetation. Sometimes one datu allied himself with another to form a confederation of settlements for purposes of constituting a more formidable alliance against a rival datu or datus or for commercial purposes. Generally, datus were of equal status or footing. However, one could emerge superior to the other by force of arms, bravery in war or by physical prowess.<br abp="836" /><br abp="837" /> In the beginning, the prevalent method of settling conflicts was by use of force, but later on a code of laws evolved to provide for a more practical way of resolving disputes since warfare was a costly and losing enterprise, especially to the vanquished.<br abp="838" /><br abp="839" /> The economy was based primarily on agriculture, although weaving, pottery-making, blacksmithing and fishing were also prevalent. Lands were fertile and vast. However, cultivation was mainly along, the rivers, lakes, coastal areas, plains and valleys. The use of irrigation ditches was extensive. "Slash-and-burn" or swidden farming was popular in the uplands, especially in the dry season.. In commerce, the barter system was in use for money was not yet invented.<br abp="840" /><br abp="841" /> The foregoing sketch should be regarded only as an area of the bigger picture. Part of it has basis in history; the rest results from hypothesis about the complex process whereby our ancestors were subjected to or interacted, involving various components such as individuals, goods, ideas, and other factors.<o:p abp="842"></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="860" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="861" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In many instances, global politics affected directly or indirectly the turn of events even in faraway places. Had not the Moors been defeated by the Spaniards in 1492. the Spaniards could not have come in 1521 and conquered the Philippines. Or had the Spaniards delayed their coming to the Philippines for just half a century there would be no such thing as the "only Christian country" in Asia. There could have been an entirely different story to tell regarding the spread of Islam in Luzon and the Visayas.<br abp="862" /><br abp="863" /> There is evidence that as early as the last years of the fifteenth century, Islam was already gaining headway in many places in the Philippines. It was carried directly from or via Sulu or Mindanao by preachers, traders or voyagers from Borneo who settled among the inhabitants of the islands. In the words of one popular writer:</span><span abp="864" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><o:p abp="865"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="868" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="869"><span abp="870" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">... It is hard to believe that Manila was once firmly under Muslim heel, Muslims controlled the seat of government, the wealth and the trade up and down the Pasig and around Bai lake and Batangas as well as the sea lanes to Mindanao and Borneo.<br abp="871" /><br abp="872" /> The Muslims were the ruling class in Luzon, the rich traders, cultural leaders and missionaries, the ones with the knowhow and the right connections, the literacy and what's more, the right religion.</span></i><span abp="873" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><o:p abp="874"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="868" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="869"><span abp="870" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span abp="877" lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="878" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aside from Manila, then known as Selurong, Islam had already gained ground in Batangas, Pampanga, Cagayan, Mindoro, Palawan, Catanduanes, Bonbon, Cebu, Oton, Laguna and other districts. Preachers of Islam, all reportedly coming from Borneo, came to teach the natives the rudiments of the new religion. Such Islamic practices as circumcision, reading the Qur'an, avoidance of pork, and the use of Muslim names were already noted among the natives of these districts.<br abp="879" /><br abp="880" /> What is Metropolitan Manila today was formerly the bastion of Islam. Manila was ruled by Rajah Sulaiman Mahmud, jointly or assisted by Rajah Matanda, his uncle and Tondo under the rule of Rajah Lakandula. Manila was not only the commercial center but a powerful fort (cotta) was built near the mouth of the Pasig River in defense of the realm.<br abp="881" /><br abp="882" /> It was to the islamized natives of Manila that the word Moro was first applied by the Spaniards in 1570 to denote those who professed Islam. Indio first denoted the pagan natives, but was later to include even the christianized. It was only in later years, more specifically in 1578 and after, that the name Moro was generally applied to the Muslims of Mindanao and Sulu.<o:p abp="883"></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span abp="911" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The concept of "nation" is something recent in the history of mankind. Before the last century people were not aware of this chauvinistic term, as it is felt and understood today. Therefore, as a first step, let us endeavor to understand and define what a "nation" is before we can move on to ascertain whether the <i abp="912">Moro </i>constitutes a nation.</span><o:p abp="913"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="916" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines a nation as, among other related meanings:<br abp="917" /><br abp="918" /> (1) <i abp="919">a community of people composed of one or more nationalities and possessing a more or less defined territory and government</i>; and<br abp="920" /><br abp="921" /> (2) <i abp="922">a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usually characterized by a relatively large size and independent status</i>. </span><o:p abp="923"></o:p><br />
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<span abp="926" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Another authority has opined that a nation has several basic ingredients such as a common or related blood, common language, common religion, common historical tradition, and, above all, common customs and habits.' And in its perfect form, it is a group of people having a common racial origin, speaking the same language, having a common civilization, common customs and traits of character, a common literature. and common traditions. There is, however, a very pragmatic view on this subject. Two noted Filipino authors, Jose Aruego and Gloria Aruego-Torres, father and daughter, said that a nation exists where its component atoms believe it to be a nation.3 They concluded that despite the lack of a common religion or a common language a nation can exist.</span><o:p abp="927"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="934" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">With these definitions at our disposal, we may be able to conceptualize and hope to settle this issue once and for all.</span><o:p abp="935"></o:p></div>
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<b abp="942"><span abp="943" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Concept of Nationalism</span></b><br />
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<span abp="950" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">To repeat, the sense of nationalism is a modern concept and this only came to ascendancy in the last century and a half. It is the product of the chaos and political upheavals of the 18th century and a result of the French Revolution. It spread to other lands by wars and commerce, and by colonialism itself.</span><o:p abp="951"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="954" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In ancient times the state was either a city-state, such as Athens, Sparta, or early Rome, or a far-flung empire like Macedon and Persia. Even in such antiquity, people were already conscious of their racial or cultural differences, and each people sought to view itself as "superior," as the Jews had considered themselves the "chosen people" or the Greeks had regarded non-Creeks as "barbarians."</span><o:p abp="955"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="958" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This sense of belonging to a unified or homogeneous group was the offshoot of many factors, such as the need to defend a common frontier, the development of a common tongue or language, a common belief, a common history and tradition, and even shared conviction to close ranks and to resist a common aggressor. Racial and cultural prejudice directed against a group of people could also provide impetus to the formation of a homogeneous grouping. There may be other reasons. </span><br />
<span abp="958" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="959" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="960">
<b abp="961"><span abp="962" style="color: red;"><span abp="963" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Filipino Nationhood<o:p abp="964"></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b abp="961"><span abp="962" style="color: red;"><span abp="963" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<div abp="965" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="966">
</div>
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<div abp="970" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="971">
<span abp="972" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The definition of a nation given by Jose Aruego and Gloria Aruego-Torres is perhaps the most unrestrained and liberal. Obviously, only the consent of a people, as a "clearly expressed desire of continuing the common life," is enough to constitute a nation. However, in the case of the Filipino political life, the spirit of nationalism came to exist only after the 19th century.` Before this time there was no Filipino nation or a sense of nationalism to speak of. Rather there were only ethnic groups who shared common racial and cultural features. During the Spanish Period, the term <i abp="973">Filipino, </i>as applied on someone - more particularly the Spanish <i abp="974">insulares - was </i>tantamount to proclaiming oneself or being proclaimed a subject of King Philip of Spain and his progenies.</span><o:p abp="975"></o:p></div>
</div>
<div abp="976" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="977">
</div>
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<div abp="980" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="981">
<span abp="982" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The term <i abp="983">Filipino </i>was originally applied to Spaniards born in the Philippines, but began to include the natives only in 1898 when Gov. Gen. Basilio Agustin sought their aid and loyalty against the United States. Before this time, the natives were derisively referred to as <i abp="984">Indios </i>with all the most disparaging and hostile connotations. The Spaniards described the <i abp="985">Indio </i>as a "machine that walks, eats, sleeps and exists", "inferior race," a "racial savages," and someone with a "limited intelligence."</span><o:p abp="986"></o:p></div>
</div>
<div abp="987" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="988">
</div>
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<div abp="991" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="992">
<span abp="993" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Several factors paved the way for the development of Filipino nationalism. The formation was no doubt the consequence of centuries of misrule and exploitation and was hastened by political and economic development in the Philippines and Europe. As noted earlier, the racial prejudices of the Spaniards against the natives had proved to be one of the strongest unifying factors among the geographically separated and linguistically divergent natives. The rise of the middle class among the natives and their subsequent access to the liberal and revolutionary ideas in Europe and America, as well as the secularization controversy that led to the execution of Fathers Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora were some of the factors that gave birth to Filipino nationalism.</span><o:p abp="994"></o:p><br />
<span abp="993" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="995" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="996">
</div>
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<div abp="999" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1000">
<span abp="1001" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thus, Filipino nationalism was a belated development. If there had been earlier revolts against Spain they were no more than pocket rebellions against unjust rule, ranging from personal grievances to opposition to excessive imposition, from religious uprisings to agrarian complaints. None, except the 1896 Revolution, was staged in the name and pursuit of a separate nation. And almost all were undertaken by chiefs or religious leaders of the fragmented barangays of Luzon and the Visayas.</span><br />
<span abp="1001" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><span abp="1002" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br abp="1003" /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1004" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1005">
<b abp="1006"><span abp="1007" style="color: red;"><span abp="1008" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Evolution of Moro Nationalism<o:p abp="1009"></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b abp="1006"><span abp="1007" style="color: red;"><span abp="1008" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
</div>
<div abp="1010" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1011">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1015" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1016">
<span abp="1017" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">All the monickers assigned to the natives, <i abp="1018">Indio,Moro </i>and <i abp="1019">Filipino </i>were given by the Spaniards. History should credit them for giving us all these names, either out of hatred or by reasons of similarities, or by force of circumstances, or by all of the above.</span><o:p abp="1020"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1017" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1021" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1022">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1025" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1026">
<span abp="1027" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As earlier mentioned, the word <i abp="1028">Moro is </i>not a new name. It was derived from the ancient Mauri or Mauritania and was later on applied on the Berbers of North Africa and those who came and conquered Spain. The name, therefore, did not exclude the Arabs themselves especially the Umayyad princes who founded the Umayyad kingdom of Spain. In a larger context, the name is not confined to refer to a group of people, or a nationality, but applied rather to a religious affiliation, transcending the barriers of geography, race and time.</span><o:p abp="1029"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1027" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1030" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1031">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1034" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1035">
<span abp="1036" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">By a confluence of circumstances, the Spaniards were correct as far as the issue of religious identification is concerned, but on the aspect of nationality they probably had erred for there was no Moro nation to speak of at the time but rather the same racial group of people, the Indo-Malayan race, who happened to inhabit certain parts of the archipelago that they claimed for the King of Spain. The only distinction was that one group was Islamized and the other was still pagan, and had not the Spaniards come at that time there would have been at least three or four kingdoms, one in Manila, two in Mindanao and one in Sulu, and all or most of the inhabitants, like in nearby Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunie, would have become all Muslims.</span><o:p abp="1037"></o:p></div>
</div>
<div abp="1038" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1039">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1042" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1043">
<span abp="1044" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But destiny had it - and irreversibly - that the Moro had always been so called since he crossed path with the Spaniards in 1578. It was a tag that was chosen for him by his enemy, not by himself. But unlike <i abp="1045">Filipino </i>which signifies allegiance, nay subservience, to Spain, his name was the result of animosity and warfare - and resistance to foreign pressure. If <i abp="1046">Filipino </i>was the child of colonialism, Moro was the offspring of anti-colonialism. Moreover, even before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Moro had already perfected the art of governance, a well-set code of laws, songs and poetry, such as the <i abp="1047">Darangan, Indarapatra, Solaiman </i>and the <i abp="1048">adat </i>or customary laws. He already had trade and diplomatic relations with the other states of Southeast Asia, Arabia, India, Japan, and China. Sulu and Maguindanaon were already emporia while the United States was still a wilderness.</span><o:p abp="1049"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1044" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1050" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1051">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1054" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1055">
<span abp="1056" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">However, nationalism, per se, was not an end itself among the Moros, but rather a cognition of what the Almighty Allah ordained for mankind in the Holy Qur'an, Chapter 49, Verse 13, such as follows:</span><o:p abp="1057"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1056" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1058" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1059">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1062" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1063">
<i abp="1064"><span abp="1065" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">0 mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct.</span></i><o:p abp="1066"></o:p><br />
<i abp="1064"><span abp="1065" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="1067" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1068">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1072" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1073">
<span abp="1074" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It is very clear in this verse that the Almighty created tribes and nations distinctly to differentiate one from the other and not to boast or, claim superiority over others.</span><o:p abp="1075"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1074" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1076" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1077">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1080" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1081">
<span abp="1082" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If the Moros fought for anything related to his perceived racial distinctness, it was no doubt a peripheral issue; the main issue always was over the point of religion. In this era of alcoholism, materialism and worldliness, even a drunken Moro will react challengingly, either in deed or in words, once he is accused to be a heathen or an unbeliever. The distaste for unbelief is so internalized in the Moro psyche that even in. his seemingly unconscious state he will react positively for his religion. A Moro has so developed in himself that defense mechanism for Islam that he freely, consciously or unconsciously, resurges forward whenever dared. </span><o:p abp="1083"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1082" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1084" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1085">
</div>
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<div abp="1088" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1089">
<b abp="1090"><span abp="1091" style="color: red;"><span abp="1092" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some Issues Against<o:p abp="1093"></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b abp="1090"><span abp="1091" style="color: red;"><span abp="1092" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
</div>
<div abp="1094" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1095">
</div>
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<div abp="1099" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1100">
<span abp="1101" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Points have been raised to negate the idea of the existence of a Moro nation. Some of them are as follows:</span><o:p abp="1102"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1101" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1103" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1104">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1107" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1108">
<span abp="1109" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1110"><span abp="1111" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1. Lack of Common Language </span></b><span abp="1112" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">- There is no denying that the Moros speak thirteen languages or dialects; often, the name of the language or dialect and the ethnic group are the same. Many of these languages are mutually unintelligible, such as the case of Maranao and Tausog, Samal and Maguindanaon, Yakan and Iranun, etc. On the other hand, there are dialects that are so closely related that they are mutually intelligible. This is the case of Maguindanaon, Iranun and Maranao. Not only are they mutually intelligible, but they virtually constitute one Mindanao language. The same is true with the dialects ,of the Badjao, Samal and lama Mapun, which are intimately intertwined. And there is one language, Kalibugan or Kolibogan, which, as its name connotes in Maguindanaon, is an amalgamation of most of the major dialects of the Moros. It is said that when a Kalibugan speaks around 10-30 percent of the message can be delivered to a Tausog, Maguindanaon, Yakan, Samal, Iranun or Maranao, each picking up only the words coming from or resembling his own.</span><o:p abp="1113"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1109" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1112" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1114" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1115">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1118" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1119">
<span abp="1120" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The lack of a single language mutually intelligible to the thirteen ethno-linguistic groups of Moros can be a minus factor to a group claiming to be a nation. A nation "should" speak only of one common language, which is necessary to transmit shared values and norms. But if this is lacking in the Moros, it is more lacking in the so-called Filipino nation. The Filipinos possess and speak a much greater number of languages and dialects, 184 in all. Even today the Filipinos have miserably failed to truly develop a national language that is accepted by - or at least acceptable - to all the ethnic groups in the Philippines. The so-called <i abp="1121">Pilipino, </i>deemed as the national language is no more than an improvised Tagalog - thanks to the late President Manuel L. Quezon, the first non-American chief of the archipelago and a Tagalog by ethnic affiliation who, by fair or foul means, secured for it a national role and prominence that eventually paved the way for its declaration as a national language in 1946. This declaration had been persistently opposed even to this day, especially by the Cebuano-speaking provinces of the Visayas.</span><o:p abp="1122"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1120" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1123" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1124">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1127" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1128">
<span abp="1129" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1130"><span abp="1131" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2. Diversity in Customs and Tradition</span></b><span abp="1132" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - Like their counterparts in the northern islands, the Moros are racially Indo-Malayan and whatever distinction between or among the thirteen sub-groupings range from negligible to "almost as markedly as the Muslim people as a whole differs from the Christian Filipino groups. The distinction between the Iranun and Maranao and, to a certain extent, the Maguindanaon - the three groups constitute 61 percent of the entire Moro population - has not been clearly defined. In a sense, the Maranao and Iranun are "brothers" and the Maguindanaon and Maranao "cousins." The difference of Maranao or Maguindanaon from the Badjao or "sea gypsies" is sharp, because, except for a small portion of this group, they are still largely unIslamized. This difference perhaps is the reference of some writers that the Moros have widely diverse customs and traditions.</span><o:p abp="1133"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1129" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1132" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1134" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1135">
</div>
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<div abp="1138" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1139">
<span abp="1140" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This diversity, however, when seen in the context of their racial kinsmen in the North, is comparatively quite modest in proportion. Are not the Filipinos culturally, historically more divided and heterogeneous than their counterparts in Mindanao and Sulu? Are not the Tagalogs, the Cebuanos or llocanos as different from one another as the Scots, the English, and the Irish are? One writer, commenting on this, had this to say</span><br />
<span abp="1140" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div abp="1141">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1144" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1145">
<i abp="1146"><span abp="1147" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It is difficult, if not impossible, to define what a Filipino is. All that can be done is to pick out some traits common to the average Filipinos and to separate those that are obviously Spanish or American."</span></i><o:p abp="1148"></o:p><br />
<i abp="1146"><span abp="1147" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="1149" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1150">
</div>
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<div abp="1154" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1155">
<span abp="1156" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This cultural status is the reason why Filipinos are faced with no choice but to showcase in the forefront the long-preserved Moro cultures in foreign cultural presentations, because there is no longer distinct Filipino culture to speak of, except a mixture of Spanish, American and a few native ingredients.</span><o:p abp="1157"></o:p></div>
</div>
<div abp="1158" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1159">
</div>
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<div abp="1162" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1163">
<span abp="1164" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In 1991 the Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines Jose Ibarra, a career diplomat, speaking on the Mexican-Filipino relations, made this glaring statement:</span><o:p abp="1165"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1164" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1166" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1167">
</div>
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<div abp="1170" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1171">
<i abp="1172"><span abp="1173" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Both our roots belong to Western civilization. In our music and dance, in our folk arts, in our language, and in our peculiarities and natural tendencies live our lives in festive air, we enjoy similarities in culture and affinities in character.</span></i><o:p abp="1174"></o:p><br />
<i abp="1172"><span abp="1173" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="1175" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1176">
</div>
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<div abp="1180" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1181">
<span abp="1182" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One may not believe it, but the Pilipino, the official Filipino language, has 18,000 Spanish words in it as against only 5,000 of Malay origin." This is how extensive and deep-rooted the hispanization of the Filipinos is. The American contribution is yet to be accounted for, but is patently dominant in the Philippine political and educational systems.</span><o:p abp="1183"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1182" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1184" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1185">
<span abp="1186" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">On the other hand and by comparison, Moro culture remains so to this day, basically Malay despite the admixture of Hindu, Chinese, and later Arabian (or rather Islamized). With these factors plus the effects of geography and other forces of history, the result was customs and a tradition peculiarly "moroized." It is not "arabized," it is not "indianized" or "chinized."</span><br />
<span abp="1186" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div abp="1187">
</div>
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<div abp="1190" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1191">
<span abp="1192" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1193"><span abp="1194" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3. Other Minor Variations </span></b><span abp="1195" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">- There may be other variations or diversities in the socio-economic, cultural or political development of the Moros, but all these are not so emphasized so as to lose sight of their "distinctness" as a separate group. Among these are their difference in historical development, livelihood patterns, social organizations, level of Islamic acculturation, manner of dressing, and even their arts.</span><o:p abp="1196"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1192" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1195" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div abp="1197" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1198">
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<div abp="1201" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1202">
<span abp="1203" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Even if these observations are true for the Moros, they do not make the Moro status exceptional. There are nations, even states, which are pervaded by a variety of differences in national origin, language, religion, and cultural patterns, and yet they exhibited strong sense of national unity. The heterogeneous elements in these states rather worked surprisingly to their advantage, particularly when confronted by external dangers. The United States and Switzerland are two of such states. The United States has often been called a "nation of immigrants." It has taken in more immigrants than any other nations in history; in fact, except for the pure-blooded Indians, every US citizen is either an immigrant or descended from immigrants.</span><o:p abp="1204"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1203" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1205" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1206">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1209" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1210">
<span abp="1211" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If there have been points raised to cast doubt on the existence of a Moro nation, there are points as well in support of it. The following are some of these points:</span><o:p abp="1212"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1211" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1213" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1214">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1217" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1218">
<span abp="1219" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1220"><span abp="1221" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1. Common Racial Origin</span></b><span abp="1222" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - As has been discussed earlier, except for the very minority Negritos, all the inhabitants of the archipelago including the Moros belonged to one racial stock, the Indo-Malayan. And all the indigenous dialects of the Moros, together with all those in Luzon and the Visayas, are related in varying degrees to one another and with a common root from one parent-stock. the Austronesian or Malayo-Polynesian language. Even up to the present, the lexicon of the various Moro dialects contain derivatives or roots that are, beyond doubt, of Malayan origin.</span><o:p abp="1223"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1219" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1222" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1224" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1225">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1228" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1229">
<span abp="1230" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1231"><span abp="1232" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2. Common Religion</span></b><span abp="1233" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - Invariably the ethnic tribes of the Moros accepted Islam without reservation, an acceptance that came sometimes more from fanaticism rather than from conviction. If there is one factor that gave them direction, spirit and cohesiveness, hence securing for them their homeland, it was Islam. It was Islam which taught them that war with Spain was a sacred obligation, with In assured place in heaven as a reward.</span><o:p abp="1234"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1230" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1233" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1235" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1236">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1239" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1240">
<span abp="1241" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Despite the differences in the degree of their Islamic acculturation, all the thirteen ethno-linguistic groups chose Islam as their religion. They tenaciously clung to it, for better or for worse, and they survived.</span><o:p abp="1242"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1241" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1243" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1244">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1247" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1248">
<span abp="1249" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">However, one crucial fact in the larger picture that should be considered is that the Moros and Filipinos tend to live in two different worlds, the former having maintained their roots more firmly in the Islamized Malay world and inherited much from the Islamic civilization of Arabia and the Middle East, while the latter looked to the West - to Spain, for their Catholic religion and much of their customs and traditions, and to America for their second language, English, and their political institutions."</span><o:p abp="1250"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1249" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1251" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1252">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1255" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1256">
<span abp="1257" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1258"><span abp="1259" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3. Shared History</span></b><span abp="1260" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - All the best Spanish generals had been pitted against the Moros and all but none had to admit that these "obscure Malays" were far from---easypickings." And the fight did not happen for a day or months but for 320 years, or to be exact, from 1578 to 1898 when America came in to impose a self-given "mandate in Moroland."</span><o:p abp="1261"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1257" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1260" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1262" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1263">
<span abp="1264" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The history of the Moros neither began at the coming of Spain nor stopped at her exit. Her coming was merely an "accident in history" and an interlude in the long and colorful annals of this group of Malays. Before the Spaniards, they were already on their own and were already on the verge of claiming more territories and peoples, not through the! force of arms and trickery but through the charms of the faith and the magic of love for brethren of a common race. After 1898, starting with America, the saga continues to this day.</span><o:p abp="1265"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1264" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1266" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1267">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1270" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1271">
<span abp="1272" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In all these long years, all the thirteen Moro groups have had a share, though in varying roles, in the defense of the faith, people and homeland. The Badjaos, though sometimes pejoratively tagged even by their Muslim neighbors as "Samal Palau" (House-boat Samal) or "Samal Luwan" (Outcast Samal), may not have actually participated in the wars, but the fact that they served the sultan of Sulu as subjects is nevertheless also a role in history.</span><o:p abp="1273"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1272" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1274" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1275">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1278" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1279">
<span abp="1280" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1281"><span abp="1282" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">4. Organized Government</span></b><span abp="1283" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - Unlike the barangays of the North, fragmented as they had always been, the Moros had their centralized government patterned after the Arabian model and, later, on the Turkish fashion. The realm was headed by the <i abp="1284">sultan </i>(hence the political institution called <i abp="1285">sultanate), </i>who inherited his position by direct descent in a royal bloodline of Hashimite root. Below the <i abp="1286">sultan </i>was the heir-apparent or <i abp="1287">rajahmuda </i>or crown prince, and in the lower tier of the hierarchy were the administrative officers or ministers, the judge or <i abp="1288">qadi </i>as head of the judiciary or <i abp="1289">agama court, </i>the naval commander or <i abp="1290">rajah laut </i>or <i abp="1291">kapitan laut, </i>and not the least, the council of elders or <i abp="1292">Ruma Bichara </i>in Sulu or <i abp="1293">Bichara Atas </i>in Maguindanao.</span><o:p abp="1294"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1280" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1283" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1295" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1296">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1299" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1300">
<span abp="1301" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In describing the court of the sultan, one writer had these words:</span><o:p abp="1302"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1301" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1303" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1304">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1307" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1308">
<i abp="1309"><span abp="1310" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The sultan's court was convoked with ostentation and ceremony. He himself sat enthroned on a raised dais with his full entourage seated on the floor; foreign emissaries remained on their fee t to present official communications in lacquered boxes. Small brass swivel guns (lantakas) were conspicuously displayed, not so</span></i><o:p abp="1311"></o:p><br />
<i abp="1309"><span abp="1310" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="1312" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1313">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1317" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1318">
<span abp="1319" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">An example of a tiny state is Monaco, in Europe, with a population of about 30,000 and total land area of 1.95 square kilometers. Its principal source of income is gambling and tourism. Second is Luxembourg, also in Europe, with a population of a little over 30,000 and area of 2.586 square kilometers.</span><o:p abp="1320"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1319" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1321" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1322">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1325" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1326">
<span abp="1327" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">On the contrary, Mindanao alone is bigger than Monaco and Luxembourg. It has a total land area of 117,000 square kilometers. It is very rich in natural resources, outside the typhoon belt, and the weather is excellent. Even the Moros number no fewer than five million.</span><o:p abp="1328"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1327" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1329" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1330">
</div>
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<div abp="1333" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1334">
<span abp="1335" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1336"><span abp="1337" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">5. Independence Intact </span></b><span abp="1338" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">- To cap it all, and without being redundant, there is nothing more convincing about the fact that there is indeed a Moro nation than to restate again and again that throughout the 377 years of Spanish presence in the Philippines the Moros remained unconquered. And whatever Spain might have said of her sovereignty over the Moro dominion was nothing but mere proclamation for, in truth and in fact, this sovereignty was only felt and enforced inside her fortifications and garrisons. One may argue, however, that in the closing years of the Spanish regime on the eve of the entry of the United States the various sultanates especially Sulu and Maguindanao had greatly weakened. This is as if to say that it was a matter of time before they could all have been subdued by force of arms. But this supposition did not take place in fact and cannot be argued to have actually taken place, in roughly the same way that it is pure historical speculation to say that had not Spain arrived at the time it did, all the people of the entire archipelago could have become Muslims</span></span><br />
<span abp="1335" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1338" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. </span><o:p abp="1339"></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1340" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1341">
<span abp="1342" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><span abp="1343" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <b abp="1344"><span abp="1345" style="color: red;">The Modern Rationale<o:p abp="1346"></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<span abp="1343" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1344"><span abp="1345" style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1347" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1348">
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<div abp="1352" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1353">
<span abp="1354" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The actual "statehood" of the sultanate in the light of modern day contemplation is a timely or pertinent topic in this discussion, particularly the matter of the capacity of these sultanates for treaty-making. The value of this subject matter to our discussion cannot be overstated. However, even granting that the Moros had already constituted a nation, but a nation is primarily a racial or ethnic concept. It is not a juridical or political entity that is clothed with authority and responsibility to rule as imbued on a state. Nation and state are two different things.</span><o:p abp="1355"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1354" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1356" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1357">
</div>
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<div abp="1360" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1361">
<span abp="1362" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">However, before expounding on this further, let us understand first what is a <i abp="1363">state. </i>One American authority defined <i abp="1364">state </i>as a "community of persons more or less numerous, permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, independent *of external control. and possessing an organized government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual obedience. From this definition, a <i abp="1365">state </i>has four requisites for existence, namely, people, territory, government and independence or sovereignty. There is a minority view which added two more requisites: possession of a sufficient degree of civilization and recognition by the family of nations..</span><o:p abp="1366"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1362" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1367" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1368">
</div>
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<div abp="1371" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1372">
<span abp="1373" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Since this work is not a legal thesis and therefore an exhaustive discussion of the subject of statehood is not within its province. It will therefore employ a more casual approach to the subject.</span><o:p abp="1374"></o:p><br />
<span abp="1373" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1375" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1376">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1379" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1380">
<span abp="1381" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1382"><i abp="1383"><span abp="1384" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1. People</span></i></b><i abp="1385"><span abp="1386" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span abp="1387" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">- According to authorities on the subject of statehood. the number of people-inhabitants must be sufficient enough to ensure survival irrespective of race, color, religion or culture. The 'important thing is that they would be able to perpetuate themselves for political ends. The State of Vatican, as aforecited, has only a population of 1,000. Easily the three sultanates could pass this requirement.</span><o:p abp="1388"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1381" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1387" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1389" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1390">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1393" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1394">
<span abp="1395" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1396"><i abp="1397"><span abp="1398" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2. Territory</span></i></b><i abp="1399"><span abp="1400" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span abp="1401" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">- The space by which the state exists must be more or less permanent, big or small. in order "to settle eventual disputes on jurisdiction." The jurisdiction of these sultanates were rendered more valid when they entered into treaties delineating their boundaries and jurisdiction.</span><o:p abp="1402"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1395" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1401" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1403" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1404">
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<div abp="1407" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1408">
<span abp="1409" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1410"><i abp="1411"><span abp="1412" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3. Government</span></i></b><span abp="1413" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - "As instrumentality of this political unity," these sultanates had organized political machineries by which their powers were expressed and to make real their will and functions. This is discussed earlier in this chapter on how the sultanate conducted its day-to-day state affairs.</span><o:p abp="1414"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1409" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1413" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1415" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1416">
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<div abp="1419" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1420">
<span abp="1421" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1422"><i abp="1423"><span abp="1424" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">4. Independence or Sovereignty</span></i></b><span abp="1425" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - The state has the freedom from external control in the conduct of its internal and external affairs. The fact that the sultanate had survived for more than three centuries is the best testimony to this sovereignty or independence.</span></span><span abp="1426" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br abp="1427" /></span><br />
<span abp="1421" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1425" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1428" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1429">
<span abp="1430" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1431"><i abp="1432"><span abp="1433" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">5. Sufficient Degree of Civilization</span></i></b><i abp="1434"><span abp="1435" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span abp="1436" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">- Is it not a fact that the Moros had a longer history than any group in the Philippines, and does not this follow that they had a richer and more colorful civilization? Long before the appearance of the Westerners in Asia, the Moros were already civilized. They possessed a Malayan civilization and then enriched by Indian, Chinese, and Arabic influences. Perhaps all that is necessary for the Doubting Thomases to prove or disprove this is to scan the pages of history books to verify for themselves the truth of this thesis.</span><o:p abp="1437"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1430" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1436" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1438" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1439">
</div>
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<div abp="1442" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1443">
<span abp="1444" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="1445"><i abp="1446"><span abp="1447" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">6. Recognition by the Family of Nations</span></i></b><span abp="1448" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - The United Nations was only organized in 1945. The League of Nations, though founded earlier in 1920, was practically an inutile organization. The United States was not even a formal member. </span><o:p abp="1449"></o:p></span><br />
<span abp="1444" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1448" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span>
<span abp="1444" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1448" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div abp="1454" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1455">
<b abp="1456"><span abp="1457" style="color: #8064a2;"><span abp="1458" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">CHAPTER III – THE INVADED HOMELAND<o:p abp="1459"></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b abp="1456"><span abp="1457" style="color: #8064a2;"><span abp="1458" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<div abp="1466">
<b abp="1467"><span abp="1468" style="color: red;"><span abp="1469" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Flashback<o:p abp="1470"></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span abp="1478" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As mentioned earlier, the foothold of Spain in the Philippines is an accident in history. Ferdinand Magellan, leading an expedition of 250 men and five ships, was actually looking for the "Spice Islands, 112 where the highly profitable spice grew in abundance. He thought that these islands were in the Pacific Ocean close to America. Commissioned by King Charles I of Spain, he proceeded with his idea that the East could be reached by sailing West and, on September 20, 1519 from San Lucar, Spain, he and his crew left by cruising around the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa and then West around South America through a tortuous passage bearing his name, the Strait of Magellan. For more than four months of incredible hardships, marred sometimes by mutiny and no land in sight, his only orders were: "sail," "sail," and "sail." And at last, on March 17, 1521, they sighted the island of Samar, which they named the "Archipelago of St. Lazarus"; stopped briefly at the islet of Homonhon, and then disembarked at Limasawa, another islet south of Leyte. At Limasawa, Magellan celebrated the first Catholic mass in the Philippines on March 31, 1521. From here, not long after, the conquest or conversion of the various islands was effected, except the island of Mactan under Rajah Lapu-Lapu, who chose fire and blood to abject submission. He flatly refused to give even an inch of his land or to compromise his freedom. The dispute was thus to be settled by force of arms. In the famous Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521 the Spaniards, despite armed with muskets, crossbows, swords and body armor, were utterly routed. With his own hands, Rajah Lapu-Lapu slew Magellan.</span><o:p abp="1479"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1486" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Magellan was Portuguese by nationality. Portugal originally assigned him to India as a soldier. Accused of embezzlement during his army stint and later indicted, he left and enlisted in the Spanish navy as a mercenary. Soon enough he won the trust of his new masters and was sent to lead the expedition to locate the Spice Islands.</span><o:p abp="1487"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1494" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">After the debacle at Mactan, Charles I sent three more expeditions: in 1525, 1526 and 1527, but all ended in dismal failure. Disheartened and bankrupt, Charles 1 agreed to sign the Treaty of Zaragosa on April 22,1529 with Portugal. The treaty provided, among other stipulations, that a demarcation line in the Pacific at 297.5 leagues east of the Moluccas be drawn: All lands west of the line belonged to Portugal and all those east went to Spain. With this definition, the Moluccas, which Spain sold to Portugal, and the Philippines, which Spain also claimed, both belonged to Portugal.</span><o:p abp="1495"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1498" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Again, despite this treaty, greed and faithlessness had their day in Charles 1 when, in 1542, he made a last-ditch effort to obtain a foothold in the East. He fitted an expedition under the command of Ruy de Villalobos with the specific order to establish permanent settlement in the Islas del Poniente or "Western Islands" or the Philippines. After a year of sea voyage, Villalobos, in the company of four Augustinian priests, landed on the island of Sarangani, south of Mindanao, and tried to establish a permanent footing. Because of the stiff hostilities of the Moros, in addition to the poverty of the place they were forced "to cat cats, dogs and rats, gray lizards and unknown plants" - the Spaniards hurriedly left. On the way home, Bernardo de Ia Torre, one of the crew, while passing by the islands of Samar-Leyte, gave to these islands the name Filipinas in honor of Philip, then the Spanish crown prince and later, King Philip 11, who succeeded Charles I. The name was later applied to the entire archipelago, hence, its present form Philippines.</span><o:p abp="1499"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1506" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1507" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In 1556, Philip II ascended the throne and made it an official policy to colonize the Philippines. In November 1564, the expedition under Miguel Lopez de Legazpi left Mexico. Accompanying him as chief adviser and navigator was Fray Andres de Urdaneta, a scholar priest and veteran of the previous Loaysa Expedition. Appraised of the mission, Urdaneta objected because the Zaragosa Treaty was still in effect. But there was nothing he could do: first, they were already in the high seas, and second, Legaspi ignored his advice anyway. The King ordered Legaspi to proceed to the Philippines and to make it a permanent colony of Spain. On April 27,1565 the Spaniards landed in Panay, and from there they wrested all the islands, one after the other, from the various local chieftains. After securing all these areas, Legaspi sent Captain Martin de Goiti to Luzon where a fortified town called Manila was located.</span><span abp="1508" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></div>
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<b abp="1526"><span abp="1527" style="color: red;"><span abp="1528" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Moro–Spanish Intramural<o:p abp="1529"></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span abp="1537" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The town of Manila was ruled by Rajah Sulaiman Mahmud and Rajah Matanda (jointly or assisted by the latter) and Tondo by Rajah Lakandula. All supremos were of Bornean origin and in fact were closely related to the Brunei sultan.</span><o:p abp="1538"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1541" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">At this juncture, it is necessary to clarify, contrary to popular perception, two important points in history. First, the first group of people whom the Spaniards in 1570 called Moros were those in Manila and environs and not the islamized natives in Mindanao and Sulu; and second, the first Moro-Spanish War was not fought in the soils of Mindanao and Sulu but right in what is now Metropolitan Manila.</span><o:p abp="1542"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1549" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For the first time after the fall of Granada in 1492, the Spaniards and the Moros, nay Muslims, came face-to-face, each circling half the earth in opposite directions. Each was already seething with anger for the other. They had a big score to settle. The Spaniards hated the Muslims for they ruled Spain for about 800 years, while the Muslims could not forgive the Spaniards for the massacre of more than three million Muslims when the Christians recaptured Spain.</span><o:p abp="1550"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1557" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Now the hour of reckoning was at hand. Commanding the Spanish troops was Captain Martin de Goiti while Rajah Sulaiman was leading the native defenders. In a threatening voice, the fearless Sulaiman made his stand clear:</span><o:p abp="1558"></o:p></div>
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<i abp="1565"><span abp="1566" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We wish to be the friends of all nations. But they must understand that we cannot tolerate any abuse. On the contrary, we will repay with death the least thing that touches our honor.</span></i><o:p abp="1567"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1575" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In effect, this represented the first expression of patriotic sentiments by a native chief against an alien power. Bold and piercing, this was a foreign policy declaration.</span><o:p abp="1576"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1583" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">True to his words, reminiscent of the Islamic slogan of all ages, "Victory or Martyrdom Rajah Sulaiman, the last Muslim ruler of Manila, preferred martyrdom than to submit to the Spaniards. At the famous Battle of Bangkusay, off Tondo's shore, on June 3, 1571, Rajah Sulaiman perished - but his memory and example remained.</span><o:p abp="1584"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1591" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">After the fall of Manila, all resistance to Spanish rule, except those fought in Mindoro in 1574 and the so-called aborted Magat Salamat Conspiracy in 1587, had died down entirely in Luzon and the Visayas within a brief span of just eleven years. The Spaniards now became the new masters, not just for one barangay or confederation of barangays but for the entire islands of Luzon and Visayas. This was to last for 327 years.</span><o:p abp="1592"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="1599" style="color: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span abp="1600" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After formally integrating all the conquered islands into the Spanish Empire with Manila as the colony's capital in 1571, now dubbed as "New Spain," the next tasks were to secure the new territory from external threat and to push further the Crown's colonial designs. Spain came to conquer and acquired gold - usually in the name or aid of the Cross. She was prepared to move heaven and earth, so to speak, and to risk everything if only to monopolize the ultra-profitable spice trade. So huge and rewarding was this trade that the survivors of the Mactan and later the Cebu carriages, who barely made their escape home, managed to procure spice along the way, sold the commodity and were still left with considerable gains even after defraying the cost of the four wrecked ships and paying for the 232 dead, including Magellan. And owing to the severe rivalries between the Dutch and the Portuguese for the control of the spice trade, Spain fitted a large expedition in 1578 to attack the Brunei sultanate believing that it was in alliance with the Portuguese, or that it lay within her sphere of influence. Initial good luck was on the side of the Spaniards for they defeated the sultanate, albeit temporarily. <o:p abp="1601"></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b abp="1608"><span abp="1609" style="color: red;"><span abp="1610" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Moro-Spanish War<o:p abp="1611"></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span abp="1619" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Indeed, the defeat of Rajah Sulaiman in Manila represented the first chapter in the long years of Moro-Spanish confrontations in the Philippines. The next and final chapter is what we are now about to start.</span></div>
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<span abp="1622" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="1623" style="color: navy;">After the Brunei expedition, Spanish eyes focused on the Sulu sultanate, which was suspected to be in alliance with Brunei. In fact, the two royal houses were related by a series of intermarriages. In the same year, Spain put up a large expedition under the command of Capt. Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa, who also commanded the </span><span abp="1624" style="color: navy;">Brunei campaign, to attack Sulu. Sultan Buddiman Pangiran, then the reigning sultan, resisted the invasion and although the attack was partly successful on the part of the Spaniards but its implication was far-reaching. This was the virtual declaration of war by Spain against the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu. As a matter of fact, this was the official beginning of the Moro-Spanish War which was to drag on and remain undecided for 320 long years or until the Spaniards were ejected from the Philippines by the Americans in 1898.</span></span></div>
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<span abp="1631" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the Spanish Crown, the war was to subdue a pagan people, to curb "Piracy," to stop the Moros from sealing alliances with other foreign European powers, and to forestall the entry of rivals into the field of the spice trade. Conversion to Catholicism was evidently not in the priority list, knowing too well that the Moros would prefer death to conversion. For the Moros, the war was in defense of Islam, people and homeland. It was a sacred obligation, with an assured place in heaven as a recompense.</span></div>
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<span abp="1637" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The instructions of Gov. Gen. Francisco de Sande to Capt. Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa on the siege of Sulu in June 1578 and Mindanao in April 1596 were the following:</span></div>
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<span abp="1644" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="1645">You shall order them Moros] that there be not among them anymore preachers of the doctrines of Mahoma (Muhammad) since it is evil and false and that of the Christian alone is good. And because we have been in these islands so short a time, the lord of Bindanao: [sic] has been deceived by the preachers of Borney, and the people have become Moros. You shall tell that our object is that he be converted to Christianity; and that he must allow us freely to preach the law of the Christian, and the natives must beallowed to go to hear the preaching and be converted, without receiving harm from the chiefs. And you shall try to ascertain who are the preachers of the sect of Mahoma, and shall burn or destroy the house where that accursed doctrine has been preached, and you shall see that it be not rebuilt.</i></span></div>
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<span abp="1655" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gov. Gen. Francisco de Sande gave similar instructions to Captain Gabriel de Rivera earlier on January 15, 1579.</span></div>
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<span abp="1662" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Both the Figueroa and Rivera missions 'to Sulu and Maguindanao, respectively, did not accomplish significant successes. Figueroa merely made the Sulu sultan sue for temporary peace, while Rivera failed to establish contact with the chief of the Pulangi (River).</span></div>
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<span abp="1671" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meantime, the Spanish government in Manila adopted an official policy to colonize Mindanao. For the purpose, the colonial government and Capt. Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa signed an agreement whereby the latter, in exchange for enormous material benefits and a position to be inherited by a son or heir, would pacify the island of Mindanao and establish a colony in the Pulangi at his own expense.</span></div>
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<span abp="1680" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Accordingly, on April 1, 1596 Figueroa left for Mindanao with fifty war vessels, 214 Spaniards and 1,500 native allies. After three weeks of sea voyage, the fleet reached the mouth of the Pulangi or what the Spaniards called Rio Grande de Mindanao and they started cruising upstream which was tough and exhausting. The river current was swift. They landed at Tampakan, and immediately Figueroa lined up his troops in battle array and delivered a stirring speech:</span></div>
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<span abp="1689" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="1690"> Soldiers of Felipe! We stand upon the newest soil of Spain. To subdue this dark forest and rid the soil of the infidel Moslem is our aim. They submit as vassals and converts or fall before the Spanish blades. Forward to our duty for King and country."</i></span></div>
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<span abp="1700" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Few moments later, the jungle shook with the fierce battle that followed. Leading the Maguindanao warriors were the brothers, Rajah Silongan and Datu Ubal. On the Spanish side was Figueroa, aided by Juan de Lara. Clad in body armor, Figueroa sallied forth and barely hat] he taken a few steps when his head was cleft in two by a kampilan, a long and straight-edged Moro cutlass, wielded by Datu Ubal. The loss of their leader demoralized the Spaniards and more so when Juan de Lara, the next in command, hurriedly left for Manila "to report."</span></div>
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<span abp="1709" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The news spread like a prairie fire in Manila. The Spaniards were furious over the death of Figueroa, but the Jesuits were the most aggrieved for they had varied interests in the conquest of Mindanao. They branded the Moros "traitors."</span></div>
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<span abp="1718" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1599, the Moros, aware that defensive war was the beginning of defeat, decided to bring the war over into the enemy territory and staged counterattacks. This was what hostile writers fondly called "Moro piracy." The reprisal scheme was to cripple the enemy power base, exact tribute, and to take advantage of the critical situation faced by Spain due to the threat posed by the Dutch.</span></div>
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<div abp="1726">
<span abp="1727" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Quite absurd was the charge of piracy. If there had been incidents of piracy against the natives prior to the start of the Moro-Spanish War in 1578, those were so small in number as to be negligible. However, whatever may have been said on this subject, the truth stands that it was Spain that started the confrontation and it was natural for the Moros to defend themselves and hit back, if and when possible. On the issue of piracy, the Spanish double-standard was bared: If she attacked the Moros she called it "holy war," but if the latter hit back it was "piracy."</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1728" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1729" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="1730">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1733" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1734" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="1735">
<span abp="1736" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The year-round raids conducted by the Moros engulfed the natives in the Spanish-held territories with fear, despair and anxiety. The raiders netted tens of thousands of prisoners, jewelry, precious ornaments, cannons, and other valuable materials. By this time, the Spaniards were already beginning to realize the high price of the bloody venture they had indulged in and if ever they thought of backing out, it was already too late. But the losses of the masters were easily dwarfed by those of the subjects, who were caught between oppression from their masters and attacks by their masters' foes. They were simply sandwiched between two evils.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1737" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1738" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="1739">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1742" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1743" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="1744">
<span abp="1745" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In one of these raids, where a Jesuit priest, Melchor Hurtado, was captured in 1603 by Datu Buisan of Maguindanao, a very interesting dialogue took place between him and the datus of Leyte. Buisan asked the datus whether they and their people as well as. those of Panay, Mindoro, and Batangas, all Spanish subjects, had been protected by the Spaniards. Of course, the Leyte datus did not need to confirm what was obvious. He urged them that if they joined hands with the Maguindanaos, it would be easy to thwart off the Spanish yoke. As a result, Buisan and the datus entered into a blood compact and they became "ritual brothers."</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1746" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1747" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="1748">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1751" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1752" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="1753">
<span abp="1754" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In another raid in 1627, a Sulu fleet of more than thirty boats of various sizes and about 2,000 men personally led by Sultan Bungsu attacked the Spanish shipyard in Camarines. The garrison was overrun and the raiders captured artillery, guns, ammunition, iron and brass pieces, and 300 prisoners, including a Spanish lady named Dona Lucia. 11 The raiders, after divesting the garrison of all valuables, burned the shipyard.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1755" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1756" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1757">
<span abp="1758" style="color: navy;"><br abp="1759" /></span><b abp="1760"><i abp="1761"><span abp="1762" style="color: red; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span abp="1763" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Scourge of Spain<o:p abp="1764"></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<span abp="1765" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1766" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1767">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1772" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1773" align="justify">
<div abp="1774">
<span abp="1775" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The crucial point in the history of the Moros came in 1619 when Sultan Dipatuan Muhammad Qudarat ascended the throne of the Maguindanao sultanate. During his reign, the sultanate achieved power and fame unparalleled in the entire history of Mindanao and Sulu. He was gifted with the exquisite qualities of a great leader. He was intelligent, religious, decisive, kind, and just. Holding Spain at bay for half a century and outlasting at least eight governor generals," he was regarded as "providentially created to punish the bad Spaniards." The natives in the Spanish-held territories were ready to do whatever Spain wanted them except "to take up arms against Qudarat." Spain considered him as the single greatest obstacle in the efforts to subjugate the whole of Mindanao. Qudarat's sphere of power and influence, aside from his traditional dominion over the whole of Cotabato, Lanao, Davao, Misamis', Bukidnon and Zamboanga, was so extensive that he was able to collect tributes from the seafaring inhabitants of the coast of Borneo and some areas of Basilan and the Visayas. During his time, the Maguindanao sultanate achieved its golden age.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1776" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1777" align="justify">
<div abp="1778">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1781" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1782" align="justify">
<div abp="1783">
<span abp="1784" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In view of this awesome situation in the northern islands caused by the Moros under Sultan Qudarat, the Spanish Crown decided to shift the battle arena to Mindanao. Mindanao was ordered to be pacified at all cost. This was in response to the series of victories inflicted by the Moro raiders. In fewer than thirty years, no less than 20,000 persons were taken captive by the Moro marauders and sold to the markets of Batavia, Ternate, Amboina, Makassar, Java and Madras.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1785" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1786" align="justify">
<div abp="1787">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1790" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1791" align="justify">
<div abp="1792">
<span abp="1793" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.The task of pacifying Mindanao fell on Gov. Gen. Hurtado de Corcuera in 1635. On March 13, 1637, Corcuera left Zamboanga and landed at Lamitan 13 and started the assault immediately. Initially he encountered minor oppositions, but as he and 800 soldiers kept pressing inland and towards the heavily fortified capital, fighting intensified, causing wanton sacrifice of lives. Qudarat himself was wounded and was on the verge of capture, but owing to some "magical powers" attributed to him he was able to slip past the ranks of the Spaniards. One of his wives, holding an infant, threw herself into a cliff to avoid becoming a captive. Lamitan was razed to the ground. Sultan Qudarat lost eight bronze cannons, 27 lantakas (small brass cannon) and 100 muskets, in addition to heavy casualties including 27 followers whose heads were propped up on spikes.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1794" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1795" align="justify">
<div abp="1796">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1799" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1800" align="justify">
<div abp="1801">
<span abp="1802" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This brief victory of Spain over Qudarat became the origin of the Moro-Moro, a blood-and-thunder play in which the Christians always emerged victorious over the Moros. Since that time the play has become an integral part of all Filipino folk and religious festivals. Corcuera became an instant hero and his return to Manila amidst pompous and colorful preparations, occasioned unending jubilations over the Spanish victory.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1803" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1804" align="justify">
<div abp="1805">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1808" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1809" align="justify">
<div abp="1810">
<span abp="1811" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The defeat of Qudarat at Lamitan did not weaken his resolve to drive out the Spaniards. To him, this was only temporary and no more than "a year's harvest." In the meantime, he took refuge at the Lake Lanao region, and it was here that he delivered his most famous speech, exhorting the Maranao datus and sultans to carry on the fight:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1812" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1813" align="justify">
<div abp="1814">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1817" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1818" align="justify">
<div abp="1819">
<i abp="1820"><span abp="1821" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You men of the lake, forgetting your ancient liberty, have submitted to the Castillians. Submission is sheer stupidity.</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="1822" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1823" align="justify">
<div abp="1824">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1828" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1829" align="justify">
<div abp="1830">
<i abp="1831"><span abp="1832" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You cannot realize to what your surrender binds you. You are selling yourselves to toil for the benefit of these foreigners.</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="1833" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1834" align="justify">
<div abp="1835">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1839" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1840" align="justify">
<div abp="1841">
<i abp="1842"><span abp="1843" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look at the regions that have already submitted to them. Note how abject is the state to which their people are reduced. Behold the condition of the Tagalogs and of the Visayas whose chiefs are trampled upon by the meanest Castillians. If you are no better in spirit than them, then you must expect similar treatment. You, like them, will be obliged to row the galleys. Just as they do, you will have to toil at the ship-building and labor without ceasing on the other public works. You can see for yourselves that you will experience the hardest treatment thus employed.</span></i></div>
<div abp="1844">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1848" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1849" align="justify">
<div abp="1850">
<i abp="1851"><span abp="1852" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be men, let me aid you to resist. All the strength of my sultanate, I promise you, shall be in your defence.</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="1853" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1854" align="justify">
<div abp="1855">
<i abp="1856"><span abp="1857" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What matters if the Castillians at first are successful? That means only the loss of a year's harvest. Do you think that is too dear a price to pay for liberty?"</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="1858" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1859" align="justify">
<div abp="1860">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1864" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1865" align="justify">
<div abp="1866">
<span abp="1867" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The exhortation found its mark and the lake Moros were back into fighting form and shortly after they attacked and succeeded in capturing the Spanish fort and set it ablaze. The garrison was evacuated and the Spaniards did not return until after two centuries.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1868" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1869" align="justify">
<div abp="1870">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1873" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1874" align="justify">
<div abp="1875">
<span abp="1876" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Barely a year after his victory over Sultan Qudarat, Gov. Gen. Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera led the invasion of Sulu. On January 4, 1638, 500 Spaniards and 1,000 native allies landed in Sulu. Committed to defend Jolo, the Sulu capital, were warriors who numbered 4,000 including allies from Borneo and Makassar. The confrontation started immediately, and after more than three months of continued fighting, neither side could claim victory. Both suffered heavy losses. On the side of the attackers, five of their finest officers were slain, including an undetermined number of their men. In the end, the conclusion was a negotiated settlement. Sultan, Bongsu agreed to the truce, considering the hopeless situation facing his defenders. They were struck by epidemics, possibly cholera or dysentery.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1877" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1878" align="justify">
<div abp="1879">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1882" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1883" align="justify">
<div abp="1884">
<span abp="1885" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Qudarat, after a decade, succeeded in 1637 to extend his political sway to almost the whole of Mindanao. This time, even the northern part including Caraga was under his sphere of influence. Sultan Qudarat declared jihad against Spain and invited the rulers of Brunei, Sulu, Ternate and Makassar to unite and join forces with his sultanate in defence of Islam. In response, all succeeding wars with Spain witnessed Borneans, Ternatans, Makassars, and Sulus rallying together for the cause. Thenceforth all expeditions against his sultanate ended in failure. Qudarat died of old age of 90 in 1671.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1886" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1887" align="justify">
<div abp="1888">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1891" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1892" align="justify">
<div abp="1893">
<span abp="1894" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the intervening years. from 1663 up to the next half a century, first, in the face of the Dutch victories in the Moluccas and the resultant threat to Manila and, second, by the Koxinga's impending invasion threat, the Spanish Crown found it most imperative to consolidate home defences. Spanish troops serving in the various Mindanao garrisons were recalled to Manila. The main fort in Zamboanga was also abandoned. And as a tactical move, they again negotiated treaties with the sultanates of Sulu and Maguindanao, obviously to neutralize the Moros while the dangers were still there.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1895" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1896" align="justify">
<div abp="1897">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1900" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1901" align="justify">
<div abp="1902">
<span abp="1903" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Throughout this period, there was general peace in Mindanao and Sulu and the few remaining missions, such as Caraga and Dapitan, were left unmolested. The prevailing peace also allowed the Maguindanao and Sulu sultanates to consolidate their control over the areas they earlier held and to resume commercial activities with their Malay neighbors, as well as with the Dutch and the English.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1904" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1905" align="justify">
<div abp="1906">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1909" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1910" align="justify">
<div abp="1911">
<span abp="1912" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The crucial point in the history of the Moros came in 1619 when Sultan Dipatuan Muhammad Qudarat ascended the throne of the Maguindanao sultanate. During his reign, the sultanate achieved power and fame unparalleled in the entire history of Mindanao and Sulu. He was gifted with the exquisite qualities of a great leader. He was intelligent, religious, decisive, kind, and just. Holding Spain at bay for half a century and outlasting at least eight governor generals," he was regarded as "providentially created to punish the bad Spaniards." The natives in the Spanish-held territories were ready to do whatever Spain wanted them except "to take up arms against Qudarat." Spain considered him as the single greatest obstacle in the efforts to subjugate the whole of Mindanao. Qudarat's sphere of power and influence, aside from his traditional dominion over the whole of Cotabato, Lanao, Davao, Misamis', Bukidnon and Zamboanga, was so extensive that he was able to collect tributes from the seafaring inhabitants of the coast of Borneo and some areas of Basilan and the Visayas. During his time, the Maguindanao sultanate achieved its golden age.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1913" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1914" align="justify">
<div abp="1915">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1918" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1919" align="justify">
<div abp="1920">
<span abp="1921" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In view of this awesome situation in the northern islands caused by the Moros under Sultan Qudarat, the Spanish Crown decided to shift the battle arena to Mindanao. Mindanao was ordered to be pacified at all cost. This was in response to the series of victories inflicted by the Moro raiders. In fewer than thirty years, no less than 20,000 persons were taken captive by the Moro marauders and sold to the markets of Batavia, Ternate, Amboina, Makassar, Java and Madras.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1922" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1923" align="justify">
<div abp="1924">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1927" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1928" align="justify">
<div abp="1929">
<span abp="1930" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The task of pacifying Mindanao fell on Gov. Gen. Hurtado de Corcuera in 1635. On March 13, 1637, Corcuera left Zamboanga and landed at Lamitan 13 and started the assault immediately. Initially he encountered minor oppositions, but as he and 800 soldiers kept pressing inland and towards the heavily fortified capital, fighting intensified, causing wanton sacrifice of lives. Qudarat himself was wounded and was on the verge of capture, but owing to some "magical powers" attributed to him he was able to slip past the ranks of the Spaniards. One of his wives, holding an infant, threw herself into a cliff to avoid becoming a captive. Lamitan was razed to the ground. Sultan Qudarat lost eight bronze cannons, 27 lantakas (small brass cannon) and 100 muskets, in addition to heavy casualties including 27 followers whose heads were propped up on spikes.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1931" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1932" align="justify">
<div abp="1933">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1936" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1937" align="justify">
<div abp="1938">
<span abp="1939" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This brief victory of Spain over Qudarat became the origin of the Moro-Moro, a blood-and-thunder play in which the Christians always emerged victorious over the Moros. Since that time the play has become an integral part of all Filipino folk and religious festivals. Corcuera became an instant hero and his return to Manila amidst pompous and colorful preparations, occasioned unending jubilations over the Spanish victory.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1940" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1941" align="justify">
<div abp="1942">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1945" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1946" align="justify">
<div abp="1947">
<span abp="1948" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The defeat of Qudarat at Lamitan did not weaken his resolve to drive out the Spaniards. To him, this was only temporary and no more than "a year's harvest." In the meantime, he took refuge at the Lake Lanao region, and it was here that he delivered his most famous speech, exhorting the Maranao datus and sultans to carry on the fight:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1949" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1950" align="justify">
<div abp="1951">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1954" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1955" align="justify">
<div abp="1956">
<i abp="1957"><span abp="1958" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You men of the lake, forgetting your ancient liberty, have submitted to the Castillians. Submission is sheer stupidity.</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="1959" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1960" align="justify">
<div abp="1961">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1965" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1966" align="justify">
<div abp="1967">
<i abp="1968"><span abp="1969" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You cannot realize to what your surrender binds you. You are selling yourselves to toil for the benefit of these foreigners.</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="1970" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1971" align="justify">
<div abp="1972">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1976" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1977" align="justify">
<div abp="1978">
<i abp="1979"><span abp="1980" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look at the regions that have already submitted to them. Note how abject is the state to which their people are reduced. Behold the condition of the Tagalogs and of the Visayas whose chiefs are trampled upon by the meanest Castillians. If you are no better in spirit than them, then you must expect similar treatment. You, like them, will be obliged to row the galleys. Just as they do, you will have to toil at the ship-building and labor without ceasing on the other public works. You can see for yourselves that you will experience the hardest treatment thus employed.</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="1981" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1982" align="justify">
<div abp="1983">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="1987" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1988" align="justify">
<div abp="1989">
<i abp="1990"><span abp="1991" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be men, let me aid you to resist. All the strength of my sultanate, I promise you, shall be in your defence.</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="1992" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1993" align="justify">
<div abp="1994">
<i abp="1995"><span abp="1996" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What matters if the Castillians at first are successful? That means only the loss of a year's harvest. Do you think that is too dear a price to pay for liberty?"</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="1997" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="1998" align="justify">
<div abp="1999">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2003" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2004" align="justify">
<div abp="2005">
<span abp="2006" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The exhortation found its mark and the lake Moros were back into fighting form and shortly after they attacked and succeeded in capturing the Spanish fort and set it ablaze. The garrison was evacuated and the Spaniards did not return until after two centuries.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2007" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2008" align="justify">
<div abp="2009">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2012" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2013" align="justify">
<div abp="2014">
<span abp="2015" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Barely a year after his victory over Sultan Qudarat, Gov. Gen. Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera led the invasion of Sulu. On January 4, 1638, 500 Spaniards and 1,000 native allies landed in Sulu. Committed to defend Jolo, the Sulu capital, were warriors who numbered 4,000 including allies from Borneo and Makassar. The confrontation started immediately, and after more than three months of continued fighting, neither side could claim victory. Both suffered heavy losses. On the side of the attackers, five of their finest officers were slain, including an undetermined number of their men. In the end, the conclusion was a negotiated settlement. Sultan, Bongsu agreed to the truce, considering the hopeless situation facing his defenders. They were struck by epidemics, possibly cholera or dysentery.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2016" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2017" align="justify">
<div abp="2018">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2021" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2022" align="justify">
<div abp="2023">
<span abp="2024" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Qudarat, after a decade, succeeded in 1637 to extend his political sway to almost the whole of Mindanao. This time, even the northern part including Caraga was under his sphere of influence. Sultan Qudarat declared jihad against Spain and invited the rulers of Brunei, Sulu, Ternate and Makassar to unite and join forces with his sultanate in defence of Islam. In response, all succeeding wars with Spain witnessed Borneans, Ternatans, Makassars, and Sulus rallying together for the cause. Thenceforth all expeditions against his sultanate ended in failure. Qudarat died of old age of 90 in 1671.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2025" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2026" align="justify">
<div abp="2027">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2030" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2031" align="justify">
<div abp="2032">
<span abp="2033" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the intervening years. from 1663 up to the next half a century, first, in the face of the Dutch victories in the Moluccas and the resultant threat to Manila and, second, by the Koxinga's impending invasion threat, the Spanish Crown found it most imperative to consolidate home defences. Spanish troops serving in the various Mindanao garrisons were recalled to Manila. The main fort in Zamboanga was also abandoned. And as a tactical move, they again negotiated treaties with the sultanates of Sulu and Maguindanao, obviously to neutralize the Moros while the dangers were still there.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2034" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2035" align="justify">
<div abp="2036">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2039" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2040" align="justify">
<div abp="2041">
<span abp="2042" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Throughout this period, there was general peace in Mindanao and Sulu and the few remaining missions, such as Caraga and Dapitan, were left unmolested. The prevailing peace also allowed the Maguindanao and Sulu sultanates to consolidate their control over the areas they earlier held and to resume commercial activities with their Malay neighbors, as well as with the Dutch and the English.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2043" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2044" align="justify">
<div abp="2045">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2048" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2049" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="2050">
<b abp="2051"><i abp="2052"><span abp="2053" style="color: red;"><span abp="2054" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Bloodiest Period<o:p abp="2055"></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<span abp="2056" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2057" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="2058">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2063" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2064" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2065">
<span abp="2066" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="2067" style="color: navy;">After</span><span abp="2068" style="color: navy;"> the twin threats of the Dutch and the Chinese had passed, the Spanish Crown decided to refortify Zamboanga in 1718. Spain also reoccupied other garrisons in Mindanao and Sulu and, upon the insistence of the Recollects, Labo in Palawan was also fortified. Alarmed by this development, the Moros designed new power realignments to meet the renewed Spanish threat head on.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2069" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2070" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2071">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2074" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2075" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2076">
<span abp="2077" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Initially, the Spaniards were cautious, adopting a friendly approach in dealing with the Moros. The new policy was especially felt in matter of religion. The Spaniards abandoned conversion to Christianity as an imposed requirement and to merely asked the Moros to allow missionaries in their areas in exchange for commercial partnership. As expected, the policy did not bear good fruit. The Moros refused to trust the Spaniards. Not long after, hostilities resumed with even more fury and bloodshed.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2078" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2079" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2080">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2083" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2084" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2085">
<span abp="2086" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1751, Spain passed a Royal Decree known as the "Privateer System- which marked the beginning of the bloodiest period in the history of the Moro-Spanish War. The decree provided for the encouragement and enlistment of private individuals to organize expeditions against the Moros. The incentives were tempting and rewarding. It stipulated the total extermination of the Moros, burning of everything combustible that they owned, and the desolation of all crops and farmlands. Criminals who enlisted were granted unconditional pardon and all enlistees were exempted from paying tribute and were entitled to four-fifth of the booty. Thousands enlisted for the mercenary expeditions. As anticipated, the results were quick, telling and bloody.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2087" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2088" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2089">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2092" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2093" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2094">
<span abp="2095" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the face of this threat of liquidation, the natural reaction of the Moros was to meet fire with fire. After decades of lull in the fighting, the Moros had not failed to toughen their war machines, oiled and ever-ready to move into action. Evidently, they had prepared for this day and had much in store for the Spaniards and their allies. Instead of waiting for the adversaries to invade their lands, they conducted foray after foray deep into enemy territory. No place, either in Luzon or in the Visayas, was exempt from the terrible attacks of these fearless raiders. llocos, Catanduanes, Batangas, Manila, lloilo, Mindoro, and everywhere were frequently attacked. Consequently watch-towers and belfries began to dot the coastal lines of the Spanish-held areas to keep a round-the-clock watch for approaching Moro "pirates," whose approach brought that terrible cry: Moros en la costa. Mothers frightened their children to sleep by the mere mention of the word Moro. The name became so dreaded that it evoked such offensive meanings as "pirate," "traitor" or "heathen." For a span of a decade during this period, no fewer than 50,000 captives were taken and many coastal towns were totally destroyed, their population greatly reduced.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2096" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2097" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2098">
<span abp="2099" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Roughly the same degree of destruction on the Moros also took place from both the offensives and counter-offensives of the Spaniards. There were many tales of decimation of lives and property. Sometimes a whole Moro settlement would be depopulated.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2100" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2101" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2102">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2105" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2106" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2107">
<span abp="2108" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On February 27, 1851, Spain launched a massive assault on Jolo, employing of a fleet of one corvette, one brigantine, three steamboats, two gunboats, nine transports, twenty-one barangays, and other boats of different sizes. The attacking force was composed of 142 officers, 2,876 men and about a thousand native volunteers. On the defenders' side were about 10,000 Moro warriors. As usual, Jolo was bombarded first and then the ground assault followed. In the ensuing fighting, the Spaniards reported 34 dead and the Moros 300. Jolo was razed to the ground. However, the Sulu sultan disputed this by saying that only 100 Moros died.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2109" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2110" align="justify">
<div abp="2111">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2114" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2115" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="2116">
<i abp="2117"><span abp="2118" style="color: red;"><span abp="2119" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="2120">Decline of the Sultanate</b><o:p abp="2121"></o:p></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="2122" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2123" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="2124">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2128" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2129" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2130">
<span abp="2131" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="2132" style="color: navy;">More</span><span abp="2133" style="color: navy;"> than any factor, the introduction of the steamboat in the Spanish navy was the greatest plus factor that turned the tide against the Moros. The Moro caracaos, 16 however swift, was no match to the Spanish steamship equipped with heavy artillery. Consequently, Spain was able to conduct bigger and more sustained operations against the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu. The period witnessed the defeat of the Moros in Basilan, Malabang, and Jolo. One such reversal was scored in Balangingi, Basilan in 1845, against the Balangingi Samals, sometimes referred to by the Spaniards as the "fiercest pirates" of the Sulu seas. After a gallant but futile stand, the Balangingi Samals were routed after seventeen days of bloody combat, and the survivors, mostly women and children, were exiled to Luzon. Many of their descendants are still found in the town of Tomauini, Isabela, but what are left of them can still manage to recite the Islamic formula of faith: "There is no god except Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah."</span></span></div>
<div abp="2134">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2137" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2138" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2139">
<span abp="2140" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meantime, the Sulu and Maguindanao sultanates were besieged by dynastic dissensions. In 1862, after the death of Pulalun, the throne was a toss-up between Jamalul Azam, son of Pulalun, and Datu Jamalul Kiram, a grandson of Sultan Shakirullah. Seeing the split, Spain, without the slightest of hesitation, issued a certificate of recognition to Kiram, though denominating him as the "feudal governor of Sulu and a subject of Spain." This was repeated in 1884, when Spain interfered in the power struggle between Ali ud-Din and Amirul Kiram, both contestants to the throne. Initially, Spain favored Amirul Kiram but later on also began making deal with the former. In the Maguindanao sultanate, the dynastic quarrel was equally disastrous. In about 1731, the reigning Sultan Bayan ul-Anwar was opposed by his younger brother, Jaafar Sadiq, who had earlier in 1710 fled to Tamontaka. Jaafar Sadiq had excellent relations with the Spaniards. He was credited with having allowed the Spaniards to build the first Catholic Church in Maguindanao which stills stands today. The Sultan had a son, Malinug, who by all indications would succeed his father and therefore could frustrate the ambition of the uncle. To shorten the story, a series of clashes ensued which culminated in the second week of March 1733, when Malinug with 700 warriors attacked his uncle's capital at Tamontaka and slew him.</span></div>
<div abp="2141">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="2144" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2145" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2146">
<span abp="2147" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In a bid to break all forms of resistance and to settle once and for all the issue of sovereignty over the Moros, Spain launched on February 21, 1876 what became known as the final Jolo campaign. Gov. Gen. Jose Malcampo personally led the campaign involving 9,000 troops, ten steamboats, eleven gunboats, and eleven transports. Public approval, especially on the issue of religious enmity, was carefully sought to support the campaign. In the forefront of this campaign were the friars of the various denominations: Recollects, Jesuits, Dominicans and Augustinians. 17 Together, they heralded: "The war in Jolo is now a just war, a holy war in the name of religion," or "War and war without quarters or rest for the wicked sons of the Qur'an; war to the death with blood and fire!"</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2148" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2149" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="2150">
<span abp="2151" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As in the past, the action was preceded by intense bombardment and followed by infantry assaults from all directions. One cotta after another fell in intense and bloody fighting and was put to the torch. In the face of these assaults, the Sultan, warriors and retainers retired to the interior - to fight another day.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2152" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<div abp="2153" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="2154">
<span abp="2155" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="2156">
<span abp="2157" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="2158">Onrush of Juramentados</b></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2159" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="2160">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2164" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2165">
<span abp="2166" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The decline of the sultanate, its inability to provide centralized and effective defense of the state and religion, paved the way for the emergence of another form of resistance. The task became a matter of individual obligation. This practice was what hostile writers called the juramentado.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2167" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2168">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2171" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2172">
<span abp="2173" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The term juramentado was derived from the Spanish verb juramentar, meaning "to swear an oath." It was sarcastically used by the Spaniards and their hirelings to refer to anyone committing suicide or running amuck. Others presented the image of a rushing Moro warrior with shaven hair, fiery eyes and plucked eyebrows, brandishing kris or kampilan to attack infidels until he was slain.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2174" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2175">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2178" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2179">
<span abp="2180" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Actually this greatly maligned juramentado was a person who had chosen to fight in the Way of Allah in his individual capacity since, as stated above, the sultanate had ceased to put up an organized resistance against the Spaniards. He was what in the Moro viewpoint was called Sabilillah. The juramentado, after some initiation rituals and proper prayers and the resolve to die for the cause, acted out his part as a sacred duty and when he died in the course of his attack, he became shahid or "martyr" with paradise as his ultimate reward. As with any real Muslim warrior, the juramentado loved martyrdom more than life.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2181" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2182">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2185" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2186">
<span abp="2187" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an, Chapter Ill, verse 103, to those who fight in His path:</span></div>
</div>
<center abp="2188" style="background-color: white;">
<span abp="2189" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<div abp="2190" align="left" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2191">
<span abp="2192" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="2193">Think not of those who are slam in God's way as dead. Nay, they live finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord; they rejoice in the bounty of God.</i></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2194" align="left" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2195">
</div>
</div>
<center abp="2199" style="background-color: white;">
<span abp="2200" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="2201" align="justify">
<div abp="2202">
<span abp="2203" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Speaking on this matter, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him!) said in one of his traditions:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="2204" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<div abp="2205" align="left" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2206">
<span abp="2207" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="2208">In the last day wounds of those who have been wounded in the Way of Allah will be evident, and will drip with blood, but their smell will be perfume of musk.</i></span><span abp="2209" style="color: navy;"><i abp="2210"><br abp="2211" /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2212" align="left" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2213">
<span abp="2214" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="2215">The fire of Hell shall not touch the legs of him who shall be covered with the dust of battle in the road of God.</i></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2216" align="left" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2217">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2221" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2222">
<span abp="2223" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Juramentado was the exact opposite of running amuck or Committing suicide. The juramentado was a volunteer of conscience, with a strong will to fight - and to die - and was rightly guided by the Islamic requirements to strive in the Way of Allah. It is a conscious undertaking and the one committing himself to the task had full certainty of the Almighty's promise of eternal bliss in paradise. In suicide or in running amuck, one becomes senseless and falls into a trance or into the trap of Satan. It is an almost unconscious action resulting from hopelessness. If hostile writers likened the juramentado to the second category, then they not only committed a grave offense against him and Islam but also against the rules of good scholarship.</span><span abp="2224" style="color: navy;"><br abp="2225" /></span></div>
</div>
<center abp="2226" style="text-align: center;">
<span abp="2227" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="2228" style="color: red;"><b abp="2229">Twilight of Spain</b></span></span></center>
<center abp="2230" style="text-align: center;">
<span abp="2231" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="2232" style="color: red;"><b abp="2233"></b></span> </span></center>
<div abp="2234" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2235">
<span abp="2236" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What must begin must end. In the closing years of the Spanish presence in Mindanao and Sulu, there were radical changes in the state of affairs in Mindanao and Sulu. In 1861, the Spaniards garrisoned Cotabato, which became the capital of Mindanao in 1871. But after a fire and earthquake hit Cotabato the following year, the capital was returned to Zamboanga. This time Sultan Muhammad Makakua, the incumbent sultan, was on the throne with the blessing of the Spanish Crown, but he had lost much of his territory. In Sulu, although Sultan Jamalul Kiram 11 was ruling with many of the previous powers intact, the chiefs at the second level were beginning to assert themselves in the affairs of the realm. At times, the sultan had a hard time promulgating major decisions without the concurrence of his chiefs.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2237" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2238">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2241" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2242">
<span abp="2243" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the decline of the Maguindanao sultanate, various minor sultanates sprang up in the Iranun areas, as well as along the Pulangi. The Iranuns of Malabang, Balabagan, and nearby areas now looked up to the Sultan of Ganassi in the Lanao region as their new master. In the Pulangi, many of these sub-sultanates pledged loyalty to the Sultan of Buayan. Sultan Marajanuddin, who was in turn succeeded in 1865 by his brother, Sultan Bayao of Kudarangan. In 1875, Datu Utto or Sultan Anwaruddin Utto, son of Sultan Marajanuddin, took over as Sultan of Buayan. Datu Utto was married to Rajah Putri, daughter of Sultan Qudaratullah Muhammad Jamalul Azam or simply Sultan Untong. So married, Datu Utto also maneuvered to be declared jointly as Sultan of Maguindanao. Openly, he was supporting the bid of his brother-in-law, Datu Mamaku, brother of Rajah Putri. to become the new Sultan of Maguindanao. But the Spaniards opposed his inclination vehemently. They saw in Datu Utto the making of a "second Qudarat." Datu Utto was able to unite the minor sultanates along the Pulangi, including those of Talayan. Buluan and Kabuntalan. Although he suffered many reversals from the hands of the Spaniards, he remained unconquered up to the coming of the Americans.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2244" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2245">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2248" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2249">
<span abp="2250" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1888, Gov. Gen. Valeriano Weyler succeeded Gov.Gen. Emilio Terrero. Instead of pursuing the military campaign against Datu Utto, the new Governor trained his attention on the Iranuns and Maranaos. in January 1889, Spanish troops landed in Parang and Malabang. In April 1891, Spanish troops reoccupied Parang. Baras and Malabang and, after fierce clashes especially in the latter. decided in August to resume the campaign against the Maranaos. Thrown into action in this two-pronged attack were 1 , 242 officers and men. Fierce encounters followed. especially in the cotta commanded by Amai Pakpak. In September, the campaign was terminated without conquering the lake Moros.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2251" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2252">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2255" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2256">
<span abp="2257" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In March 1894, even after Weyler had left for Manila, the 112 Spaniards pursued the campaign without letup. Pantar, near Marahui, (Marawi), was occupied. The datus of Taraca, Ramain, Maciu and Rumayan felt threatened and, consequently, they cooperated in fortifying their positions around the Agus river. Ambushes of Spanish soldiers and native allies became frequent and, at one time, 65 Spanish soldiers were killed, including one captain. The Spaniards retaliated by killing 35 Maranaos, including five datus. On June 24, about 500 Maranaos attacked 200 Spaniards, losing, however, 200 of their own men.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2258" align="justify" style="background-color: white;">
<div abp="2259">
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<span abp="2264" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On March 10, 1895, this time under Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco, the Spaniards decided to bring the war back to Marahui and, again, they encountered the same Amai Pakpak. In one of the cottas, 175 Moros perished including Amai Pakpak, his son, and 23 datus. The Spaniards lost eighteen soldiers, including two officers, and the wounded reached 197 soldiers, including 21 officers. In this bit of action, about 3,000 Spanish troops and native allies were involved.</span></div>
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<span abp="2271" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Sulu, Sultan Jamalul Kiram II tried to honor the peace agreement with the Spaniards. This contributed largely to the lack of widespread fighting in his realm, although he kept on procuring arms from Borneo. However, in 1895, the celebrated brothers, Datu Kalbi and Julkarnain, who figured prominently during the American regime, led about a thousand Moros in the attack of Jolo. After some bitter fighting the attack was contained.</span></div>
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<span abp="2278" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="2279" style="color: navy;">This was the state of affairs during the last years of the Spanish presence in Mindanao and Sulu. If Spain was unsuccessful in completely putting down the Moros, it was not the result of faulty, planning or the lack of genuine interest. On the contrary, her entire firepower,. resources and manpower were all utilized to subjugate Mindanao and Sulu- and the Moros were still on their feet, not on their knees. As a fitting tribute to their gallantry and determination to resist ev</span><span abp="2280" style="color: navy;">en against formidable odds, history has appropriately referred to the Moros as the "unconquered."</span></span></div>
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<span abp="2287" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spain came to the Philippines not much for the Cross. In most instances, as the facts of her actuations were gradually exposed, religion was merely used to justify what otherwise was a satanic lust for worldly gain and glory. If she had firmly planted the Cross in the Philippines, she was no less successful in sowing the seed of hatred and animosity between the Moros and the Indios. Even if the 39 christianized natives absorbed the greater part of the misfortune that befell the entire inhabitants of Luzon and the Visayas, this was the consequence of collaboration, even if they did this against their wishes. The long list of Spanish invasions in Mindanao and Sulu showed the participations of thousands of these natives, and their racial brothers - the Moros - found it almost impossible to discriminate the proselytized subjects from the colonial masters. Both were one in creating havoc in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
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<a abp="2298" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YnUIWg5KSiNXSY2IaqXeMW-TGKfI7dJqFaJTIUhaXJWAAGcGALUp2iZ4_5zXbikmA_UTZZ7VPF_fpXThps6zUjttjZVskAEOO4ekledmFJxH_InOCnaaTpyVIN_U5XvebvuKSkGrwAo/s1600/philippines+1899++size+499x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="2299" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="2300" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YnUIWg5KSiNXSY2IaqXeMW-TGKfI7dJqFaJTIUhaXJWAAGcGALUp2iZ4_5zXbikmA_UTZZ7VPF_fpXThps6zUjttjZVskAEOO4ekledmFJxH_InOCnaaTpyVIN_U5XvebvuKSkGrwAo/s1600/philippines+1899++size+499x800.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span abp="2308" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="2309" style="color: blue;"><strong abp="2310">CHAPTER IV - MANDATE IN MOROLAND</strong></span></span></center>
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<span abp="2315" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="2316" style="color: red;">The Interregnum</span></span></center>
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<span abp="2322" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2323" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2324" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the Americans first appeared in the northern horizon in 1898, the Filipino revolution was in full swing. As a young and emerging world power, the United States had to find "excuses" to realize her vast interests in Cuba, which was then under Spain. The sinking of the American warship <i abp="2325">Marine </i>at Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898 resulting in the death of 246 men provided the U.S. government the necessary pretext to declare war on Spain on February 25 and in the course of which Admiral George Dewey was ordered to proceed to Manila to attack the Spanish Squadron under Admiral Patricio Montojo. This was the May 1 Battle of Manila Bay, pitting a modern navy versus "veritable leaking tubs." With the Filipino revolutionaries allied with the Americans, the former won victory after victory against the Spanish forces, until on June 12, 1898, after the last Spanish soldier had surrendered, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, unmindful of or notwithstanding the American mindset, proceeded to declare Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite.<o:p abp="2326"> <o:p abp="2327"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2336" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2337" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2338" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If Aguinaldo did not really misread the American intention, but deliberately played a calculated game, then he had blundered. The Americans never had the slightest intention of recognizing his declaration of independence. As a matter of fact, American troops began to occupy strategic areas vacated or surrendered to them by the retreating Spaniards, to the exclusion of the Filipino revolutionaries. As soon as they had gained enough strategic grounds, the Americans intentionally provoked the Filipinos into a shooting war which setoff the start of the Filipino-American War.<o:p abp="2339"> <o:p abp="2340"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2349" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2350" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2351" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the outset, the Filipinos were made to believe that the Americans came to help to liberate their lands from the Spaniards, after which they would become an independent nation. Untrue to their words, the Americans did not really come to liberate the Philippines for the Filipinos but to acquire a colony in the furtherance of her own imperialist scheme.<o:p abp="2352"> <o:p abp="2353"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2362" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="2363" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2364" style="color: navy;"> In the meantime, the interval between the Spanish evacuation of the Philippines and the arrival of American troops in Mindanao and Sulu was, in a sense, ruled by anarchy. Moro warriors began to attack the Spanish garrisons in Cotabato, Zamboanga, Sulu and Lanao and sometimes wiped out the defenders to the last man.</span></span><span abp="2365" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2366" lang="EN-GB"> <o:p abp="2367"></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2375" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2376" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2377" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Cotabato, Moro warriors began to assault the Spanish garrisons in Pikit, Reina Regente, Tumbao, Cotabato and Tamontaka. One by one, they captured these garrisons. Leading the Moros were Datu Utto, Datu Piang (Amai Mingka), former Minister of Datu Utto; Datu Ali, Piang's son-in-law and <i abp="2378">Rajahmuda </i>of Salunayan; Datu Ampatuan or Bapa ni Mangacop, and Datu Inok or Amani Giday.<o:p abp="2379"> <o:p abp="2380"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2389" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2390" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2391" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">These datus, all of the Buayan dynasty, were conspiring to reassert their supremacy over the region vacated by the Spaniards. The plot was to overthrow the Filipinos who had grabbed power to side with Katipuneros. Eventually this situation led to the fighting along Paseo de Villaeron in Cotabato on January 6, 1899, resulting in the killing of Roman Vilo, Esteban Ortuoste, and a few others. <o:p abp="2392"></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2400" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2401" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2402" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> As in Cotabato, chaos also reigned in Zamboanga after the last Spaniards left. The organization of the counsel that handled the affairs of the district also disintegrated. The church at Zamboanga was ransacked. People complained of widespread robbery and destruction of property. Pro-Katipuneros and those who were not distrusted one another. A known Filipino revo lutionary, Melanio Calixto, was murdered by a pro-American named Isidro Midel. Fighting soon flared up between the Filipino insurgents and followers of Datu Mandi, easily the most powerful chief in the district.<o:p abp="2403"> <o:p abp="2404"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2413" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2414" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="2415" style="color: navy;">The situation in Sulu, although not as extensive, was even worse. The Spanish garrisons suffered terribly and many were decimated to the last soldier, as in the case of the garrison in Tataim in Tay<o:p abp="2416">.</o:p></span><o:p abp="2417"><span abp="2418" style="color: navy;"></span></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2427" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2428" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2429" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Harassments were also severe in the other islands like Bongao and Siasi. The Moro warriors were clearing every island of Spanish troops. Only in Jolo did the Spaniards have a strong garrison.<o:p abp="2430"> <o:p abp="2431"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<div abp="2439">
<span abp="2440" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2441" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Lanao, a similar scenario was unfolding, although_ in a lesser scale. Spanish garrisons, especially in Marahui, were in a state of siege and sporadic attacks and ambuscades became the rule. As a matter of fact, these garrisons were among the first to be evacuated to escape the wrath of the lake Moros</span></span></div>
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<span abp="2443" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="2444" style="color: red;"></span> </span></center>
<center abp="2445" style="text-align: center;">
<span abp="2446" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="2447" style="color: red;"><b abp="2448">The American Mandate</b></span></span></center>
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<span abp="2450" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
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<div abp="2453">
<span abp="2454" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2455" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2456" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Americans claimed they had a mandate in their coming to Mindanao and Sulu. But who gave this mandate to come to the Philippines, fight the Spaniards, rob the Filipinos of their right to selfrule and the Moros of their homeland. From God, from the American people, from the American politician-capitalists, from the American capitalists or from the naked greed and avarice of Pres. William McKinley. <o:p abp="2457"></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2465" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2466" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pres. William McKinley, after contemplating what to do with the Philippines, told a group of Protestant clergymen at the White House in November 1899:</span></span></div>
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<o:p abp="2474"><span abp="2475" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2476" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="2477"><span abp="2478" lang="EN-GB">I walked the floor of the White House night after night until midnight; and I am not shamed to tell you, gentlemen, that I went down on my knees and prayed Almighty God for light and guidance more than one night. And one night late it came to me this way I don't know how it was but it came: ... That we could not give them back to Spain-that would be cowardly and dishonourable .... </span></i><span abp="2479" lang="EN-GB"> <o:p abp="2480"></o:p></span></span></span></o:p></div>
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<span abp="2489" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2490" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2491" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Was this the mandate and was it from God? Why did President McKinley "kneel" before his god only after the destruction of the Spanish armada in Manila and not before he gave the order to Admiral Dewey to attack Manila? <o:p abp="2492"></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2500" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2501" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2502" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the early years of his life, President McKinley had attended seminary in a small town in his native Ohio and this might explain his "pietism" and afterward his "pious imperialism." It is a strange coincidence, however, that all colonizing powers rationalized their expansionist policies by calling to the "gods" or by citing "ethnocentric missions." France was also fulfilling her <i abp="2503">mission civilisatrice </i>when she laid siege on her Indochinese colonies.<o:p abp="2504"> <o:p abp="2505"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2514" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2515" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In his policy speech to the U.S. Congress in 1899, Pres. William McKinley succinctly expressed:</span></span></div>
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<span abp="2523" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="2524"><span abp="2525" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="2526"><span abp="2527" lang="EN-GB">The Philippines are not ours to exploit, but to develop, to civilize, to educate to train in the science of self-government. This is the path we must follow or be recreant to a mighty trust committed to </span></i><span abp="2528" lang="EN-GB">us.</span><span abp="2529" lang="EN-GB"><o:p abp="2530"> </o:p></span><o:p abp="2531"><span abp="2532" lang="EN-GB"> <o:p abp="2533"></o:p></span></o:p></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="2543" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="2544" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2545" style="color: navy;">Again, the cloak of "benevolence" and the "White man's burden" were central to this policy. But for twenty years or so, even after the grant of independence, the Americans still enjoyed the economic parity rights under the Laurel-Langley Agreement, which was only terminated on July 4, 1974.</span></span><span abp="2546" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2547" lang="EN-GB"> <o:p abp="2548"></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2556" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2557" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2558" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let us go back to what had transpired before the final decision to acquire the Philippines as a colony was made. For a full six months, debates on what to do with the Philippines had been going on in Washington. The choice was whether to grant it immediate self-rule or to make it a colony. In the end, a compromise was sealed. The imperialist Republicans and the so-called anti-imperialist Democrats met halfway, and the result, to colonize the Philippines but grant her self-rule at the "earliest feasible time," which took the United States forty eight years to fulfill, or on July 4, 1946 when the Philippine independence was granted.<o:p abp="2559"> <o:p abp="2560"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2569" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2570" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If there was indeed a mandate - from the god of President McKinley and from the politician-capitalists- this would have applied only to the <i abp="2571">Filipinas, </i>then comprising only Luzon and the Visayas. The territory of the Moros or ''Moroland'' should have been excluded. As the facts of history showed, Mindanao and Sulu had always been a foreign territory for Spain had never really acquired these islands either by conquest, purchase or any other means. Her sovereignty was never enforced, except inside the confines of her garrisons and fortifications. How on earth could a nation sell a territory she never owned or conquered? One renowned writer, Dr. Onofre Corpuz, had this to say on this point:</span></span></div>
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<o:p abp="2579"><o:p abp="2580"><o:p abp="2581"><i abp="2582"><span abp="2583" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2584" lang="EN-GB">By the time the treaty negotiators were parleying in Paris there was no longer any vestige Of Spanish control, possession, or government in Filipinas (that is to say, the Christian part of the archipelago). And Spain never had control, government, nor possession of the Moro territory. It did not have any "suspended sovereignty" because its sovereignty had been terminated.</span></span></i></o:p></o:p></o:p></span></center>
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<span abp="2596" style="color: red;"><b abp="2597">The signing of Kiram-Bates Treaty</b></span></span></center>
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<span abp="2604" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2605" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2606" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the eve of the signing of the Kiram-Bates Agreement, there were three hard postulates that were molesting the minds of the Americans. First, there were still 34,000 armed Moros in the Moro country and the various islands were in such a dangerous condition that no place could be safe for outsiders. The swish of the <i abp="2607">kris, </i>said an American author, Victor Hurley, was unrestrained. Second, the American occupation forces had a hard time containing the onslaught of the Filipino revolutionaries led by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo when the Filipino-American War flared up in Luzon and some parts of the Visayas. And the Americans feared any strategical or tactical tie-up between the northern insurgents and the southern (Moro) warriors. Such an eventuality would have been too hot to handle, even for the best of the American generals. And third, even President McKinley had entertained serious skepticism over the sovereignty of Spain over the Moro country, particularly the Sulu sultanate. <o:p abp="2608"></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2616" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2617" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2618" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Under the given situation, the Americans had very limited leeway. To ignore the reality of the situation is to court new disasters, prolong and escalate the fighting not only in the northern islands but right in the Moro country. Finally, the Americans chose a political approach by sending Brig. Gen. John C. Bates to Sulu to negotiate a treaty with Sultan Jamalul Kiram II. On August 20, 1899, General John C. Bates, representing the United States, and Sultan Jamalul Kiram 11 signed the Kiram-Bates Treaty. Similar but informal agreements were also made with the Moros of Mindanao. Among the Mindanao leaders who were provided with the same pledge, especially on due recognition of the Moro religion, custom and traditions, were Datu Mandi of Zamboanga, Datu Piang of Cotabato, and Sultan Mangigin of Maguindanao.<o:p abp="2619"> <o:p abp="2620"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2629" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2630" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2631" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The negotiation, with the Sulu sultan was no easy job for the Americans. Right from the start the sailing was delicate, fraught with risks. The American negotiators had to use earnest and tactful diplomacy in order not to antagonize the sultan, who was expecting the surrender of the Spanish garrison, but not to the Americans. He never understood how the Americans had any claim of his realm which was never conquered by the Spaniards. After over a month of unnerving bargaining, the Sultan finally submitted a proposal which expectedly did not fit well with the American wish. However, after some mutual refinements the document was signed.<o:p abp="2632"> </o:p></span></span></span><span abp="2633" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2634" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="2635"><br abp="2636" /></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2639" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2640" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2641" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Kiram-Bates Treaty was made up of fifteen articles. Some of the salient provisions are as follows:<o:p abp="2642"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2648" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2649" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2650" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. The United States was to be recognized as the sovereign power over the Sulu Archipelago, though the American authorities were to recognize and fully respect the rights and dignity of the Sultan and the datus;<o:p abp="2651"> <o:p abp="2652"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2661" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2662" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2663" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. The Moros were assured that their religion and customs would not be interfered with;<o:p abp="2664"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2670" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2671" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2672" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. The United States was permitted to occupy such places in Sulu as the public interests demanded, but with due compensation for the owners whose properties were taken;<o:p abp="2673"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2681" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2682" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2683" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. The people of Sulu would have free, unlimited and undutiable trade in domestic products with any part of the Philippine Islands;<o:p abp="2684"> <o:p abp="2685"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2694" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2695" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2696" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">5. Crimes of Moros against Moros would be tried under the Sultan's jurisdiction but all other cases were to be tried by the United States;<o:p abp="2697"> <o:p abp="2698"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2707" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2708" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2709" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">6. The United States would give full protection to the Sultan and his subjects in case any foreign power should attempt to impose upon them;<o:p abp="2710"> <o:p abp="2711"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2720" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2721" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2722" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">7. The Sultan and datus agreed to cooperate in the suppression <i abp="2723">of </i>piracy;<o:p abp="2724"> <o:p abp="2725"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2734" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2735" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2736" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">8. Any slave in the archipelago of Jolo would have the right to purchase freedom by paying to the master his or her usual market value;<o:p abp="2737"> <o:p abp="2738"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2747" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2748" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2749" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">9. The United States would not sell the island of Jolo or any other islands of the archipelago to any foreign nation without the consent of the Sultan;<o:p abp="2750"> <o:p abp="2751"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2760" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2761" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2762" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">10. The importation of firearms and other war materials was forbidden, except by license of the Governor General of the Philippines; and<o:p abp="2763"> <o:p abp="2764"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2773" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2774" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2775" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">11. The United States agreed to pay a monthly salary to the Sultan and nine of his top chiefs or datus.<o:p abp="2776"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2782" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2783" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On April 9, 1900 General Bates informed the Sulu sultan that the agreement was confirmed by the President of the United States except for Article X regarding the practice of slavery.' For its part, the U. S. Congress did not ratify the agreement on the pretext that the Sulu monarch and his people were polygamous.</span></span></div>
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<span abp="2791" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2792" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2793" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the course of time, disputes arose over the interpretations of the provisions of the treaty especially on the aspect of "sovereignty." The term was not only alien to the Moro political terminology but was so "complex" and "intricate" that the Sultan failed to appreciate the far-reaching implications of its Western definition.<o:p abp="2794"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="2855" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2856" style="color: navy;"></span></span> </span></center>
<div abp="2857" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="2858">
<span abp="2859" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2860" style="color: navy;"><strong abp="2861"><span abp="2862" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blueprint of Subjugation</span></strong></span></span></div>
</div>
<center abp="2863" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="2864" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="2865" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2866" style="color: navy;"></span></span> </span></center>
<center abp="2867" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="2868" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="2869" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2870" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2871" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2872" style="color: navy;">Beyond any tint of doubt, the United States did not come to the Philippines in 1898 for the islands of Luzon and Visayas alone but to claim more territories.' Fired by imperialist agenda, her intention to include the Moro country was never suspect. However, the war with the northerners was still raging and any mishandling of the Moros could be disastrous. Even a sort of <i abp="2873">modus vivendi </i>was in order; and, therefore, as earlier said, the signing of the Kiram-Bates Treaty, more than any other reasons, was a dilatory tactic to neutralize the Moros while the pacification campaign in the northern areas was still underway. Moreover, even before American troops landed in Moro country, the United States already had a comprehensive plan on how to handle the Moros. This involved a wide-ranging strategy with military, political, social, economic, and educational components.<o:p abp="2874"> <o:p abp="2875"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center abp="2876" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="2877" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="2878" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2879" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2880" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2881" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="2882"><o:p abp="2883"></o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span> </span></center>
<div abp="2884" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="2885">
<span abp="2886" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2887" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2888" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2889" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2890" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="2891">1. Military Occupation - </b>The Americans did not act passively in the face of a possible alliance between the Filipino revolutionaries and the Moros. The decision to occupy Sulu and Mindanao and take over the Spanish garrisons were the first orders: "Relieve the Spanish forces; gradually extend American jurisdiction .... and do this in such a manner as to cause a minimum of friction with the people, for no reinforcements could be expected for a long time."' In May 1899, American troops landed in Jolo, and on October 30 the Military District of Mindanao, Jolo and Palawan (until 1905 was still known as Paragua) was constituted. On November 16, Zamboanga was occupied, and from December 1899 to January 1900, the southern coasts of Mindanao, including Cotabato, Davao, Mati, Polloc, Parang, and Banganga were garrisoned. In charge of this command was Brig. Gen. John C. Bates, but on March 20,1900, Brig. Gen. William Kobbe took over. Afterwards, the status of the command was elevated to the Department of Mindanao and Jolo. In 1902, Brig. Gen. William Kobbe was replaced by Brig. Gen. George Davis, who in October 1, 1902 was succeeded, after a few adjustments in the structure which was renamed the Department of Mindanao, by Brig. Gen. Samuel Sumner on July 10, 1902. A year later, General Sumner was followed by Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, later to become the first Governor of the Moro Province.<o:p abp="2892"> <o:p abp="2893"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div abp="2894">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2902" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="2903">
<span abp="2904" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2905" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2906" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2907" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2908" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At this point, it is worthwhile to state that many of the military officers assigned in the Moro country were veterans of the Indian wars and reservations duty. It was, therefore, frequent that many of the methods in governing the Indians were also tried in the Department of Mindanao. Usually, the authority of the military commander assigned in Mindanao and Sulu was the same as that of the commander at the Indian reservation west of the Mississippi River. Under his command were some hundreds of Apaches, men, women and children, who were all restrained in their liberties and were virtually prisoners. Brig. Gen. George Davis, who succeeded Brig. Gen. William Kobbe, had earlier worked in the Indian territories before his stint here. One such approach resembling the treatment of the Indians was the attitude that "treaties" made with them, who were considered ',savages," were not binding and could be unilaterally abrogated as necessity arises. That action could be easily justified by simple misconduct on the part of the "natives".<o:p abp="2909"> <o:p abp="2910"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2911">
<span abp="2912" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2913" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div abp="2914">
<span abp="2915" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2916" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2917" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2918" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2919" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> In the beginning, the Moros and the Americans were quite at ease with each other, in the way the Kiram-Bates Treaty defined their relations; i.e., there was no direct American interference in the affairs of the local population. There was no aggressive effort to carry on the so-called White Men's burden to develop, "civilize," educate or to train the Moros in the way toward a democratic government. The main concern of the occupation forces was to maintain peace and order in the Moro region. But as more troops poured in, an offshoot of the end of the Filipino-American War in 1901,<span abp="2920" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>frictions started to occur between the Moros and the Americans. Customs regulations were enforced, taxes were levied, and land surveys, mapping and exploring missions were increased. Census was also conducted. Consequently, the shift from non-interference to direct rule shaped up with the creation of the Moro Province. The military occupation of Mindanao and Sulu lasted from 1899 to 1903.<o:p abp="2921"> <o:p abp="2922"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div abp="2923">
<span abp="2924" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2925" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div abp="2926" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.8pt;">
<div abp="2927">
<span abp="2928" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2929" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2930" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2931" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2932" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="2933">2. Direct Rule -</b> The main reason given for the change of approach from non-interference to direct intervention with the creation of the Moro Province was to prepare the Moros for integration into the body politic of the colonial government. The insistence of the Filipino leaders and the American acquiescence was predicated on one point: the importance of the rich natural resources in the Moro country. The direct rule scheme, the Americans alleged, was also to protect the common people from the "tyranny" of the sultans and datus, from the depredations of bandits, to introduce the American concept of justice, to stop the unscrupulous practices of native traders, and finally to implement public projects such as schools, hospitals and wharfs or ports. Slavery was also made illegal. In brief, the direct rule policy, overtly, was to implement the so-called American mandate in Moroland to develop, to civilize, to educate, to train the Moros in the art of democratic governance. But covertly the main motivation was the immediate exploration and finally the exploitation of the vast natural resources in the Moro country.<o:p abp="2934"> <o:p abp="2935"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2936">
<span abp="2937" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2938" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div abp="2939" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="2940">
<span abp="2941" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2942" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2943" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2944" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2945" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Kiram-Bates Treaty was singularly the main obstacle to the implementation of the direct U.S. rule. The treaty clearly laid down the guiding principles of non-interference in the local affairs of the Moros. But the Americans had to get rid of this obstruction if they had to succeed in their grand plan for the Moro country. On March 2, 1904 ' they did exactly what they were expected to do. Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, without the slightest conjunction or any moral or ethical consideration, unilaterally declared the treaty null and void. On March 21, Gov. Leonard Wood notified the Sultan of the decision and, naturally. he was displeased, especially when the decision was relayed through someone (Wood) who for years had been teaching them that we must each do exactly what we promise to do. He could not imagine how a government claiming to have come on a "pious mission" could suddenly act so unscrupulously in abrogating the treaty contained in a formal agreement signed by both sides.<o:p abp="2946"> <o:p abp="2947"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2948">
<span abp="2949" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2950" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div abp="2951" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="2952">
<span abp="2953" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2954" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2955" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2956" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2957" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thus, in essence, U.S. policy vis-a-vis the Moros was in line with the treatment of the American Indians whereby agreements made with them were set aside as convenience dictated, without the least hesitation or the slightest compunction. These agreements carried no weight and no binding effects on the Americans on the malicious pretext that the Moros, like the Red Indians, were savages. With the "might is right" credo forming the guiding thrust of the U.S. colonial expansion, this supercilious attitude was more than expected.<o:p abp="2958"> <o:p abp="2959"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2960">
<span abp="2961" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2962" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div abp="2963" align="justify" class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="background-color: white; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="2964">
<span abp="2965" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2966" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2967" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="2968" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2969" style="color: navy;">However, even before this formal unilateral abrogation, the Kiram-Bates Treaty had practically ceased to exist already, when the Moro Province was created on June 1, 1903. If the Kiram-Bates Treaty was the instrument of indirect rule, the Moro Province was the nail to drive down and establish direct rule in Moro country.</span></span><span abp="2970" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2971" style="color: navy;"> <o:p abp="2972"> </o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="2973">
<span abp="2974" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2975" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div abp="2976" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="2977">
<span abp="2978" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2979" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2980" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="2981" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2982" style="color: navy;">The Moro Province was under the direct supervision of the Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands and the Philippine Commission. The Civil Governor, with the concurrence of the Philippine Commission, appointed the provincial governor, secretary, treasurer, attorney, engineer and superintendent for the Moro Province. The six officials. above constituted the legislative council, which, subject to certain limitations, was the legislative body of the province. The Moro Province was divided into five districts: Sulu, Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato and Davao, which in turn were subdivided into several subordinate local governments.</span><o:p abp="2983"></o:p></span><o:p abp="2984"><span abp="2985" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2986" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div abp="2987">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="2992" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="2993">
<span abp="2994" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="2995" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2996" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="2997" style="color: navy;"><span abp="2998" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The creation of the Moro Province was deemed the transitional machinery for the shift from military to civil rule in the Moro territory. in actual operation, however, it was no less than what the Spaniards conceived earlier as the Politico-Military Province. All throughout its existence, the Province was controlled and manned by military personnel. And this being a military government, such guidelines as "to cut the Moro foot to fit the American shoe" was central in the so called "civilizing" mission of the military administrators of the Moro Province from 1903 to 1913.<o:p abp="2999"> <o:p abp="3000"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="3001">
<span abp="3002" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3003" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><span abp="3004" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3005" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3006" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3007" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="3008" style="color: navy;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div abp="3009" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="3010">
<span abp="3011" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3012" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3013" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3014" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="3015" style="color: navy;"> The first governor of the Moro Province was Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood. As governor of the province, he adopted a "mailed fist" policy or simply the use of brute force to quell even a minor military problem. His background either as military man or political leader was far from desirable. As officer of the Rough Riders regiment, he first saw action against the Indians and then against the Spaniards in Cuba in 1898.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="3016">
<span abp="3017" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3018" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div abp="3019" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; tab-stops: 25.8pt right 325.65pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3020">
<span abp="3021" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3022" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3023" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3024" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3025" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On both stints, there was much destruction, mass slaughter and brutality. After the Spanish-American War, he was appointed military governor of Cuba, and after his term ended in the Moro Province, he was made Governor General of the Philippine Islands. Throughout his career either as a military officer or politician, he was known to have had little regard for human life. He acted with a martial temperament, said to be the outcome of his ignominious defeat to Warren Harding in a presidential nomination.<o:p abp="3026"> <o:p abp="3027"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="3028">
<span abp="3029" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3030" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3031" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div abp="3032">
<span abp="3033" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3034" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="3035"></o:p></span></span><br /></div>
<div abp="3036" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; tab-stops: 25.8pt right 325.65pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3037">
<span abp="3038" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3039" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3040" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3041" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3042" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As first governor of the Moro Province, Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood had the primary task of organizing the province along the rationale of direct interference in the affairs of the Moros. Already prejudiced to the absolute correctness of the American outlook and ways and the rightness of the mandate over the "good-for-nothing"<span abp="3043" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moro laws, General Wood proceeded to discharge his official responsibilities though, in fairness, firmly and with enthusiasm -with much predilection against the general welfare of the Moros. He introduced laws which were not only unpopular but exacerbated resistance to the American presence in Mindanao and Sulu. In his characteristic 11 arrogant" ways, he bluntly told the Sulu Sultan on the eve of the abrogation of the treaty:<o:p abp="3044"> </o:p></span></span></span>
<span abp="3045" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="3047" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3048" style="color: navy;">
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<div abp="3050">
<span abp="3051" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3052" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3053" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3054" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="3055"><span abp="3056" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="3057"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="3058">
<span abp="3059" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3060" style="color: navy;">
<span abp="3061" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3062"></o:p></span></span><br />
<center abp="3063" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 53.4pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 17.4pt;">
<span abp="3064" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3065" style="color: navy;">
<span abp="3066" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<i abp="3067"><span abp="3068" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3069" style="color: navy;">I am going to be frank with you. At present, your rights as a nation are nothing ... I believe we are here forever, unless some greater country comes and drives us away; we do not know of any such country.<o:p abp="3070"> </o:p></span></span></i><o:p abp="3071"><span abp="3072" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3073" style="color: navy;"> <o:p abp="3074"> </o:p></span></span></o:p></span></span></span></center>
<span abp="3075" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3076" style="color: navy;">
<span abp="3077" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<center abp="3078" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 53.4pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 17.4pt;">
<span abp="3075" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3076" style="color: navy;">
<span abp="3079" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<o:p abp="3080"><span abp="3081" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3082" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="3083"></o:p></span></span></o:p> </span></span></span></center>
<span abp="3075" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3076" style="color: navy;">
<span abp="3084" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3085"></o:p></span></span><br />
<div abp="3086" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3087">
<span abp="3075" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3076" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3088" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3089" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3090" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On April 16, 1906, General Wood was relieved of the post and Brig. Gen. Tasker Bliss succeeded him as governor of the Moro Province. General Bliss never fought in the Indian wars or in the Spanish-American War. He was more of a scholar rather than a soldier and, moreover, was as "peacemaker." It was his primary concern in war to end it rather than to prolong the agonies and sacrifices of its victims.<o:p abp="3091"> <o:p abp="3092"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3075" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3076" style="color: navy;">
<span abp="3093" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div abp="3094" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3095">
<span abp="3075" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3076" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3096" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3097" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3098"><o:p abp="3099"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3075" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3076" style="color: navy;">
<span abp="3100" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3101"><div abp="3102" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3103">
<span abp="3104" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3105" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3106" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In November 1909. Brig. Gen. john C. Pershing took over as governor of the Moro Province and lasted up to December 15, 1913, when the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was created. Like General Wood, he was a veteran of the Indian wars and the Spanish- American War, and later in Mexico against Pancho Villa. A year after his stint in Mindanao. he was appointed commander of the World War 1 American Expeditionary Force in Europe.<o:p abp="3107"> <o:p abp="3108"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3109" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3110" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3111">
<span abp="3112" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3113" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3114"><o:p abp="3115"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="3116" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3117"><div abp="3118" align="justify" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3119">
<span abp="3120" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="3121" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3122" style="color: navy;">During his term as head of the Moro Province, he was responsible for the creation of the first Christian colony of settlers in Mindanao in 1912. Although he continued the educational programs of his predecessors, it was under him that the number of Moro children increased. However, disarmament of the Moros was his major achievement. Under him, the Province greatly progressed, particularly in ways of the American system of governance which eventually led to the appointment of the first civilian rule in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></span><span abp="3123" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3124" style="color: navy;"> <o:p abp="3125"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3126" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3127" align="justify" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3128">
</div>
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<span abp="3133" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3134" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3135">
<span abp="3136" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3137" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3138" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On December 13, 1913, Frank C. Carpenter was appointed the first civilian governor of the Moro Province, which later on was named Department of Mindanao and Sulu on March 13, 1914. Aside from the five provinces already under administrative jurisdiction of the Moro Province. two more provinces were added, namely, Agusan and Bukidnon. Both the Moros and the so-called "wild tribes" or "pagans," the inhabitants of the two provinces added, were now lumped together under this office.<o:p abp="3139"> <o:p abp="3140"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3141" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3142" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3143">
<span abp="3144" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3145" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3146"><o:p abp="3147"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3148" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3149"><div abp="3150" align="justify" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3151">
<span abp="3152" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="3153" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3154" style="color: navy;">Frank Carpenter, a Nebraskan, joined the army in 1888 and became Secretary of the Army in 1895. Four years later. he was appointed secretary to General Lawton in the Philippines and thereafter was appointed Assistant Executive Secretary and. later. as Executive Secretary of the Insular Government. He learned to speak Tagalog and Spanish very fluently and was endeared among the Filipinos. He was remembered for many highlights, among which were the signing of the Carpenter Agreement In 1915, the filipinization of the offices. the adoption of the "policy of attraction," and the sending of scholars or pensionados (including Moros) to the United States for higher studies.</span></span><span abp="3155" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3156" style="color: navy;"> <o:p abp="3157"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3158" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3159" align="justify" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3160">
<span abp="3161" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3162" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3163"> </o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3164" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3165" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3166">
<span abp="3167" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3168" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3169" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1916, the legislative power over the Moro country was transferred to the Philippine Legislature as per stipulated in the Jones Law. By 1920, the control of the Moro Affairs, except for a few positions held by Americans, was in the hands of the Filipinos.<o:p abp="3170"> <o:p abp="3171"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3172" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3173" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3174">
<span abp="3175" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3176" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3177"><o:p abp="3178"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3179" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3180"><div abp="3181" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3182">
<span abp="3183" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3184" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3185" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On February 5, 1920, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was formally abolished by Act No. 2878 of the Philippine Legislature and, in its stead, the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes was organized. Teopisto Guingona, a native Christian, succeeded Carpenter as Director of the new office. In 1936, a further change was effected with the renaming of this office into the Commission on Mindanao and Sulu with Dansalan, Lanao as its headquarters. The Commission was headed by a Commissioner with the rank of Undersecretary in the Department of Interior and Labor. The arrangement continued until the invasion of Japan in 1942.<o:p abp="3186"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3187" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3188" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3189">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3194" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3195"><div abp="3196" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3197">
<span abp="3198" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3199" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3200" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The policy of direct rule, if one may gloss over the narration thus given, may well be seen that, as far as their viewpoint was concerned, the Americans had done the best they could under the circumstances. They did not and would not have satisfied the Moros because they disagreed with the Moros in almost everything<span abp="3201" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>except perhaps "to fight" - but as far as their self-styled mandate was concerned, they had delivered it well. Before 1920, the Americans I lad made all decisions in the affairs of the Moro country, but after this time the Moros and the pagans were left completely at the "mercy or tyranny" of the Christian Filipinos.<o:p abp="3202"> <o:p abp="3203"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3204" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3205" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3206">
<span abp="3207" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3208" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3209"><o:p abp="3210"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3211" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3212"><div abp="3213" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3214">
<span abp="3215" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3216" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3217" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="3218">3. Scorch-Earth Policy - </b>As discussed earlier, the American occupation forces had a clear policy on the Moros: neutralize them while the Filipino-American War was still raging in the northern provinces and, after that, extend American control and sovereignty over the Moro country by all means and at all cost. This "scorch earth" policy was shown in their military campaigns against recalcitrant datus and sultans all over Mindanao and Sulu.<o:p abp="3219"> <o:p abp="3220"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3221" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3222" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3223">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3229" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3230"><div abp="3231" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3232">
<span abp="3233" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3234" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3235" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the 1903 official census, a distinction was made between the "civilized" and "uncivilized" and the Moros were placed under the latter category together with the wild tribes or pagans. In describing the Moros, General Wood, in a letter to Gov. William Taft on October 9, 1903, said:<o:p abp="3236"> <o:p abp="3237"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3238" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3239" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3240">
<span abp="3241" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3242" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3243"><o:p abp="3244"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3245" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3246"><div abp="3247" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 52.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 16.8pt;">
<div abp="3248">
<i abp="3249"><span abp="3250" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3251" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3252" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The people of this island are Mohammedans. Their faith teaches them that it is no sin to kill Christians and they are taught by the priests to believe it is commendable. They are nothing more or less than an unimportant collection Of pirates and highwaymen, living under laws which are intolerable .... <o:p abp="3253"> </o:p></span></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="3254" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3255" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 52.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 16.8pt;">
<div abp="3256">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3262" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3263" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3264">
<span abp="3265" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3266" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3267" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Earlier in 1902, Brig. Gen. George Davis in his official report to Gen. William Kobbe said: It is useless to discuss a plan of government that is not based on force, might, and power."" In 1903, Capt. John Pershing also referred to the Moros as 'savage". Impressions like these had greatly helped shape the early policy of the United States in relation to the Moros.<o:p abp="3268"> <o:p abp="3269"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="3270" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3271" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3272">
<span abp="3273" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3274" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3275"><o:p abp="3276"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3277" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3278"><div abp="3279" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3280">
<span abp="3281" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3282" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3283" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We shall endeavor to discuss this policy in this section where brute force was used in what otherwise was a simple pocket military problem. The fights that constituted what we refer to as the MoroAmerican War will be discussed in another section.<o:p abp="3284"> <o:p abp="3285"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a abp="3296" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQFKwKjIzxaucUMM07exMvQMqtFU7mRJj6upQn_8yX5ZDmPp5t3q4R8i4ydnCFkewBmnsCKhAHl6yV-0JlcUKrdGmdnSttOBqphs4M97qUzZk0tzxjdUx8ydbnV7JObfgWlEv3fIXo8M/s1600/bud+dajo+boston+glove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="3297" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="3298" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQFKwKjIzxaucUMM07exMvQMqtFU7mRJj6upQn_8yX5ZDmPp5t3q4R8i4ydnCFkewBmnsCKhAHl6yV-0JlcUKrdGmdnSttOBqphs4M97qUzZk0tzxjdUx8ydbnV7JObfgWlEv3fIXo8M/s640/bud+dajo+boston+glove.JPG" width="505" /></span></a></div>
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<a abp="3317" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXozKKMkbq2rL7snWcimZAZo1RDrKWrBZ9Axtf4Rqqzq-Z6Dgjx2iN9mxVzvz9gId_crhHzO5PTnWWNa2Poep4sLnsXESCzgRcPnxVrvCn9lORA2viNWj-VmRxnT6JXWa5wHH-XVO4YBY/s1600/bud+dajo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="3318" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="3319" border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXozKKMkbq2rL7snWcimZAZo1RDrKWrBZ9Axtf4Rqqzq-Z6Dgjx2iN9mxVzvz9gId_crhHzO5PTnWWNa2Poep4sLnsXESCzgRcPnxVrvCn9lORA2viNWj-VmRxnT6JXWa5wHH-XVO4YBY/s400/bud+dajo+3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span abp="3328" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3329" align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3330">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3336" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3337" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3338">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3344" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3345"><div abp="3346" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3347">
<span abp="3348" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3349" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3350" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is nothing more bloody, if only to show how this policy of brute force was carried out to the hilt, than to recall what transpired in Bud Dajo in 1906, Bud Bagsak in 1913, and to the Alangkat Movement in Cotabato in 1926-1927. All three were essentially not military confrontations but simple cases of massacres.<o:p abp="3351"> <o:p abp="3352"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3353" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3354" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3355">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3361" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3362"><div abp="3363" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3364">
<span abp="3365" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3366" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3367" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bud Dajo is an extinct volcano six miles from Jolo. It is covered by dense tropical jungle and is 2,100 feet above sea level. Ensconced in the crater were over a thousand Moro men, women, children armed only with <i abp="3368">krises, </i>spears, aging rifles, and a few cannons. Laksamana Usap, the leader, and his followers were up in arms on issues they believed wrongly imposed on them. One was the payment of the cedula tax, which resembled the "tribute" of yore and which the Moros were not accustomed to give. The defenders occupied a very strategic position, probably the "strongest" ever defended against the occupation forces in the Philippines. Most important of all, they were making a defense "unto death." The American assault forces, numbering 790, were under the command of Col. Joseph Duncan, and consisted of infantry and cavalry, an artillery battery, constabulary troops, sailors, and a gunboat anchored offshore.<o:p abp="3369"> <o:p abp="3370"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3371" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3372" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3373">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3379" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3380"><div abp="3381" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3382">
<span abp="3383" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3384" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3385" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before the actual combat. the Moros - women already dressed in men's clothes and in full battle gear - were asked to "surrender" or at least send down the non-combatants. The reply was a complete defiance. The Moros were seething with hatred and rearing to fight.<o:p abp="3386"> <o:p abp="3387"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3388" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3389" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3390">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3396" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3397"><div abp="3398" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3399">
<span abp="3400" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3401" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3402" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That early morning of March 6, 1906, General Wood was in Jolo to get things done personally. He had no other plan to settle the issue than to use force against poorly-equipped but gallant warriors. The battle started. It continued on the following day where the major phase of the fighting was fought. There was bloody hand-to-hand fighting and after two days of combat, on March 8, the slaughter. as expected, was terrible. Of the more than 1,000 defenders, only six survived, while the Americans suffered 21 slain and 73 wounded, including Colonel Duncan.<o:p abp="3403"> <o:p abp="3404"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="3405" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
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</span><o:p abp="3414"><div abp="3415" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3416">
<span abp="3417" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="3418" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3419" style="color: navy;">General Wood was severely criticized for the carnage, where even women and children were not spared. Critics pictured him as "blood-thirsty monster difficult to parallel in history." But as expected, his boss in Washington, Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, cabled his congratulations: "Upon the brilliant feat of arms wherein you and they [his men] so well upheld the honor of the American flag- </span></span><i abp="3420"><span abp="3421" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3422" style="color: navy;"> <o:p abp="3423"> </o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3424" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3425" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3426">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3432" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3433" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3434">
<span abp="3435" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3436" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3437" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The carnage could have been averted if only the Americans had observed restraints and paid due regard to the inviolability of human life enshrined in the United States Constitution. Several letters and pleas were addressed to Gov. Leonard Wood against a military solution, but he ignored all these pleas. His conscience, if any, did not bother him in the least.<o:p abp="3438"> <o:p abp="3439"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3440" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3441" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3442">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3448" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3449"><div abp="3450" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3451">
<span abp="3452" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3453" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3454" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seven years after, American hands were again dripping with Moro blood in Bud Bagsak. The central issue was the disarmament policy of Brig. Gen. John Pershing, who succeeded General Wood as Governor of the Moro Province. The Moros resisted this vigorously. After some extended negotiations, the Moros led by Naqib Amil, Datu Jami and Datu Sahipa declared that they would never surrender their firearms. General Pershing would settle for no less and branded the Moros "outlaws" and "desperados."<o:p abp="3455"> <o:p abp="3456"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div abp="3457">
<span abp="3458" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3459" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3460"><o:p abp="3461"></o:p></o:p></span></span><br /></div>
<div abp="3462" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="3463" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5FZJY5rwnN5YyPjuvkQ_ibfn3Y24rsPuRSWx5_Kw5PfbiYo3DAwA4EYz0F9BwlqAHYAwWUvSoeZhMX7L_v8PiRj3GaoH0clh4XFkuqVrOYL3mCwFkKD-CoKlb6MFmq77DtSxT5kUYsE/s1600/bud+bagsak+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="3464" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="3465" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5FZJY5rwnN5YyPjuvkQ_ibfn3Y24rsPuRSWx5_Kw5PfbiYo3DAwA4EYz0F9BwlqAHYAwWUvSoeZhMX7L_v8PiRj3GaoH0clh4XFkuqVrOYL3mCwFkKD-CoKlb6MFmq77DtSxT5kUYsE/s400/bud+bagsak+2.JPG" width="370" /></span></a></div>
<div abp="3466">
<span abp="3467" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3468" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3469"><o:p abp="3470"></o:p></o:p></span></span><br /></div>
<div abp="3471">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3473" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3474"><div abp="3475" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3476">
<span abp="3477" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3478" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3479" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bud Bagsak is another extinct volcano not far from Jolo. Five hundred Moro warriors were encamped in the crater and swore to die rather than submit. Before the battle began, the crater was subjected to "murderous" bombardment, and soon on June 11, 1913, the action commenced. Five days of combat action, mostly hand-to-hand, ensued, and on the final day, June 15, the record of the fighting was made and the result, again, as anticipated, was that nearly all of the 500 Moros were killed or wounded versus 14 killed and 13 wounded on the American side. One report said 2,000 Moros were killed, including 196 women and 340 children."<o:p abp="3480"> <o:p abp="3481"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3482" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3483" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3484">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3490" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3491"><div abp="3492" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3493">
<span abp="3494" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3495" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3496" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The defenders of Bud Bagsak were completely routed like their counterparts in Bud Dajo, but the spirit of the Moros to resist did not die with them.<o:p abp="3497"> <o:p abp="3498"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3499" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3500" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3501">
<span abp="3502" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3503" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3504"><o:p abp="3505"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3506" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3507"><div abp="3508" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3509">
<span abp="3510" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3511" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3512" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is noteworthy to relate here the introduction of two new ingredients in the fighting. First, the Moros devised a new weapon in their last-ditch desire to fight the Americans in every way. This was the use of logs fastened to the slope of the volcano and let loose on the advancing enemy. According to a local tradition attached to the alleged military exploits of Sansawi, a member of the Moro Company or Scouts fighting on the side of the Americans, this caused many injuries even death to the attacking American soldiers. Another was the participation of this newly-formed 52nd Company of the Philippine Scouts, otherwise known as the "Moro Company." Members of the unit were required to wear the red fez (a Turkish cap) with either a gold or black tassel.<o:p abp="3513"> <o:p abp="3514"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3515" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3516" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3517">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3523" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3524"><div abp="3525" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3526">
<span abp="3527" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3528" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3529" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On March 23, 1927, the final assault was mounted on the members of the Alangkat Movement or what the Americans called "Dance craze." The movement was largely a Manobo affair under Datu Mampurok of the Arumanon Manobo and crudely devised against the influx of Christian settlers into Mindanao. The contingent under the command of Major Gutierrez and Colonel Stevens came to the Manobo settlement (located at present-day Midsayap, North Cotabato) and started shooting indiscriminately. The result was a massacre. Datu Mampuroc, and 29 other Manobos, including women and children, were killed en masse.<o:p abp="3530"> <o:p abp="3531"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3532" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3533" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3534">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3540" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3541"><div abp="3542" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; tab-stops: 25.8pt right 323.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3543">
<span abp="3544" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3545" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="3546" style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span abp="3547" style="color: navy;"> </span></span><span abp="3548" style="color: navy;">Datu Mampuroc had many followers in Lebak, Talayan, Dulawan and other areas in Cotabato. According to their belief, Datu Mampuroc was Datu Ali reincarnated, who came back to earth to continue the<span abp="3549" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>war against outsiders who were out to drive out the natives. The ceremony was weird. Members underwent a state of suspended animation or went in deep trance, after which they engaged in wild sex orgies or went in warpath to kill people, especially Americans or Christians.<o:p abp="3550"> <o:p abp="3551"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3552" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3553" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; tab-stops: 25.8pt right 323.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3554">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3560" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3561"><div abp="3562" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; tab-stops: 25.8pt 3.3in right 323.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3563">
<span abp="3564" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="3565" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b abp="3566"><span abp="3567" style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span abp="3568" style="color: navy;"> </span></span></b><span abp="3569" style="color: navy;"><b abp="3570">4. Creation of Colonies - </b>The next scheme to contain the Moros was the creation of colonies. The first formal plan to settle Mindanao with Christian settlers, as noted earlier, started in 1912 during the time of Brig. Gen. John C. Pershing as Governor of the Moro Province. The main reason for the resettlement plan was the alleged overpopulation in the northern areas. Other reason given was that the Cotabato Valley needed settlers if it was to produce rice in larger </span></span><span abp="3571" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3572" lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;">or commercial quantities. </span><o:p abp="3573"><span abp="3574" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p abp="3575"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3576" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3577" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; tab-stops: 25.8pt 3.3in right 323.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3578">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3584" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3585"><div abp="3586" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3587">
<span abp="3588" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3589" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3590" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the same year, the first Christian rice colony, consisting of 100 families from Cebu, was relocated in Cotabato. They were promised to own the land eventually. Pershing emphasized that a well managed Filipino colony in the heart of the Moro country, as an example, should act as a stimulus to Moro agriculture.` They were practically provided with everything. free of charge, and there were other incentives to lure others.<o:p abp="3591"> <o:p abp="3592"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3593" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3594" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3595">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3601" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3602"><div abp="3603" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3604">
<span abp="3605" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3606" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3607" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However well-intentioned General Pershing was, but all his theories, save the production of rice in a wider scale, were a farce. There was no over-population in Luzon and the Visayas and the Moros were not encouraged to be productive, at least not as it was supposed to be in Pershing's mind. On the contrary, with the influx of wave after wave of settlers, the Moros were forced back to the wall and, not long afterwards, violence erupted. Similar to the 1899 "holy mission," the arbitrary settlement of these "alien" people had a direct disastrous consequence on the native inhabitants whose priority rights were not considered or attended to. This policy was reminiscent of that unscrupulous and amoral political theorist of the 15th century, Nicollo Machiavelli (1469-1527). Machiavelli was an advocate of trickery, treachery, and dishonesty in statescraft, and at one time was "identified with Satan." He declared that a country can be effectively colonized by settling there people of the colonizing power. This bit of advice was apparently heeded by the Americans in Mindanao and Sulu as it was by the British in Ireland. The Americans settled alien Filipino elements in Mindanao and Sulu just as the British Crown planted Protestant outsiders in Ireland.<o:p abp="3608"> <o:p abp="3609"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3610" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3611" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3612">
<span abp="3613" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3614" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3615"><o:p abp="3616"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3617" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3618"><div abp="3619" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3620">
<span abp="3621" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3622" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3623" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before 1913, the Americans had no fixed plan for creating settlements in Moro country. Although the lure of lands in the Moro country, tagged as another "Wild West" and inhabited by wild savages, was intense, there were many obstacles on the way. First, serious fighting was still going on and things were in a precarious condition. Second, there was no consensus as to which group of people, Italians, Negroes, Greeks or Filipinos to settle. Adding to this difficulty was the hot and humid climate prevailing in the region. And third, the free flow of the American dollars as capital for business ventures did not come to the Moro Province until the later part of the second decade of this century. B.F. Goodrich started operations only in 1919, Del Monte through a subsidiary in 1925, and Goodyear in 1929.<o:p abp="3624"> <o:p abp="3625"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3626" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3627" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3628">
<span abp="3629" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3630" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3631"><o:p abp="3632"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3633" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3634"><div abp="3635" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3636">
<span abp="3637" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3638" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3639" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a result of the explosive Negro Problem in the United States, the American blacks became the priority in the still nebulous settlement plan. By settling them somewhere, the Americans were actually defusing one of their serious racial problems at home. Moreover, the Negroes, having come originally from the usually arid African continent, would have little difficulty in adjusting themselves to the tropical climate in the Moro region.<o:p abp="3640"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3641" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3642" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3643">
<span abp="3644" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3645" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="3646"><span abp="3647" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="3648"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3649" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3650"><div abp="3651" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3652">
<span abp="3653" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3654" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3655" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1939, Pres. Manuel Quezon even had a special concept of settlement in mind by proposing to plant Jews who were running away from the gas chambers of Adolf Hitler. His Jewish contact suggested that after the settling of the Jewish refugees a law should be passed banning all other foreigners in the Commonwealth. The special target, without pinpointing it, was the Japanese who then posed the greatest problem to the state before World War II. He had in mind Lake Lanao in Mindanao as the favored site. However, had his idea - some said a "misdirected magnanimity" - materialized, he could have created another Palestine in Mindanao. Quezon might have been moved by the savagery and horrors of the Nazis, which is natural to any rational human being. But the question is, why did he fail to consider the outcome of his "generosity" right in his own backyard? No less than 10,000 Jews mostly from Germany and Austria were involved in the proposed settlement project.<o:p abp="3656"> <o:p abp="3657"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3658" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3659" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3660">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3666" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3667"><div abp="3668" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3669">
<span abp="3670" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3671" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3672" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is no intention of listing all the ideas or proposals for settlement in the Moro country. Certainly there were many more. However, two such ideas bear mentioning. In 1899, there was a proposal from a certain C.A. Muir of Weatherford, Texas that a settlement of 1,000 Texas farmers and mechanics be established in Mindanao to induce others from depressed communities in the U.S. to follow. They were offered many. incentives. In the same year, there was another plan from W.G. Douglas of Baltimore to parcel lands in the Philippines (including Mindanao and Sulu) into colonies. Each colonist would be extended help and easy loans.<o:p abp="3673"> <o:p abp="3674"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3675" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3676" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3677">
<span abp="3678" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3679" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3680"><o:p abp="3681"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3682" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3683"><div abp="3684" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3685">
<span abp="3686" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3687" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3688" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the successful migration and settlement of outsiders in the Moro region resulted in the dislocation, dispossession, containment and "minoritization" of the Moros. They became virtual strangers in their own lands.<o:p abp="3689"> <o:p abp="3690"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div abp="3691">
<span abp="3692" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3693" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3694"><o:p abp="3695"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3696" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3697"><div abp="3698" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3699">
<span abp="3700" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3701" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3702" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="3703">5. Policy of Attraction - </b>There was one clear-cut aspect of the American policy vis-a-vis the Moros which contributed largely to the general atmosphere of peace in Mindanao and Sulu; i.e., the policy of attraction. History has proved that the Moro psyche would respond to love with love - and to force with force - which was not always natural to man. Other people would submit if force were applied. The Moro would not. His amor propio, his dignity, his maratabat would urge him to resist for it was dishonorable to surrender.<o:p abp="3704"> <o:p abp="3705"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3706" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3707" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3708">
<span abp="3709" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3710" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3711"><o:p abp="3712"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3713" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3714"><div abp="3715" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3716">
<span abp="3717" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3718" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3719" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The policy was formally inaugurated after the termination of the military rule from 1899 to 1913. It was one of the cornerstones of the administration of Frank C. Carpenter when he became the Governor of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. In essence, it was nothing but an appeal directly to people's natural interests or aesthetic sense. In practice, it involved the extending of scholarships, building of schools, hospitals, construction of roads, bridges, and artesian wells. The Americans also resorted to "dollar diplomacy" or doleouts, giving posts in the government, arranging pleasure trips and the excessive use of praise or flattery.<o:p abp="3720"> <o:p abp="3721"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3722" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3723" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3724">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3730" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3731"><div abp="3732" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 30.6pt;">
<div abp="3733">
<span abp="3734" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3735" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3736" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the end, this policy mesmerized the minds of the Moros, which were the final target; it gradually penetrated into their society as a whole, benumbing their sense of national identity. The hands that firmly grasped the deadly <i abp="3737">krises </i>and spilled so much blood were now trained to seize the pens and indite encomium eulogizing the erstwhile enemy-and-now masters. Exactly as it had been planned, those who were enamored of this policy or those who had availed of the pensionado program and studied in American schools, by and large, became the foremost exponents of the American system and colonial interest. These elements, fawning on their masters, went to the length of despising their own people and institutions, and in many ways, religious zeal was snapped out for worldly pleasures and other mundane matters. As a result, the epoch marked the fashion of naming Moro children after American monickers, such as Mcnutt, Pershing, Carpenter-etc. It also gave birth to the self-defeating attitude popularly referred to as "colonial mentality of preferring everything of foreign, nay American, origin. For the sultans, datus and other chiefs, the power of praise and flattery, doles and donations were masterly utilized to neutralize and finally to win them over to the side of the Americans. On several instances, datus or groups of datus and other chiefs, particularly those seething with deep-seated antipathy to the American rule, were brought to Manila and other provinces and in some instances even to America on "educational tour" or as guests of the government. The purpose of these trips were no less than to convert them into government spokesmen upon their return home. Two of those invited were Datu Alamada (Amani Boliok) and Datu Ampatuan of Cotabato, who both figured prominently in the early wars with the American occupation forces. The number of public schools increased and attendance was made compulsory. Sons and daughters of Moros were sent to Manila or Washington on scholarship grants or as pensionados. Upon their return, they carried with them new world outlooks based on the American value system and beliefs. Public works expanded and field dispensaries and hospitals were made available. Moros were appointed, though in a small scale, to offices and their lands began to be titled in their names. Moros also "participated" in agricultural colonies.<o:p abp="3738"> <o:p abp="3739"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3740" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3741" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 30.6pt;">
<div abp="3742">
<span abp="3743" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3744" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3745"><o:p abp="3746"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3747" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3748"><div abp="3749" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="3750">
<span abp="3751" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3752" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In all these efforts, the net result was not "moroizing" the Moros but "filipinizing" them in order to pave the way for the integration of the various islands into one unified state once independence is granted.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3753" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p></o:p><div abp="3754" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3755">
<span abp="3756" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="3757">Moro Actions and Responses</strong></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3758" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="3759" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="3760" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="3761"><span abp="3762" style="color: red;"></span></strong> </span></center>
<span abp="3763" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3764" align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3765">
<span abp="3766" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3767" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="3768" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="3769" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="3770"></strong></span></center>
<span abp="3771" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3772" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="3773">
<span abp="3774" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3775" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3776" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have stated that the presence of the Americans in Mindanao and Sulu was a direct challenge to the independence and authority of the still "unconquered" Moros, numbering about 335,000 by modest estimate. They viewed the move toward integration the White Men's renewed attempt to subjugate and christianize them. This move. they could not tolerate or allow to happen, even if they had to go to war, as what their forebears had done for many centuries.<o:p abp="3777"> <o:p abp="3778"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3779" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3780" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="3781">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3787" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3788"><div abp="3789" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="3790">
<span abp="3791" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3792" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3793" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Moros took the threat seriously. As they were not trained to bow down in shame, it was now the American's turn to decide whether to back off or take the square dare they had hurled forward. However, for the purpose of this discussion, let us classify into two the forms of struggle of the Moros during the American regime, namely, the armed and the parliamentary. In this section, let us deal with the armed struggle first. But before doing so, let us note that these two forms of struggle appeared to lack coordination by a central leadership in the pursuit of common formal political objectives. The main reason for this deficiency, perhaps, is the superior handling of the problem by the American colonial administrators, who had fully grasped the intricacies of the southern problem, as well as the various errors of the Spaniards, and then succeeded in adopting an almost flawless policy as far as their imperialist agenda in Mindanao and Sulu were concerned.<o:p abp="3794"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3795" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3796" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="3797">
<span abp="3798" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3799" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="3800"><span abp="3801" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="3802"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3803" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3804"><div abp="3805" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="3806">
<span abp="3807" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3808" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3809" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="3810">1. Armed Struggle -</b> There were several factors which ignited the Moro-American War. First, the Moro's mental frame of struggle against foreign encroachment did not slacken at the disappearance of the Spaniards. The fighting itself merely had an impasse, thanks to the superb diplomacy of the Americans, which they employed while their hands were full in their war with the Filipino insurgents in the northern areas. For their part, especially of the sultans and datus, the Moros were studying the situation closely and were not in the rush to make hasty decisions. Second, the American total disregard of the policy of non-interference in favor of direct handling made the prospects of war a matter of time. The Moros were not used to be commanded by outsiders and could not accept any infringement of this tradition. Third, the two conflicting world realities - from the Moro side that the Americans were "infidels," " secularists" and "invaders," and from the American side, that the Moros were "savages," "fanatics" and "pirates" - hastened early conflicts. One considered the other as threat and, therefore, must be disposed off as soon as possible. And fourth, such activities of the American forces like land surveys, census, curtailment of slaves and disarmament resulted in an early face-to-face contact with the Moros, especially those who hated outsiders. In summation - and this is the bottom line - the Moros wanted to preserve their independence and sovereignty over their lands from foreign interference.<o:p abp="3811"> <o:p abp="3812"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3813" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3814" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="3815">
<span abp="3816" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3817" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3818"><o:p abp="3819"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3820" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3821"><div abp="3822" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3823">
<span abp="3824" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3825" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3826" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As early as May 1899, despite the Kiram-Bates Treaty, trouble already erupted in Mindanao and Sulu. The main reason was that the next-level chiefs, after seeing that the sultans were giving in too much to the dictates of the Americans, started to assert themselves. Very soon, serious military confrontations flared up in various parts of the Moro country. These events led one American writer, J. Ralston Hayden, to comment that never during the entire continental expansion of the United States had armed encounters been so frequent and serious as that between the Moros and American troops.` The Moros' bold display of heroism, bravery and determination, even against formidable odds, spoke of their undying spirits to fight for their religion, people and lands. The living legacy to this was the invention of the 1911 .45 caliber pistol, which was specially designed to stop the juramentado dead on his track. Earlier, American soldiers used the.38 caliber revolver as sidearm and, although it was effective against the Cubans it was not sufficient against the Moro warriors who could still lunge at their adversaries with their krises and inflict casualties. The extent of the ferocity of combat and the distraught condition of the American occupation forces could be reflected in one of their most favourite expressions: "The only good Moro is a dead Moro." No less than 20,000 Moros were killed in actions from 1899 to 1916. From 1904 to the end of General Wood's term as Governor of the Moro Province in 1906, the Moros suffered 3.000 dead as against 70 Americans."<o:p abp="3827"> <o:p abp="3828"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3829" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3830" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3831">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3837" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3838"><div abp="3839" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3840">
<span abp="3841" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3842" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3843" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is no attempt here to document all the engagements in the Moro-American War. The record would fill hundreds of pages. Consider that in just less than three years of General Wood's rule, there were already more than a hundred confrontations that took place, some hard-fought. For this reason, the major confrontations would perhaps suffice for this narration.<o:p abp="3844"> <o:p abp="3845"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3846" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3847" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3848">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3854" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3855"><div abp="3856" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3857">
<span abp="3858" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3859" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3860" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As early as April 1902, a large-scale engagement occurred in Bayang, Lanao. About 1,200 American troops were thrown into action against the 600 warriors of Sultan of Bayang and of nearby settlements. The Moros were encamped in their cottas (forts) with brass cannons emplacements. For the first time, the Americans had a taste of the horrors of the on-rushing juramentados who simply refused to fall after being hit repeatedly. The fighting protracted until May 3. Report of the fighting showed that the U.S. troops suffered ten killed and 41 wounded as against 300-400 Moros slain, including the sultans of Bayang and Pandapatan. In honor of a fallen young American lieutenant, Camp Vicar was erected near the scene of the fighting. Capt. John Pershing was later appointed the new commanding 'Officer of the camp. Upon assuming the post, Pershing, nicknamed "Black jack," immediately started to implement plans for the eventual recognition of the U.S. sovereignty over the lake Moros. The lake Moros interpreted this as no less than an act to subjugate them and to convert them into Christianity. They warned the Americans to leave immediately or face the dire consequences. A series of bitter engagements followed that lasted up to February 1908. So beleaguered were the Americans that in Dansalan (Marawi) they could not cross Keithley Road "without being shot at." At one time District Governor Allan Card, the first civilian Governor of Lanao, was wounded in an ambush in Maciu in February 1908. But because of American vast resources, superior weaponry and battle tactics, the final outcome of these engagements always favored the newcomers: 300 Moro casualties versus only about 30 Americans dead or wounded.<o:p abp="3861"> <o:p abp="3862"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3863" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3864" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3865">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3871" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3872"><div abp="3873" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3874">
<span abp="3875" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3876" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3877" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Leading the Lanao resistance was the shrewd and brave Datu Ampuan Agaus who outwitted the Americans several times and. despite his many reversals, he was still up in arms until the middle of 1916. Out of the deaths, havoc and destructions in these bloody encounters, Pershing was not only promoted from Captain direct to General and thus bypassing 862 senior officers, but was also hailed as a "hero" and "military genius."<o:p abp="3878"> <o:p abp="3879"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3880" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3881" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3882">
<span abp="3883" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3884" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="3885"><o:p abp="3886"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3887" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3888"><div abp="3889" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3890">
<span abp="3891" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3892" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3893" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Cotabato, the most celebrated anti-American resistance was spearheaded by Datu Ali, <i abp="3894">Rajahmuda </i>of Salunayan and later of Buayan, and his brother, Jambangan. Datu Ali was supposed to succeed Sultan Anwaruddin Utto as Chief of the Buayan sultanate, but for some reasons Datu Piang or Tuya Tan, his father-in-law, had become the most popular chieftain in Cotabato when the Americans arrived in December 1899. Mingka, the daughter of Datu Piang, was however married to Datu Ali, who was raising the flag of resistance against the cedula tax and anti-slavery campaign of the Americans. Datu Ali's bravery and determination became known far and wide. He did not only succeed to raise the flag of resistance in the entire Cotabato Valley but also attempted to persuade the Lanao Moros to join hands with him in fighting the Americans.<o:p abp="3895"> <o:p abp="3896"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3897" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3898" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3899">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3905" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3906"><div abp="3907" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3908">
<span abp="3909" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3910" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3911" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In early March 1904, General Wood personally led the attack of Datu Ali's main cotta at Kudarangan which, according to account, was the largest ever constructed" and could garrison "four or five thousand men" and was defended by eighty-five pieces of artillery, including a 3 to 5 1/2 inches caliber." After a bitter fight, the fort was captured and Datu Ali and 260 followers retreated to Salunayan. In May 1904, it was Datu Ali's turn to even the scores with the Americans, who were not familiar with the terrain of the marshland and the terrible bites of mosquitoes there. In his diary, Wood recorded their encounter with mosquitoes:<o:p abp="3912"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3913" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3914" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3915">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3920" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3921"><div abp="3922" align="justify" class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3923">
<span abp="3924" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="3925" lang="EN-GB"><span abp="3926" style="color: navy;"><i abp="3927">I don't think anywhere in the world have I ever seen mosquitoes as thick as they were at this place. The men were almost crazy. There were countless millions of mosquitoes so thick it was impossible to protect oneself against them, or sleep. Some wrapped their hands in blankets and others sat over the fire until the smoke so hurt their eyes and nostrils that they had to get away, and as soon as they left the fire the mosquitoes attacked them. I think two nights here would have destroyed the efficiency of the command and probably resulted in several cases of temporary madness.</i></span></span><i abp="3928"><span abp="3929" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3930" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p abp="3931"> </o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3932" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3933" align="justify" class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="3934">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="3940" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3941" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3942">
<span abp="3943" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3944" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3945" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In a classic example of guerrilla tactic, Ali and his men succeeded in luring the American troops into the Liguasan Marsh where a well aid ambush led to the massacre of nineteen soldiers, including two officers, and the capture of several others. The captives were later released.<o:p abp="3946"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3947" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3948" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3949">
<span abp="3950" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3951" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="3952"><span abp="3953" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="3954"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3955" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3956"><div abp="3957" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3958">
<span abp="3959" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3960" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3961" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finally on October 22, 1905, Capt. Frank R. McCoy led an expedition of combined army and scouts of the 22nd Infantry and Philippine Scouts under cover of darkness and sneaked deep into his hideout near Malala River not far from Buluan to surprise Datu Ali and his men. Datu Ali and scores others perished in this attack. What made the mission easier was the "treachery" of Datu Inok or Amani Gallery, husband of Bagungan, who tipped off the Americans on Datu Ali's hideout. Earlier, Bagungan was abducted by Datu Ali, which enraged the husband and made him turn against his former companion in the resistance.<o:p abp="3962"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3963" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3964" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="3965">
<span abp="3966" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3967" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="3968"><span abp="3969" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="3970"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3971" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3972"><div abp="3973" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="3974">
<span abp="3975" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3976" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3977" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even before 1903, a series of confrontation raged in the Sulu archipelago. The most serious were those led by Panglima Hassan in alliance with many minor datus in October of that year. Panglima Hassan was of humble origin but he was gifted with intelligence and determination. He was so influential that he could easily muster 500 warriors within hours notice and many more in days. The Americans accused him of slavery and banditry, the normal crimes imputed to other anti-American campaigners elsewhere in Mindanao and Sulu. Eventually Panglima Hassan, already fed up with the American hostile ways, decided to confront the Americans anew. With about 400 followers, including women and children, he assaulted the American troops stationed in Jolo. The fighting lasted the whole day resulting in heavy casualties on both sides, especially on the attackers. By then reinforcements under the command of General Wood arrived in Sulu. Soon the Americans mounted counter-offensives. The main fort of Panglima Hassan near a lake was besieged from all directions and a gory hand-to-hand fight followed. After days of continuous fighting, the fort was overran, Hassan overwhelmed and captured. But after a masterly stroke of genius, Hassan escaped, leaving behind many casualties among his captors, including Maj. Hugh Scott, who was wounded.<o:p abp="3978"></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3979" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3980" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="3981">
<span abp="3982" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3983" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="3984"><span abp="3985" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="3986"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3987" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="3988"><div abp="3989" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="3990">
<span abp="3991" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="3992" style="color: navy;"><span abp="3993" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The struggle of Panglima Hassan was shortlived. On March 4, 1904, he was martyred at his hideout atop Bud Bagsak. But the Americans found in him a ferocious fighter who never hesitated to throw himself in battle, even against a superior enemy. After his martyrdom, his followers led by Datu Pala continued the resistance until November 1905 and declared a <i abp="3994">jihad </i>to drive out the infidel Americans. <o:p abp="3995"> <o:p abp="3996"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="3997" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="3998" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="3999">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4005" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4006"><div abp="4007" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="4008">
<span abp="4009" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4010" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4011" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many more resistance fighters came forward. One was the famous Jikiri, known as the "Terror of the Sulu Sea." Branded by the Americans as a "bandit," he was, to the Moros, a kind of "RobinHood." He slashed the throats of the Americans and their local lackeys, got their properties and distributed them to the people and his men.<o:p abp="4012"> <o:p abp="4013"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4014" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4015" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="4016">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4022" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4023"><div abp="4024" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4025">
<span abp="4026" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="4027" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4028" style="color: navy;">Like Panglima Hassan, Jikiri had a lowly beginning. H</span></span><span abp="4029" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4030" style="color: navy;">e once served the Sulu sultan as a betel-nut bearer. Early in his rebel life, he had a small band of followers of just seven, but in due time this grew in size. In 1907, his fame as a "pirate" began to cause much trouble to the Americans in Sulu, then under Governor Alexander Rogers, who soon raised the reward money to P 4,000 to get him "dead or alive." Jikiri was not only brave; he was elusive to his pursuers and to hit back at his pursuers with rage and impunity. He was particularly a terror to the pearling rights grabbers; in fact, they were the main reason for his resistance. No less than Sultan Jamalul Kiram 11, on his visit to Washington in September 1910, told Pres. William Taft that Jikiri's banditry was due to the violation of the traditional rights of the people over the pearl beds of Sulu."<o:p abp="4031"> <o:p abp="4032"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4033" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4034"><div abp="4035" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4036">
<span abp="4037" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4038" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4039" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After two years of hit-and-run confrontations, the end of the road for Jikiri came on July 4, 1909. A combined American cavalry, infantry and artillery assaulted the cave at Patian Island, ten miles from Jolo where he and his men perished after a fierce hand-to-hand fight.<o:p abp="4040"> <o:p abp="4041"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4042" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4043" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4044">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4050" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4051"><div abp="4052" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4053">
<span abp="4054" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4055" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4056" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In August 1913, the Moros of Talipao on the Jolo Island refused to pay the road tax imposed on them by the Americans. Led by Datu Sabtal, they fortified themselves around the slopes of Mount Talipao. Their refusal led to a series of engagements between the group of Datu Sabtal and the Philippine Scouts.<o:p abp="4057"> <o:p abp="4058"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4059" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4060" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4061">
<span abp="4062" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4063" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="4064"><o:p abp="4065"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4066" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4067"><div abp="4068" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4069">
<span abp="4070" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4071" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4072" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1914, Datu Alamada or Amani Boliok of Pedatan, near Parang, defied the Americans. With a following of 3,000 men, women and children, and possibly even more, the slippery Moro chieftain fought many engagements with the Philippine Scouts and Constabulary troops. In his many skirmishes with Capt. Allen Fletcher, the commanding officer of the American outfit, Alamada was always on his feet and on the run. His feats were very colorful in the beginning, but Moro culture would not give credit to those who bowed down in shame by surrendering to the enemy. Datu Alamada surrendered to the Americans on May 19, 1914. As can be noted, serious armed confrontations with the Americans continued after 1914. Datu Ampuan was still fighting the Americans up to 1916. Military operations failed to break up his determined effort to fight the colonial rule.<o:p abp="4073"> <o:p abp="4074"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4075" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4076" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4077">
<span abp="4078" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4079" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="4080"><o:p abp="4081"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4082" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4083"><div abp="4084" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4085">
<span abp="4086" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4087" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4088" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1923, armed confrontation exploded in Tugaya, Lanao when a group of Moros revolted against forced education imposed upon their children to attend American schools, which they suspected to be an instrument of conversion to Christianity. The resistance was cut short at the death of the leader and 54 of his followers in the series of armed engagements that followed.<o:p abp="4089"> <o:p abp="4090"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4091" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4092" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4093">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4099" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4100"><div abp="4101" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4102">
<span abp="4103" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4104" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4105" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The same year, Datu Santiago and some Constabulary deserters who joined him created much unrest in the Parang region of Cotabato. Resorting to a hit-and-run fighting, Datu Santiago and his men were able to inflict considerable casualties on pursuing government troops, now already under Filipino leadership. Like any resistance leader, Datu Santiago could not understand why he had to pay the cedula tax for staying in his own ancestral place. He was also bitter about the forced education and the excesses of the Constabulary troops. Fighting in a very favorable terrain, he was able to hold on until 1925, when a fierce encounters took place resulting in the loss of several hundreds of his followers. Unable to sustain the resistance indefinitely, he finally surrendered to the government.<o:p abp="4106"> <o:p abp="4107"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4108" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4109" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4110">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4116" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4117"><div abp="4118" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4119">
<span abp="4120" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4121" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4122" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again, trouble erupted in Sulu in 1927. Datu Tahil, a veteran of the Bud Bagsak incident, where he lost his wife and child, refortified the hills of Patikul. After many encounters that started in January and claimed the lives of forty of his men and after a brief escape, he decided to make peace with the government even against the wishes of his clan. This angered even his own sister "who wished him death."<o:p abp="4123"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4124" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4125" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4126">
<span abp="4127" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4128" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="4129"><o:p abp="4130"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4131" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4132"><div abp="4133" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4134">
<span abp="4135" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4136" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4137" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meantime, the Philippine Commonwealth Government was established on November 15, 1935 with Manuel L. Quezon as the first President. Barely six months after, in June 1936, the most serious armed rebellion took place in Lanao. It was spearheaded by Hadji Abdulhamid Bongabong, a religious leader of Unayan, Lanao. The fighting lasted for many years and took place around the lake, where a chain of Moro cottas were erected in defiance. This is recorded in history as the great "cotta fight." The grievances were contained in a petition letter addressed to the President of the United States. Succinctly put, the issues raised were:<o:p abp="4138"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4139" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4140" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4141">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4146" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4147" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4148">
<span abp="4149" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4150" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4151" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. Moros had become second class citizens;<o:p abp="4152"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4153" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4154" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4155">
<span abp="4156" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4157" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4158"><span abp="4159" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="4160"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4161" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4162"><div abp="4163" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4164">
<span abp="4165" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4166" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4167" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. The Moro Province be segregated once independence is given, to the Filipinos;<o:p abp="4168"> <o:p abp="4169"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4170" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4171" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4172">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4178" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4179"><div abp="4180" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4181">
<span abp="4182" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4183" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4184" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. Acquisition of lands in the Moro Province be reserved for the Moros; and<o:p abp="4185"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4186" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4187" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4188">
<span abp="4189" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4190" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4191"><span abp="4192" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="4193"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4194" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4195" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4196">
<o:p abp="4197"><span abp="4198" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4199" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4200" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. Islam must not be curtailed in any manner.<o:p abp="4201"> </o:p></span></span></span></o:p></div>
</div>
<span abp="4202" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4203" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4204">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4210" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4211" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4212">
<span abp="4213" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4214" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4215" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The uprising lasted up to 1941, just a few months before the invasion of the Japanese Imperial Army.<o:p abp="4216"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4217" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4218" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4219">
<span abp="4220" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4221" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4222"><span abp="4223" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="4224"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4225" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4226"><div abp="4227" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4228">
<span abp="4229" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4230" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4231" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The listing of the names of Moro resistance leaders and their engagements with the occupation forces, first against the Americans and then against the Filipinos, cannot be made complete here. What we have is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. One fact of history is that even after the exit of Spain, hardly months or a year passed without one Moro leader or another taking the field to resist whoever was in power. But a great many passed into oblivion and their exploits have not been properly recorded, if they were not, in fact, systematically omitted or ignored. Even the greatest, like Panglima Hassan, Datu Ali, Datu Ampuan Agaus, and Jikiri, whose names are classics in Moro history, had been villainously blackened by the Americans and their puppets, because these Moro heroes had been regarded as the villains. They have ceased to exist now, yes! - as have their tormentors, who are gone - but the cause they had fought for is still very much within us; and certainly, others will pick up the flag of resistance exactly, where they had halted, as thousands upon thousands now are marching forward, following their footsteps, until final victory shall be achieved!<o:p abp="4232"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4233" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4234" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 4.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4235">
<span abp="4236" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4237" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4238"><span abp="4239" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="4240"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4241" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4242"><div abp="4243" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4244">
<span abp="4245" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4246" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4247" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="4248">2. Parliamentary Struggle - </b>The U.S. colonial government and the succeeding Filipino neo-colonial power have utterly failed to stamp out Moro resistance. But they have succeeded in rendering Moro traditional power structure effete and almost obsolete. The main casualties have been the sultans and datus, whose authority has been squelched to the extent that they have become mere symbols of the past and mute relics of history. The sultan-people direct dealing has been almost severed and, to get rid of the evils of dual rule, meaning sultan and government ruling simultaneously, the Commonwealth Government directed all state-installed officials in 1936 to take over the roles so far exercised by the sultans and datus.<o:p abp="4249"> <o:p abp="4250"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4251" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4252" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4253">
<span abp="4254" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4255" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p abp="4256"><o:p abp="4257"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4258" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4259"><div abp="4260" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="4261">
<span abp="4262" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4263" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4264" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The disintegration of the traditional socio-political order and the ever-tightening imposition of the secular-materialistic concept of life bequeathed by the Americans have created an extremely difficult situation for the Moros. Consequently, those who were won over to the American side, freely or under duress, were the ones who with their pens, slogans and orations adopted and pursued the parliamentary or unarmed way of struggle. They asked the United States Government to separate the Moro Province, either as colony or as independent state. Singly or in chorus, they unanimously refused to join the Filipinos in their demand for independence. It is true that they did not succeed; neither did they achieve anything of consequence in terms of the real liberation of the Moros - that, obviously, was already foredoomed from the start. But there is no gainsaying the fact that they did their best in their own way. Yet, on the other hand, by following the unarmed way of struggle, they were deeply entangled into the American cobweb and continued to become subservient to the whims and caprices of the new colonial masters.<o:p abp="4265"> <o:p abp="4266"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4267" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4268" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="4269">
<span abp="4270" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4271" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="4272"><o:p abp="4273"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4274" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4275"><div abp="4276" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="4277">
<span abp="4278" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4279" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The agitation for a separate state did not die, even among those who considered it pragmatic to cooperate with the Americans. As a matter of fact, as early as August 10, 1910, on the occasion of the official visit of the U.S. Secretary of War, Jacobson M. Dickenson, to investigate the real condition of the Philippines vis-a-vis the grant of independence, they already made known their deep commitment to the separation of the Moro country from Luzon and the Visayas once independence is granted. A large meeting was held and many Moros and Filipinos attended. The first to speak were two Filipinos who said that the 70,000 Christians in the Moro Province, who were "civilized," "educated" and "property-owners" were ready and willing to govern the Moros then numbering 335,000. Then some of the Moro leaders followed. Datu Mandi spoke first and a portion of his speech reads:</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4280" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4281" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="4282">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4285" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4286" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="4287">
<o:p abp="4288"><o:p abp="4289"><o:p abp="4290"><o:p abp="4291"><o:p abp="4292"><o:p abp="4293"><o:p abp="4294"><o:p abp="4295"><o:p abp="4296"><o:p abp="4297"><o:p abp="4298"><o:p abp="4299"><o:p abp="4300"><o:p abp="4301"><o:p abp="4302"><span abp="4303" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="4304"><span abp="4305" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4306" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As I look about, I see far more Moros than Filipinos contingent, and if that is so, that is the reason it is called the Moro Province .... If the American government does not want the Moro Province any more they should give it back to us. It is a Moro Province. It belongs to us.</span></span></i><span abp="4307" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4308" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p abp="4309"> </o:p></span></span></span></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<span abp="4310" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4311" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<div abp="4312">
<o:p abp="4313"><o:p abp="4314"><o:p abp="4315"><o:p abp="4316"><o:p abp="4317"><o:p abp="4318"><o:p abp="4319"><o:p abp="4320"><o:p abp="4321"><o:p abp="4322"><o:p abp="4323"><o:p abp="4324"><o:p abp="4325"><o:p abp="4326"><o:p abp="4327"><span abp="4328" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4329" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p abp="4330"> </o:p></span></span></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<span abp="4331" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4332"><div abp="4333" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="4334">
<span abp="4335" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4336" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next to speak was Datu Sacaluran:</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4337" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4338" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="4339">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4342" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4343" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="4344">
<span abp="4345" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="4346"><o:p abp="4347"><o:p abp="4348"><o:p abp="4349"><o:p abp="4350"><o:p abp="4351"><o:p abp="4352"><o:p abp="4353"><o:p abp="4354"><o:p abp="4355"><o:p abp="4356"><o:p abp="4357"><o:p abp="4358"><o:p abp="4359"><o:p abp="4360"><span abp="4361" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4362" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4363">I am an old man now. I do not want any more trouble. But if it should come to that, that we shall be given over to the Filipinos, I would Still fight.<o:p abp="4364"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></i><o:p abp="4365"><i abp="4366"><span abp="4367" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4368" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4369"> <o:p abp="4370"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></i></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4371" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4372" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="4373">
<o:p abp="4374"><i abp="4375"><span abp="4376" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4377" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="4378"><o:p abp="4379"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></i></o:p></div>
</div>
<span abp="4380" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4381"><div abp="4382" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4383">
<span abp="4384" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4385" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The third to come forward was Hadji Abdullah Nunyo who declared:</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4386" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4387" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4388">
<span abp="4389" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="4390" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4391"><o:p abp="4392"><o:p abp="4393"><o:p abp="4394"><o:p abp="4395"><o:p abp="4396"><o:p abp="4397"><o:p abp="4398"><o:p abp="4399"><o:p abp="4400"><o:p abp="4401"><o:p abp="4402"><o:p abp="4403"><o:p abp="4404"><o:p abp="4405"><o:p abp="4406"><i abp="4407"><span abp="4408" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We area different race; we are Mohammedans. And if we should be given over to the Filipinos, how much more would they treat us badly, when they treated even the Spanish badly who were their own mothers and fathers for generations. How did they treat them? Think about it! Think twice We prefer to be in the hands of the Americans, who are father and mother to us now, than to be turned over to another people. </span></i></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></span><o:p abp="4409"><span abp="4410" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4411"><span abp="4412" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p abp="4413"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4414" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4415" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4416">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4423" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4424"><div abp="4425" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4426">
<span abp="4427" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="4428" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4429" style="color: navy;">Between the Americans and the Filipinos, the Moros, after decades of bitter-sweet interacti</span></span><span abp="4430" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4431" style="color: navy;">ons, learned to accept the former and retained hatred for the latter. This was the legacy of the Spanish colonialism in the Philippines. But battling for political favors and attention from the Americans, the Moros were the underdog in the unfavorable terrain of an alien Western system. The non-acceptability of a separate Moroland was a foregone conclusion. That concept of separation never for a moment became a part of the official policy of the United States Government.<o:p abp="4432"> <o:p abp="4433"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4434" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4435" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4436">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4442" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4443"><div abp="4444" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4445">
<span abp="4446" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4447" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4448" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meantime, the policy of putting Filipinos into offices or "filipinization" that started very early in Luzon and the Visayas in 1901 by Pres. William McKinley had been extended to the Moro country. This was pushed forward rapidly when Francis Burton Harrison became Governor General of the Philippines in 1913 - 1921.<o:p abp="4449"> <o:p abp="4450"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4451" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4452" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4453">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4459" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4460"><div abp="4461" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4462">
<span abp="4463" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4464" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On September 1, 1914, the newly organized Department of Mindanao and Sulu, including seven provinces as part of its territorial jurisdiction, was inaugurated in Zamboanga. Of these provinces, four had Filipinos appointed as governors and only three, Lanao, Sulu and Cotabato. had Americans retained as governors. The four provinces already under Filipino governors were Zamboanga, Davao, Agusan and Surigao. In this filipinization scheme, the role of the Moros was very negligible. At most it was a consolation. A Moro was appointed third member of the Provincial Board of Zamboanga, and later in 1915, a Moro was placed the third member of the Board of Cotabato. After the passage of the Jones Law in 1916, which provided formal commitment of independence to the Philippines, Gov. Gen. William Harrison appointed Hadji Butu of Sulu, Datu Piang of Cotabato and Datu Benito of Lanao to the Philippine Legislature.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4465" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4466" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4467">
<span abp="4468" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4469" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4470"><span abp="4471" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="4472"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4473" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4474"><div abp="4475" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4476">
<span abp="4477" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4478" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4479" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Meanwhile, World War 1 commenced in Europe in 1914. This global conflict had direct repercussions on the Moro country. Turkey entered the war in October 1914 on the side of the Central Powers, and in April 1917, the United States joined the Allies. The Moros still looked up to Turkey both as capital of the Islamic world and the Sultan of Turkey as the political head of the Muslim <i abp="4480">ummah. </i>This attitude created some apprehension among the American administration officials in Mindanao and Sulu. They feared a Moro backlash favoring Turkey., But as unexpected, even after the conclusion of the war in 1918, nothing untoward happened in Mindanao and Sulu that was related to this global conflict. The Moros remained generally unconcerned with the war.<o:p abp="4481"> <o:p abp="4482"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4483" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4484" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4485">
<span abp="4486" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4487" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="4488"><o:p abp="4489"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4490" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4491"><div abp="4492" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4493">
<span abp="4494" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4495" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4496" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1920, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was governed entirely by Filipinos. American governors in the predominantly Moro provinces like Sulu, Cotabato and Lanao were replaced by Filipinos. This led to the conclusion that filipinization actually meant christianization" of the civil service in Moro country.<o:p abp="4497"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4498" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4499" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4500">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4505" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4506"><div abp="4507" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4508">
<span abp="4509" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4510" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4511" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On June 9, 1921, a petition from the Moros of Sulu was forwarded to the United States Government. Along with an earnest desire to remain under American rule, they stated clearly:<o:p abp="4512"> <o:p abp="4513"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4514" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4515" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4516">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4522" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4523"><div abp="4524" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.8pt;">
<div abp="4525">
<i abp="4526"><span abp="4527" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4528" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4529" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are independent for 500 years. Even Spain failed to conquer us. If the U.S. quits the Philippines and the Filipinos attempt to govern us, we will fight. <o:p abp="4530"> </o:p></span></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="4531" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4532" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.8pt;">
<div abp="4533">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4539" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4540" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4541">
<span abp="4542" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4543" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On February 1, 1924, another petition containing a declaration of rights and purposes was forwarded to the U.S. Congress from more than 500,000 Moros of Mindanao and Sulu. More than one hundred signed the petition for the Moros. Among the signatories worth mentioning, were Sultan Mangigin of Maguindanao, Hadji Panglima Nunyo, Datu Sacaluran, Maharaja Habing, Abdula Piang and Datu Benito. A portion runs thus:</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4544" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4545" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4546">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4549" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4550" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4551">
<span abp="4552" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="4553"><o:p abp="4554"><o:p abp="4555"><o:p abp="4556"><o:p abp="4557"><o:p abp="4558"><o:p abp="4559"><o:p abp="4560"><o:p abp="4561"><o:p abp="4562"><o:p abp="4563"><o:p abp="4564"><o:p abp="4565"><o:p abp="4566"><o:p abp="4567"><o:p abp="4568"><o:p abp="4569"><o:p abp="4570"><o:p abp="4571"><o:p abp="4572"><span abp="4573" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4574" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4575">... In the event that the United States grants independence to the Philippine Islands without provision for our retention under the American flag, it is our firm intention and resolve to declare ourselves an independent Constitutional sultanate to be known to the world as Moro Nation. It is the duty of the Congress of the United States to make provision at once for the security and protection promised to us when we surrendered our arms to the United States Army. This promise is just as sacred as any alleged promises you have made to the Christian Filipinos. 1 ou have left us defenseless, and is your duty to protect us or return to us the weapons you took from us and which we freely gave you, relying on your promises?<o:p abp="4576"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></i><o:p abp="4577"><i abp="4578"><span abp="4579" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4580" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4581"> <o:p abp="4582"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></i></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4583" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4584" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<div abp="4585">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4593" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4594"><div abp="4595" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4596">
<span abp="4597" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4598" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4599" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A keen American analyst of Philippine affairs, the Honorable Clarence B. Miller, who had extensive tours of the islands, made a startling but categorical conclusion that the Moros would immediately resort to arms if compelled to live under the rule of the Filipinos. This observation was corroborated by the findings of the Wood-Forbes investigation at a meeting held in Lanao. One of the Moros present pointed to a building over which were flying side by side the American flag and the Filipino flag and said: "What is that strange [Filipino] flag flying beside ours? Take it down."<span abp="4600" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Cotabato, Amai Binaning spoke for the Maguindanao Moros and said: "We Moros wish the protection of America. We wish to stay under the American flag." <o:p abp="4601"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4602" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4603" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4604">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4609" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4610" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4611">
<span abp="4612" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4613" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the conclusion of the Wood-Forbes Investigation of the Philippine Islands, one of its findings was:</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4614" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4615" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4616">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4619" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4620" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4621">
<span abp="4622" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="4623"><o:p abp="4624"><o:p abp="4625"><o:p abp="4626"><o:p abp="4627"><o:p abp="4628"><o:p abp="4629"><o:p abp="4630"><o:p abp="4631"><o:p abp="4632"><o:p abp="4633"><o:p abp="4634"><o:p abp="4635"><o:p abp="4636"><o:p abp="4637"><o:p abp="4638"><o:p abp="4639"><o:p abp="4640"><o:p abp="4641"><o:p abp="4642"><o:p abp="4643"><span abp="4644" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4645" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4646">The Moros are a unit against independence and, are united for continuance of American control, and, in case of separation of the Philippines from the United States, desire their portion of the islands to be retained as American territory under American control. The Pagans and non-Christians, constituting about 10 per cent of the population of the islands, are for continued control. They want peace and security. <o:p abp="4647"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></i><o:p abp="4648"><i abp="4649"><span abp="4650" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4651" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4652"> </o:p></span></span></i></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4653" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4654" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4655">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4662" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4663"><div abp="4664" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4665">
<span abp="4666" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4667" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4668" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What almost turned the tide of history in favor of the Moros were three important events in the year 1926.<o:p abp="4669"> <o:p abp="4670"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4671" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4672" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4673">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4679" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4680"><div abp="4681" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<div abp="4682">
<span abp="4683" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4684" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first was the visit of Harvey Firestone Jr. in March to Mindanao looking for 1,000,000 acres of lands for rubber plantation. Firestone got a lift when no less than Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood appeared very supportive. This prospect, however, did not prosper for several reasons, one of which being the stiff opposition of the Filipino nationalists who wanted the Moro country to become an integral part of the Philippine Islands.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4685" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4686" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<div abp="4687">
<span abp="4688" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4689" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4690"><span abp="4691" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="4692"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4693" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4694"><div abp="4695" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<div abp="4696">
<span abp="4697" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4698" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="4699" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The second event was the filing of four bills for the segregation or retention of Mindanao and Sulu either as an American colony or a federal state. On May 6, 1926, Cong. Robert L. Bacon of New York filed House Bill No. 12772 in the United States Congress which sought to retain Mindanao and Sulu as an American colony, even as the rest of the islands would be granted independence. Though mainly motivated by economic reasons, Bacon's rhetoric stunned his critics and heartened his supporters. In his privilege speech, he said</span><span abp="4700" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">:</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4701" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4702" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<div abp="4703">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4707" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4708" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<div abp="4709">
<span abp="4710" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="4711"><o:p abp="4712"><o:p abp="4713"><o:p abp="4714"><o:p abp="4715"><o:p abp="4716"><o:p abp="4717"><o:p abp="4718"><o:p abp="4719"><o:p abp="4720"><o:p abp="4721"><o:p abp="4722"><o:p abp="4723"><o:p abp="4724"><o:p abp="4725"><o:p abp="4726"><o:p abp="4727"><o:p abp="4728"><o:p abp="4729"><o:p abp="4730"><o:p abp="4731"><o:p abp="4732"><o:p abp="4733"><span abp="4734" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4735" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4736">Their so-called representation in the Philippine Legislature is a farce and a mockery. They are deliberately denied any share 'or participation in the government. They have no elective representatives.... They have no magistrates, no judges, no public prosecutor drawn from their own people. And the guardians of law and order in their region -constabulary - are practically drawn from the ranks of their hereditary enemies - the Filipinos. The Filipinos are their lawmakers, their governors, their judges, their persecutors and their policemen. To these conditions the Moros respond by giving nothing but hate and unwilling submission. </o:p></span></span></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></i><o:p abp="4737"><i abp="4738"><span abp="4739" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4740" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4741"> </o:p></span></span></i></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4742" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4743" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<div abp="4744">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4751" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4752" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 27pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="4753">
<span abp="4754" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4755" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4756" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He continued his rhetoric by saying:<o:p abp="4757"> <o:p abp="4758"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4759" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4760" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 27pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="4761">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4767" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4768"><div abp="4769" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 69pt; tab-stops: right 289.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="4770">
<i abp="4771"><span abp="4772" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4773" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4774" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Philippine Islands are divided into two very distinct areas - the Christian provinces... and the Mohammedan territory .... These two regions belong to different and opposed civilizations - the Christian world and Islam."<o:p abp="4775"> <o:p abp="4776"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="4777" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4778" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-right: 69pt; tab-stops: right 289.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="4779">
<i abp="4780"><span abp="4781" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4782" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p abp="4783"><o:p abp="4784"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="4785" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4786"><div abp="4787" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4788">
<span abp="4789" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4790" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bacon was not alone. Apart from his supporters in the U.S. Congress, there was tremendous popular support and endorsement from the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu. During the deliberation of the bill, Datu Piang of Cotabato, one of the most popular pro-American leaders, felicitated the New York Congressman and cabled this message:</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4791" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4792" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4793">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4796" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4797" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4798">
<span abp="4799" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="4800"><o:p abp="4801"><o:p abp="4802"><o:p abp="4803"><o:p abp="4804"><o:p abp="4805"><o:p abp="4806"><o:p abp="4807"><o:p abp="4808"><o:p abp="4809"><o:p abp="4810"><o:p abp="4811"><o:p abp="4812"><o:p abp="4813"><o:p abp="4814"><o:p abp="4815"><o:p abp="4816"><o:p abp="4817"><o:p abp="4818"><o:p abp="4819"><o:p abp="4820"><o:p abp="4821"><o:p abp="4822"><o:p abp="4823"><o:p abp="4824"><span abp="4825" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4826" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4827">Allow me to congratulate you on a bill for the separation of Mindanao from the government in Manila. Long have we hoped and long have we prayed that the people of the U.S., after conquering us would not turn us over to those who do not understand us. We have written the President, asking him for the support of your bill. I am not talking for myself, because I am an old man. I am talking for my people and for the Moros of these vast islands."</o:p></span></span></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></i><o:p abp="4828"><i abp="4829"><span abp="4830" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4831" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4832"> <o:p abp="4833"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></i></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4834" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4835" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4836">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4844" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4845"><div abp="4846" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4847">
<span abp="4848" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4849" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4850" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the interlude, the Filipino politicians, who were sharply divided at the moment, decided to come to terms to form the Supreme National Council. The Council was headed by Manuel Quezon and its avowed objective was to present a more unified front against the Bacon Bill. A powerful lobby was organized to counter the efforts of Bacon and his colleagues in the U.S. Congress. The Council bitterly denounced the bill and criticized the movers.<o:p abp="4851"> <o:p abp="4852"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4853" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4854" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4855">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4861" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4862"><div abp="4863" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4864">
<span abp="4865" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4866" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4867" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Three other bills were introduced in the United States Congress, namely, the Roger, Copper and Kies bills. The first was similar to the Bacon Bill while the Copper Bill provided for the retention of the islands of Mindanao and Sulu for eventual federation with the United States. The third bill was obscure but was believed similar to the rest.<o:p abp="4868"> <o:p abp="4869"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4870" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4871" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4872">
<span abp="4873" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4874" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="4875"><o:p abp="4876"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4877" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4878"><div abp="4879" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4880">
<span abp="4881" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4882" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4883" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The third momentous circumstance was when Pres. john Calvin Coolidge, unable to ascertain the real situation in the Philippine Islands in relation to the grant of independence, sent Col. Carmi Thompson to investigate. The situation of the Moros was one of the main concerns. The mission reported that the Philippines lacked social homogeneity and solidarity. It also took note of the approval of the Bacon Bill by the Moros.<o:p abp="4884"> <o:p abp="4885"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4886" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4887" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4888">
<span abp="4889" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4890" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="4891"><o:p abp="4892"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4893" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4894"><div abp="4895" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4896">
<span abp="4897" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4898" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4899" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.This prevailing sentiment was reiterated to Gov. Gen. Dwight F. Davis two years after in one of his visits to the Island in 1929<i abp="4900">. </i>One prominent Moro leader, Gumbay Piang, son of Datu Piang, spoke of this universal desire of the Moros to dissociate themselves from the independence movement of the Filipinos. He remarked that the Filipinos, after having been influenced by Spain for many centuries, had an innate motive to eradicate Moro identity and traditions in addition to having territorial ambitions in Mindanao.<o:p abp="4901"> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4902" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4903" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4904">
<span abp="4905" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4906" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="4907"><span abp="4908" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="4909"> </o:p></span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4910" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4911"><div abp="4912" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4913">
<span abp="4914" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4915" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1927, an American observer in the <i abp="4916">New York </i>Post wrote the following:</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4917" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4918" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4919">
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<span abp="4922" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4923" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4924">
<o:p abp="4925"><o:p abp="4926"><o:p abp="4927"><o:p abp="4928"><o:p abp="4929"><o:p abp="4930"><o:p abp="4931"><o:p abp="4932"><o:p abp="4933"><o:p abp="4934"><o:p abp="4935"><o:p abp="4936"><o:p abp="4937"><o:p abp="4938"><o:p abp="4939"><o:p abp="4940"><o:p abp="4941"><o:p abp="4942"><o:p abp="4943"><o:p abp="4944"><o:p abp="4945"><o:p abp="4946"><o:p abp="4947"><o:p abp="4948"><o:p abp="4949"><o:p abp="4950"><o:p abp="4951"><o:p abp="4952"><i abp="4953"><span abp="4954" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4955" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The outstanding mistake of the U.S. in its Philippine dealings has been their assumption that the native inhabitants constitute a homogeneous Filipino people; instead there are numerous peoples, the widely scattered population of the archipelago ... speaking many dialects and radically if different character, in development and government needs. This is particularly true of the Mohammedan people inhabiting the great southern islands of the Philippines, who are altogether distinct in religion, physical type and mental outlook.</span></span></i></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></div>
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<span abp="4956" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<o:p abp="4957"></o:p></span></o:p><center abp="4958" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="4959" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
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<span abp="4960" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p><center abp="4961" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="4962" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="4963"><span abp="4964" style="color: red;">Legalized Landgrabbing</span></strong></span></center>
<span abp="4965" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="4966" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="4967" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
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<span abp="4968" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4969" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4970">
<span abp="4971" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4972" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4973" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before the turn of the 20th century, ninety eight percent of the lands in Mindanao and Sulu belonged to the Moros.` Except in areas garrisoned by Spain particularly in the northern part of Mindanao, the Moros lorded over these vast islands and the various indigenous natives like the Manobos, Bagobos, Tagakaolos, and others numbering about 23 ethnic tribes were largely under their sphere of influence. But as soon as the Americans stepped into the Moro country, even before the indirect rule was discarded, they decreed a law called the Land Registration Act, also known as Act No. 496. requiring the registration of all lands occupied by any person, group or corporation in writing, signed and sworn to by the claimant. In such an early stage, when fighting was still widespread in the various islands, the Moro may not have heard of this law or, if they had, they would not have been willing to comply, for apparent reasons. The payment for staying in one's land or the cedula tax was one of the reasons why many Moros resisted the American occupation.<o:p abp="4974"> <o:p abp="4975"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="4976" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4977" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4978">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="4984" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="4985"><div abp="4986" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4987">
<span abp="4988" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="4989" style="color: navy;"><span abp="4990" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On April 4, 1903, the Philippine Commission enacted Public Land Act No. 718. The law declared null and void all lands granted by Moro sultans, datus or chiefs of any of the non-Christian tribes without authority of the state. This law dispossessed the Moros of their landholdings which, in most instances, they occupied since time immemorial. The Moro sultans were not excluded from the operation of this law and their failure to comply with it meant they would be squatters and face automatic ejection.<o:p abp="4991"> <o:p abp="4992"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="4993" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="4994" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="4995">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5001" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="5002"><div abp="5003" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5004">
<span abp="5005" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5006" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5007" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On October 7, 1903, the Public Act 926 was enacted into law which provided, among other stipulations, that all lands not registered under Act No. 496 were deemed public lands, and therefore available for homesteading, sale or lease by individual or corporation. One can imagine that in less than a year, by reasons of opposition to, default or ignorance of the American bureaucratic system, the Moros could be deprived of their lands. These were shallow alibis leading to the systematic dispossession of the Moros of their landholdings.<o:p abp="5008"> <o:p abp="5009"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5010" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5011" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5012">
<span abp="5013" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5014" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p abp="5015"><o:p abp="5016"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5017" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="5018"><div abp="5019" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5020">
<span abp="5021" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5022" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5023" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Mining Law of 1905 further confiscated Moro lands. The law declared all public lands as free, open for exploration, occupation and purchase even by Americans. Such a law opened the gates for American dollars to come, particularly in Mindanao, where wide tracts of lands were still available. The influx of American capitalists led to several conflicts which at one time caused the death of Lt. Edward C. Bolton, District Governor of Davao, on June 6, 1906.<o:p abp="5024"> <o:p abp="5025"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5026" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5027" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5028">
</div>
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<span abp="5034" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="5035"><div abp="5036" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5037">
<span abp="5038" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5039" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5040" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Cadastral Act of 1907 facilitated the acquisition of new landholdings. The law virtually favored the educated natives, moneyed bureaucrats and American speculators who were more familiar with the bureaucratic process to legalize claims usurped through fraudulent surveys. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5041" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5042" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5043">
<span abp="5044" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5045" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p abp="5046"></o:p></span></span><o:p abp="5047"><i abp="5048"><span abp="5049" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5050" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5051" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p abp="5052"> </o:p></span></span></span></i></o:p></div>
</div>
<span abp="5053" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="5054"><div abp="5055" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5056">
<span abp="5057" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5058" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5059" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1913, the Philippine Commission passed Acts 2254 and 2280 creating agricultural colonies. The two laws aimed at encouraging Filipino migrants from the northern areas to the so-called "public lands" in Mindanao and Sulu. The purpose of the colonies was as follows: 1) to increase food production especially rice; 2) to equalize the distribution of population in the Philippines; 3) to bring under cultivation extensive wild public lands; and 4) to afford an opportunity for the colonists to become land proprietors <i abp="5060">M </i>The earliest colonies were planted right in the middle of Moro communities with the aim of integrating Moros and Christian native population into a "homogeneous Filipino people <i abp="5061">1,41 </i>Of the ten colonies created between 1913 and 1917 in the entire Philippines, seven were established in Cotabato, one in Lanao and one in Basilan. The sites selected in Cotabato were Silik, Peidu Pulangi. Ginatilan, Pagalungan, Pikit, Talitay and Clan. all populated by Moros.<o:p abp="5062"> <o:p abp="5063"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5064" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5065" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5066">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5072" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="5073"><div abp="5074" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5075">
<span abp="5076" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5077" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="5078" style="color: navy;">Of special interest was Philippine Commission Act No. 2254. Again, it showed the glaring instance of injustices. While this law awarded Filipino settlers with a 16 hectare lot, the Moro was permitted to own only eight hectares, despite his prior birthright to the place. Such was the consequence of the previous enactments that already deprived him of his ancestral landholdings.</span><o:p abp="5079"><span abp="5080" style="color: navy;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5081" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5082" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5083">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5088" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="5089"><div abp="5090" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5091">
<span abp="5092" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5093" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1919, the Public Land Act No. 2874 was enacted which provided for the manner of acquiring land ownership, especially in the Moro country. Under this law. a Filipino was entitled to apply and possess a 24-hectare parcel of land. while a Moro only ten hectares. The discrimination did not end there. In many instances, even before the Christian could come to Mindanao, his land had been titled already, while that of the Moro remained untitled for years. Or the Moro may not have moved to title his at all. He may have been personally responsible for some of the reasons for this failure, but that certainly was no sufficient moral ground to deprive him of his landholdings. One noted American writer had this to say on this predicament:</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5094" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5095" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5096">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5099" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5100" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5101">
<o:p abp="5102"><o:p abp="5103"><o:p abp="5104"><o:p abp="5105"><o:p abp="5106"><i abp="5107"><span abp="5108" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5109" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5110" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The government officials they turned to for counsel were often 'too busy' to help. And when some did manage to file their registration papers. they were disheartened by the uncertainty and delay in getting them approved .<o:p abp="5111"> <o:p abp="5112"> </o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></div>
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<span abp="5113" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
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<span abp="5127" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="5128"><o:p abp="5129"><div abp="5130" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<div abp="5131">
<span abp="5132" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span abp="5133" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aside from the inherent discriminations in such laws, there were at least two or more reasons for this pathetic situation. Firstly, the Moros continued to resist the registration of the lands they owned, occupied and tilled since time past under a government that they considered to be a "foreign authority." The second cause was the specious pretext raised apologetically that the Moros were not only poor but ignorant, little realizing that it was one of the fundamental duties of government to attend to the needs particularly of the marginalized and depressed sections of the population. </span></span></div>
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<span abp="5134" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
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<span abp="5140" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p></o:p><center abp="5141" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5142" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="5143"><span abp="5144" style="color: blue;">CHAPTER V - PUPPETRY IN THE MAKING</span></strong></span></center>
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<strong abp="5148"><span abp="5149" style="color: blue;"></span></strong> </span></center>
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<span abp="5152" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="5153"><span abp="5154" style="color: red;">1934 Constitutional Convention</span></strong></span></center>
<span abp="5155" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5156" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5157" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="5158"><span abp="5159" style="color: red;"></span></strong> </span></center>
<span abp="5160" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span abp="5161" style="color: red;"><div abp="5162" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24pt;">
<div abp="5163">
<span abp="5164" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5165" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span abp="5166" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On March 24, 1934, the Tydings-McDuffie Law was signed into law by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt of the United States. The law contained provisions which specified the various steps as preconditions before the establishment of the Commonwealth. The first step was the holding of a constitutional convention not later than October 1, 1934 to draft a Constitution which would be forwarded to the U.S. President for approval. After the approval, the Filipino people were to elect the officials of the Commonwealth government. After the ten-year transition, the United States would grant independence to the Philippines.<u1:p abp="5167"> </u1:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><div abp="5169" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24pt;">
<div abp="5170">
<span abp="5171" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5172" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><u1:p abp="5173"> </u1:p></span></span><o:p abp="5174"></o:p></div>
</div>
<span abp="5175" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5176" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5177">
<span abp="5178" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5179" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span abp="5180" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> On July 10, 1934, 202 delegates to the constitutional convention were elected. Of this number, only four Moros were elected, namely, Datu Blah Sinsuat and Minandang Piang of Cotabato, Arolas Tulawie of Sulu and Alauya Alonto of Lanao. The other delegates, Tomas Cabili of Lanao and Jose Montano of Sulu, were Christians. The election of delegates was the first time Moros participated in a nationwide voting exercises.<u1:p abp="5181"> </u1:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span abp="5182" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5183" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5184">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5193" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="5194"><div abp="5195" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24pt;">
<div abp="5196">
<span abp="5197" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5198" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">On July 30, the Convention started to work under the presidency of Claro M. Recto. The Moro delegates participated in the deliberations and to represent the interests of their constituents but against the tyranny of numbers they, numbering only four or five, were practically unheard. The fact that they already belonged to the second generation of Moros since the arrival of the Americans might be enough to suspect that in all likelihood they could no longer represent the legitimate aspirations and sentiments of their people. They were not only proAmericans in every respect but were generally friendly to the Filipinos, who were pushing for Philippine independence. The truth that they ran and won as delegates to this Convention which would make formal self-rule a step nearer singularly attested to this assertion. However, in fairness to them, they discharged their responsibilities to what they thought was their -level best, but they never equalled the exceptionally pro-Moro exploits of Tomas Cabili, though a Christian, who voted against the Draft Constitution. It is on record that Delegate Cabili made the following objections to the Draft Constitution: </span></span></div>
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</span><center abp="5206" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span abp="5207" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<i abp="5208"><span abp="5209" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5210" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1. It did not provide for the direct election of representatives. for the provinces of Lanao, Cotabato and Sulu but left the matter for the Legislature to decide - including, especially, the manner by which the representatives of said provinces may be chosen; and<u1:p abp="5211"> </u1:p></span></span></i></span></center>
<span abp="5212" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5213" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span abp="5214" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<i abp="5215"><span abp="5216" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5217" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><u1:p abp="5218"></u1:p></span></span><o:p abp="5219"><span abp="5220" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5221" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></span></o:p><o:p abp="5222"></o:p></i> </span></center>
<span abp="5223" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="5224"><center abp="5225" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span abp="5226" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<i abp="5227"><span abp="5228" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span abp="5229" style="color: navy;">2. It did not have any special provisions for the backward and non-Christian population of the Philippines. He wanted the Constitution to recognize and hold in trusteeship the welfare and progress of our backward population.' As a sign of protest, he did not sign the 1935 Constitution. On the contrary, all the blue-blooded Moro delegates signed the new charter.<u1:p abp="5230"> </u1:p></span></span></i></span></center>
<span abp="5231" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5232" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span abp="5233" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<i abp="5234"><span abp="5235" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span abp="5236" style="color: navy;"><u1:p abp="5237"></u1:p></span></span><span abp="5238" style="color: navy;"><o:p abp="5239"></o:p></span></i> </span></center>
<span abp="5240" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5241" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5242" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5243" style="color: navy;"><span abp="5244" lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Constitution miserably failed to specify or imply due consideration for the Moro traditions, customs and laws, which in Islam still fell within the ambit of religion. Many Moro leaders openly campaigned against the ratification of the Constitution denouncing it as an abridgment of their religion, rights and customs. Despite the opposition, the Constitution got ratified. The Christian populace, not thinking of the problem of the Moros, heavily voted for its approval. However, in the succeeding elections for the delegates in September 1935, Moro candidates who were closely associated with the Filipino leaders of self-rule were badly routed in the polls. Hadji Gulamu Rasul of Sulu and Minandang Piang of Cotabato were defeated by Datu Ombra Amilbangsa and Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, respectively. In Lanao, Sultan Alauya Alonto was rejected by the Moros in favor of Tomas Cabili.</span></span></span></center>
<span abp="5245" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p><div abp="5246" align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5247">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5249" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5250" align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5251">
<span abp="5252" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Inauguration of Commonwealth Government</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5253" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5254" align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5255">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5257" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5258" align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5259">
<span abp="5260" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5261" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p><div abp="5262" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24pt;">
<div abp="5263">
<span abp="5264" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="5265"><span abp="5266" style="color: navy;">"I swore to myself and the God of my ancestors that as long as I lived I would stand by America regardless of</span></i><span abp="5267" style="color: navy;"> </span><i abp="5268"><span abp="5269" style="color: navy;">the consequences to my people or to myself" </span></i></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5270" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5271" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24pt;">
<div abp="5272">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5276" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5277" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5278">
<span abp="5279" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="5280" style="color: navy;">This was the statement of the man who would become t</span><span abp="5281" style="color: navy;">he undisputed leader of the Filipinos during the inauguration of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines on November 15,1935. Pres. Manuel Quezon was the son of a Spanish mestizo sergeant in the Spanish Army in the Philippines. He was born in Manila, but later emigrated to Baler, Tayabas where he married also a Spanish mestiza schoolteacher. During the Philippine Revolution, he was a lieutenant in the Bataan sector, especially during the general retreat. of the Filipino forces. Like all his comrades, he surrendered to the Americans in April 1901, thus both in his thoughts and actions he was a captive of the Americans.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5282" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5283" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5284">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5287" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5288" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5289">
<span abp="5290" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In his inaugural speech, President Quezon had firmly emphasized that the government he sought to establish must satisfy not only the passing needs of the hour but also the exacting demand of the future. In doing so, he identified three major problems, namely, the need for political stability, national security, and a poor economy that was too dependent to the United States. From these main <i abp="5291">national </i>concerns emerged minor problems that also commanded equal attention and consideration.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5292" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5293" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5294">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5297" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5298" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5299">
<span abp="5300" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Commonwealth was envisioned as a transition period before the final grant of independence ten years thereafter. During this interlude the government should make necessary adjustments on political, economic, social and cultural aspects. The task was not an easy one considering the fact that inherited problems from the Spanish and American times were seemingly insurmountable. One such delicate problem was the policy formulation towards the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu who, except for a few "collaborators," overwhelmingly opposed political agglomeration with the Filipinos. And without doubt, considering his background, President Quezon was not prepared - as his succeeding actuations, pronouncements and policies showed - to shed his "Spanish and American feathers." He went further, vis-a-vis the Moros, by refusing to accord official recognition to the sultans and datus. In one of his meetings with them, he had these blunt words:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5301" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5302" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5303">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5305" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><i abp="5306"><center abp="5307" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5308" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5309" style="color: navy;">... The sultans have no more rights than the humblest Moro and that under my administration the humblest Moro will be given as much protection as any datu under the law, and</span></span></center>
<span abp="5310" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5311" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5312" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5313" style="color: navy;">that his rights will be recognized exactly as the rights of a datu will be, and that every datu will have to comply with his duties as citizen to same extent. and in the same manner that the humblest Moro is obligated.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5314" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i><div abp="5315" align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5316">
<span abp="5317" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<span abp="5318" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5319" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5320">
<span abp="5321" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Definitely the bottom line is not equality before the law; rather it was the radical reversal of the traditional system and the replacement of the chiefs with leaders whom the people were made to bow down against their will. Reacting to this situation, Sultan Alauya Alonto had this observation:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5322" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5323" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5324">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5327" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><i abp="5328"><center abp="5329" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5330" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5331" style="color: navy;">This is indeed a tragedy. Those of you who are accustomed to witness the native son of the province conducting the affairs of your own people will surely understand what it meant to be governed by "Outsiders" who do not have even the command of the dialect of the people to be governed</span></span></center>
<span abp="5332" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i><center abp="5333" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5334" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5335" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5336" align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5337">
<span abp="5338" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5339" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5340" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5341">
<span abp="5342" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thus with President Quezon ended the policy of "special treatment" accorded to the Moros, although this did not mean the birth of equal consideration and protection for the Moros. As a matter of fact, the Moros were not only reduced to second class citizens, but as far as Mindanao and Sulu was concerned, the development of the Moros was a poor third priority in the national agenda.' On the contrary, the Moros, along with the burgeoning Japanese colonies in Davao, were perceived as threats to the security of the commonwealth state. This was precisely the main reason why the 30,000-man Moro Battalion was not issued firearms by the USAFFE during the war with Japan because some pointed out the danger of arming the Moros to the peace and order situation in Mindanao and Sulu.' Despite the pleadings of Lt. Salipada Pendatun (later conferred the rank of Brigadier General), the Moros were permitted to arm themselves with bolos, hence the outfit earned its label as the "Moro Battalion." It was also the hard logic behind the high gear migration to Mindanao particularly in the Moro-dominated provinces of Cotabato and Lanao. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5343" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5344" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5345">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5348" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><center abp="5349" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5350" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="5351"><span abp="5352" style="color: red;">Legalized Landgrabbing Continues</span></strong><br abp="5353" />
<strong abp="5354"><span abp="5355" style="color: red;"></span></strong></span></center>
<span abp="5356" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5357" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5358" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5359" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5360" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24pt;">
<div abp="5361">
<span abp="5362" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On February 12, 1935, the government enacted Legislative Act <u abp="5363">No. </u>4197, otherwise known as the "Quirino-Recto Colonization Act." T his was the turning point of the land settlement when the government declared settlement as the "only lasting solution" to the problem in Mindanao and Sulu, thus shelving all other long-range solutions as secondary and of less importance. The choice of the term "colonization" in the very title of this enactment bespeaks obviously of Manila's sinister designs. It had no scruples in openly calling the Moro country its colony. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5364" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5365" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24pt;">
<div abp="5366">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5368" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5369" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5370">
<span abp="5371" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This Act envisaged land settlement, with Mindanao as the special target. The mealy-mouthed preamble spoke of the great national advantage in carrying out the work in that part of the country because land settlement is the only government activity that will furnish an effective solution to the Mindanao problem."' The Act opened the floodgates to massive influx of settlers on Mindanao under the full sponsorship of the government. "Go South, young men!" became the slogan of the day. Mindanao became the "Promise Land." News that the program had the full backing of the government, in addition to the construction of roads and other infrastructure, spread like wildfire. Unknown number of individuals rushed south to join the mad scramble for the choicest parcels of land, especially along the highways. But the sad part of this was that instead of addressing past complaints of the Moros, the government pushed too far in abetting and inciting homestead-seekers in the unjust process of landgrabbing. Newcomers just squatted on lands and began cultivation before they could get around to subdivide the areas.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5372" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5373" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5374">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5376" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5377" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5378">
<span abp="5379" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On November 7, 1936, Pres. Manuel Quezon signed into law Commonwealth Act No. 141 which declared all Moro ancestral landholdings as public lands. Section 84 of this law provides:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5380" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5381" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5382">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5384" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><i abp="5385"><center abp="5386" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5387" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5388" style="color: navy;">That all grants, deeds, patents, and other instruments of conveyances of land or purporting to convey or transfer rights of property, privileges, or easements appertaining to or growing out of lands granted by sultans, datus, or other chiefs of the so-called non-Christian tribes, without the authority of the Spanish Government while the Philippines were under the sovereignty of Spain, or without the consent of the United States Government or of the Philippine Government since the sovereignty over the Archipelago was transferred from Spain to the United States, and all deeds and other documents executed or issued or based upon deeds, patents, and documents mentioned are hereby declared to be illegal, void, and of no effect.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5389" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i><center abp="5390" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5391" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5392" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5393" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5394" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5395" style="color: navy;">By a simple piece of legislation, the Moros became landless and were deprived of their ancestral holdings. Under this Act, a Moro was allowed only to apply for a piece of land, not exceeding four hectares, while a Christian was entitled to own up to 24 hectares, and a corporation, wholly owned by non-Moros, was permitted to get 1,024 hectares.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5396" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5397" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5398" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5399" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5400" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5401">
<span abp="5402" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In June 1939, Pres. Manuel Quezon signed Commonwealth Act No. 441 creating the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA). This was another settlement law. Given the priority slots in this program were those who had completed military training in preparation, as the proponents put it, to meet the impending Japanese invasion. But the Moros viewed it from a different angle. Their suspicions were not really unfounded because a similar condition was required to be fulfilled by those who made up the first batch of fifty settlers in 1912. The colonial government saw to it that the members of this batch were required to be experts in <i abp="5403">arnis </i>or sword-play. 12 This was obviously in anticipation of encounters with the kris-wielding Moros of Mindanao. NLSA opened up three major settlement projects and two of these were in the Cotabato Valley. That in Koronadal Valley in Cotabato was spearheaded by Gen. Paulino Santos, onetime Governor of Lanao and in 1944 appointed Commissioner for Mindanao and Sulu. In this project, 200 Christian families were given each twelve hectares farmland and financial assistance reaching up to P7.5 million.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5404" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5405" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5406">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5408" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5409" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5410">
<span abp="5411" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meantime, the settlement projects had been temporarily slowed down, principally due to the war with Japan. All state attention, activities and resources were focused on the war efforts. In addition, mass movement of people, especially from one far-flung area to another in the archipelago would not only entail huge expenses but was dangerous.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5412" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5413" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5414">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5416" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5417" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5418" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="5419"><span abp="5420" style="color: red;">Over-Population Scare</span></strong></span></center>
<span abp="5421" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
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<span abp="5437" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before proceeding further, we should not fail to note carefully the mendacious rhetoric of politicians who spearheaded the wholesale colonization of Mindanao and Sulu by raising a hue and cry over the alleged population explosion in Luzon and the Visayas. They argued that this over-population problem was causing untold miseries and sufferings to the people. They wanted a place where this excess population could be relocated. To arouse public sympathy, they particularly referred to the so-called "pauperized peasants and workers" in the haciendas in Central Luzon and Negros in the Visayas, who had been exploited and persecuted since the Spanish regime. They were never given the chance to own a piece of land, let alone the ones they had been tilling, where they could work outside and away from the cruel hands of landlords and hacienderos.</span></div>
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<span abp="5443" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In his address to the first session of the First National Assembly in 1936, President Quezon took the lead in sounding this alarm. Part of his speech was as follows:</span></div>
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<i abp="5449"><span abp="5450" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are provinces in Luzon and the Visayas that are already over populated. There are localities in some of these provinces where the people live on large estates without opportunity to earn a livelihood sufficient to meet the necessities of civilized life, much less to own the land wherein they live and which they cultivate. It is inconceivable that such a situation should exist in a country with extensive areas of fertile uncultivated lands.</span></i></div>
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<span abp="5455" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The fact that no less than the President himself of the Commonwealth Government was involved in this ballyhoo to get the nod of the National Assembly was more than enough reason to extrapolate on the issue. President Quezon was not the first to raise the over-population issue. As early as 1912, Gen. john C. Pershing was already pushing for the importation of homesteaders from the over-populated Luzon and Visayas to the frontiers on Mindanao." The same line of argument can be noticed in almost all rationales behind the creation of settlement projects, as well as in the opening up of frontier lands to new applicants. In 1913, the Philippine Commission enacted Acts 2254 and 2280 creating "colonies" in Mindanao, and one of the objectives was to equalize the distribution of population in the Philippines.</span></div>
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<span abp="5469" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In order to find out whether or not the population pressure was founded on fact or fiction, let us refer to the three successive population census in 1903, 1918, and 1939. The 1939 census is specially important because the holding of this population count was well within the period when the issue was very much alive. In the 1903 census, the population of the entire country was 7,635,426 including 647,740 non-Christians; in 1918, it was 10,314,310 including 932,935 non-Christians; and in 1939, it was 16,000,303. Of this last number, around 13,000,000 were in Luzon and the Visayas, the rest in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
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<span abp="5510" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After having this concrete data, let us proceed to determine the density of population -based on the 1939 census which listed the national population as 16,000,303. The Philippines has a total land area of 115,800 square mile; divide this area by 16,000,303 and the result is: 138 persons per square mile. Since this density applied to the entire Philippine Islands including the Moro territory, then let us focus our attention on Luzon and the Visayas, where the congestion was allegedly serious. Based on the same 1939 census, the people of the two islands numbered 13,000,000. Divide that number by the total land area of the two islands: 78,420 square miles (Luzon: 40,420 and Visayas: 37,380), and the quotient (outcome) is 165 persons per square mile.</span></div>
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<span abp="5518" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="5519" style="color: navy;">Now after considering the data aforecited, does the logic of overpopulation scare still hold? Was President Quezon really speaking of facts or merely masking the government's real intentions on Mindanao,</span> </span></div>
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<span abp="5532" style="color: navy;">for whether it was an economic, social or political issue critically depended on the support of the christianized natives.` The irony of it all was that when legions after legions of settlers arrived on Mindanao it became clear-that, contrary to official government bulletin, these people were not the poor peasants and workers of Central Luzon and Negros, but people from the more affluent areas of the llocos region, Cebu and lloilo, who later became the carpetbaggers, loggers, ranchers and bankers of Mindanao. </span></span></center>
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<span abp="5540" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What happened afterward was just the reverse of the hoped for results of resettlement as the lasting solution to the Mindanao problem. Endless bloodshed and destruction became the order of the day because the situation seemed so skillfully woven to neutralize the Moros right in their own backyard. Why did the government establish, particularly the early settlement projects, right in the middle of Moro communities, when other places elsewhere were easily available? When people's fundamental rights and needs are not properly addressed but are, instead, suppressed or even ignored, conflicts will inevitably follow. In the past we witnessed the upsurge of violence as soon as the newcomers reached the shores of Mindanao. The Alangkat Movement in 1926-27 in Cotabato Valley, a mainly Manobo initiative, was actually a protest against foreign rule and the settling of an alien people. In 1942, at the height of the war with Japan, a series of massacres took place between rival guerrilla groups, fueled by or rooted in social and agrarian frictions. One group was led by Capt. Mantil Dilangalen and another by Capt. Froilan Matas. In Cotabato alone, about 1,000 people on both sides were brutally hacked to pieces in the towns of Buluan, Tacurong, Midsayap and Pigkawayan. The bloodbath in Pigkawayan was exceptionally terrible. The marketplace was enclosed in barb wire and the Moros inside were sorted out and slaughtered en masse. About 200 men, women and children perished in this slaughter. Some were buried alive. The ring leaders were Capt. Froilan Matas, Capt. Jose Escribano and Capt. Sebastian Javelosa, who collaborated with the Japanese occupation forces or stayed away as separate guerrilla units from the Moro units. No justice was meted out and the culprits remained scot-free even after the war. Capt. Froilan Matas became the mayor of Magpet and so did Capt. Jose Escribano in Tacurong.</span></div>
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<span abp="5550" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5551" style="color: red;"><strong abp="5552">Moro Appeals and Rebellions</strong></span></span></center>
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<span abp="5560" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5561" style="color: navy;">During the height of the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention, Hadji Abdulhamid Bongabong, chief religious leader of Unayan, and 189 Lanao Moros sent a letter of appeal - or a virtual warning - to the United States through the Governor General on March 18, 1935. The petition, popularly referred to as the historic Dansalan Declaration, speaks well of the undying sentiments and aspirations of the Moros for a separate homeland. The following is the full text of the petition:</span></span></center>
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<span abp="5568" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<i abp="5569"><span abp="5570" style="color: navy;">In the agreement that we have arrived (i.e., the Declaration) our people gave their unanimous approval. We would like to inform you (i.e. U.S. Congress) that because we have learned that the U.S.. is going to give the Philippines an independence through the efforts of Hon. Quezon and others, we want to tell you that the Philippines, as it is known </span></i><span abp="5571" style="color: navy;">to the </span><i abp="5572"><span abp="5573" style="color: navy;">American people, is populated by two peoples with two different religious practices and traditions. The Christian Filipinos occupy the islands of Luzon and the Visayas. The Moros predominate in the islands of Mindanao and Sulu. With regard to the forthcoming Philippine Independence, we foresee that the condition will be characterized by unrest, suffering and misery ....</span></i></span></center>
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<span abp="5581" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5582" style="color: navy;">Our Christian associates have for ... many years their desires to be the only ones blessed with leadership and well progressive towns and cities. One proof of this is that, among us who were capable of participating in managing and administering the government have not been given the chance to demonstrate their ability. Another proof is that Christian Filipinos have taken control of our insular funds in which by right we must have equal share. Most of those funds are annually appropriated for the provinces of Luzon and the Visayas, and little are appropriated for the so-called Moro Province in the islands of Mindanao and Sulu. As a result their provinces progressed by leaps and bounds and ours lagged behind. Another result is that we have been and are still behind in modern civilization and education</span></span></center>
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<span abp="5588" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5589" style="color: navy;">One more discriminatory act of our Christian Filipino Associates is shown in the recen t constitution of the Philippine Commonwealth. In that constitution, no provision whatsoever is made that would operate for the welfare of the Moros ... the (provision of the) constitution are all for the welfare of the Christian Filipinos and nothing for the Moros. As a proof of this, our delegate did not sign the constitution.</span></span></center>
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<span abp="5595" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5596" style="color: navy;">We do not want to be included in the Philippine Independence (fo r) once an independent Philippine is launched there will be trouble between us and the Christian Filipinos because from time immemorial these two peoples have not lived harmoniously .... It is not proper to have two antagonizing peoples live together tinder the Philipine Independence.</span></span></center>
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<span abp="5603" style="color: navy;">One proof of this (is) that when Lanao had its Filipino Governor many leading Moro datus were killed for non apparent reasons. This has not ended up to the present time because our people can't and will never forget the bitterness of this incident ....</span></span></center>
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</span><center abp="5608" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5609" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5610" style="color: navy;">Should the American people grant the Philippine Independence, the islands of Mindanao and Sulu should not be included in such independence. Our public land must not be </span><span abp="5611" style="color: navy;">given to other people other than the Moros. We should be given time to acquire them, because most of us have no lands. Out. people do not yet realize the value of acquiring those lands by the process of law. Where shall we obtain the support of our family if our lands are taken from us. It will be safe to us that a law should be created restricting (the acquisition) of our lands by other people. This will avoid future trouble.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5612" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5613" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5614" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5615" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i><center abp="5616" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5617" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<i abp="5618"><span abp="5619" style="color: navy;">Our practices, laws and decisions of our Moro leaders should be respected .... Our religion should not be curtailed in anyway .... All our practices which are incidental to our religion of Islam should be respected because these things are what a Muslim desires to live for .... Our religion is no more, our lives are no more.</span></i></span></center>
<span abp="5620" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5621" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5622" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<em abp="5623"></em> </span></center>
<span abp="5624" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5625" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5626" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5627" style="color: navy;">As expected, the petition was never given due consideration. It was not even read in the Convention and, most probably, only the Moro delegates were the ones privy to the content of the petition. All the rest obviously swallowed the official government line that the Moro Problem ceased to be synonymous with Mindanao, but rather assumed the status of an economic problem of national concern and development. The basic issues and concerns raised in the declaration, especially over lands, were never addressed, as clearly shown in earlier discussion of the Commonwealth policy to formally colonize Mindanao and Sulu.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5628" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5629" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5630" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5631" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5632" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5633" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5634" style="color: navy;">After having ascertained that there was no legal remedy forthcoming from the Commonwealth and the United States Government, Hadji Abdulhamid Bongabong launched a rebellion in Lanao beginning in June 1936. This only simmered down in 1941. The firefights were referred to as "cotta fights" in Philippine history. The government had a hard time putting down the rebellion of Hadji Bongabong, who built a chain of <i abp="5635">cottas </i>in and around Lake Lanao.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5636" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5637" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5638" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5639" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5640" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5641" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5642" style="color: navy;">On October 8, 1936, a major disturbance also occurred in Sulu. ,.'he leader was Imam Saccam. One of the issues raised by the rebels was the report that the Philippines was granted independence?' It started with the ambush of 20 Constabulary soldiers by 50 armed followers of Imam Saccam at Kulay-Kulay. All initial negotiations to make him surrender failed, although one by one his followers perished. Though his uprising did not succeed, it had direct effect on the neighboring town of Talipao, where another armed resistance erupted in 1937. </span></span></center>
<span abp="5643" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5644" align="justify" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5645">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5647" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5648" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5649" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5650" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5651" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5652" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5653" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5654" align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5655">
<span abp="5656" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5657" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5658" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5659" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="5660"><span abp="5661" style="color: red;">The Japanese Invasion</span></strong></span></center>
<span abp="5662" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5663" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5664" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5665" style="color: navy;"></span> </span></center>
<span abp="5666" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5667" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5668" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5669" style="color: navy;">On December 8, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Army landed in the Philippines. Davao and Sulu were occupied immediately and in April 1942, Cotabato and Lanao were garrisoned. The Moros, approximately 700,000 in population, saw the newcomers as another group of invaders and therefore had to be fought. Numbering by tens of thousands, the Moros enlisted in the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) in fighting off the Japanese invasion; Those who were not accommodated in the regular USAFFE units joined the guerrilla battalions just to become involved in the war endeavors. Among those who figured prominently in the war were Lt. Salipada Pendatun, Datu Udtog Matalam, Gumbay Piang and Manalao Mindalano. The guerrillas inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese troops through hit-and-run tactics. At one time, the guerrillas under Manalao Mindalano inflicted 129 casualties on the Japanese soldiers during an ambush in Tamparan along Lake Lanao. The Japanese retaliated by subjecting the guerrillas with intense bombings that lasted for almost a month. </span></span></center>
<span abp="5670" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5671" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5672" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5673" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5674" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5675" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5676" style="color: navy;">However, if there were many Moro leaders who fought in the side of the Americans, those who cooperated alongside the Japanese were equally many. They thought it would be better to take part in the Japanese war efforts. Others tried to exonerate this cooperation by saying that it was making the best out of a bad situation.` Still others cited the cooperation as serving the best interests of the people. Those who went the way of cooperation were Sultan Alauya Alonto of Lanao, Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, Datu Minandang Piang of Cotabato, and Datu Ombra Amilbangsa, Datu Gulamu Rasul and Datu Salih Ututalum of Sulu. Some of these leaders accepted positions in the Japanese Puppet Government, and actually benefited from this cooperation, especially in terms of material and educational rewards. Right after the war, some pro-Japanese leaders were charged with treason before the People's Court for collaboration. One of the biggest and most celebrated cases of collaboration was that filed against Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Datu Blah Sinsuat. The investigation lasted up to 1948.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5677" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5678" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5679" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5680" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5681" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5682" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5683" style="color: navy;">In these cases, the men who were charged with collaboration with the Japanese were called "traitors" and those who sided with the Americans were hailed as "heroes." Seen from the reverse side, the question would bring out the same answer in reverse. Those who were identified with Japan would have been "heroes" and those with America would have been "traitors." Thus, whichever side they chose, they would always be the villain to the opposite side, which only reveals the ugly facet of nationalism when viewed in the prism of other countries, especially of the colonialists or invaders.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5684" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5685" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5686" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5687" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5688" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5689" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5690" style="color: navy;">Both the Americans and the Japanese came to the Philippines in quest of more lands, glory and gold at the expense of the Filipinos and Moros in this country. Therefore, whichever side one chose or fought for during the war the fact remained that one fought for the wrong cause and had done the immoral thing. Author Onofre D. Corpuz made this observation:</span></span></center>
<span abp="5691" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5692" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5693" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5694" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><i abp="5695"><center abp="5696" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5697" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5698" style="color: navy;">A lively issue for some time was that of collaboration with the Japanese occupation regime. In the verdicts of the tribunals that tried the collaboration cases, the men who were declared to have collaborated with the Japanese were called traitors, as if those who were loyal to the United States, and fought the guerrilla war so that the Americans would return, were any less betrayers of the nation's integrity. The meaning of the nation had been lost; the Filipinos could only view themselves in terms of other countries."</span></span></center>
<span abp="5699" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5700" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5701" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5702" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i><center abp="5703" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5704" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5705" style="color: navy;">The truth of this otherwise comical scenario was rendered more </span><span abp="5706" style="color: navy;">revealing after the war. Both the so-called heroes and traitors were equally catapulted into high-ranked positions, elected or appointed, to serve the government after the war. Although there were some who were found guilty of collaboration by the People's Court, this was shortlived. When Pres. Manuel Roxas assumed the presidency in 1946, he solved the collaboration issue by proclaiming amnesty to all the political prisoners. He himself was a "collaborator," for he served well in the Philippine Puppet Government under Pres. Jose P. Laurel. The Americans themselves, through the maneuvers of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, chose Manuel Roxas, the "collaborator," over Sergio Osmena, a hardliner on the collaboration issue, to become the protege of the Americans in the election of 1946. </span></span></center>
<span abp="5707" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5708" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5709" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5710" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5711" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5712" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5713" style="color: navy;">During the war there were times that animosities between the. Moros and Christians degenerated into open hostility. This was particularly true with opposing guerrilla units, one group fighting on the side of the Americans and the other with the Japanese. The guerrillas were the former, while the Japanese-backed Bureau of Constabulary were the latter. The Bureau was renamed the Philippine Constabulary when the so-called Philippine independence was granted by Japan on October 15, 1944. On the guerrilla side were Salipada Pendatun, Datu Udtog M talam, Datu Mantil Dilangalen and Gumbay Piang and, on the side of the Japanese, were no less than Gen. Paulino Santos, Froilan Matas and Sebastian javelosa. Actually, Pendatun was not involved in the conflict, but being the most prominent guerrilla leader, he was inevitably dragged into it. On July 1, 1944, a patrol of Japanese-BC Patrol led by Capt. Sebastian Javelosa attacked a guerrilla base in Buluan and captured two prominent Moro leaders, Datu Butu Mangudadatu and Datu Daongtan. The guerrillas retaliated by laying a siege on the BC garrison at Tacurong, which resulted in the slaying of Lt. Gregorio Jayme and the capture of 40 BC soldiers. The Japanese conducted a reprisal by sending 37 planes to bomb the guerrilla positions. Twenty two persons, including two guerrillas were killed.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5714" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5715" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5716" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></center>
<span abp="5717" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><center abp="5718" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span abp="5719" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="5720" style="color: navy;">On August 1, 1944, Pres. Manuel Quezon died in Saranak Lake, New York. Sergio Osmena, then the Vice President of the Commonwealth Government, was sworn in immediately as President. He pledged to continue the fight until the Philippines was finally liberated . On September 2, 1945, Japan signed the terms of surrender on board the battleship Missouri at Tokyo Bay. This ended the war. Immediately, Pres. Sergio Osmena appointed Moros to the government. Salipada Pendatun was appointed Governor of Cotabato and Datu Manalao Mindalano to the Executive Committee of the Philippine Veterans Legion in Manila. In the 1946 election, three Moro leaders were elected. Salipada Pendatun won a Senate seat, Datu Ombra Amilbangsa of of Lanao were elected congressmen.</span></span></center>
<span abp="5721" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5722" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5723">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5725" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5726" align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5727">
<span abp="5728" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5729" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5730" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5731">
<strong abp="5732"><span abp="5733" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">CHAPTER VI - ANNEXATION OF MINDANAO AND SULU</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="5734" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5735" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5736">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5740" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5741" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5742">
<strong abp="5743"><span abp="5744" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Grant of Self-Rule</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="5745" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5746" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5747">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5751" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5752" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5753">
<span abp="5754" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5755" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5756" align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5757">
<span abp="5758" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the defeat of Japan in World War 11, the United States officially annexed Mindanao and Sulu into the territory of the Philippines in the grant of independence on July 4, 1946. This was a very painful decision. The Moros were never given the right to free choice and to national self-determination and to vote on the issue through a referendum. The hard fact is that they, after having been disarmed and rendered defenseless, were forcibly incorporated. Thousands of them resisted and died fighting in the process. But this decision had already been sealed as early as 1935 when the Commonwealth regime was inaugurated. Wider American interests were seen better served in an undivided territory under Filipino rulers.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5759" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5760" align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5761">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5763" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5764" align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5765">
<span abp="5766" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Moros, now faced with a situation never before experienced, slipped into "independence" with almost a closed mind. Those still with revolting hearts were rendered practically helpless. The many decades of bloody confrontations had practically sapped their energies to be able again to go into the field and fight. Those who by chance or by choice tasted power with the new political order were busy picking up the spoils of their collaboration.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5767" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5768" align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="5769">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5771" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5772" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="5773">
<span abp="5774" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a whole, the Moros were poised at the crossroads. Either they went on fighting aimlessly or they must learn to accept the situation they had no chance to change. There was no clear distinction made. Everything rested in the hands of the new Filipino rulers, who inherited the Moro country in a silver platter. The Americans freely handed to them the "Promise Land" but not, of course, without inheriting the so-called Moro Problem. It was up for them to put the "house in order." The trouble may have been that they had already concluded that all would be well with the Moros after independence. This was the premise from which they started,</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5775" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5776" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="5777">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5779" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5780" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="5781">
<span abp="5782" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Together under one flag with the Moro, the Filipino must make good his pledge that he could govern the Moro well. The Moros had been outstanding in their opposition to Filipino rule, but the Filipinos were persistent in their desire to govern the Moros. This was the situation when the Moros were turned over to the Filipinos for governance.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5783" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5784" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="5785">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5787" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5788" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="5789">
<strong abp="5790"><span abp="5791" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mere Change of Plan</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="5792" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5793" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="5794">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5797" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5798" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="5799">
<strong abp="5800"><span abp="5801" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="5802" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5803" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5804">
<span abp="5805" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For over four decades since the arrival of the Americans in 1898, the cream of the Filipino leadership, descendants of the Maharlikas of the pre-Spanish days, had been taking a tutorial course from their new masters. These officials, who now spoke English, were spoon-fed on the ways to interpret and implement American maxims in subjects as wide-ranging as administrative structure, legal system, national economy and lifestyle. When they took over the mantle of power of the new state, after this thorough grounding, they merely became the "alter egos" of their American colonial masters. The system of government and the institutions were the continuation of the old order with all the components of worldliness, hedonism and materialism. They mimicked blindly their masters' ideas, values, outlooks and tastes and very soon, their whole personality revolved around the cult of the "stateside" or the attitude that everything American was not only good but the best. And even after the physical exit of their masters, the alter egos continued in subservience and worship. No Filipino leader then and now had successfully dissociated himself from this entrapment. Politicians, perhaps with very few exceptions, enhanced their political clout by seeking the blessings of their former bosses in Washington. This submission can easily be seen during the inauguration of the Independence Day in 1946. Pres. Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Republic, had dutifully declared: </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5806" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5807" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5808">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5810" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5811" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5812">
<span abp="5813" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have already subscribed irretrievably to the principles of the American Declaration and the American Constitution. Those principles are now embodied in the basic law of the land. We are committed to the cause and international programme of the United States of America.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5814" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5815" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5816">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5818" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5819" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5820">
<span abp="5821" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is not unusual for states which had achieved their freedom to dissociate themselves from the policies and values of their colonial masters. The case of the Filipinos was different. Nationalism did not become part of the national policies as long as Mother America was on the other side. Filipinos and Americans had parity rights in the exploitation of the natural resources. The Filipinos also agreed to grant lands in the public domain, rent-free, to the United States as military bases. Free trade was also agreed upon, a scheme that insured the perpetuation of the agricultural-type of economy for the Philippines.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5822" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5823" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5824">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5826" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5827" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5828">
<span abp="5829" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The overriding belief during the struggle for the grant of independence was that the Filipinos could govern the Moros properly. This was the message conveyed, at least ostensibly, for placing early Christian settlers right in the middle of Moro areas, so that the two groups could live harmoniously and productively. The belief later became a neurotic assumption that the Moro Problem had ceased to exist and therefore, the grant of independence, more than ever, was not only necessary but very timely. Unfortunately, there was no corresponding effort to ensure that the assumption would become a reality through the formulation of proper state policies or programs. Thus equipped with this distorted presumption, the Filipinos proceeded to rule and trade on the basis of tact and luck with the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu. What followed next cannot be overstressed here, but the following pages will attempt to put it plainly. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5830" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5831" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5832">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5834" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5835" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5836">
<strong abp="5837"><span abp="5838" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Second Class Citizen</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="5839" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5840" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="5841">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5845" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5846" align="justify">
<div abp="5847">
<span abp="5848" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a young and emerging state, the Philippines had to attend to many priorities needed for reconstruction and nation-building. The country was so devastated during the last war that she had to start practically from scratch. There were other social, political and economic problems. The Communist-inspired rebellion was one of the most serious concerns of the state. In contrast, the so-called Moro Problem was never given proper attention. It was deliberately dropped from the national agenda that required immediate action. Consequently, the Moros also assumed minor roles after the war. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5849" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5850" align="justify">
<div abp="5851">
<span abp="5852" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5853" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5854" align="justify">
<div abp="5855">
<span abp="5856" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For a while, Mindanao as the "Land of Promise" continued to lure in hordes of people. Not to be outdone, in fact in the lead roles, were American capitalists- thanks to the parity rights agreement and the local elites, who were mostly feudal lords and political kingpins. The American capitalists intensified their spoliation of Mindanao. In 1957, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was awarded 1,000 hectares of land in Makilala, Cotabato for rubber plantation. In 1963, Dole Philippines, a subsidiary of the Castle and Cooke Company, acquired a vast tract of lands in Tupi and Polomolok, Cotabato for pineapple business. In 1966 Weyerhaueser Corporation obtained 72,000 hectares of forest lands in Mindanao for logging operation. in 1968 Boise-Cascade Corporation started hauling lauan timber from its 42,000-hectare concession, also in Mindanao. For reason of space, we cannot list all the American capitalists who engaged in big business ventures on Mindanao.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5857" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5858" align="justify">
<div abp="5859">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5861" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5862" align="justify">
<div abp="5863">
<span abp="5864" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The case of the Filipino capitalists is even more revealing; in fact, they cornered the lion-share of the booming timber, pasture and coconut concessions in Mindanao. Imagine one such locally-owned company, the Bislig Bay Lumber Company, which had acquired 141,000 hectares in Surigao for logging operation. Such names as Sarmientos, Magsaysays, Sorianos, Cojuangcos, Puyats, Alcantaras, Ayalas, Floirendos, Yuchengcos and many more did not only enrich themselves from the wealth of Mindanao but directly contributed to the deprivations and sufferings of the natives of the region.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5865" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5866" align="justify">
<div abp="5867">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5869" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5870" align="justify">
<div abp="5871">
<span abp="5872" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1973, a government-sponsored study found out the following disparity between the socio-economic conditions of the Moros and the Christians: 1) Only 12 percent of the Moros had electricity, while the average in the whole Mindanao was 17.5 percent; 2) 20 percent of the Moros had water supply, while the average for Mindanao was 25 percent; and 3) There was only one doctor for every 6,959 Moros, while there was one doctor for 3,954 for non-Moros.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5873" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5874" align="justify">
<div abp="5875">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5877" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5878" align="justify">
<div abp="5879">
<span abp="5880" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Earlier, in 1957, the Province of Cotabato had 1,546 Christian educators as against only 37 Moros; six Moro business proprietors versus 144 Christians, one Moro lawyer to 38 Christians; and not one Moro dentist, engineer or pharmacist.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5881" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5882" align="justify">
<div abp="5883">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5885" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5886" align="justify">
<div abp="5887">
<span abp="5888" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Unlike other provinces, Sulu, Lanao and Cotabato continued to be governed as "special provinces." The government directly chose the highest officials of the provinces until 1950, when the right of suffrage was extended to the Moros. Except Cotabato, the two other special provinces persisted in having Christian governors until later. The Commissioner for Mindanao and Sulu exercised control and supervision over these provinces until 1950, when this office was abolished and its functions were taken over by the Office of the President. In 1956, the supervision was transferred to the Executive Secretary until these provinces were reclassified as "regular" the following year. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5889" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5890" align="justify">
<div abp="5891">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5893" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5894" align="center">
<div abp="5895">
<span abp="5896" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5897" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5898" align="center">
<div abp="5899">
<strong abp="5900"><span abp="5901" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Legalized Landgrabbing Persists</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="5902" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5903" align="center">
<div abp="5904">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5908" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5909" align="justify">
<div abp="5910">
<span abp="5911" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As noted in the preceding discussion, the full-blast settlement of Mindanao initiated by Pres. Manuel Quezon was temporarily shelved in view of the impending war with Japan. This was not continued until 1950, when the government established the Rice and Corn Production Administration (RCPA), which was apparently a continuation of the bid to promote rice and corn production. Subsequently, in the same year, the RCPA and the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Corporation, whose function was to supply farmers with farm machinery and equipment, were merged to form the Land Settlement Development Corporation (LASEDECO). The new agency became the implementor of the resettlement program of the state. By the end of its mandate, it had resettled 1.500 fan-Lilies to the expenses of P3.5 million. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5912" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5913" align="justify">
<div abp="5914">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5916" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5917" align="justify">
<div abp="5918">
<span abp="5919" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The resurgence of the agrarian-related problem posed by the Communist-inspired Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (National Army against the Japanese) or Hukbalahaps or Huks called for the immediate upgrading or reshuffling of government agencies handling land settlement. Thus, Mindanao also became the dumping ground for the so-called "undesirables" of Luzon and the Visayas. In 1954, the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) was created through Republic Act No. 1160. At the outset. the NARRA efforts were not very extensive. But a few years later, in 1963, it had already resettled 20,500 families at the cost of P44.5 million.' As in the Commonwealth period, Lanao and Cotabato were adversely affected by the convergence. The government also created the Economic Development Corporation (EDCOR) which issued homestead lands to alleged former Huks. Ironically, however, many of those resettled in Mindanao. especially in Cotabato and Lanao were not former Huks. In fact, many former soldiers were deliberately mixed with the former rebels in order to function as stabilizers.' The EDCOR was set up under the control of the Philippine Army and its budget Also emanated therefrom. The EDCOR settlements were largely through the initiatives of Ramon Magsaysay, then Secretary of National Defence.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5920" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5921" align="justify">
<div abp="5922">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5924" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5925" align="justify">
<div abp="5926">
<span abp="5927" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">NARRA was subsequently taken over by the Land Authority, and one of its functions was to administer all the various settlement projects of the government. In September 1971, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos signed into law Republic Act No. 6389 creating the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The agency took over the administration of all existing settlement projects in the country. By December 1980 the DAR, now renamed Ministry of Agrarian Reform (MAR), was administering some 23 settlement projects in Mindanao. And in 1983, the MAR was in charge of 52,728 resettled families nationwide, 22,639 of them in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5928" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5929" align="justify">
<div abp="5930">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5932" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5933" align="justify">
<div abp="5934">
<span abp="5935" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In February 1986, Pres. Corazon Aquino carried on with the settlement projects of the Ministry of Agrarian Reform (MAR). After some time, the government made a new approach by pushing for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). This approach called for the breakup of big landed estates into small units of seven to 15 hectares, depending on whether the land was planted with rice, coconut, sugar, etc. The CARP Law is in effect at the time of this writing (1997).</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5936" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5937" align="justify">
<div abp="5938">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5940" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5941" align="justify">
<div abp="5942">
<span abp="5943" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is very clear that the various land and settlement laws and projects of the government since the beginning of this century benefited only the Christians. Hardly any effect trickled down to the benefit of the Moros and other indigenous natives. This historic injustice became more appalling with the introduction of the Torrens System of land ownership which was copied from Australia. The system was a complete anathema to the clan or community ownership system prevalent among the Moros. The doctrine considers all lands within the state as public domain and ownership is a state-conveyed privilege. Any person or group may own property subject to the laws of the land. Its implementation, therefore, resulted in the wholesale confiscation of the ancestral lands of the Moros, and the expropriated lands were declared "public lands" and hence subject to distribution even to outsiders. This state of affairs is well elucidated by the following statements by Aijaz Ahmad in Class and Colony in Mindanao:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5944" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5945" align="justify">
<div abp="5946">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5948" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5949" align="justify">
<div abp="5950">
<span abp="5951" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Muslims, who were 98 percent of the region's population in 1913, accounted for only 40 percent by 1976, according to government estimates. They had owned all the land in Mindanao on the eve of colonization. Today, they owned less than 17 percent, most of it in remote and infertile mountain areas which lacked marketing and infrustructural facilities. Over 80 percent of the Muslims are now landless tenants.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5952" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5953" align="justify">
<div abp="5954">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5956" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5957" align="justify">
<div abp="5958">
<span abp="5959" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sad to state, this tragic scenario persisted. In collusion with greedy agents, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LB) continued to dispossess the Moros of their few remaining landholdings, in consideration of payment from 30 to 40 percent of the amount. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5960" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<span abp="5961" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5962" align="center">
<div abp="5963">
<strong abp="5964"><span abp="5965" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Recrudescence of Troubles</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="5966" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5967" align="center">
<div abp="5968">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5972" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5973" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="5974">
<strong abp="5975"><span abp="5976" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="5977" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5978" align="justify">
<div abp="5979">
<span abp="5980" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Exactly as it had been forewarned, hardly a year elapsed since the granting of independence without trouble erupting in Mindanao and Sulu. The momentary truce caused by the bitter pangs of the last war vanished as quickly as a passing fad after the superficialities or cosmetics of the day had worn off. As a matter of fact, the discriminatory policies persisted, the onrush of land-hungry outsiders continued unabated, greedy entrepreneurs and power-seekers saw the vast opening and seized it, while the Moro leadership escalated in lip-service or sank further in ineffectiveness. All these troublesome events continued to grow until fighting erupted once again. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5981" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5982" align="justify">
<div abp="5983">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5985" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5986" align="justify">
<div abp="5987">
<span abp="5988" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Immediately after the War, in 1947, Saubing and Binang, two "notorious bandits" to the government, refused to cooperate with the maiden state. They started engaging government troops in Sulu sent to quell them. The situation deteriorated further when other Moro warriors joined the insurrection.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5989" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5990" align="justify">
<div abp="5991">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="5993" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5994" align="justify">
<div abp="5995">
<span abp="5996" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">By about 1951, armed clashes started to rage over wide areas of Sulu, Lanao and Cotabato. The most bloody was the one launched by Kamlon Hadji and 100 followers. Despite their inferior strength and crude weapons comprising mostly of old rifles and krises and their being mainly restricted in the Luuk area on Jolo island, Kamlon and his band made the government shake in its shoes. They inflicted severe losses on lives, equipment and fund. For almost eight years the government engaged Kamlon and, during the final assault, 5,000 ground troops were utilized along with naval, air and mortar supports. Logistical expenditures, after the final inventory, amounted to P 185 million. Despite all this cost, Kamlon could not be routed or captured. He finally gave up conditionally due to advancing age.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="5997" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="5998" align="justify">
<div abp="5999">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6001" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6002" align="justify">
<div abp="6003">
<span abp="6004" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the same time, two Lanao chieftains, Abdulmajid Panondiongan and Tawantawan, were also proving very troublesome to the government. Like Kamlon, they decided to raise the banner of resistance and succeeded in inflicting considerable casualties on pursuing government troops. As expected, the uprising did not succeed but they brought to light the cumulative effects of official neglect, wrong assumptions, mistaken policies and lop-sided opportunities to the disadvantage of the Moros.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6005" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6006" align="justify">
<div abp="6007">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6009" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6010" align="justify">
<div abp="6011">
<span abp="6012" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Cotabato, the off-and-on armed skirmishes also during this period were outright dismissed as "plain banditry." As in other cases, these skirmishes were mainly in opposition to an imposed authority and the frequent intrusions of government agents into mainly Moro communities. The most wanted man tagged as "bandit" was Disumimba Rashid, the terror of the upland areas of Dinaig and Datu Piang</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6013" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6014" align="justify">
<div abp="6015">
<span abp="6016" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6017" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6018" align="justify">
<div abp="6019">
<span abp="6020" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1961, a move to fight the government with the ultimate aim of separating Mindanao and Sulu was winning adherents in Sulu. The leader, Hadjal Uh, had a motivation similar to those of his predecessors, save for the ideological undertone of his movement. He sought the resignation of the Christian governor of Sulu and called upon the people to refuse to pay taxes. But the movement was cut short when the leader was captured.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6021" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6022" align="justify">
<div abp="6023">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6025" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6026" align="justify">
<div abp="6027">
<span abp="6028" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also in 1961, Cong. Ombra Amilbangsa sponsored a bill in Congress which sought to declare the independence of the Province of Sulu.` He was disgusted by the chronic ills and inequalities' prevalent in society, which mainly hit the Moros. As foreseen, the bill did not merit the attention of his colleagues in Congress and his action was simply dismissed as "attention-calling." </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6029" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6030" align="left">
<div abp="6031">
<span abp="6032" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6033" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6034" align="center">
<div abp="6035">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6037" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6038" align="center">
<div abp="6039">
<strong abp="6040"><span abp="6041" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Integration of Envisioned</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="6042" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6043" align="center">
<div abp="6044">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6048" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6049" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6050">
<span abp="6051" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There has not been an era of genuine peace in Mindanao and Sulu since the Spaniards came. In all the American years, except perhaps for the minority view among American policy-makers, the approach had always been to integrate the Moros into the political life of the majority, that culminated in the annexation of the Moro country into the new republic. But the American colonial government unlike the Spaniards, never attempted to convert the Moros to Christianity. On the contrary, they even recognized the "distinctness" of the Moros when they set up special administrative agencies to take charge of Moro affairs. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6052" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6053" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6054">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6056" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6057" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6058">
<span abp="6059" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the Filipinos took over the rein of government, they ignored that distinct fact. Pres. Manuel Quezon never gave an inch of recognition to the age-old sultanate system of the Moros. He denied the petition from Sulu for the succession of Dayang- Dayang Piandao to the throne after the death of Sultan Jamalul Kiram. In a forthright tone, he told them that the sultanate ceased to exist with the death of the sultan."</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6060" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6061" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6062">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6064" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6065" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6066">
<span abp="6067" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the war, sporadic armed clashes returned to the various parts of Mindanao and Sulu. In a vicious cycle, the government sent troops to quell these disturbance 'and, after a little while, trouble erupted again. This approach had never been questioned until the Kamlon and Tawantawan Affairs when it became the subject of intense assessment for possible administrative and legal remedial measures. The government had practically exhausted its military muscles to defeat Kamlon Hadji and his followers, only to conclude in a negotiated surrender. Its necessary outcome was the sudden national interest in the Moros who were pathetically bogged down in the quagmire of neglect and isolation. Hastily, the government decided to investigate the causes of the unrests. Consequently, a Special House Committee was organized to inquire into the problem and named to this body were Sen. Domocao Alonto of Lanao, Cong. Luminog Mangelen of Cotabato and Cong. Ombra Amilbangsa of Sulu. After the investigation, the Committee's findings were: the Moros must be made to feel that they were an integral part of the Philippine nation and this aim must be achieved through a comprehensive approach covering economic, social, moral, political and educational developments. The direct result was the creation, in 1957, of the Commission on National Integration (CNI) by virtue of Republic Act 1888. The agency was charged with the task of "effecting in a more rapid and complete manner the economic, social, moral and political advancement of non-Christian Filipinos and to render real, complete and permanent the integration of all said minorities into the body politic." The Commission was given ten years, later extended to a few more years, to operate and accomplish its task and, chiefly, it was through education through which it must carry out this assignment. It had an annual appropriation of P 5 million, but not more than half the amount was actually released every year. In the words of one of its officials, the CNI, in spite of its sparse funds and resources, was working "tooth and nail, hoping for miracles to accomplish the rest."</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6068" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6069" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6070">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6072" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6073" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6074">
<span abp="6075" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="6076" style="color: navy;">In fairness to the government, it may have fully believed in the effectiveness of the CNI in addressing the Moro Problem. But it little realized what the implications were to the sensibilities of the Moros, who were basically Muslims. The Moros believed that "integration," in essence, would lead inevitably to the abandonment of their beliefs, mores, racial or cultural traits, in favor of the system professed by the state that is suffused with Christian ideology. The essential result would be a situation where one could not distinguish Muslims from the Christians, and vice versa. For a real </span><span abp="6077" style="color: navy;">Muslim, this was absolutely unacceptable. It would be incompatible with Islam.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6078" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6079" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6080">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6082" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6083" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6084">
<span abp="6085" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At least there were two objections to this integration scheme. First, integration is just the beginning and not the end of the process. The fullest outgrowth would be "assimilation" and this was what in the minds of the great many Christians when they think of integration." In this process, the religious and cultural identity of the Moros would be absorbed by the belief and culture of the dominant group, the Christians. Secondly, integration implied that the Christians were not only superior in all spheres of life, but even in the matters of religion they were spiritually or religiously correct. This perception, whether founded or imagined, did not fit well with the Moros. To them, it was an act of injustice to refer to, them as members of the "cultural minority" for, beyond the Philippine territory, lived more than a billion Muslims, who like them, are believers of Islam. This claim find more validity when right after our doors are Muslim states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, which are far more developed economically and as culturally-heterogeneous and yet generally peaceful than the "only Christian nation in Asia,", the Philippines.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6086" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6087" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6088">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6090" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6091" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6092">
<span abp="6093" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="6094" style="color: navy;">The CNI could have succeeded in many of its programs, if only the government extended to it all the funding mandated by law. If it had failed in its goal of integration, its inefficacy in the other aspects (if its mission was equally disheartening. Even in the granting of scholarships, there were reports of anomalous awarding of scholarships favoring one ethnic tribe over the rest. Even full-blooded Christians sneaked into the roster of CNI scholars. The government did not only fail to release the full funding provided for by law but, almost always, the releases were delayed.</span> </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6095" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6096" align="left">
<div abp="6097">
<span abp="6098" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6099" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6100" align="center">
<div abp="6101">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6103" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6104" align="center">
<div abp="6105">
<strong abp="6106"><span abp="6107" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">CHAPTER VII - DIASPORA OF THE MOROS</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="6108" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6109" align="center">
<div abp="6110">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6112" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6113" align="center">
<div abp="6114">
<strong abp="6115"><span abp="6116" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Past Revisited</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="6117" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6118" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6119">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6123" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6124" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6125">
<span abp="6126" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6127" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6128" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6129">
<span abp="6130" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before and during the Spanish times, the Moros were under sovereign sultanates. Left to themselves, they might have developed into unified and constitutional sultanates, or evolved into a political system of the Malaysian pattern, where the different princely states are federated and headed by a paramount ruler, although he is not the repository of powers and functions. But the course of history changed when powers changed in Spain. The Moors were defeated and Spain, eventually becoming world power, grabbed land ' s overseas; thence, the "rediscovery" of the new world and - in search for "tastes" -the Philippines. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6131" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6132" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6133">
<span abp="6134" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6135" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6136" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6137">
<span abp="6138" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The task of the Moros during the Spanish era was simple and vet bloody: defend, attack, negotiate, defend, attack, etc. This vicious cycle lasted for over three centuries. In the end, the Moros survived, Islam survived, and the Moro country survived.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6139" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6140" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6141">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6143" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6144" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6145">
<span abp="6146" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the exit of the Toledo blade, the Krag rifle came in and assumed the war with the Moros. There were still 34,000 armed Moros ready for action. But the newcomers were not "Christ" they were ''Ceasar.'' Armed with no "crosses" but "carrots and sticks" or "sticks and carrots," they tamed and disarmed the "unsubdued." After years of agonizing tit-for-tat interactions, the Moros learned to accept the Americans, not just as ordinary friends but as endeared ones, so that when the grant of self-rule was underway they pleaded to be retained under the American flag or be segregated from the Filipinos. The Americans fully grasped this sentiment and they even predicted that the Moros would rise Lip in arms against the Christians if U.S. rule ended. But alas! they did not only ignore this premonition; they committed another unconscionable act of handing the Moros, defenseless and disorganized to the Filipinos.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6147" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6148" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6149">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6151" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6152" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6153">
<span abp="6154" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was the state of affairs when the Moros slipped into the hands of the neo-colonial Filipino rulers when the Americans left. In the previous discussion, we have dealt with the policies of the new state and how these affected the twist and turn of events in Moro country. This time we will probe how the situation of the Moros, instead of improving, had steadily deteriorated into chaos, destructions and open warfare when the Filipinos assumed power in the Philippines. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6155" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6156" align="center" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6157">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6159" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6160" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="6161">
<strong abp="6162"><span abp="6163" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Back Against the Wall</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="6164" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6165" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="6166">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6168" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6169" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="6170">
<span abp="6171" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6172" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6173" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="6174">
<span abp="6175" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6176" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6177" align="center">
<div abp="6178">
<span abp="6179" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6180" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6181" align="center">
<div abp="6182">
<span abp="6183" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6184" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6185" align="center">
<div abp="6186">
<span abp="6187" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6188" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6189" align="justify">
<div abp="6190" align="justify">
<div abp="6191">
<span abp="6192" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As soon as the last Japanese soldier had left the country, independence was granted to the Philippines by the United States. The timing was excellent for it perfectly coincided with the positive atmosphere created by the invasion. Fighting side by side against a common foe somehow gave the Moros and the Filipinos mutual approbation and satisfaction. The war also created remarkable opportunities, such as material rewards for jobs well done in the service of country and the United States. All these, however, were transitory. Under Filipino neo-colonial rule, the condition of the Moros became worse than when it was under the Americans. The regime was not only proved apathetic and discriminatory; it "resorted" to an extreme measure of systematic dispersal and destruction of the Moros.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6193" align="justify">
<div abp="6194">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6196" align="justify">
<div abp="6197">
<span abp="6198" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the basis of the past and the stark realities of the present, the Moros rightly or wrongly concluded that under the Filipino flag the future was hopeless and not worth living. There were no genuine efforts designed to set them free from the bondage of exploitation, oppression and persecution. The few or insignificant positive steps taken by the government were no more than palliatives to appease them momentarily.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6199" align="justify">
<div abp="6200">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6202" align="justify">
<div abp="6203">
<span abp="6204" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Economically, a very large proportion of the Moro population sank deeply into the morass of poverty and hunger. In every respect, they lagged behind others. Moro communities remained stagnant and backward. The situation was so depraved that many believed the Moros were better off during pre-Spanish days than at present. One writer cited this pathetic situation in the following lines:</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6205" align="justify">
<div abp="6206">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6208">
<i abp="6209"><span abp="6210" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i><br /></div>
<div abp="6211" align="justify">
<div abp="6212">
<i abp="6213"><span abp="6214" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The national census of 1948 placed 80 percent of the Moslems as having no definite source of income, no property. This still holds today. An average Moslem is either a farmer or a fisherman.-'</span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="6215">
<span abp="6216" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="6217">
</i><span abp="6218" style="color: navy;">In politics, there was steady loss of Moro-controlled areas in Mindanao as one province after another slipped from the hands of the natives. Newly created provinces went also to the newcomers.</span></span></div>
<div abp="6219">
<span abp="6220" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="6221" align="justify">
<div abp="6222">
<span abp="6223" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The brief supremacy of the Moros in the local politics in Cotabato was cut short when the government arbitrarily made its proteges get elected. Case in point was that of Lt. Col. Carlos B. Cajelo, who was made to run and win in the 1971 gubernatorial race over Cotabato Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam, who was then otherwise unbeatable. In Lanao del Norte, Colonel Buenaventura, another congressional candidate, tried to contest the governorship of Lanao del Norte. Again, the unseen hand of the state pushed his candidacy vigorously to make him win. Only a last hour compromise, leaving no losers, saved the day for the Moros.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6224">
<span abp="6225" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="6226" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="6227" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFpGLNgHHc8D5sN3ZSjJwPjyh3oG9D9cyQG7V3Q0E775IBlRAQW0g5w1FJknvMpJRfXLclBRbhpm_49RPqAbA6veoK6ienwar-DWKL1P4rBrPa4nlACEongqec7lInsrhV25NDPeLHKw/s1600/Table+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="6228" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="6229" border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFpGLNgHHc8D5sN3ZSjJwPjyh3oG9D9cyQG7V3Q0E775IBlRAQW0g5w1FJknvMpJRfXLclBRbhpm_49RPqAbA6veoK6ienwar-DWKL1P4rBrPa4nlACEongqec7lInsrhV25NDPeLHKw/s640/Table+6.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div abp="6230">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6232" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6233" align="center">
<div abp="6234" align="justify">
<div abp="6235">
<span abp="6236" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the field of education, the Western system was prevalent in the Philippines. Consequently a great many of those so-called educated class, like their predecessors during the American colonial rule, started looking to the West for inspiration and direction. What they learned, instead, was that spiritualism gave way to materialism, hedonism and easy life. Education, contrary to what Islam teaches, became the means to actualize material and social gains.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6237" align="justify">
<div abp="6238">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6240" align="justify">
<div abp="6241">
<span abp="6242" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This time hordes of new migrants, concessionaires, businessmen and other gold- or power-seekers came in concentric waves. Methodically they edged out the natives first from the plains, valleys and hills and eventually out of the hinterlands. And in parallel precision, vast tracts of land were requisitioned for military reservations or camps which, in most cases. were owned by the Moros under the system of communal ownership. At first, only the immediate families of soldiers were allowed to live there but later their close and distant relatives and then their friends were accommodated until they formed clusters of communities. Since these groups wer c usually secured or armed, the* Moro neighbors nearby had to choose one of two evils: either they move out at the first instance or stay awhile, sell the lands if titled. and then leave. The third option was to stay and fight. Said Aijaz Ahmad in his write-up:</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6243" align="justify">
<div abp="6244">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6246" align="justify">
<div abp="6247">
<i abp="6248"><span abp="6249" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pushed onto a mere 17 percent of their land, an agrarian people with no alternative directions for development - such as the Moros - must either perish or fight back. By the same token, the northern elite can make further substantive gains only through a genocidal war of total occupation.'</span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="6250">
<i abp="6251"><span abp="6252" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i></div>
<div abp="6253">
<i abp="6254"><span abp="6255" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i></div>
<div abp="6256" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i abp="6257"><a abp="6258" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDgfP1ocBWv1udiWnNzZMiLOsOgMp2Cx5tJQqrEUNE1Pd5IkjAwdqEJ-JOkwndb6TlXueav-i-2LxsirdCiMQHLvjosJaqn_UwEzlyrOYqWW2t3M5qTgkpbbV7N0MJg2jkfos0hQ1QJw/s1600/table+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="6259" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="6260" border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDgfP1ocBWv1udiWnNzZMiLOsOgMp2Cx5tJQqrEUNE1Pd5IkjAwdqEJ-JOkwndb6TlXueav-i-2LxsirdCiMQHLvjosJaqn_UwEzlyrOYqWW2t3M5qTgkpbbV7N0MJg2jkfos0hQ1QJw/s400/table+7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></i></div>
<div abp="6261">
<i abp="6262"><span abp="6263" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i></div>
<div abp="6264" align="center">
<div abp="6265">
<i abp="6266"><span abp="6267" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="6268">
<i abp="6269"><span abp="6270" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i></div>
</div>
<span abp="6271" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6272" align="center">
<div abp="6273">
<span abp="6274" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="6275">Massacre in the Rock</strong></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6276" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6277" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6278">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6282" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6283" align="justify">
<div abp="6284">
<span abp="6285" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="6286" style="color: navy;">If there was one Philippine president who was close to the hearts of the Moros, he must have been Pres. Diosdado Macapagal. In saying so, the author does not speak for other Moros, but only for himself. But he is quite certain that many others share this view. When he first came to Manila, as a student, barely less than a year was left of the term of President Macapagal. But even in such a brief period of time, he could not fail to feel the warmth and sincerity in the man, </span><span abp="6287" style="color: navy;">and even other Moro students, mostly shy and unassuming, had little difficulty reaching him. Had such a moving personality stayed longer in power, the violence that rocked Mindanao in the 1970s would have taken place sometime much later. But he was defeated in the 1965 presidential election and the man who beat and succeeded him was Ferdinand Marcos, who like the other "Ferdinand," surnamed "Magellan," was instrumental in sowing the seed of enmity that finally made an already seething social volcano erupt.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6288" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6289" align="justify">
<div abp="6290">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6292" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6293" align="justify">
<div abp="6294">
<span abp="6295" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, in fairness to President Marcos, it was not he who first initiated the Philippine claim to Sabah. It was President Macapagal, himself, who formally put forth the Sabah Claim in 1962, based on the sovereignty once exercised by the Sulu sultanate over the northern Borneo territory. By all indications, however, President Macapagal was pressing the claim through peaceful and diplomatic channels. In the case of President Marcos, it was an open secret that, in addition to the normal procedure in international law that disputes between and among states be resolved through pacific methods, like negotiations and through the adjudication of the International Court of Justice, he resorted to extra-legal actions in securing the claim. It was in the light of this scenario and his obsession to stay in power beyond what the law allowed that the massacre of sixty-four Moro trainees, popularly known as "Jabidah Massacre," on March 17, 1968, on the rocky island of Corregidor could be appreciated. The victims were part of the 180 trainees, mostly Moros, who were undergoing training on jungle warfare, sabotage and infiltration. The training was purportedly part of a wider clandestine operation code-named "Operation Merdeka" for the invasion of Sabah, to which the Philippines had a pending claim. The word <i abp="6296">merdeka is </i>an Indo-Malayan term meaning "to set free" or simply "freedom".</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6297" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6298" align="justify">
<div abp="6299">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6301" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6302" align="justify">
<div abp="6303">
<span abp="6304" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The real story behind the cold-blooded massacre was never made public by the government. There were explanations but at most those were intended to mislead rather than to inform. The lone survivor, Jibin Arola, however, made shocking and chilling revelations. He said that they were ordered shot because they refused to follow orders to attack Sabah: "How could we attack the Malaysians when they are our brothers and we do not have any quarrel with them?"' That he, survived by swimming the shark-infested waters of Corregidor and Cavite was in itself a miracle. Other reasons given were the nonpayment of their monthly allowances and the trainees' desires to resign.' Another version spoke of the mutiny of the trainees which forced their military handlers to order the massacre of the entire company, so that none could survive to tell the story of the horrendous nightmare.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6305" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6306" align="justify">
<div abp="6307">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6309" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6310" align="justify">
<div abp="6311">
<span abp="6312" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the invasion story hit the international news headlines, Malaysia, expectedly, reacted sharply to the point of going into a frenzy of war preparation. Already having a strained diplomatic relation since 1962, when the Sabah Claim was first filed, the two neighbors almost fell into a shooting war. President Marcos vehemently denied the alleged plan of invasion. But no one took his words seriously. Such a project of formidable magnitude and full of diplomatic dangers could not have been undertaken without his official go-signal. Besides the man in charge of this top-level project, Maj. Eduardo Martelino, was, like him, an llocano by ethnic affiliation. Moreover, the project was under the direct supervision of the Civil Affairs Office of the Office of the President of the Philippines.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6313" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6314" align="justify">
<div abp="6315">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6317" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6318" align="justify">
<div abp="6319">
<span abp="6320" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who was Maj. Eduardo Martelino? As above stated, Major Martelino was an llocano from the llocos Region. Once a Christian, he reportedly became a Muslim and adopted "Abdulatif" as his new Muslim name, after marrying a Moro lass by the name of Sofia or Safiyah. The wedding ceremony took place in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, while he was posted there supervising another batch of trainees, also under the same project. Simunul is the last town before Sabah and, on a clear day, Sabah is visible from there. Whether he really became a Muslim or his conversion was merely a propaganda tool to win support or to cover up his real intention, nobody knew for sure. But before his stint with Project Merdeka, while serving as military attache' in Washington D.C., he proposed in a book for the federation of the states of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines into a Pan-Malayan aggrupation; and to realize this, he thought of organizing an expeditionary force code-named <i abp="6321">jabidah </i>to be based in Simunul Island.' Though his idea appeared fantastic, he earned some prominence for it.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6322" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6323" align="justify">
<div abp="6324">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6326" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<span abp="6327" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6328" align="justify">
<div abp="6329">
<span abp="6330" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is the sketchy background of Maj. Eduardo Martelino who was made to appear as the man behind the ill-fated project and on whose shoulders all the blame, insult, curse and international ramifications were placed squarely. Obviously, he was sacrificed or had himself sacrificed to conceal and save the real brain behind the invasion plan. But the public perception was quite clear: If Martelino was the lead actor of the project, Gen. Romeo Espina, then AFP Chief of Staff, was the Director, and President Marcos, as Commander-in-Chief, was the Producer.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6331" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6332" align="justify">
<div abp="6333">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6335" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6336" align="justify">
<div abp="6337">
<span abp="6338" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Had Project Merdeka succeeded and Sabah was invaded, the consequence would have been disastrous. Besides, what benefits awaited the Moros if Sabah became part of the Philippines? The fact of the matter was that Sabah under Malaysia was very progressive. </span></div>
<div abp="6339">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6341" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<span abp="6342" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6343" align="center">
<div abp="6344">
<strong abp="6345"><span abp="6346" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Old Man is Angry</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="6347" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6348" align="center">
<div abp="6349">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6351" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6352" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="6353">
<span abp="6354" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6355" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6356" align="center">
<div abp="6357">
<span abp="6358" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6359" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6360" align="center">
<div abp="6361">
<span abp="6362" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6363" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6364" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6365">
<span abp="6366" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The bloodbath at Corregidor did not only anger the Malaysians including Sabah Chief Minister DatuTun Mustapha Haron, but jolted the Moros and their leaders, particularly Cotabato Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam. Hardly two months after the incident, Datu Udtog Matalam spearheaded the move to create an Islamic Republic of Mindanao in answer to the alleged systematic policy of genocide, discrimination, and dispossession of lands pursued vigorously by the government.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6367" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6368" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6369">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6371" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6372" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6373">
<span abp="6374" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On May 1, 1968, he organized the Muslim (and later Mindanao) Independence Movement (MIM), which sought to form a state comprising of the contiguous southern portion of the Philippine Archipelago. In the Manifesto issued by the MIM, the following, among other matters, were declared:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6375" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6376" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6377">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6379" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6380" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6381">
<span abp="6382" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. That it is a recognized principle underlying the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration of Human Rights of the rights of all people consisting the minority in a given state for self-determination;</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6383" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6384" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6385">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6387" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6388" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6389">
<span abp="6390" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. That the Islamic World Congress has affirmed the above principles, particularly on the rights of Muslims who are in the minority in non-Muslim states for self-determination;</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6391" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6392" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6393">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6395" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6396" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6397">
<span abp="6398" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. That the systematic extermination of the Muslim youth like the Corregidor Fiasco - and the policy of isolation and dispersal of the Muslim communities have been pursued vigorously by the government to the detriment of the Muslims; and</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6399" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6400" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6401">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6403" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6404" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6405">
<span abp="6406" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. That Islam, being a communal religion - an ideology and a way of life, must have a definite territory for the exercise of its tenets and teachings, and for the observance of its laws.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6407" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6408" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6409">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6411" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6412" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6413">
<span abp="6414" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The text of the Manifesto was forwarded to the UN Sec. Gen. U Thant and copies were also furnished to all heads of Muslim States and to Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6415" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6416" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6417">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6419" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6420" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6421">
<span abp="6422" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In a flash, the Old Man and the MIM were in the headlines. But nobody seemed to have known why he went on to such an extreme move. The desire for power was quite remote. He was already the governor of the biggest province in the entire country. Neither could his action be attributed to the desire for more wealth, for revolution does not pay off. Whether or not he was serious is not within our competence to pass judgment. But one thing is certain. The MIM did not gain much momentum and few outside his home province of Cotabato listened to him seriously enough. But the reaction of the government was a different story. From all indications, it did not take the MIM challenge lightly. Subsequently, one of his advisers, Atty. Hussain Pangato, was killed sometime in 1970 by PC troopers at Tinidtiban, Pikit, Cotabato. He also lost to Lt. Col. Carlos B. Cajelo in a very questionable gubernatorial contest in 1971.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6423" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6424" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6425">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6427" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6428" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6429">
<span abp="6430" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The MIM may not have endured long, but it contributed in no small way to the revival of the spirit of independence among the Moros, particularly the studentry and the professionals. In fact, the professionals and students in Manila who later formed the Moro National Liberation Front were also moved by the spirit of the MIM when they enlisted in the first batch of trainees to undergo guerrilla training in a nearby state.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6431" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6432" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6433">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6435" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6436" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6437">
<span abp="6438" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At this point in time, it was interesting to note that President Marcos was about to run for his second term after which the Philippine Constitution would disqualify him from seeking a third term. It was in this setting that the threats caused by the Matalam's bugaboo and the political ambition of Marcos could be tied together and on which basis also many loose ends of contemporaneous events could be made to bind, in order to get a clearer picture of the larger scenario which later unfolded to become what this country had never experienced. President Marcos, on several occasions, was overheard to say that "only fools get out of the Palace," meaning, as president of the Philippines. His declaration of Martial Law in 1972 and his stay in office for more than twenty years substantiated beyond doubt the allegations that he indeed had dictatorial ambitions.</span></div>
<div abp="6439">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6441" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<span abp="6442" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6443" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="6444">
<strong abp="6445"><span abp="6446" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Rats Strike</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="6447" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6448" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="6449">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6451" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6452" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="6453">
<span abp="6454" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6455" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6456" align="justify">
<div abp="6457">
<span abp="6458" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The emergence of the Ilagas was attributed to threats posed by the MIM on the Christians in Cotabato. In the province at the time, there were reports of Moro youths undergoing guerrilla warfare training n Malaysia and several training camps in the province. As a result, Christians, who chose to stay and fight for everything they held dear, reportedly became the early pioneers of the Ilaga movement. </span></div>
<div abp="6459">
<span abp="6460" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6461" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6462" align="justify">
<div abp="6463">
<span abp="6464" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The word Ilaga is an llonggo or Visayan, term for "rat," that highly voracious creature that infests on our crops. How these "halfcrazed" or "mad killers," or what the regime preferred to call "fanatics," acquired the name or chose to be known by it is perhaps explained by the widespread proliferation of their gory activities on Mindanao. Other sources went further to decipher the name as an acronym for Ilonggo Land Grabbers Association. The final truth of the matter still remains to be seen, but in the absence of more solid evidence to the contrary the theory might as well stand. Initially, a simple folk leader, Feliciano Luces, was tagged as the Ilaga chief. Those who knew him well in Upi, Cotabato, could not help but wonder how a mild-mannered farmer of this town could become an overnight leader of an ultra-rightist Christian organization whose name brought fire and awe.</span></div>
<div abp="6465">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6467" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6468" align="justify">
<div abp="6469">
<span abp="6470" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Early references to the name theorized that it referred to the voracious animals to exemplify the natural right of any man or community to legitimate self-defense. There were rumors and wild stories about the organization, all unsubstantiated at the time. But in July 1972, the Associated Press, an American wire service, reported that the Ilaga organization was the brainchild of seven Christian leaders of Cotabato. Later, in 1973, a group of students commissioned by the government reported that the llaga was founded in Cotabato City in September 1970 by Mayors Wenceslao de la Cerna of Alamada, Nicolas Dequina of Midsayap, Pacifico de la Cerna of Libungan, Bonifacio Tejada of Mlang, Conrado Lemana of Tulunan, Jose Escribano of Tacurong, Esteban Doruelo of Pigkawayan and PC Capt. Manuel Tronco of Upi, the overall commander. Being seven in all, they were thus called the "Magnificent Seven." Though a later recruit, Lt. Col. Carlos B. Cajelo, also an Ilonggo, who became Governor of Cotabato and later the Deputy Defense Minister for Civil Relations, was popularly believed as the real leader. He was perceived to have taken over the command discreetly from Manuel Tronco, a candidate for Mayor of Upi in 1971, when the latter was slain in an ambush in 1972 in Upi, Cotabato. Ex-Mayor Esteban Doruelo, then an assemblyman of LTP-12., was also assassinated on February 4, 1984 in Cotabato City for reasons believed linked to the founding of the Ilagas.</span></div>
<div abp="6471">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6473" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6474" align="justify">
<div abp="6475">
<span abp="6476" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="6477" style="color: navy;">The Ilaga rampage started in the middle of 1970 barely a year-and-a-half before Pres. Ferdinand Marcos plunged the country into </span><span abp="6478" style="color: navy;">Martial law on September 23, 1972. The first killing field was Upi, Cotabato the new home of Commander Feliciano Luces, alias "Toothpick." There he led a band of Tiruray tribesmen, who readily responded allegedly to settle an old score with the Maguindanaon Moros. 12 On March 22, 1970, Commander Toothpick and his band of so-called "fanatics," initiated, as their baptism of fire, an attack on an isolated Moro village, killing six people and burning several houses. They left behind their horrifying trademarks on the victims: cut ears, slashed nipples, plucked out eyes, and cross markings on the body. Members of the gang, mostly teenagers, were subjected to rigid initiation rituals and were required to wear amulets and other charms believed to have magical powers to ward off evil and harm. In the beginning, the Tirurays dominated the gang but, later on as other Ilaga units sprouted in other areas of Cotabato, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and elsewhere, the movement was dominated by llonggos. Later, the Ilaga gangs acted as "storm troopers" for government troops when the Moros succeeded in putting up an effective defense. A pertinent article in one of the front-running Manila dailies had this to say this tie-up:</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6479" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<br abp="6480" />
<i abp="6481"><span abp="6482" style="color: navy;">The list is long... but it can be compressed into one single horrifying theme -- a near absolute lawlessness armed and protected by... government officials and the military into remote corners of Mindanao to look for and kill... Muslim rebels, and whoever they believe to be their sympathizers.</span></i></span><div abp="6483" align="justify">
<div abp="6484">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6487" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6488" align="justify">
<div abp="6489">
<span abp="6490" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The late Pres. Diosdado Macapagal had this to say in connection with the llaga Organization:</span></div>
<div abp="6491">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6493" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><i abp="6494"><div abp="6495" align="justify">
<div abp="6496">
<span abp="6497" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The political and short-sighted handling of Muslim problems under the Marcos reign reached a zenith when the authorities sanctioned and believably helped arm and Ilagas, an armed band of Christian Filipinos, who have waged an operation to kill Muslims. Reports of massacres both of Muslims and Christians in a mutual rampage of violence and killing as a result have considerable truth in them. Seeing the hand of the government in the organization and operations of the Ilagas, it is understandable that the Muslim Filipinos have entertained the belief that the administration is out to exterminate the Muslims.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6498" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6499" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="6500">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6502" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i><div abp="6503" align="justify">
<div abp="6504">
<i abp="6505"><span abp="6506" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Such belief no doubt has intensified Muslim insurgency.</span></i></div>
<div abp="6507">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6510" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6511" align="justify">
<div abp="6512">
<span abp="6513" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The number of victims continued to increase as the PC-Ilaga, tandem mounted and widened its bloody sorties in the other provinces and towns outside of its original base of operations. Hardest hit by these depredations usually were isolated Moro villages.</span></div>
<div abp="6514">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6516" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6517" align="justify">
<div abp="6518">
<span abp="6519" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So far, there is no formal research work conducted or made available that shows data on these Ilaga-related massacres, including the names of the victims, number of houses burned or destroyed, and other losses or damages. The following listing is not presumed to be complete but somehow efforts have been made to make the entries as detailed as possible."</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6520" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6521" align="justify">
<div abp="6522">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6524" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6525" align="center">
<div abp="6526">
<span abp="6527" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6528" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6529" align="center">
<div abp="6530">
<span abp="6531" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6532" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6533" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="6534">
<span abp="6535" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6536" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6537" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6538">
<a abp="6539" href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span abp="6540" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><br /></div>
</div>
<span abp="6541" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6542" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6543">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6546" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6547" align="center" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="6548">
<span abp="6549" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <strong abp="6550"><span abp="6551" style="color: red;">Question of Genocide</span></strong></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6552" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6553" align="center" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="6554">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6558" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6559" align="center" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="6560">
<span abp="6561" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6562" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6563" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6564">
<span abp="6565" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6566" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6567" align="center" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="6568">
<span abp="6569" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="6570"></strong></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6571" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span abp="6572" style="color: red;"><strong abp="6573"><div abp="6574" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6575">
<span abp="6576" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The nightmarish killings did not only alarm the local Moro population, but even the Islamic world was led to believe that there was really a systematic genocide campaign waged by the state to annihilate the Moros in Mindanao. According to the Marcos regime, more than 1,000 civilians had died, about 2,000 armed Moros and Christians had been killed, and more than half-a-million persons had been wounded, displaced, and rendered homeless, not to speak of heavy casualties among government troops.", According to another source, the number of Moro victims of the Army, PC and Ilaga attacks reached as high as 10,000 killed." In addition, thousands of Moro houses, mosques and Arabic schools were destroyed or razed to the ground by these ruthless depredators </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6577" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6578" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6579">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6582" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6583" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6584">
<span abp="6585" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In response to the issue of genocide, the Islamic world sent missions to Mindanao to investigate the reported mass slaughter of Muslims. In January 1972, eight Muslim ambassadors visited the various Moros areas, particularly Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. Members of the mission were ambassadors from Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Singapore, United Arab Republic (Egypt), Pakistan and Iraq. Again in July 1972, another mission, this time made up of Libya and the United Arab Republic, came to Mindanao to monitor the situation of the Muslims. The delegation was headed by Dr. Ali Abdulsalam Treki, the Libyan Foreign Minister, who spoke for the group:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6586" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6587" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6588">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6591" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6592" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6593">
<span abp="6594" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="6595" style="color: navy;">... </span><i abp="6596"><span abp="6597" style="color: navy;">We don't believe there is such a thing. But what is important is not what we educated people believe in. What matters is what the Muslims in Mindanao think. They think their war against Christians is a religious one."'</span></i></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6598" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6599" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6600">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6602" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6603" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6604">
<span abp="6605" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Both the second and first missions found no trace of genocide as an official policy of the Philippine government, but the collusion of many military and government officials in the series of Ilaga activities was not only a matter of public knowledge; it was confirmed by no less than a ranking member of the organization. One Ilaga commander, Carmelino Abagon, who figured in many massacres in Mindanao, told newsmen that they never attacked Muslims without the permission or order from the Philippine military."' The least the government was guilty of was in tolerating, hence acting as <i abp="6606">an </i>accessory, in the bloody activities of these gangsters. One can only imagine the wisdom or folly of the decision of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos to play guest to the notorious llaga chieftain, Feliciano Luces, in late 1970 right at the Presidential Palace in Manila. Instead of being punished, the Ilaga kingpin, to borrow the words of the late Cong. Salipada Pendatun, was "knighted" and "bade to go back to his kingdom to bear more arms and commit further depredations</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6607" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6608" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6609">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6612" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6613" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6614">
<span abp="6615" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meantime, the displacement and dispersal of the Moros from their ancestral lands continued unabated. The towns of Ampatuan, Bagumbayan, Alamada, Columbio, Upi, Palembang, Tulunan, Carmen, Isulan, Esperanza, all in Cotabato; of Wao, Lanao del Sur; of Magsaysay, Kauswagan, and all areas along the National Highway from one end to another, in Lanao del Norte; of Siay, Labangan, Dimataling, and other areas along the National Highway as well as along the coastline, Zamboanga del Sur; of Kalilangan, Talakag, and nearby places, Bukidnon; and of Tantangan and few other towns of South Cotabato, were rendered "ghost areas" as evacuating Moros and Christians moved about in opposite directions. However, in predominantly Muslim towns like Dinaig, Parang, Buldon, Barira, Matanog, Maganoy, Datu Paglas, all in Cotabato, and Balabagan, Lanao del Sur the evacuees were mostly Christians.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6616" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6617" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6618">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6621" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6622" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6623">
<span abp="6624" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="6625" style="color: navy;">Up to the present, most of the people who were uprooted from their ancestral dwellings have not returned. A few who dared to return had to flee again from the incessant fear for their lives from their erstwhile enemies who were usually clothed in authority and brandishing high-caliber firearms after their integration into the paramilitary forces of the government. Others failed to reoccupy their lands because other people were already telling them. And it was not an uncommon instance that those who managed to return became tenants to the lands they once owned. Survival, even in sub-human standards, was really difficult. Not a few survived by swallowing whatever remained of their dignity and pride by winnowing the grains from the chaff of rice left over in Christian granaries and farmlands.</span></span></div>
<div abp="6626">
<span abp="6627" style="color: navy; font-family: "times";"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="6628">
<span abp="6629" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6630" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></strong>
<span abp="6631" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><div abp="6632" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6633">
<strong abp="6634"><span abp="6635" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Terror Escalates</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="6636" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6637" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6638">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="6642" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6643" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6644">
<span abp="6645" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6646" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6647" align="left" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6648">
<span abp="6649" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6650" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6651" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6652">
<span abp="6653" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="6654" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6655" align="center" dir="ltr">
<table abp="6656" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="AutoNumber3" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody abp="6657">
<tr abp="6658"><td abp="6659" dir="ltr" height="100%" width="100%"><div abp="6660">
<span abp="6661" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The off-and-on and yet bloody confrontations remained towards the last quarter of 1971. By this time, the Moros had been able to put up a more organized resistance against the onslaught of the IlagaPC tandem with the formation of the so-called "Blackshirts," said to be the army of the Muslims or more precisely of the Mindanao Independence Movement (MIM) of Ex-Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam. The Blackshirts, so-named because they wore black khaki, chevrons, boots, and name tags, first tasted prominent combat experience in the much-heralded "Battle of Buldon" in August 1971. Buldon is a border town next to Lanao del Sur, thus an ideal place for defence against the PC troops sent to blast the Blackshirts from the town. </span></div>
<div abp="6662">
<span abp="6663" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6664">
<span abp="6665" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The attacking PC troops, backed up by tanks and mortars, confessed that they could hardly move 100 meters forward without being pinned down by heavy enemy fire. After a few days of fighting, President Marcos sent a group of emissaries to negotiate the surrender of Bangon Aratuc and to forge a truce. First, the Mayor sent his son, Tomatic Aratuc, to Manila and then he followed to meet President Marcos. He denied there were Blackshirts in his municipality. "What I have are black teeth, 1121 he cracked. A few aging rifles of World War II vintage were surrendered obviously to save faces, especially for the government, which promised a consolation of P 75,000 to "rehabilitate" the town. Soon Buldon faded out of the limelight.</span></div>
<div abp="6666">
<span abp="6667" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6668" align="justify">
<div abp="6669">
<span abp="6670" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On August 20, 1971, news flashed that Ampatuan, Cotabato was under siege. llaga gangsters had swooped on isolated Moro villager. The Moros fought back to defend themselves. In Maneba, Ampatuan, a series of pitch battles were fought involving the llagaPC on one hand and the villagers on the other. Two of the "Malaysiantrained" Moro students, Abdulmanan Abas and Akmad Enampadan, saw action here.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6671">
<span abp="6672" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6673" align="justify">
<div abp="6674">
<span abp="6675" style="color: navy;"></span><span abp="6676" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span abp="6677" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In September 1971, the escalation of hostilities switched to Lanao del Norte between llagas and "Barracudas." Both Muslims and Christians evacuated in large numbers: the former to Marawi City and the towns around Lake Lanao, and the latter to Iligan City, Ozamis City, Cagayan de Oro City and, across the sea, to Dumaguete City. Estimated to have swelled to 50,000, the evacuees now became a major refugee problem, especially to the government.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6678">
<span abp="6679" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6680" align="justify">
<div abp="6681">
<span abp="6682" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As in Cotabato, the hostilities in Lanao del Norte were inflamed by local politics. A Christian governor, Gov. Arsenio Quibranza, was on one side of the political divide, against Cong. Ali Dimaporo on the other side. The Barracudas were labeled as the private army of the Dimaporos while the Ilagas were said to be at the disposal of the Quibranzas. This conflict peaked when a 40 unarmed Muslims were mercilessly mowed down at a checkpoint in Tacub, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on November. The victims were returning home after casting their votes in a special election set by the Commission on Election.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6683">
<span abp="6684" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6685">
<span abp="6686" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The massacre shocked the entire nation and the Muslim world, which denounced the carnage as another attempt of the Philippine government to make true its genocide campaign against the Muslims Mindanao. Malaysia, Libya and Kuwait adopted special efforts including calling upon the United Nations to intervene in the crisis. Libya offered relief assistance to the victims.</span></div>
<div abp="6687">
<span abp="6688" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6689" align="justify">
<div abp="6690">
<span abp="6691" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Towards the end of 1971 and up to April the following year, there was a lull in the fighting. No major confrontations took place. But suddenly in May renewed fighting raged in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur. The Ilagas were reported to have come to the town to rally the local Christians against the predominantly Muslim populace. The initial cause, in fact, was the bloody feud between a local politician and a Christian logging company. After some fighting, the result was the evacuation of some 5,000 Christians</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6692">
<span abp="6693" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6694" align="justify">
<div abp="6695">
<span abp="6696" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Almost simultaneously, Iligan City, a predominantly Christian City, clamped a boycott of Marawi City, a city of Muslims. No food, fuel or communication could reach the city. Even the price of salt had sky-rocketed from P20.00 to P40.00 per sack. Sometimes, even if money was available, the stock was not on hand. The boycott was lifted only after the government sent in Marines and constabulary troops to replace the local police force and dismantle all e roadblocks.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6697">
<span abp="6698" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6699" align="justify">
<div abp="6700">
<span abp="6701" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After a while, the battles shifted to at least two towns in Zamboanga del Sur. First to succumb was Siay Mayor Maulod Puasa, a Subanon-Maguindanaon mestizo, who was cut to pieces right at the market place by rampaging Ilagas. Next to be attacked was Hadji Van Jadjourie, a Tausog trader; fortunately for him, he and his clan managed to beat off the 60-man Ilaga attackers. Then there was the free-for-all fight involving Dimataling Mayor Carmona and the Maguindanaon residents. In a hastily called peace dialogue by Gov. Jose Pecson, the two warring groups were told to appear in order to tresh out the roots of the problem. First to arrive were Governor Pecson and the Muslim group, and while the Governor and the Muslims were discussing some aspects of the conflict Mayor Carmona and his armed followers barged in. Alarmed by their sudden and threatening appearance, the Muslims opened fire and first to fall was Mayor Carmona himself. A firefight ensued. The Governor barely survived, although the casualties on both sides were heavy.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6702">
<span abp="6703" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6704">
<span abp="6705" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6706" align="justify">
<div abp="6707">
<span abp="6708" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Zamboanga incidents were not the end of the conflict. People looked toward Basilan and Sulu, expecting them to be the next battleground. Instead, the main event was the sudden declaration of Martial Law on September 23, 1972. </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6709">
<span abp="6710" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6711" align="justify">
<div abp="6712">
<span abp="6713" style="color: navy;"></span><span abp="6714" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6715">
<span abp="6716" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6717" align="center">
<div abp="6718">
<strong abp="6719"><span abp="6720" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">CHAPTER VIII - THE QUEST FOR SURVIVALS</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="6721">
<span abp="6722" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6723" align="center">
<div abp="6724">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6726">
<span abp="6727" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6728" align="center">
<div abp="6729">
<span abp="6730" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6731">
<span abp="6732" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6733" align="center">
<div abp="6734">
<span abp="6735" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6736">
<span abp="6737" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6738" align="center">
<div abp="6739">
<span abp="6740" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6741">
<span abp="6742" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="6743" align="center">
<div abp="6744">
<strong abp="6745"><span abp="6746" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Search for Alternatives</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="6747" align="center">
<div abp="6748">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6752" align="left">
<div abp="6753">
<span abp="6754" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6755">
<span abp="6756" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The travails of the past and the chilling fear for the unknown future had aroused the Moros to activity, especially the studentry, professionals and even the political leaders at the time to look for alternatives that could guarantee or at least provide a defense mechanism to secure the survival of the Moros as a people. The Manila government was to them still a "government of outsiders" and was not only indifferent but, even more so, appeared to be the main force behind a move to "liquidate them," as revealed in the Jabidah Massacre in late the 1960s and the series of mass slaughters in Mindanao by the Ilaga-PC tandem in the early 1970s.</span></div>
<div abp="6757" align="justify">
<div abp="6758">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6761" align="justify">
<div abp="6762">
<span abp="6763" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The old Moro leaders, nationalists or "collaborators," had tried to secure Mindanao and Sulu from the control of the outsiders but failed miserably. One main reason for this failure was lip-service they offered to what was generally perceived to be a real and serious problem requiring immediate and concrete action. Evidently, they had bec9me too preoccupied with the present, since most of them were either politicians or high government officials, to recite the hard lessons of the past and perceive the threats in the offing. Such lackluster mentality must have been the consequence of having made too many compromises, which ultimately led to surrender, or what we may be mildly termed as "subservience." In addition, the lure of the world and the inability of these aristocratic leaders - most of them belonged to the so-called royal class - to shed off their privileges attached to this ancient tradition must have contributed a lot to this unfortunate frame of mind. As virtual captives of this leadership crisis, the Moro people apparently had become unproductive and uncreative, which explained why they have been generally passive, if not indolent - almost like the <i abp="6764">indios </i>of the past Spanish regime.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6765" align="justify">
<div abp="6766">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6769" align="justify">
<div abp="6770">
<span abp="6771" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the conflict hardened and intensified - against the backdrop of deepening Islamic consciousness - the Moros had to find ways to survive and at the same time to make true their distinct national identity. This necessity found expressions in the rise of numerous organizations. The listing would be very long, but for the purpose of this section, it is enough to make mention of three organizations, namely, the Muslim Association of the Philippines (MAP), Ansar El Islam, and the Mindanao Independence Movement (MIM). The Muslim Association of the Philippines, was founded <i abp="6772">in </i>1926, ironically by Indian Muslims,' but after a while local elite Moros began to dominate it. Prominent among these local leaders were Ex-Sen. Salipada Pendatun, Ex-Sen. Domocao Alonto, Cong. Rashid Lucman and Ex-Ambassador Pullong Arpa. Under Ex-Sen. Domocao Alonto came the Ansar El Islam in 1969,'which later on branched out surprisingly to practically all corners of Mindanao and Sulu where Muslims were domiciled. Its main objective was for the complete establishment of Islam in all aspects of life.' However, many eyebrows have been raised on why, during the hard conflict that followed in Mindanao and Sulu, the Ansar El Islam failed to rise to the occasion when its services were most needed by the people. If there was any organization that had probably evoked much terror in the power circle in Manila, the Mindanao Independence Movement under Cotabato Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam in 1968 must have been that organization. But after much rumblings, the MIM itself may have succumbed to the threats and enticements of the government. In December 1971, Pres Ferdinand Marcos and Datu Udtog Matalam met in Manila, after which only the name was left of this organization.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6773" align="justify">
<div abp="6774">
</div>
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<div abp="6776" align="justify">
<div abp="6777">
<span abp="6778" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There were other organizations earlier founded by Moro elders, but most if not all were either regional or mainly religious or educational in character. In 1934, the Sarrikatul Islam Association was formed in Zamboanga but its objective was more of commercial venture. Trading during this period had expanded and the people were accorded a greater chance to dispose off their produce easily and to buy merchandise at reasonable price. In 1936, the Kamilol Islam Society was established in Lanao del Sur. Its purpose was mainly educational.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6779" align="left">
<div abp="6780">
<span abp="6781" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
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<div abp="6783">
<a abp="6784" href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span abp="6785" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><br /></div>
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<span abp="6787" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="6788" align="center">
<div abp="6789">
<span abp="6790" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rise of Moro Students Power</span></div>
<div abp="6791" align="center">
<div abp="6792">
<span abp="6793" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="6794" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="6795">
<span abp="6796" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
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<div abp="6798">
<span abp="6799" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
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<div abp="6800">
<span abp="6801" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="6802" style="color: navy;">The years from the early second half of the sixties to the early seventies marked the height of student militant activism and unrest. There was widespread unrest, violence and disturbances, both global and national, which stirred student activism through the "parliamentary of the streets," like demonstrations, rallies, pickets, teach-ins and other forms of radicalism. The Moro students and even the professionals were not remiss in facing the challenge of this world phenomenon. </span></span><span abp="6803" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the case of the Moro students both in Manila and in Cairo,</span></div>
<div abp="6804" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6805">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6807" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6808">
<span abp="6809" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Egypt, there were seven eventful episodes, three global and four national, which had the greatest impact upon their lives and the trend of events in Mindanao and Sulu. The three global incidents were as follows: 1) the June 5, 1967 Arab-Israeli War; 2) the 1968 aborted but bloody coup attempt in Indonesia; and, in a lesser degree, 3) the rise of student demonstrations in Indonesia and Malaysia in 1968. And in the national scene, the 1968 Jabidah Massacre easily was the main "eye-opener," which evoked much disgust that revived the old fears that under Filipino rule the Moros were not safe. It was followed by the founding of the Mindanao Independence Movement by Datu Udtog Matalam in 1968, the 1970-1971 series of massacres of Muslims in Mindanao, and finally by the declaration of Martial Law in 1972. All these incidents were highly exceptional circumstances that no rational person, lest of all a Moro, could ignore and leave everything to chance.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6810" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6811">
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<div abp="6813" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6814">
<span abp="6815" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Initially, the students, professionals and, to some extent, the politicians were locked in debate over what course of action to pursue for the Moros, as a whole, to survive. There -were three options before them: 1) adopt a collaborationist line, as did most of the old nationalist leaders, whose only weapon to freedom was lip-service; 2) assume a riskless buj4ishonorable stance of acquiescence and leave the rest to "fate;" and 3) subscribe to the view that man, as the "best of creations," has the relative capability to make or unmake his own destiny. All the three options had takers. Ironically, those who took No. 1 shone in the heyday of student activism, especially in Manila, but were mostly nowhere to be found when the sailing got rough in Mindanao and Sulu. Those who picked up option No. 3 generally assumed supporting roles in the "parliamentary of the streets," but became the ones who personally led the revolutionary war later. Takers of No. 2 were the slaves of the insatiable self and remained in the cities; many married Christians and raised their families outside the moral realm of Islam.</span></div>
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<div abp="6816" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6817">
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<div abp="6820" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6821">
<span abp="6822" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the language of the day, the "aroused" students or professionals were branded "activists" or "radicals" and were more likely declared "subversives." Despite the so-called policy of maximum tolerance ordered to anti-riot policemen and Metrocom soldiers, not a few Moro student activists were injured during rallies and demonstrations. Cases in point were the violent demonstrations against the visit of the Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban in 1967 and the coming of Gen. Abdul Harris Nasution of Indonesia in 1968. The demonstrators protested against the Israeli Foreign Minister and the pro-Israeli policy of the Marcos regime. Some of the demonstrators managed to barge into the Israeli Embassy in Makati and pulled the Israeli flag down. Actually the confrontation in 1968 was not preplanned. The Moro students were set to welcome Gen. Abdul Harris Nasution, the man who was highly regarded as the successor to Pres. Ahmad Soekarno. While the Moro students were at the Manila International Airport (MIA) waiting for General Nasution to disembark, another group of militant students identified with the Pro-Communist Kabataang Makabayan (KM) protested his visit and started hurling invectives, such as "Nasution: Butcher of Indonesia," "US puppet, go Home!" and other stinging slogans. Consequently, the pro-Nasution and the anti-Nasution demonstrators clashed with stones, bottles and Molotov bombs that resulted in several injuries on both sides.</span></div>
</div>
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<div abp="6824">
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<div abp="6827">
<span abp="6828" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The study groups, mostly hastily formed, centered on alarming issues of the hour. The members wanted to rationalize everything on the basis of something. As their discussions prolonged and sometimes got heated, their conclusions were not unanimous as to what must be the direction and the guiding light of their activities. All were Moros, but although they were all Muslims by upbringing, they were enrolled in secular universities and colleges and not all followed a purely Islamic way of thinking. Others adopted a nationalist line. This confusion remained even after the battle scene was transferred from the streets to the frontlines of Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
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<div abp="6830">
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<div abp="6834">
<span abp="6835" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the beginning, both Moro and Christian students jointly denounced the prevalent evils of the day. They organized demonstrations against the prevailing political and economic frustrations of the people, the widespread graft and corruption, elitism in the social and political structure, and so forth. Gradually, however, the Moro activists began to realize, albeit quite later, that although there were common serious national issues confronting the Moros and the Christians that they could both cry about, the fact was that the Moros themselves had their particular tune to sing. They, therefore, started to speak of the problems of the Moros, in particular, how they would fare in a predominantly Christian state, what would be their destiny under the Filipino flag, should they have to work for reforms within the realm of national politic, etc.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6836" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6837">
<span abp="6838" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was not long after t hat many Moro student organizations began to sprout in metropolitan Manila, the nerve-center of student activism. Some of these organizations were the Union of Islamic Forces and Organizations (UIFO) under student leader and later lawyer Macapanton Abbas Jr.; the Muslim Progress Movement (MPM) led by Dr. Altman C. Glang; the Philippine Muslim Nationalist League (PMNL) spearheaded by UP Instructor Nur Misuari; the Students' Supreme, Council of the Philippines; the Muslim Students' Association of the Philippines (MUSAPHIL); the Muslim Lawyers' League; the Muslim Youth Assembly; the Bismillah Brotherhood; the Al Muslimin Fraternity, and the Sulu Muslim League. Students in the provinces also formed organizations, two of which were the Mambarul Islam based in Cotabato City and the Sulu Islamic Congress in Jolo, Sulu.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6839" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6840">
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<div abp="6843" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6844">
<span abp="6845" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Very soon the disillusionment of these activists came to surface in early 1970. They were particularly cynical and disheartened by the continued lip-service of their leaders, both traditional and political stripes. In May 1970, the Moro youth activists convened the first Muslim Youth Assembly in Zamboanga City, where they denounced the evils of the day. They exhibited an anti-government posture and called on the Moro youths to take the lead Overseas, the Moro students in Cairo, Egypt, despite being detached from their homeland by thousands of miles, were in fact much ahead in the need to form themselves into an organization, initially in response to their basic requirements as students. This later developed into a vehicle to bring forth to the international forum the sad plight of their people. In 1962, the Philippine Students' Union (PSU) was formed in Cairo, Egypt. The leading personalities were Salamat Hashim of Cotabato, Abdulbaki Abubakar of Sulu, Mahid Mutilan of Lanao, Ibrahim Abdulrahman and Khalifa Nando, also of Cotabato. Other organizations also cropped up later in other Arab capitals, but were not as politicalized and representative as the PSU. Either the membership was limited to an ethnic group or was purely religious in intention.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6846" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="6847">
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<div abp="6851">
<span abp="6852" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On several occasions, the PSU staged rallies to denounce the persecution of the Moros back home. Their presence in what was considered the most influential Arab capital under the able leadership of Pres. Gamal Abdul Nasser, as well as their proximity to other Muslim capitals in the Middle East and Africa, had ushered in contacts with other Muslims also working for their emancipation. Such contacts, especially with the Palestinians, buttressed in no small way their early revolutionary inclination and motivation. It also facilitated the solicitation of help from many Muslim states and leaders.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6853" align="center">
<div abp="6854">
<strong abp="6855"><span abp="6856" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Formation of Liberation Fronts</span></strong><br />
<strong abp="6855"><span abp="6856" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="6857" align="center">
<div abp="6858">
<span abp="6859" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
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</td><td abp="6860" height="100%" valign="top" width="23"><div abp="6861">
<b abp="6862"><span abp="6863" style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">_</span></b></div>
</td><td abp="6864" background="32%20%20Chapter%20VI%20-%20Grant%20of%20Self-Rule_files/background.gif" bgcolor="#ffffcc" height="100%" valign="top" width="23"><div abp="6865">
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr abp="6867"><td abp="6868" height="2" valign="bottom" width="25"><div abp="6869">
</div>
</td><td abp="6871" height="2" width="100%"><div abp="6872">
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</tbody></table>
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<span abp="6874" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="6875" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="6876" align="justify">
<div abp="6877">
<span abp="6878" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="6879"><span abp="6880" style="color: navy;">1. Birth of the Moro National Liberation Front </span></b><span abp="6881" style="color: navy;">- It was riot until early 1973 that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was made public and started to claim credit for the series of fighting in Mindanao and Sulu.' In Cotabato, the early statements or press releases of the rebels were issued in the name of the High Command of the Moro Fighters. Before that, the name and identity of the Front was even more shrouded in mystery.</span></span></div>
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<div abp="6882" align="justify">
<div abp="6883">
</div>
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<div abp="6886">
<span abp="6887" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The founding of the MNLF5 was made in 1969 by young secular-minded Moro students and professionals in Manila. The decision was consummate for the stakes were high and laden with dangers. But it was not a carelessly thought-out decision. In fact, under the prevailing circumstances, there was no other recourse except to organize, mobilize and fight to survive. After a while, a seven-man Provisional Central Committee was organized with Nur Misuari as Chairman and Abulkhayr Alonto as Vice Chairman. The other major portfolios were given to Otto Salahuddin of Basilan, Ali Alibon of Davao, Lumet Hassan ("King Size") of Cotabato and Sali Wali of Zamboanga. Salamat Hashim was tasked to head the undivided Empire Province of Cotabato where a provincial committee was set up immediately.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6888" align="justify">
<div abp="6889">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6891" align="justify">
<div abp="6892">
<span abp="6893" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In about the second half of 1972, a meeting was slated to take place in Sabah to install, as the main agendum, a permanent Chairman of the Central Committee. The meeting was facilitated by Chief Minister Datu Tun Mustapha Haron. Unlike the previous meeting in 1969, the Cairo group was now represented. Salamat Hashim, Dr. Saleh Loong, Daud Tayuan and Muntassir Abdulrahman were there for the group. The names of Nur Misuari, Salamat Hashim and Dr. Saleh Loong cropped up as front-runners for the chairmanship. However, in a triumvirate meeting involving the above-named persons, Hashim eventually gave in, in favor of Nur Misuari. He could have prolonged the process and allowed the intramurals to protract and subtly make his way <i abp="6894">up </i>to take the post for himself. He knew Dr. Saleh Loong, who simply cannot see eye-to-eye with Misuari, would side with him. But after an intense soul-searching, Hashim opted for Misuari for the sake of unity and in deference to what Islam teaches that a Muslim cannot vote for him to become leader.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6895" align="justify">
<div abp="6896">
</div>
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<div abp="6899">
<span abp="6900" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="6901" style="color: navy;">Early in 1973, Nur Misuari moved to Sabah, Malaysia, where he established his headquarters and from there he directed much of the early fighting in the war theater in Mindanao and gulu, while </span><span abp="6902" style="color: navy;">Salamat Hashim remained in Cotabato where there was fulI-scale fighting. However, in December 1973, upon the instruction of the MNLF Chairman, Hashim proceeded to Tripoli, Libya via Sabah for consultations and to assume a new assignment in the Foreign Service. Amelil "Ronnie" Malaguiok succeeded him as Chairman of the Kutawato. Revolutionary Committee (KRC). In 1975, Nur Misuari left Sabah and joined Salamat Hashim in Libya where they, together with the other MNLF leaders, officially organized the expanded MNLF Central Committee. Nur Misuari was reelected Chairman and Abulkhayr Alonto was chosen, in absentia, as Vice Chairman. Salamat Hashim became the Chairman of the foreign affairs, with Abdulbaki Abubakar as the Deputy Chairman for foreign affairs, Abebakrin Lucman as Secretary General, Abdurasad Asani as the Chairman of the committee on information, and the rest of the offices went to other trusted lieutenants of Misuari.</span></span></div>
</div>
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<div abp="6904">
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<div abp="6906" align="justify">
<div abp="6907">
<span abp="6908" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In March 1978, Abulkhayr Alonto and his followers surrendered to the government and, soon after, Salamat Hashim, in concurrent capacity, became the Vice Chairman of the Central Committee.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6909" align="justify">
<div abp="6910">
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<div abp="6912" align="justify">
<div abp="6913">
<span abp="6914" style="color: navy;"><span abp="6915" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="6916">2. Founding of the BMLO</b> - Before the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, the Moro traditional or aristocratic leaders, the likes of Cong. Rashid Lucman, Ex-Sen. Salipada Pendatun and Ex-Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam, were still very powerful. As a matter of fact, the first batch of ninety Moro trainees known as the "Top 90" who were sent to Sabah or, more precisely, to Palau Pangkor, State of Perak, Malaysia, for intensive military training or guerrilla warfare was made possible through the facilitation of these leaders." As may be shown by the number of recruits from each ethno-linguistic grouping, Lucman, who was a Maranao, had the greater say: 64 members were Maranaos, 15 were from the Sulu region, and only 11 were from Cotabato. Sad to state, however, most of the Maranaos surrendered to the government and the remaining few returned to civilian life.</span></span></div>
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<div abp="6918">
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<div abp="6920" align="justify">
<div abp="6921">
<span abp="6922" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1970, Cong. Rashid Lucman organized the Bangsa Moro Liberation Front (BMLO). It was designed to function as an umbrella organization under which all other liberation forces must radiate. In 1984, it was renamed Bangsa Muslimin Islamic Liberation Organization.' It frowned upon the use of the term <i abp="6923">Moro, </i>which was given by the enemies of Islam, and in its stead <i abp="6924">Muslimin </i>was chosen.</span></div>
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<div abp="6926">
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<div abp="6928" align="justify">
<div abp="6929">
<span abp="6930" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first set of officers of the BMLO were the following: Rashid Lucman was the head of the Supreme Executive Council; Macapanton Abbas Jr., Secretary; Udtog Matalam Jr., Chief for Cotabato Affairs; Abulkhayr Alonto for Lanao Affairs; and Nur Misuari for the Sulu region. Obviously, Misuari and Alonto were using the BMLO as cover in the meantime, while exerting effort to strengthen the MNLF, which was still top secret. At this time the first batch of trainees had already reached Sabah and it was believed that the BMLO was to be a control design set up by the Lucman group in anticipation of the return of these trainees and the forthcoming arm shipments.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6931" align="justify">
<div abp="6932">
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<div abp="6934" align="justify">
<div abp="6935">
<span abp="6936" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 1971, Cong. Rashid Lucman, Ex-Sen. Salipada Pendatun and Ex-Sen. Domocao Alonto, now overtly carrying the name of another but legal organization, the Islamic Directorate of the Philippines, declared themselves as the "representatives" of the Moro people and went to Libya to seek assistance. Pres. Muammar Qhaddafi did not only meet them but promised "all forms of help" to the Moro people. However, in an ironic twist of circumstances, when the Libyan aid started to roll, only the initial releases ware channeled to Lucman and his group. The rest went straight to the MNLF. This marked the start of the BMLO-MNLF rift and later BMLO leaders started to accuse the MNLF leadership of betrayal and counter-revolution.' Lucman also charged Misuari and Hashim and other MNLF leaders of deliberately withholding the letter of Libyan Minister Saleh Bouyasser bearing an instruction to him (Lucman) to meet Dr. Ali Treki in Sabah and receive the $3.5 million requested. The accusation was not substantiated, but nevertheless it exacerbated the rift in the relations between the BMLO and the MNLF.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6937" align="justify">
<div abp="6938">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6940" align="justify">
<div abp="6941">
<span abp="6942" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="6943" style="color: navy;">In 1972, after the declaration of Martial Law, Macapanton Abbas Jr. presented the case of the Moros before the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The OIC Secretary General was erstwhile Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdulrahman. The following year, Macapanton Abbas Jr. returned to the Philippines and, along with several others, he accepted a position in the Presidential Task Force for the Reconstruction and Development of Mindanao (PTFRDM). The main task was to restore peace and order in Mindanao and Sulu and to implement selective amnesty and rehabilitation. On the other hand, Cong. Rashid Lucman worked his way to be declared, with President Marcos' consent, as "Paramount Sultan of Mindanao and Sulu." On June 4-6,1974, Sultan. Rashid Lucman and other Moro aristocratic leaders conducted a conference, with government approval and logistical support, at Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City, with reportedly 20,000 participants. The main resolution adopted was the demand to implement autonomy for the </span><span abp="6944" style="color: navy;">Moro areas. The document was attached to the report of the Quadripartite Ministerial Committee of the Organization of Islamic Conference, which was to meet in Kuala Lumpur in the same month. The Kuala Lumpur-OIC Foreign Ministers' Conference, to the displeasure of the Philippine government, adopted a strongly-worded resolution urging the Philippine government to undertake political and peaceful solution to the Moro problem through negotiation with the Moro leaders, particularly the MNLF. Feeling short-changed, President Marcos described Lucman and other Moro leaders as his "opponents." In 1975, Sultan Rashid Lucman, Ex-Sen. Salipada Pendatun and Macapanton Abbas Jr. left for Saudi Arabia to try once again to reunite with the MNLF leaders. The effort failed.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6945" align="justify">
<div abp="6946">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6948" align="justify">
<div abp="6949">
<span abp="6950" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="6951" style="color: navy;"><b abp="6952">3. Dawning of the MILF </b>- As early as 1962, students in the Middle East, particularly in Cairo, Egypt started to form organizations, initially along broad Islamic sentiments and orientations. Gradually this paved the way for the formation of a nucleus with the sole intention of freeing the Moro homeland from Manila rule. As mentioned earlier, the leading personality in this group was Salamat Hashim. The fact that these students, mostly taking up various Islamic-related courses, antedated their counterparts in Manila for several years gives credence to the assertion that they were the first to conceive the idea of organizing a liberation organization, later to become as the Moro National Liberation Front. Given the free choice, they may not have called it "MNLF," considering their religious background, but certainly they would put u</span><span abp="6953" style="color: navy;">p an organization along Islamic perspectives, which would undertake the historic task of liberating the Moros.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6954" align="justify">
<div abp="6955">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6957" align="justify">
<div abp="6958">
<span abp="6959" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the early years of the struggle, Nur Misuari and Salamat Hashim were one and worked together as closely as possible. They were comfortable with each other. Hashim even helped Misuari get the top post of the MNLF. But as the struggle hardened and prolonged - often made more serious by human error - the rift between the two leaders started to surface. Hashim started to be left out in many major sessions of the Central Committee. Soon they began to disagree on almost every major point and finally even on political and ideological issues. Secular-educated, Misuari was nationalistic and Hashim, Islamic-oriented, was Islamic. The breaking point came on September 21, 1977, right after the collapse of the GRP-MNLF talks in Manila, when 57 leading officers of the Kutawato Revolutionary Committee (KRC) signed a petition addressed to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Muslim World League (MWL) calling for. the ouster of Nur Misuari as Chairman of the MNLF and,in his stead, recognizing Salamat Hashim as the new Chair. Among the signatories were Al Haj Murad, Ghazali Jaafar, Amelil Malaguiok, Mohagher Iqbal, Abukhalil Yahya, Khalifa Nando; Moslemin Sema, Ibrahim Sema, Kabilan Sema, Boy Hashim, Adan Abdullah, Nur Miranda, Daud Tayuan and Tani Malaguiok, all of Cotabato. Similar petitions emanated from Lanao and among the signatories were Abowidad Mimbantas, Saleh Rascal, Ansarie Mutia and Mohammad James Bond. In December 1977, several follow-up petitions were forwarded to the OIC and MWL from Cotabato, Lanao, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao and other areas. Consequently, on December 26,1977, Salamat Hashim, acquiescing to the popular clamor of the leaders in the field, executed the "Instrument of Takeover." In his letter to OIC Sec. Gen. Dr. Ahmadou Karim Gaye," Hashim enumerated the following major points for the takeover:</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6960" align="justify">
<div abp="6961">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6963" align="justify">
<div abp="6964">
<i abp="6965"><span abp="6966" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1) The MNLF leadership was being manipulated away from Islamic basis, methodologies and objectives and was fast evolving towards a Marxist-Maoist orientation;</span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="6967" align="justify">
<div abp="6968">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6971" align="justify">
<div abp="6972">
<i abp="6973"><span abp="6974" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2) Instead of evolving towards harmonized and collective leadership, the Central Committee has evolved into a mysterious, exclusive, secretive and monolithic body, whose policies, plans, decisions and dispositions - political, financial and/or strategic -became an exclusive preserve of Nur Misuari, vitiating all commitments previously arrived at to submit for consultations all plans and strategies not only to the MNLF members themselves but also to organizations, local and external, sympathetic with the movement; and</span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="6975">
<i abp="6976"><span abp="6977" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i></div>
<div abp="6978" align="justify">
<div abp="6979">
<i abp="6980"><span abp="6981" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3) This mysterious, exclusive, and arrogant nature of the MNLF leadership resulted in confusion, suspicion and disappointments among members and mujahideens in the field, resulting in the loss to the cause of a great number of freedom fighters.</span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="6982">
<span abp="6983" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="6984">
</i> </span></div>
<div abp="6985" align="justify">
<div abp="6986">
<span abp="6987" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As expected, Nur Misuari did not only refuse to recognize the takeover but also accused Salamat Hashim of "treachery," "incompetence and insubordination." He was also stripped of all his post and declared persona-non-grata.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6988" align="justify">
<div abp="6989">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6991" align="justify">
<div abp="6992">
<span abp="6993" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The OIC and the MWL tried to tackle the MNLF leadership crisis seriously. Sec. Gen. Ahmadou Karim Gaye, both on official and personal capacities, exerted efforts to patch up the split but without success. The attempt of the MWL was similar. Sometime in 1980, MWL Sec. Gen. Dr. Mohammad Ali Harakan invited Nur Misuari and Salamat Hashim and their assistants to a dialogue. He personally presided over the conference. The aims of the meeting were threefold: 1) to forget and forgive all their differences; 2) to set up a common platform and program; and 3) to form a collective leadership through the formation of a high political committee with Nur Misuari as Chairman and Salamat Hashim as Vice Chairman. Hashim acceded to this arrangement of the MWL, while Misuari refused to accept some aspects of the deal.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="6994" align="justify">
<div abp="6995">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="6997" align="justify">
<div abp="6998">
<span abp="6999" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Several years after, reactions to the takeover were varied. Some felt it was fully justified, timely and the only way to save the struggle from collapse. Others said this amounted to serving the devils and collaboration with the enemy. Still others branded this as the handiwork of the enemy or its agents. 13 In the absence of a common basis of judgment, nay, a common frame of mind, there would always be wranglings. But in the end, the final arbiter will always be history - and this is forthcoming.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7000" align="justify">
<div abp="7001">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7003" align="justify">
<div abp="7004">
<span abp="7005" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In March 1984, after due and exhaustive consultation and in-depth analyses, the Central Committee of the New MNLF Leadership in a plenary session, officially declared itself a separate organization called the "Moro Islamic Liberation Front." While there were other. important reasons, the main one was the need to emphasize the Islamic orientation of the group as contrasted to the secular-national list line pursued by the MNLF. Islam thus became the official ideology of the MILF, which would guide all its affairs and activities.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7006" align="justify">
<div abp="7007">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7009" align="justify">
<div abp="7010">
<span abp="7011" style="color: navy;"><span abp="7012" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="7013">4. Entry and Exit of the MNLF-Reformist</b>- After the exit of Salamat Hashim from the MNLF in 1977, Dimasangkay Pundato was groomed to succeed him and, later, was officially installed as Deputy to Chairman Nur Misuari. However, in March 1982, after barely six months in the fold of the MNLF, Dimas Pundato, Jibril Ridha, Napis Bidin and 42 others signed and submitted a nine-point reform proposals to MNLF Chair Nur Misuari to strengthen or to reform the organization. The proposals included the creation of: 1) a real, functional and representative Central Committee; 2) the creation of an Executive Committee; 3) the sincere forging of unity with other organizations such as the BMLO, MNLF Salamat faction, and 4) the localization of the leaders and commands in the province."</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7014" align="justify">
<div abp="7015">
<span abp="7016" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="7017">
<span abp="7018" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Misuari rejected the proposals outrightly and all the petitioners were summarily dismissed from the MNLF. Immediately in June 1982, Dimas Pundato and associates formed the "MNLF-Reformist" faction.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7019" align="justify">
<div abp="7020">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7022" align="justify">
<div abp="7023">
<span abp="7024" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Earlier in 1981, during a pilgrimage to Mecca, the Pundato group, after an extended preliminary, sought a unity meeting with the New MNLF leadership of Salamat Hashim. When appraised by Dimas Pundato of the MNLF leadership "excesses," Hashim retorted: "What you cannot bear for only six months, I swallowed for six long years." The meeting succeeded in effecting a cordial working relations between the two groups. But for some unknown reason, the fruitful prospect of this meeting was short-lived, for in 1985 Dimas Pundato and practically all his associates in the MNLF-Reformist surrendered and accepted positions in the government. This was the death of the MNLF-Reformist as a revolutionary organization.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7025" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7026" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7027">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7029" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7030" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7031">
<strong abp="7032"><span abp="7033" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Countdown Begins</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7034" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7035" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7036">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7040" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7041" align="left" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7042">
<span abp="7043" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7044" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7045" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7046">
<span abp="7047" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The deaths and destructions brought forth by the turbulent years 1968-1971 and the climate of fear created by the declaration of Martial Law had both its negative and positive effects upon the Moros and the students in particular. On one hand, it had clamped down the cold-footed and the unprincipled, but, on the other, it motivated the God-fearing and the dedicated to initiate a struggle.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7048" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7049" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7050">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7052" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7053" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7054">
<span abp="7055" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That struggle was inevitable. As long as a man was aware of his obligation to the Almighty, to his people and to himself, he would never be at peace even with himself. Men of this persuasion first made a declaration to fight for their people, homeland and Islam. Then, they went abroad to train in military warfare. Third, after returning home, they effected an alliance with the broad spectrum of society and formed the MNLF. And fourth, they set the timetable to fight back and start the war.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7056" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7057" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7058">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7060" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7061" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7062">
<span abp="7063" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7064" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7065" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7066">
<span abp="7067" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7068" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p><div abp="7069" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7070">
<strong abp="7071"><span abp="7072" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">CHAPTER IX - MINDANAO AND SULU IN FLAMES</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7073" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7074" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7075">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7079" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7080" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7081">
<strong abp="7082"><span abp="7083" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Suddenly in October</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7084" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7085" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7086">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7090" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7091" align="left" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7092">
<span abp="7093" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7094" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7095" align="left" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7096">
<span abp="7097" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7098" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p><div abp="7099" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7100">
<span abp="7101" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At first, nothing special seemed to have happened immediately after the declaration of Martial Law. Everything seemed to remain normal and in status quo. It turned out, however, to the dismay of many that suddenly on October 21, 1972, exactly one month after the declaration, things turned out for the worse. On this day, Marawi City, in Lanao del Sur, was attacked by several hundred MNLF rebels, who succeeded in pinning down troopers at the Philippine Constabulary (PC) headquarters at Camp Amai Pakpak and capturing the detachment at Pantar Bridge which divided the two Lanao provinces. They took complete control of the Mindanao State University (MSU) Compound where the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Toshio Urbano, was almost captured. The rebels also grabbed the PBS Radio Station inside the MSU Compound and started playing martial music and broadcast appeals calling the people to arms and to support the MNLF cause.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7102" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7103" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7104">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7106" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7107" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7108">
<span abp="7109" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the leaders of the attackers was Abulkhayr Alonto, scion of a popular clan but whose family collaboration with the American and Filipino leaders during pre-independence days was never a secret. He was then Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Moro National Liberation Front. But instead of calling themselves or their group the "MNLF," they used the name "Mindanao Revolutionary Council for Independence." One probable reason for this concealment was that the MNLF, as matter of policy, was yet a secret from the public and the government. The other compelling explanation was that the attack did not have the official go-signal of the Central Committee.' As a matter of fact, this unilateral decision, nay grabbing of authority, of Alonto was one of the main reasons for his disgrace from office and finally of his demotion in rank.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7110" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7111" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7112">
<span abp="7113" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After two days of fighting, on October 24, the number of deaths - soldiers, rebels and civilians - was put at 75. By this time, however, the beleaguered government troops received reinforcement from Iligan City. And consequently, the rebels withdrew away from the city.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7114" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7115" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7116">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7118" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7119" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7120">
<span abp="7121" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">MNLF Spearheads Struggles</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7122" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7123" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7124">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7126" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7127" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7128">
<span abp="7129" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The attack of Marawi City, as noted earlier, was not the handiwork of the MNLF. As a matter of fact, the brain behind the attack turned out to be a man with a personal grudge, who was then the Chief of Police of Marawi City.' It was only on November 14, 1972 that the guns of the MNLF started to speak. The first to be assaulted was the island of Jolo, the capital of Sulu. Simultaneously, the firefights rapidly spread to various islands.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7130" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7131" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7132">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7134" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7135" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7136">
<span abp="7137" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7138" style="color: navy;">For the seizing of Jolo, the MNLF guerrillas first attacked the countrysides. They captured many firearms and guns including a cannon, a mortar, machineguns, and ammunition. Another group of fighters attacked another adjacent town, Parang, Southwest of Jolo, and in no time had it under control.</span><span abp="7139" style="color: navy;"> Hardly two weeks passed when fighting erupted in the Empire Province of Cotabato on February 27, 1973. This fighting was considered the most serious threat to the security of the state. 3 More than any other previous engagement, this offensive attracted world wide , attention because the Cotabato rebels displayed exceptional striking power and logistical capability. Government positions were overran everyday and 12 towns, firmly came under rebel control. </span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7140" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7141" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7142">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7144" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7145" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7146">
<span abp="7147" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Initially, the fighting centered on the coastal town of Lebak, now in Sultan Kudarat Province. Within a span of less than one month, it engulfed practically all of what are now the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7148" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7149" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7150">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7152" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7153" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7154">
<span abp="7155" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7156" style="color: navy;">By and large, the fighting in Cotabato were positional and</span><span abp="7157" style="color: navy;"> sometimes they lasted for weeks or months before an area was won or lost. The one at Tran, Lebak, was fierce and bloody. The ferocity of the fight was what perhaps compelled Brig. Gen. Fortunato Abat, Commanding General of the hastily-formed Central Mindanao </span><span abp="7158" style="color: navy;">Command (CEMCOM), to declare the place, as "Hell's Little Acre."</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7159" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7160" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7161">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7163" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7164" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7165">
<span abp="7166" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7167" style="color: navy;">The government practically committed its entire firepower,</span><span abp="7168" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7169" style="color: navy;">including jet planes, tanks, helicopter gunships, navy boats, howitzers</span><span abp="7170" style="color: navy;"> and even the prohibited incendiary bombs in the battle over Tran. </span><span abp="7171" style="color: navy;">Inspite of this massive display of military power, it suffered one of its serious beatings in the war. The government lost, at least, one plane and two helicopters, three tanks and one mortar, not to mention the small arms. After the official termination of this offensive on August 6, 1973, the government listed the following losses on both sides: 46 army soldiers, and six CHDFs slain; 167 soldiers, 13 CHDFs wounded; and on the MNLF side: 137 killed .4 Although the government could only admit this number, in deference to standard military procedure of minimizing losses in war, its casualties could have been much higher. Among the wounded was Lt. Gregorio Honasan, who later figured prominently in the series of coup attempts since 1986 to topple Pres. Corazon C. Aquino from office and is now a Senator. </span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7172" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7173" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7174">
<span abp="7175" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7176" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7177" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7178">
<span abp="7179" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As early as April 25, the town of Tarragona, Davao Oriental, was attacked and captured. MNLF rebels took over the town until May 7 when they decided to abandon it in the face of a massive counterattack by the government troops. On September 25, MNLF forces struck in another direction towards Mati, an adjacent town, and succeeded in wiping out a joint PC-Police patrol. By government account, six PC troopers and three policemen were lost in this firefight.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7180" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7181" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7182">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7184" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7185" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7186">
<span abp="7187" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Meanwhile, the Provinces of Zamboanga, Tawi Tawi, and parts of Bukidnon and Misamis were also burning. Not a few of the early victories of the MNLF were fought in these areas. As a matter of fact, the one in Zamboanga on March 1973 was dubbed, though clearly a case of intelligence-gathering failure on the part of the government, as the biggest battle. It was asserted that "200 'Maoist-led rebels" were slain in the firefight. There might have been some cadres in the MNLF who were taking cues from the teachings of Mao Tse Tung, considering their exposure to left-leaning individuals or groups during their college days in Metropolitan Manila, but to brand them as Maoist was ludicrous.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7188" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7189" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7190">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7192" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7193" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7194">
<span abp="7195" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the early morning of February 7, 1974, a massive assault was let loose on Jolo. First government positions were bombed with 81mm and 60mm mortars and with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and then, af ter sensing that the enemy defence had collapsed, the MNLF forces massed forward into the town. After some heavy fighting, one strategic area after another fell into the hands of the attackers. Camp Asturias, the airport, the harbor, the Notre Dame College campus, and the entire downtown area were in the hands of the MNLF forces. Jolo thus became a rebel country. The MNLF casualties numbered only fourteen killed.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7196" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7197" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7198">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7200" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7201" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7202">
<span abp="7203" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7204" style="color: navy;">On June 20, the Awang airport came under mortar attack. Simultaneously, several villages of Midsayap, some 46 kilometers northeast of Cotabato City, came under siege. The MNLF used mortars to pound the defenders. Hand-to-hand fighting ensued. The government</span><span abp="7205" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7206" style="color: navy;">reported losing two army officers, 14 enlisted men, and one CHDF. Twenty four others were wounded. Cotabato City was also threatened. The CEMCOM headquarters was subjected to occasional mortar attack. In fact, one of the casualties was Col. Emilio Luga Jr., the Deputy Commander of the 2/3rd Brigade. However, he was lucky to survive his wounds. Many outlying areas of the city like Biniruan, Kakar, Pagalamatan, Bubong, and even the Notre Dame University campus were scenes of bloody combat actions. The fiercest was fought in Biniruan on July 14, where at one time the CEMCOM troopers suffered over 100 casualties, mostly from the 15th Infantry Battalion, including one army major and the capture of 86 high caliber firearms.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7207" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7208" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7209">
<span abp="7210" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The MNLF forces were also active in some areas in Lanao del Norte particularly in the Tangkal-Munai area. As early as January 1975 MNLF forces launched operations against joint army-Findlay security forces. They first burned bridges towards the town, burned heavy equipment of the Findlay Miller Logging Company, and then laid ambuscades along the roads.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7211" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7212" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7213">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7215" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7216" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7217">
<span abp="7218" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7219" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7220">
<strong abp="7221"><span abp="7222" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Cost of War</span></strong>
<span abp="7223" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7224" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7225">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7227" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7228" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="7229">
<span abp="7230" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7231" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7232" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7233">
<span abp="7234" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Up to the early part of 1975, the MNLF was wresting many areas from the government. Several towns or islets in Sulu, TawiTawi, Basilan, and the Zamboanga Peninsula were under MNLF control. The same was also true in the Empire Province of Cotabato. Committees, as a parallel apparatus of governance, sprung up in the villages, towns and provinces. A central committee, the highest governing and policy-making organ of the front, was organized. Everyone, especially Muslims, came forward to offer his or her life, service and property. On the other hand, the government political machinery virtually ceased to function in these areas. Similarly, its military arm, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), had a difficult time picking up troops for assignment in Mindanao. And the Philippine Constabulary (PC) was replaced by army troopers, many of whom had a taste of battle in Vietnam.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7235" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7236" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span abp="7237" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7238" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7239">
<span abp="7240" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7241" style="color: navy;">So massive and bloody was the war that practically the whole </span><span abp="7242" style="color: navy;">of Mindanao and Sulu was a virtual inferno. This was confirmed by the late Deputy Minister for Defense, Carmelo Barbero (in an interview with a Mindanao weekly), who revealed that the government was spending about 15 million pesos and playing with 5,000 lives a day in military operations. This disclosure could have appeared a little exaggerated if it came from someone other than the Deputy Minister for Defense.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7243" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7244" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7245">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7247" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7248" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7249">
<span abp="7250" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This revelation was not only corroborated later on, but an even more ruthless picture of the conflict was presented, when Cong. Eduardo Ermita, a member of the GRP Panel that negotiated with the MNLF in 1993-1996, disclosed:</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7251" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7252" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7253">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7255" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><o:p abp="7256"><div abp="7257" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7258">
<span abp="7259" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em abp="7260">Over a period of 26 years since 1970, more than 100,000 persons were killed in the conflict in southern Philippines....</em></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7261" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7262" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7263">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7265" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7266" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7267">
<span abp="7268" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em abp="7269">The AFP has spent about P73 billion in connection with the Mindanao conflict since 1970.</em></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7270" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7271" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7272">
<span abp="7273" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em abp="7274">... Sixty one percent of our Army and Marine battalions ... more than 40 percent of our artillery capability and 50 percent of our armor assets ... 63 percent of our tactical aircraft....</em></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7275" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p><div abp="7276" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="7277">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7279" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7280" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7281">
<strong abp="7282"><span abp="7283" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Casualties of Time</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7284" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7285" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7286">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7290" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7291" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="7292">
<span abp="7293" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7294" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7295" align="left" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7296">
<span abp="7297" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7298" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span abp="7299" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><table abp="7300" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="AutoNumber3" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody abp="7301">
<tr abp="7302"><td abp="7303" height="100%" valign="top" width="25"><div abp="7304">
<span abp="7305" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</td><td abp="7306" dir="ltr" height="100%" width="100%"><div abp="7307">
<span abp="7308" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meantime, a ceasefire was declared in the 13 provinces and ten cities covered by the proposed area of autonomy stated in the Tripoli Agreement signed in Tripoli, Libya on December 26, 1976. The lull in the fighting gave the government tactical advantage in deploying troops in strategic areas and gain vital intelligence on MNLF forces and mass bases.</span></div>
<div abp="7309">
<span abp="7310" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7311" align="justify">
<div abp="7312">
<span abp="7313" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">By this time, the wounds inflicted by the constabulary-Ilaga depredations in the 60s and 70s were already healing considerably. Those who had joined the fighting chiefly to take revenge had lost interest after their thirst for vengeance had been quenched. The same was true of those who merely wanted a taste of !he thrills of adventure, or those who went into battle for personal glory and gain. It was also no less true for those who only loved banditry. The coming of the war gave them chance to be fighting side by side with a multitude of men and women against the same enemy that they had been occasionally confronting. In any case, all these people had joined the MNLF to fight the government. They saw the MNLF as the only ray of hope for protection in the face of the "genocidal campaign" being waged by the regime of Marcos.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7314">
<span abp="7315" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7316" align="justify">
<div abp="7317">
<span abp="7318" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7319" style="color: navy;">Inevitably, the time of reckoning for the "dogs of war" to lay bare what was truly in their hearts would have to come. These "dogs" were the hypocrites, the opportunists, the waverers, the pseudorevolutionaries, the unbelievers and the dregs of society, who finally</span><span abp="7320" style="color: navy;"> realized that a revolution was not the place for pleasure or for any self-serving end. That time came after 1977, when everybody became free to do everything he liked and be himself again. Singly or in droves, they crossed over to the side of the enemy, where there was licentiousness in everything, from sex to material satisfaction.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7321" align="justify">
<div abp="7322">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7325" align="justify">
<div abp="7326">
<span abp="7327" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the outset, they were most welcome by the regime and the military. They were hailed with all grandeur and glory and extended with all necessary amenities. Their past misdeeds were easily forgiven. A Manila-based columnist of the <i abp="7328">Manila Bulletin </i>made this glaring comment:</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7329" align="justify">
<div abp="7330">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7332">
<i abp="7333"><span abp="7334" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Messrs. Lucman and Malaguiok are among the most privileged citizens in the country nowadays. They got government awards practically for a song to import sardines, cut logs and export bangus fry or fingerlings, among others.</span></i></div>
<div abp="7335">
<i abp="7336"><span abp="7337" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i></div>
<div abp="7338" align="justify">
<div abp="7339">
<i abp="7340"><span abp="7341" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Recently, Lucman was granted authority to export 10 million bangus fry and fingerlings. We don't know anybody who was given such a privilege before.</span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="7342">
<i abp="7343"><span abp="7344" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i></div>
<div abp="7345" align="justify">
<div abp="7346">
<i abp="7347"><span abp="7348" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Perhaps, Lucman and Malaguiok want to show the government their gratitude for the bounty. Or perhaps it was their way of the government to grant them more concessions. You know, soft -scaping.</span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="7349">
<i abp="7350"><span abp="7351" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i></div>
<div abp="7352" align="justify">
<div abp="7353">
<span abp="7354" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But later on, all these privileges and wealth that they, except for a rare few, enjoyed with impunity vanished forever. Their true color and odor in the community began to surface.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7355">
<span abp="7356" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7357" align="justify">
<div abp="7358">
<span abp="7359" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, not all who left the cause chose this route to self-serving ends. Some just left the revolution without formally surrendering. They simply sought different lines of trade, careful not to offend the MNLF cause.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7360">
<span abp="7361" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7362" align="justify">
<div abp="7363">
<span abp="7364" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7365" style="color: navy;">This was the catastrophe that rocked the MNLF. But it was not an isolated phenomenon among revolutionaries all over the world. Oftenly, they would be hit by the same internal tornado that only the hardcore members could withstand. It is a phenomenon that is part of the cleansing process that every revolutionary struggle has to undergo. Many inadequate persons would join the revolutionary ranks, only to become casualties of time, either from their own making or as</span><span abp="7366" style="color: navy;"> a result of the hard conflict.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7367" align="justify">
<div abp="7368">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7371" align="justify">
<div abp="7372">
<span abp="7373" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Almighty Allah clearly warned the believers of this rectification process when He said in the Holy Qur'an:</span></div>
</div>
<blockquote abp="7374">
<blockquote abp="7375">
<blockquote abp="7376">
<div abp="7377" align="justify">
<div abp="7378">
<i abp="7379"><span abp="7380" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">God will not leave the believers in the state in which ye are now, until He separates what is evil from what is good. </span></i></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div abp="7381" align="justify">
<div abp="7382">
<span abp="7383" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the field of combat, positional warfare characterizing initial MNLF strategy contributed a great deal to the early exit of the vacillators and pseudo-revolutionaries. The weakness of the strategy in a clearly guerrilla stage of the struggle began to be felt in the years following the MNLF general offensive in 1972-1975. While this form of warfare once again displayed the gallantry and determination of the MNLF fighters and the Moro people in general even against formidable foes, it also brought home to the MNLF military strategists and tacticians the need to reassess the strategy in the light of prevailing conditions. Finally, they were convinced that commanders could not and should not adopt a war plan calling for greater strength and resources than what actually were available in a given condition, in which the final outcome would be determined by various decisive factors which are not within the control of said commanders.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7384" align="justify">
<div abp="7385">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7388" align="justify">
<div abp="7389">
<span abp="7390" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7391" style="color: navy;">The years of conventional warfare, of pitting the entire armed</span><span abp="7392" style="color: navy;"> forces of the government in conjunction with the active combat support of paramilitary forces, mostly former Ilaga members, against the MNLF was distinctly a one-side affair to the disadvantage of the latter. It was only the strength of the faith and motivation of the Moros that gave them steadfastness and determination to succeed, in spite of the imbalance in physical and material resources. Under the circumstances, however, prolonged and bitter confrontations, sometimes for weeks or months of see-saw fighting, would tend to erode the stamina, efficiency and morale of the fighters. Many of the MNLF forces, as a result, became sluggish in initiative and direction. Some even began to evince hopelessness that finally led to their abandoning the cause, either by lying low, outright betrayal, or </span><span abp="7393" style="color: navy;">surrender.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7394">
<span abp="7395" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span abp="7396" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7397" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="7398">
<span abp="7399" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7400" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7401" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7402">
<span abp="7403" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="7404">The War Stalemates</strong></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7405" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7406" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7407">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7411" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7412" align="left" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7413">
<span abp="7414" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7415" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7416" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7417">
<span abp="7418" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7419" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7420" align="justify">
<div abp="7421">
<span abp="7422" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7423" style="color: navy;">After having faced the worst scare of its life in the MNLF 1972-1975 offensive, (perhaps, second only to the horror of the Japanese invasion in 1941), the government began to launch a massive counter </span><span abp="7424" style="color: navy;">offensive to arrest the secessionist threat. Two unified commands, the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and the Central Mindanao Command (CEMCOM), were hastily formed. The SOUTHCOM area of responsibility (AOR) covered South-Western Mindanao, including principally Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan. The CEMCOM had jurisdiction over the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and parts of Davao area. Both the CEMCOM and the SOUTHCOM, as above-stated, were unified commands; meaning, they took operational control and supervision over all major service elements except for some outfits of the Philippine Constabulary (PC). Control and supervision emanated from the General Headquarters, AFP in Camp Aguinaldo, which in turn provided all necessary support, such as combat troops, service, equipment and other resources.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7425" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7426" align="justify">
<div abp="7427">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7429" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7430" align="justify">
<div abp="7431">
<span abp="7432" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The government was so ill-prepared at the start of the offensive, especially in matters of logistical capabilities, that it practically dropped to its knees, begging from friendly non-Muslim neighbors, to sell it what the United States under the terms of the Mutual Assistance Program (MAP) was obliged to provide the AFP in terms of ammunition and weapons." As a matter of fact, it even sought the aid of home-made gun factories in Mandaue City to help produce direly-needed parts for Garand (M-1) rifles.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7433" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7434" align="justify">
<div abp="7435">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7437" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7438" align="justify">
<div abp="7439">
<span abp="7440" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the first quarter of 1975, the MNLF offensive was greatly blunted by the massive counter-offensive of the government. The government was able to bring in enough troops, equipment and other war materials to sustain the fight and, later, to consolidate positions, especially in the most strategic or critical areas. Both sides, as a, consequence, changed battle tactics. Though the MNLF's main fighting force and will to resist were largely intact, its logistical capabilities were not limitless to carry on indefinitely a massive conventional warfare. The MNLF, therefore, had to resort to guerrilla warfare in order to maintain a share of combat initiative. On the other hand, the government, after concluding that the- MNLF threat was checked, abandoned widescale campaigns for small-unit operations. Thus, in a sense, a strategic stalemate between the forces of the MNLF and the government was in place.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7441" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7442" align="justify">
<div abp="7443">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7445" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7446" align="justify">
<div abp="7447">
<span abp="7448" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7449" style="color: navy;">This stand-off was further reinforced when a formal ceasefire was signed between the MNLF and the government in the closing days of 1976. The ground rules of the ceasefire, though clearly favoring the AFP, particularly on the subject of police powers, helped to hold the peace. For the first time since 1972 the forces of both sides met</span><span abp="7450" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7451" style="color: navy;">each other without their fingers on the trigger.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7452" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7453" align="left" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7454">
<span abp="7455" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7456" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p><div abp="7457" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7458" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7459">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7461" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7462">
<strong abp="7463"><span abp="7464" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hostilities Resume</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="7465" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7466">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7470" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p><div abp="7471" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7472" align="justify">
<div abp="7473">
<span abp="7474" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The days of peace, as the cynical or the Doubting Thomases would have it, were doomed from the outset. The government, using every pretext to evade the terms of the ceasefire, had violated the truce to the last letter as early as the first quarter of 1977. Under the guise of "police action," the regime unleashed military operations against the so-called lawless elements, although in most cases the real targets were MNLF forces. MNLF areas or those occupied by their supporters or sympathizers were not spared. When confronted about the flagrant violations, the regime's reply or alibi was that it was just exercising its police prerogative sanctioned by the ceasefire agreement. It turned out that the victims of these operations were not criminals but, at times, organic members of the MNLF.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7475" align="justify">
<div abp="7476">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7478" align="justify">
<div abp="7479">
<span abp="7480" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But this shallow pretext did not last long. As early as May 1977, barely five months since the forging of the truce, a full-fledged "searchand-destroy" operation was conducted in Basilan. Rear Admiral Romulo Espaldon, Chief of the Southern Command, ordered this allout military offensive against the MNLF and mass bases. The operation continued for 45 days. Three battalions of infantry troops and 2,000 paramilitary forces were thrown into action. But before pushing inland, the target areas were subjected to intensive bombardments and the flow of foodstuff and other basic human supplies was restricted. This was intended to starve off the rebels and their mass supporters.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7481" align="justify">
<div abp="7482">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7484" align="justify">
<div abp="7485">
<span abp="7486" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As soon as the bombardment was over and the government troops began to close in on the target, fighting commenced. After ten days of combat, the final account revealed that the MNLF suffered five martyred and 24 wounded, and on the side of the attackers, one tank was destroyed and more than 90 were slain or wounded. </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7487" align="justify">
<div abp="7488">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7490" align="justify">
<div abp="7491">
<span abp="7492" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, a more dramatic disregard of the ceasefire agreement took place in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato. In these provinces, there were mutually recognized bivouac areas where representatives of the Manila government, the MNLF and the Quadripartite Ministerial Committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) met and discussed ways to carry out the ceasefire effectively. As early as January 1977, these areas were used by the MNLF in good faith as camps to facilitate effective cooperation in the peace process then going on.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7493">
<span abp="7494" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7495" align="justify">
<div abp="7496">
<span abp="7497" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In spite of this mutual recognition, the bivouac areas were treacherously attacked by government forces under the very eyes of the representatives of the Quadripartite Ministerial Committee. The base in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao had been under siege for the whole of September 1977; and on the last day, the whole range of the base was under veritable hail of artillery shelling and machinegun fire. Enemy forces occupied every strategic hill overlooking the base. They also closed all routes and stopped the flow of food supplies to the camp. Consequently, the MNLF failed to bring in war materials for much of the days of fighting despite continuous skirmishes in the immediate fringes of the camp. Under such condition, the only alternative was a breakthrough. Involved were about a thousand officers, men, and few civilians. Among the key officers of the Kutawato Revolutionary Committee (KRC), who were inside the camp at that time, were Amelil Malaguiok, KRC Chairman; Al Haj Murad, Military Chairman; Ghazali Jaafar, Head of the Political Bureau; and Mohagher Iqbal, Chief of the Information Committee.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7498">
<span abp="7499" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7500" align="justify">
<div abp="7501">
<span abp="7502" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Until almost midnight, there was no final decision which route to follow. All the reconnoitering parties, except one, reported back negative findings on a better way out. The last to arrive said that the only choice was a route traversing rocky cliffs, steep slopes and wooded areas to escape detection by the enemy blocking forces. Hurriedly the group called for a caucus and soon a decision was clinched to break through at all cost, following that designated route.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7503">
<span abp="7504" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7505" align="justify">
<div abp="7506">
<span abp="7507" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">All the MNLF forces were arrayed in battle formation for effective firepower and maneuverability. Anti-tank Weapons, 60mm mortars, and grenade launchers were located in the forward positions to ensure piercing effectiveness of the formation.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7508">
<span abp="7509" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7510" align="justify">
<div abp="7511">
<span abp="7512" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7513" style="color: navy;">The expected did not take place. There was no encounter. The 40-man ambush party was obviously scared and ran away when it saw such a mammoth group heading towards its blockade. Despite this good forture, the MNLF suffered untold difficulties. What would have been a two-hour walk took them almost the whole night to negotiate. Much of the slowdown was caused by the number of fighters who had to be carried out on stretchers.</span><span abp="7514" style="color: navy;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7515" align="justify">
<div abp="7516">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7518" align="justify">
<div abp="7519">
<span abp="7520" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7521" style="color: navy;">Almost at the same tirne the bivouac areas in Bagoinged, Dinaig, Maguindanao, in Rajamuda, Pikit, North Cotabato, and in Wato, Sultan-sa-Barongis, Maguindanao were similarly attacked, all in flagrant violation of the canon of civilized nations after the Philippine government had agreed to abide by the terms of the Tripoli Agreement </span><span abp="7522" style="color: navy;">and the ceasefire.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7523" align="justify">
<div abp="7524">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7526" align="justify">
<div abp="7527">
<span abp="7528" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7529" style="color: navy;">In the meantime, new flashpoints appeared in Western</span><span abp="7530" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7531" style="color: navy;">Mindanao, particularly in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Zamboanga, when the regime started to mount new fighting. In Sulu, it culminated with the death of Brig. Gen. Teodulfo Bautista and 34 of his men in the town of Patikul on October 10, 1977. An MNLF contingent of 200 forces led by Commander Usman Sali, an ex-Vice Mayor of the town, was responsible for the bloodbath. Only one sergeant lived to tell the story.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7532" align="justify">
<div abp="7533">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7535" align="justify">
<div abp="7536">
<span abp="7537" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7538" style="color: navy;">What precipitated the massacre of Bautista and his men was </span><span abp="7539" style="color: navy;">the various atrocities and killings penetrated by the army in violation of the truce. Many of the victims were close relatives of Usman Sali and his men. Being the commanding officer of the Tabak Division that had operational jurisdiction over the Sulu area., General Bautista was held responsible. At the time of his death, he was engaged in a surrender campaign urging the MNLF forces to come out and join </span><span abp="7540" style="color: navy;">the government. This actuation of the General greatly offended Commander Sali, who also had to avenge the death of a son and the rape of his daughter by army soldiers.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7541" align="justify">
<div abp="7542">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7544" align="justify">
<div abp="7545">
<span abp="7546" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7547" style="color: navy;">It was a shocking incident to the regime and brought in much</span><span abp="7548" style="color: navy;"> infamy for its shabbiness in security matters. In retaliation, Marcos ordered the mass slaughter of no fewer than 600 men, women and children of the municipality. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7549" align="justify">
<div abp="7550">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7552" align="justify">
<div abp="7553">
<span abp="7554" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7555" style="color: navy;">By middle November, five army battalions and an unspecified </span><span abp="7556" style="color: navy;">number of paramilitary forces attacked the MNLF base in Sapu-aMasla, Malapatan, South Cotabato. The attackers used mortars and howitzers and the aid of naval bombardment to pound the entrenched MNLF forces. let planes and gunships were also thrown into action. But when the attackers tried to advance they came up against strong resistance from the defenders. Five MNLF forces were martyred, while the government lost 12 men in this confrontation.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7557" align="justify">
<div abp="7558">
<span abp="7559" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On November 27-30, three army battalions led by Col. Jose Magno Jr. and an undetermined number of policemen and paramilitary forces assaulted an island bastion of the MNLF in Lake Lanao.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7560">
<span abp="7561" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7562" align="justify">
<div abp="7563">
<span abp="7564" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7565" style="color: navy;">Earlier, the island was shelled for many hours. Jet planes also took several flying sorties on a strafing and bombing mission killing or wounding scores of fighters and civilians. The island was named the "Martyrs' Island" in honor of the fighters and civilians who</span><span abp="7566" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7567" style="color: navy;">who perished during the bombardment. On the final day, government forces approached the island, using water launches or pumpboats. They disembarked immediately, apparently believing that all the defenders had perished or at least that the island's defence system had already collapsed due to the intensive bombardment made earlier. But the attackers were cut down by bursts of automatic rifles and grenade launchers. They scurried for safety and to fight back, if possible, but were too late. The MNLF defenders were safely under cover in foxholes and canals and had a commanding view of the enemy landing point. The result was conclusive: 100 army soldiers slain, 40 paramilitary forces and policemen killed or wounded and 38 captured.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7568" align="justify">
<div abp="7569">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7571" align="justify">
<div abp="7572">
<span abp="7573" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The resumption of hostilities spread to various parts of Mindanao and Sulu, and were at times even deadlier than that those preceding the ceasefire. The boiling point came when even those who have already surrendered to the government were not spared from abuses and barbarities. The glaring example was the incident in Pata Island, Sulu on February 12, 1981 where a bloody shootout between a renegade armed group and army soldiers took place. Army men were sent by higher military command to collect the firearms owned or issued to the surrenderees. The moment they landed on the island, they started to commit savagery against the residents, who included relatives of the surrenderees. They manhandled many civilians, raped women, raked dwellings with gunfire and butchered dogs inside mosques." Subsequently, they were "lured" to a festival in the town proper where they were finished off by the enraged former rebels and the aggrieved families.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7574">
<span abp="7575" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7576" align="justify">
<div abp="7577">
<span abp="7578" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The result, again, was a bloodbath. Of the 124 soldiers, only three survived. Among the slain were Lt. Col. Jacinto Sardual and three other officers. What made the task easier, according to a wellplaced source, was that some MNLF forces participated in the final touches.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7579">
<span abp="7580" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="7581" align="justify">
<div abp="7582">
<span abp="7583" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Immediately, the regime sent naval gunboats, surrounded the island and started shelling it. Then several battalions of Marines disembarked. They moved <i abp="7584">inland and </i>started to kill the inhabitants. Village after village were reduced to ruins. No one was allowed to evacuate. Troops destroyed all boats on the island and the flow of food was halted. In the final count, the civilian casualties numbered 2,000. They were killed either by the shelling or in the massacre that followed. The government, however, admitted only 750 deaths.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7585">
<span abp="7586" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7587" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p><div abp="7588" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7589">
<span abp="7590" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="7591">CHAPTER X - WAR BY OTHER MEANS</strong></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7592" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7593" align="center" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7594">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7598" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7599" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7600">
<strong abp="7601"><span abp="7602" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On Negotiation</span></strong></div>
<div abp="7603">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="7605" align="justify">
<div abp="7606">
<span abp="7607" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7608" style="color: red;"><div abp="7609" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7610">
<span abp="7611" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="7612">If war uses the force of arms to achieve both military and political objectives, negotiation pursues the same goals through the skillful use of language and diplomacy. If war, as once aptly put, is an extension of politics, and negotiation is an aspect of war, then negotiation is war in another form.</strong></span>
<span abp="7613" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7614" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7615">
<strong abp="7616"><span abp="7617" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="7618" style="color: navy;"></span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="7619" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7620">
<span abp="7621" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="7622" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7623">
<strong abp="7624"><span abp="7625" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7626" style="color: navy;">What are its objectives when a regime agrees to resolve the</span><span abp="7627" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7628" style="color: navy;">conflict through the round table? Is negotiation the only form of struggle to achieve a just and lasting peace? Or is it merely used as a weapon to gain time, accumulate resources and consolidate power for the next round of battles?</span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7629" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7630" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7631">
<strong abp="7632"><span abp="7633" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="7634" style="color: navy;"></span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7635" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7636" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7637">
<strong abp="7638"><span abp="7639" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7640" style="color: navy;">Negotiation does not always happen between the two warring parties. Its occurrence is contingent on the concrete realities recognized</span><span abp="7641" style="color: navy;"> by both sides and their willingness to undertake it. The government can refuse a peace deal if it can beat the other side on the battlefield. However, it can be overeager to negotiate, if the other party indicates a weakness that can be exploited over the negotiation table, or tricked into capitulation. The government can also use negotiation as a weapon </span><span abp="7642" style="color: navy;">to misrepresent itself as the just and reasonable side, intrigue the ranks of the rebels and fool the people.</span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7643" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7644" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7645">
<strong abp="7646"><span abp="7647" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7648" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7649" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7650">
<span abp="7651" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="7652">War is always costly, while negotiation is cheap. A day in war is usually costlier than a month of talking. In negotiation, there are no lives lost, properties destroyed or people rendered homeless. And as the negotiation drags on, the status quo of disengagement or non-engagement is given more and more a sense of reality and hope to become permanent.</strong></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7653" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7654" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7655">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7657" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7658" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7659">
<strong abp="7660"><span abp="7661" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7662" style="color: navy;">In many instances, it is true that talking is better than not talking at all. But talking and talking as if the whole peace process revolves</span><span abp="7663" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7664" style="color: navy;">around it only validates the charge that negotiation is mere exercise in futility. It is not meant to reach anything lofty. It is an end in itself.</span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7665" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7666" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7667">
<strong abp="7668"><span abp="7669" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="7670" style="color: navy;"></span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7671" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7672" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7673">
<strong abp="7674"><span abp="7675" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7676" style="color: navy;">However, a sincere quest for peace - a just and lasting one</span><span abp="7677" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7678" style="color: navy;">through negotiation is a different story. It is a slow process and has no or few shortcuts. Its soul is the identification of the root causes of conflict and its primary objective is to carry out an urgent agenda of change by the agreeing parties that would resolve the problems underlying the conflict.</span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7679" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7680" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7681">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7684" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7685" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7686">
<span abp="7687" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="7688">However, there is little reason to doubt that when the government agreed to sit down with the MNLF to talk, it was assenting to the time-tested tactic: when hard-pressed, negotiate. The grand design of the MNLF to curve an empire known as the <i abp="7689">Bangsa Moro Republik </i>was high on its agenda. Fighting was raging everywhere and a sizable portion of Mindanao and Sulu was in rebel hands. The government also knew that peace achieved by violence will not last and represented only a part of the solution to the rebellion.</strong></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7690" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7691" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7692">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7695" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7696" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7697">
<strong abp="7698"><span abp="7699" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7700" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<strong abp="7701">
</strong></span></span><div abp="7702" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7703">
<span abp="7704" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span abp="7705" style="color: red;"><strong abp="7706">Foreign Connections</strong></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7707" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7708" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7709">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7711" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7712" align="justify">
<div abp="7713">
<span abp="7714" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">International support for the Moro cause started as early as the late 1960s when reports of massacres of Moros hit world headlines. The first to react openly was Col. Muammar Qhaddafi, President of Libya, who said that his government will come to the rescue of the Moros in Mindanao and Sulu if the mass killing of his brethren did not stop. He was not alone to express such serious concern. Many other Muslim leaders in Asia and Africa shared the same sentiments. These world-wide reactions placed the Philippines and the Marcos regime at a precarious position, since many of these states did not need the Philippines as much as it needed them. Many of these states were producers of oil, which the Philippines needed very much. Consequently, Marcos began to look for scapegoats. He accused foreign agents of blowing up the conflict out of proportion.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7715" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7716" align="justify">
<div abp="7717">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7719" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7720" align="justify">
<div abp="7721">
<span abp="7722" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first foreign leader, though at the state level, to extent concrete help to the Moros was Tun Datu Mustapha Haron, Chief Minister of Sabah. There were many reasons why he came to the rescue of the Moros. One of these was his biological, emotional and historical connection with the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu. His mother was a Tausog and, therefore, he was as much a Moro as the rest of his brethren. He allowed Sabah to be used as training camp, supply depot, communication center, and sanctuary.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7723" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7724" align="justify">
<div abp="7725">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7727" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7728" align="justify">
<div abp="7729">
<span abp="7730" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7731" style="color: navy;">The implication of Tun Datu Mustapha Haron's stance and later also of Kuala Lumpur - Sabah is part of the Federation of Malaysia, -was a major irritant between the two neighbors. The Philippines</span><span abp="7732" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7733" style="color: navy;">had a long-standing claim over Sabah that at one time almost led to open warfare. Sabah had began to be regarded by the Philippines as part of her territory on the strength of ownership claim by the ancient Sulu sultanate.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7734" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7735" align="justify">
<div abp="7736">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7738" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7739" align="justify">
<div abp="7740">
<span abp="7741" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7742" style="color: navy;">Kuala Lumpur had never admitted aiding the Moros. The official position of Malaysia regarding the Mindanao crisis had been confined</span><span abp="7743" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7744" style="color: navy;">only to actively supporting resolutions passed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7745" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7746" align="justify">
<div abp="7747">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7749" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7750" align="justify">
<div abp="7751">
<span abp="7752" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7753" style="color: navy;">In 1971, Libyan Pres. Muammar Qhaddafi openly declared his support for the Moros, who were apparently the object of a genocide campaign. In the same year, Libyan Foreign Minister Saleh Bouyasser came to the Philippines with a US$1 million pledge of his government</span><span abp="7754" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7755" style="color: navy;">to bankroll the on-going guerrilla training of 300 Moro recruits in Malaysia. A year later, when Martial Law was declared, Libyan money, weapons and other materials started to flow into the frontlines in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7756" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7757" align="justify">
<div abp="7758">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7760" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7761" align="justify">
<div abp="7762">
<span abp="7763" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7764" style="color: navy;">In May 1971, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) was founded. One of its aims, as set clearly in its Charter, is to strengthen the struggle of all Muslim peoples with a view to safeguard their dignity, independence and national rights. It so happened that</span><span abp="7765" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7766" style="color: navy;">Tunku Abdul Rahman, the founding father and first Prime Minister of Malaya (later, Malaysia), was the first Secretary General of this powerful Pan-Islamic body. As head of the OIC, he was instrumental in the support extended to the Moros by the OIC member-states, especially Libya and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7767" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7768" align="justify">
<div abp="7769">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7771" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7772" align="justify">
<div abp="7773">
<span abp="7774" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7775" style="color: navy;">From February 29 to March 4,1972, the Third Islamic Conference</span><span abp="7776" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7777" style="color: navy;">of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, passed a resolution calling for the review of the plight of the Muslims living in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7778" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7779" align="justify">
<div abp="7780">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7782" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7783" align="justify">
<div abp="7784">
<span abp="7785" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7786" style="color: navy;">On March 24-26, 1973, the Fourth Islamic Conference of Foreign</span><span abp="7787" style="color: navy;"> Ministers meeting in Benghazi, Libya, expressed deep concern over </span><span abp="7788" style="color: navy;">the reported repression and mass extermination of Muslims in South Philippines and decided to send a delegation of Foreign Ministers of Libya, Senegal, Somalia and Saudi Arabia. The Conference also created a voluntary fund from member-states to help the Muslims in South Philippines. It further passed a resolution requesting Indonesia and Malaysia to exert their good offices, within the framework of ASEAN, to help find a solution to the problem.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7789" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7790" align="justify">
<div abp="7791">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7793" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7794" align="justify">
<div abp="7795">
<span abp="7796" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In August of the same year, the four-nation delegation visited Mindanao and Sulu. Members of the delegation were Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Omar Al-Shakaff, Libyan Foreign Minister Abdulati Al-Obeidi, Somalian Foreign Minister Arteh Ghalib, and Senegal Ambassador to Egypt Moustapha Cisse. The fact-finding mission took note of the steps taken by the Philippines to improve the condition of the Muslims. These steps, however, were considered insufficient to solve the whole problem, as reflected in the resolution of the succeeding meeting of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Kuala Lumpur the following year.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7797" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7798" align="justify">
<div abp="7799">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7801" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7802" align="justify">
<div abp="7803">
<span abp="7804" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On March 9-13, 1974, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Omar Al-Shakaff again visited the Philippines in a bid to follow up earlier efforts to monitor the condition of the Moros. President Marcos told him that the government was doing everything to attend to the needs of the Moro communities, which included the setting aside of wide tracts of land for resettlement.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7805" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7806" align="justify">
<div abp="7807">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7809" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7810" align="justify">
<div abp="7811">
<span abp="7812" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On May 29, 1974, President Marcos and President Suharto met at Menado, North Sulawesi, <i abp="7813">Indonesia to </i>discuss, among other vital ASEAN concerns, the Moro rebellion. But unlike Malaysia and Libya, Indonesia was more concerned with regional unity, as expressed in the ASEAN, of which both Malaysia and the Philippines were members.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7814" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7815" align="justify">
<div abp="7816">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7818" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7819" align="justify">
<div abp="7820">
<span abp="7821" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On June 21-25, 1974, the Fifth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The conference called upon the Philippine government to desist from all measures which resulted in the killing of Muslims and the destruction of their properties and places of worship in Southern Philippines. It urged the government to find a political and peaceful solution through negotiation with Muslim leaders, particularly with the representatives of the Moro National Liberation Front in order to arrive at a just solution to the plight of the Filipino Muslims within the framework of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines. It also created a welfare agency, known as Filipino Muslim Welfare and Relief Agency, for the purpose of extending welfare and relief aid direct to Muslims in the Southern Philippines.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7822" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7823" align="justify">
<div abp="7824">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7826" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7827" align="center">
<div abp="7828">
<span abp="7829" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7830" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7831" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7832">
<strong abp="7833"><span abp="7834" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Initial Talks</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7835" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7836" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7837">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7841" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7842" align="justify">
<div abp="7843">
<span abp="7844" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the basis of Resolution No. 18 approved in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, follow up efforts to bring the two warring parties to the negotiating table were high on the OIC agenda. At the invitation of the Philippine government, Dr. Mohammad Hassan Al-Tohamy, the new OIC Secretary General, visited the Philippines to discuss matters in connection with the resolution. He succeeded in bringing the MNLF and the Philippine government to the negotiating table in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on January 18-19,1975. The MNLF formally abandoned independence in favor of a strong autonomous region with internal security forces.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7845" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7846" align="justify">
<div abp="7847">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7849" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7850" align="justify">
<div abp="7851">
<span abp="7852" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7853" style="color: navy;">The two panels met in the presence of the OIC Secretary General.</span><span abp="7854" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7855" style="color: navy;">The talks, however, did not materialize because both sides presented demands that could not be met by either side. </span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7856" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7857" align="justify">
<div abp="7858">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7860" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7861" align="justify">
<div abp="7862">
<span abp="7863" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The MNLF panel was composed of Nur Misuari, MNLF Chair; Salamat Hashim, MNLF Deputy Chair; Abdulbaki Abubakar, Hamid Lukman, and Abdulrasad Asani. Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor headed the government panel. The members were Admiral Romulo Espaldon, Ambassador Lininding Pangandamen, Col. Jose Almonte, and four others.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7864" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7865" align="justify">
<div abp="7866">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7868" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7869" align="justify">
<div abp="7870">
<span abp="7871" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The aborted talks, after further consultations, were rescheduled to take place on April 7. It did not take place, because President Marcos instead called for a dialogue in Zamboanga City from April 17- June 30. Those invited to this dialogue were Marcos handpicked Muslim leaders, government officials and the "rebels," who rejected the nine-point agenda proposed by the OIC Quadripartite Ministerial Committee for the resumption of the stalled negotiation. The Sixth Islamic Foreign Ministers Conference convened in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on July 12-15, 1975. The conference approved the nine-point proposal for the resumption of talks and urged both the MNLF and the Philippine government to resume the negotiation, as early as possible.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7872" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7873" align="justify">
<div abp="7874">
<span abp="7875" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On May 6 1976, Dr. Karim Gaye of Senegal, the new OIC Secretary General, met President Marcos in Nairobi, Kenya. The OIC Chief told the President of the need for the resumption of the talks immediately. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7876" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7877" align="justify">
<div abp="7878">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7880" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7881" align="justify">
<div abp="7882">
<span abp="7883" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A week later, an May 13-16, the Seventh Islamic Foreign Ministers Conference held session in Istanbul, Turkey. As usual, the conference reiterated its call for the immediate resumption of the talks between the MNLF and the Philippine government. </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7884" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7885" align="justify">
<div abp="7886">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7888" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7889" align="justify">
<div abp="7890">
<span abp="7891" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On October 1, the Islamic Solidarity Fund donated US$1 million to the Agency for Development and Welfare of the Muslim in the Philippines. However, this fund was coursed though the Philippine government which had the discretion over the manner of disbursement and programming.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7892" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7893" align="justify">
<div abp="7894">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7896" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7897" align="center">
<div abp="7898">
<span abp="7899" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7900" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7901" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="7902">
<span abp="7903" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7904" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7905" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7906">
<strong abp="7907"><span abp="7908" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Signing of the Covenants</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7909" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7910" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7911">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7913" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7914" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="7915">
<span abp="7916" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7917" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7918" align="justify">
<div abp="7919">
<span abp="7920" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="7921" style="color: navy;">In the meantime, Mrs. Imelda Marcos, the First Lady and wife of President Marcos, was designated Special Envoy of her husband. This brought her to Egypt, Algeria, New York, Saudi Arabia, and then to Libya. At the United Nations, she had an occasion to meet and discuss the Mindanao crisis with the Algerian Foreign Minister Abdul Aziz Bouteflika, then President of the UN General Assembly,</span><span abp="7922" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="7923" style="color: navy;">and through him with the Arab delegates to the world body. From there, she proceeded to Tripoli, Libya where she had a lengthy dialogue with Pres. Muammar Qhaddafi on the Mindanao crisis.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7924" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7925" align="justify">
<div abp="7926">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7928" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7929" align="justify">
<div abp="7930">
<span abp="7931" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On December 15-23, 1976, the second round of negotiation between the MNLF and the Philippine government took place in Tripoli, Libya. The talks were conducted in the presence of the Quadripartite Ministerial Committee. Dr. Ali Treki, the Libyan Foreign Minister, presided over the series of meeting between the two panels, which culminated in the signing of the covenant now known as the <b abp="7932"><i abp="7933"><a abp="7934" href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span abp="7935" style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i></b> of December 23, 1976. The agreement provided for the establishment of an autonomy for the thirteen provinces and nine cities in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7936" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7937" align="justify">
<div abp="7938">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7940" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7941" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7942">
<span abp="7943" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The government panel was chaired by Undersecretary Carmelo Barbero, with the following as members: Lininding Pangandamen, Simeon Datumanong, Karim Sidri, Pacifico Castro, and Col. Eduardo Ermita. The MNLF panel again was composed of Nur Misuari, Salamat Hashim, Abdul Baki Abubakar and Abdurasad Asani. Also with the group, as legal counsels, were Atty. Zacaria Candao and Atty. Pangalian Balindong of Lanao del Sur.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7944" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7945" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7946">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7948" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7949" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="7950">
<span abp="7951" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Subsequently a formal ceasefire agreement between the two warring parties was signed on January 20, 1977. A committee was organized, composed of the MNLF, the Philippine government, and the Quadripartite Committee to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire. Provincial ceasefire committees were also set up in the thirteen provinces to help monitor and maintain the observance of the accord.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7952" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7953" align="justify">
<div abp="7954">
<span abp="7955" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The philosophy behind the declaration of a ceasefire is simple. Heads must cool off, shooting must stop before the talking can proceed. It is only in an atmosphere of understanding and serenity that the search for real peace can proceed.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7956" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7957" align="justify">
<div abp="7958">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7960" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7961" align="justify">
<div abp="7962">
<span abp="7963" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The ceasefire agreement was generally holding during the early months of 1977, but it collapsed completely towards the end of the year when the government troops mounted massive offensives against all known MNLF strongholds. Even the mutually-agreed bivouac areas in Mindanao, as earlier stated, were also attacked almost simultaneously.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7964" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7965" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7966">
<span abp="7967" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7968" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br abp="7969" />
<div abp="7970" align="center">
<div abp="7971">
<span abp="7972" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7973" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7974" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7975">
<strong abp="7976"><span abp="7977" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Day of the Clown</span></strong></div>
</div>
<span abp="7978" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7979" align="left" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="7980">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7982" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7983" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7984">
<span abp="7985" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The <b abp="7986"><i abp="7987"><a abp="7988" href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span abp="7989" style="color: red;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i></b>was lacking in sufficient detail and, therefore, the two panels agreed to meet first in Libya, from February 9 to March 3, and then in Manila, from April 21 to 30, 1977 to finalize it. However, on both occasions, they bogged down owing to the overemphasis on the sideshows, rather than on substance, by representatives of the Philippine government.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7990" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7991" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7992">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="7994" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7995" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="7996">
<span abp="7997" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The meeting in Libya first stalemated and then bogged down. The two panels simply could not agree on the degree of autonomy to be handed to the Moros and the definitive role the MNLF had to play in it. Much time had been wasted on the side issues than on the substance. National Defence Undersecretary Carmelo Barbero, head of the GRP panel, even brought up the issue of plebiscite which was nowhere to be located in the entire text of the agreement.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="7998" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="7999" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8000">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="8002" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="8003" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8004">
<span abp="8005" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again the First Lady was sent to Libya to thresh out matters with President Qhaddafi. The result was the exchange of cables between President Marcos and President Qhaddafi on March 17-18. The communique contained consensus on the declaration of autonomy, a provisional government, and the holding of a referendum or "consultation."</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="8006" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="8007" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8008">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="8010" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="8011" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8012">
<span abp="8013" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The meeting in Manila, like the first, was tense. There was a heated discussion between the Philippine panel and representatives of the Quadripartite Committee, particularly Dr. Ali Treki.</span></div>
</div>
<span abp="8014" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="8015" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8016">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="8018" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="8019" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="8020">
<span abp="8021" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="8022" style="color: navy;">The talks failed, as had been predicted right at the outset. Firstly, President Marcos hastily went to Japan in an obvious attempt to escape any role in a negotiation he may have maneuvered to collapse.</span><span abp="8023" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="8024" style="color: navy;">Secondly, the Philippine delegation was engaging in too many questions of technicalities, virtually reducing the talks into grammar class. Even a single article like "the" or "of" sent the Philippine side, composed mostly of ministers like Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo and Defence Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, to gang up on and lock horns with the OIC representatives. And thirdly, like in the first negotiation in Tripoli, Libya, the Philippine panel showed its bad faith and sinister attempt to obstruct the path to peace in Mindanao.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="8025" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<span abp="8026" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="8027" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="8028">
<span abp="8029" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="8030">High-Handed Hypocrisy</strong></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="8031" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><div abp="8032" align="left" class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<div abp="8033">
</div>
</div>
<span abp="8035" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div abp="8036">
<br /></div>
<div abp="8037" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8038">
<span abp="8039" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Capitalizing on the stalled negotiations which later degenerated into a "no-peace no-war" situation, President Marcos unleashed a multi-faceted, multi-pronged counterinsurgency program which was implemented at an exceptionally rapid paces. Militarization continued to increase and identified MNLF' areas were flooded with bloodthirsty military regulars and irregulars. Under the veneer of socio-economic and infrastructure agenda, he built roads, bridges, dikes and ports, dredged rivers and canals, reclaimed marshes, etc. With his land reform program, he further dispossessed the Moros of their remaining landholdings. New waves of emigrants from the North kept pouring in which resulted in the creation of fresh settlements and colonies.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8040" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8041">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8044" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8045">
<span abp="8046" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One may not wonder that all these programs were executed in the names of peace, security and progress. But in reality they were in the nature of "sugarcoated" bullets. All were intended to defeat the MNLF, deny it of its favorable natural sanctuaries and to penetrate into the "hearts and minds" of the people.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8047" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8048">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8051" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8052">
<span abp="8053" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The government's unusual interests in "promoting" Islam and the study of the Arabic language did not fail to intrigue inquisitive minds. This culminated in the creation of the so-called Ministry Of Muslim Affairs. A similar approach was instituted during the American colonial regime in the Philippines. The study of the Qur'an was introduced, obviously, as part of their pacification campaign. Soon, thousands of Moro kids, as a result, filled schoolhouses.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8054" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8055">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8057" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8058">
<span abp="8059" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="8060" style="color: navy;">The hypocritical bid to promote Islam cannot be appreciated unless one viewed this as part of the wide-ranging counterinsurgency scheme of the government. This country is strictly secular. The church and state are separated. Both the 1935 and 1973 Philippine Constitutions - also the 1987 Charter explicitly prohibited the government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities to promote,</span><span abp="8061" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="8062" style="color: navy;">assist or uplift any one religion in the Philippines, directly or indirectly.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8063" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8064">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8066" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8067">
<span abp="8068" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The appointment of erstwhile Navy Admiral Romulo Espaldon as head of this office exposed something unsightly for the Muslims of this country. During his stint with the SOUTHCOM, the Admiral's hands had dripped with much Moro blood. He -renounced Catholicism- or made to renounce it - in order to qualify for the job, as being a Muslim was obviously its first criterion. Was there no full-blooded Muslim at the time who could fit the job squarely?</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8069">
<span abp="8070" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8071" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8072">
<strong abp="8073"><span abp="8074" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A new Kiram-Bates Treaty</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="8075">
<span abp="8076" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8077" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="8078">
<span abp="8079" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span abp="8080" style="color: navy;">The air of optimism that greeted the diplomatic breakthrough in Tripoli, Libya, at the signing of the agreement was but art analgesic. Even after the lapse of almost a decade since the signing on December 23, 1976 and the subsequent ouster of Marcos on February 25, 1986, many eyebrows were still being raised in wonder whether Marcos was really sincere or merely playing a cat-and-mouse game. However, those who had a full grasp of Philippine history, especially that which is focused on the interludes of peace negotiations and truce agreements, simply viewed the <b abp="8081"><i abp="8082"><a abp="8083" href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span abp="8084" style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i></b> as another Kiram-Bates Treaty of 1899. That treaty was signed between Sultan Jamalul Kiram 11 of the Sulu Sultanate and Brig. Gen. John C. Bates, representing the United States. The Sultan signed the treaty on the firm belief that it signaled the safety of the homeland and the expulsion of the American colonialists. The Americans had a different motive" in mind. They made use of the treaty to usher in eventual occupation</span><span abp="8085" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="8086" style="color: navy;">of the Moro country.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8087" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="8088">
<span abp="8089" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8090" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8091">
<span abp="8092" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A close scrutiny of the circumstances leading to the conclusion of both agreements would reveal striking similarities. As pointed out earlier, the Kiram-Bates Treaty was chiefly used by the Americans to prevent the opening up of another front in Mindanao and Sulu, while they were battling the forces of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Luzon. It was indeed a matter of temporary exigency that this treaty was conceived. Eight decades later, history seemed to have repeated itself for the Moros. The pre-1977 period was really dangerous to the Marcos regime. Metropolitan Manila, the state nerve-center, was becoming vulnerable to Communist forces because most of the AFP combat forces were deployed in Mindanao and Sulu. The years of confrontations in the South allowed the Communist New People's Army (NPA) to grow in size and strength. In fact, NPA forces were already scoring many remarkable victories in many areas in the North. And for some time the island of Samar in the Visayas had been practically a liberated area. This was why some army contingents were shipped back to Luzon and the Visayas immediately after the signing of the <b abp="8093"><i abp="8094"><a abp="8095" href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span abp="8096" style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i></b>.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8097">
<span abp="8098" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8099" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8100">
<span abp="8101" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Until the very last moment of the American regime in the Philippines, the Kiram-Bates Treaty was no more than a scrap of paper. It was not observed or recognized faithfully by the Americans. ','he case of the <b abp="8102"><i abp="8103"><a abp="8104" href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span abp="8105" style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i></b> is not far away. Up to the disgrace of President Marcos in early 1986, the agreement was just "scrap of paper." One Mindanao leader, Reuben Canoy, who figured prominently in the move to secede the island in later years had this to say on the subject:</span></div>
<div abp="8106">
<br /></div>
<div abp="8107">
<i abp="8108"><span abp="8109" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">... The <b abp="8110"><a abp="8111" href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span abp="8112" style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></b> was soon reduced to a mere scrap of paper. Perhaps this was bound to, fir like most diplomatic documents the pact was couched in imprecise language liable to all sorts of misinterpretation by the signatories.-'</span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="8113">
<span abp="8114" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="8115">
</i></span></div>
<div abp="8116" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="8117">
<span abp="8118" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="8119"><span abp="8120" style="color: red;">Waging Peace Protracts</span></strong>
</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8121">
<span abp="8122" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span abp="8123" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
<div abp="8124" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="8125">
<span abp="8126" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Eighth Foreign Ministers Conference convened in Tripoli, Libya on May 16-22, 1977. A historic decision was passed granting special observer status to the MNLF, an action clearly conveying additional political clout in dealing with the Philippine government. The conference also held the government solely responsible for the failure of the negotiations in Tripoli, Libya in February 1977 and in Manila in April 1977.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8127" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="8128">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8129" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="8130">
<span abp="8131" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Republic of Senegal hosted the Ninth Foreign Ministers Conference at its capital, Dhakar, on April 24-28, 1978. Here the OIC denounced the Philippines for the massacres committed against the Muslims and for reneging on her international obligations to honor the <b abp="8132"><i abp="8133"><a abp="8134" href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span abp="8135" style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i></b>. The conference also called upon both parties to come to a ceasefire and resume negotiations.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8136" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="8137">
<span abp="8138" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8139" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="8140">
<span abp="8141" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After a year, on May 8-12, 1979, the Tenth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers assembled in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco. Again the OIC called on the government to implement the agreement.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8142" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="8143">
<span abp="8144" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8145" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="8146">
<span abp="8147" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In February 1980, the new OIC Secretary General, Habib Chatti, paid a visit to Manila to bring up the issue once again. Again only cold response was forthcoming.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8148">
<span abp="8149" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8150" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8151">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8153">
<span abp="8154" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8155" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8156">
<span abp="8157" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometime in 1981, Indonesia, the most populous Muslim state, offered her good offices as an "honest broker" to arbitrate the conflict or at least to restart the stalled negotiations. There was no concrete reply.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8158">
<span abp="8159" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8160" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8161">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8164">
<span abp="8165" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8166" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8167">
<span abp="8168" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On March 21-23, 1982, Saudi Arabia tried to give the precarious peace another lease in life. The late King Khaled Ibn Saud personally brought up the case with President Marcos during his visit to the kingdom. But smart as ever, the latter placated his host by assuring him that autonomy is already in place in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8169">
<span abp="8170" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8171" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8172">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8175">
<span abp="8176" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8177" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8178">
<span abp="8179" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then came the big bang of 1983. Former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was shot dead on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport on August 21. The "conjugal dictatorship" of Marcos and Imelda was the prime suspect. Aquino was their bitterest political rival. No one person or group had a greater motive to execute the assassination.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8180">
<span abp="8181" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8182" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8183">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8186">
<span abp="8187" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8188" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8189">
<span abp="8190" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thenceforth the Moro issue was relegated to the sideline. The Marcoses were busy shielding themselves against the effects of the assassination.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8191">
<span abp="8192" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8193" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8194">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8197">
<span abp="8198" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8199" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8200">
<span abp="8201" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="8202" style="color: navy;">The years 1984 and 1985 neared and passed. They glided away almost unnoticed as far as the problem was concerned. President Marcos was not only holding on to power by a hairline; he was also very ill, extremely ill</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8203">
<span abp="8204" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8205" align="center">
<div abp="8206">
<strong abp="8207"><span abp="8208" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Enter the Widow</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="8209" align="center">
<div abp="8210">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8214" align="justify">
<div abp="8215">
<span abp="8216" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then another big bang occurred. The dynasty came to an end. President Marcos was ousted from power on February 26, 1986. The widow of the slain Senator, Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino, was installed President of the Philippines, not by the 1935 or 1973 Constitutions, but by the EDSA People Power Revolution. As a revolutionary government, at least of the right, center, center right, it functioned without constitution for about a year.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8217" align="justify">
<div abp="8218">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8221" align="justify">
<div abp="8222">
<span abp="8223" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meantime, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Muslim World League (MWL), both based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were undertaking efforts to merge the MNLF and the MILF into one expanded negotiating panel once talks resumed with the new administration of President Aquino. MNLF Chair Nur Misuari and MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim had already agreed before officials of both world Islamic organizations to unite and close ranks as a prelude to new negotiations to resolve the Mindanao crisis.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8224" align="justify">
<div abp="8225">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8228" align="justify">
<div abp="8229">
<span abp="8230" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The OIC and MWL emphasized that they would only host this proposed renewed peace negotiations if both the MNLF and MILF were represented. The Aquino administration had already been informed of this stand.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8231" align="justify">
<div abp="8232">
<span abp="8233" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But in a surprise move, President Aquino, setting aside protocol and security concerns, met with MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari in Jolo, Sulu, on September 5,1986. This so-called historic meeting resulted in an agreement to cease hostilities and lay the groundwork for formal negotiations. One writer had these comments about this meeting:</span></div>
</div>
<blockquote abp="8234">
<blockquote abp="8235">
<blockquote abp="8236">
<div abp="8237" align="justify">
<div abp="8238">
<span abp="8239" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="8240"><span abp="8241" style="color: navy;">All of a sudden, after the EDSA revolution </span></i><span abp="8242" style="color: navy;">in <i abp="8243">1986, the </i>new <i abp="8244">Administration, deliriously overjoyed by its victory, brought back Nur Misuari like a hero. Nur Misuari came back with him </i>full <i abp="8245">with rising expectations </i>of </span><i abp="8246"><span abp="8247" style="color: navy;">triumph. He brought back with him a more complicated package of the problems in Mindanao to ensure that victory would be theirs."</span></i></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div abp="8248" align="justify">
<div abp="8249">
<span abp="8250" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Meeting in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the GRP and MNLF Panels forged an agreement, now known as the Jeddah Accord on January 3, 1986. The two sides agreed to continue discussion of the proposal for the grant of full autonomy to Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan. It was further agreed that substantive talks would be held in the Philippines.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8251" align="justify">
<div abp="8252">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8255" align="justify">
<div abp="8256">
<span abp="8257" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oil February 9 and 20, the GRP-MNLF peace talks proceeded in Manila and in Zamboanga City, respectively. It became apparent, even at the outset, that the talks would collapse due to fundamental differences in the proposals submitted by both panels. The MNLF wanted full autonomy for the 23 provinces in Mindanao on the ground that the government had already agreed to it as mentioned in the Jeddah Accord. The government, on the other hand, refused to toe this line because the <b abp="8258"><i abp="8259"><a abp="8260" href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span abp="8261" style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a> </i></b>only speaks of 13 provinces and nine cities.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8262" align="justify">
<div abp="8263">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8266" align="justify">
<div abp="8267">
<span abp="8268" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the breakdown of the talks, the government proceeded to devise the necessary processes to implement the so-called mandate in the 1987 Constitution to grant autonomy to Muslim Mindanao. Accordingly, in October 1987, President Aquino started to set the groundwork for the creation of the Mindanao Regional Consultative Commission (MRCC), which was tasked by Congress to assist it in enacting an organic act.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8269" align="justify">
<div abp="8270">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8273" align="justify">
<div abp="8274">
<span abp="8275" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the other hand, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari, bitterly criticizing the creation of the MRCC, once again renewed his bid for full MNLF membership with the OIC. An observer status has been conferred to the MNLF since May 1977.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8276" align="justify">
<div abp="8277">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8280" align="justify">
<div abp="8281">
<span abp="8282" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Similarly, MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim denounced the government action as an obstacle to peace. He accused it of being not really sincere about the early and genuine resolution of the conflict in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
<div abp="8283">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8285" align="left">
<div abp="8286">
<span abp="8287" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8288" align="center">
<div abp="8289">
<strong abp="8290"><span abp="8291" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Interlude: MILF 5-Day War</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="8292" align="center">
<div abp="8293">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8297" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8298">
<span abp="8299" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The MILF did not only denounce the Jeddah Accord as a "cheap drama" but it launched a fulIscale five- day tactical offensive in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte on January 13-17, 1987. Military installations, equipment and personnel were attacked and suffered heavy losses and damage.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8300" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8301">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8304" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8305">
<span abp="8306" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">An MILF spokesman, however, clarified that the <i abp="8307">offensive was </i>not meant to attract national or international attention, in order to be included in the so-called negotiations between the MNLF and the' government. Fighting was simply one of the two weapons a revolutionary organization could use against the enemy.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8308" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8309">
<span abp="8310" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The MILF also wanted to convey the message that it was not a pushover organization, but a power to reckon with. It could always rise to the occasion in full force, if the situation warrants. However, this message was never made known through official channel."</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8311" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8312">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8315" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8316">
<span abp="8317" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Afterwards, an informal truce was forged between Hadji Murad Ibrahim and National Affairs Minister Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on January 17 at Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. With Murad during the signing was Mohagher Iqbal, also a senior officer of the MILF.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8318" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8319">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8322" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8323">
<span abp="8324" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The strength of the MILF was not only seen in matters of its military organization and hardware. The magnitude of people's support was another important yardstick. This was showcased during an earlier military consultative assembly on October 5-7, 1986 at Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. The convenors' group listed more than one million people from all over Mindanao and 75,574 armed components, including highlanders or <i abp="8325">Lumads </i>with their bows and arrows, who attended the assembly. So far this was the biggest number of Moros ever assembled at one time and in one place by any group, organization, political party or even by the government in the entire history of the region.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8326" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8327">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8330" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8331">
<span abp="8332" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many high government officials graced the occasion, including Quezon City Mayor Brigido Simon Jr., Gov. Rosario Diaz of Cotabato, Gov. Zacaria Candao of Maguindanao, and the late Gov. Francisco Abalos of Lanao del Norte. Ms. Margarita "Ting-Ting" Cojuangco, sister-in-law of President Aquino, also attended. (Cojuangco is now the Governor of Tarlac). Even AFP top brass in Central Mindanao were on hand to witness the historic consultation. Among them were Brig. Gen. Jesus Hermosa and Brig. Gen. Cesar Capa.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8333" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8334">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8337" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8338">
<span abp="8339" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Meanwhile, the MILF, after years of traumatic experience in the twirls and turns of the so-called peace parleys, continued to strengthen itself in all aspects of the struggle. The MILF believed that only a strong revolutionary organization could assure victory and liberate the people from the bondage of oppression and exploitation. A 10-year four-point program was launched which covered the four priority fields of concerns, namely, Islamization, organizational buildup, military buildup and self-reliance. The plan formally started in 1985, but was pursued more vigorously after having ascertained beyond reasonable doubt that the government was using the peace process as a "dilatory tactic."</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8340" align="left">
<div abp="8341">
<span abp="8342" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8343" align="center">
<div abp="8344">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8346" align="center">
<div abp="8347">
<strong abp="8348"><span abp="8349" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">CHAPTER XI - ARE TYRANTS FOREVER?</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="8350" align="center">
<div abp="8351">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8355" align="center">
<div abp="8356">
<strong abp="8357"><span abp="8358" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who are the Tyrants?</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="8359" align="center">
<div abp="8360">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8364" align="justify">
<div abp="8365">
<span abp="8366" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have described the Moros as a nation living under an endless tyranny. But who are the tyrants and why are the Moros tyrannized?</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8367" align="justify">
<div abp="8368">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8371" align="justify">
<div abp="8372">
<span abp="8373" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If there was one Filipino president close to becoming a tyrant or was one already, he could easily be Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. He was dubbed, perhaps rightly, as a "dictator" or a "tyrant." But it would be somewhat inexact if one considers him- thoroughly a "tyrant." A tyrant is one who rules with absolute power, unrestrained by law or constitution. At least, Marcos had his cabinet, a National Assembly, a Constitution and a Supreme Court - though all were rubber-stamps.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8374" align="justify">
<div abp="8375">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8378" align="justify">
<div abp="8379">
<span abp="8380" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tyranny does not come only from men. There is tyranny of time, there is tyranny of ideas, there is tyranny of number. Pres. Thomas Jefferson of the United States once described it as an oppressive power exerted over the minds of people. And any severe condition with an oppressive effect is tyranny.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8381" align="justify">
<div abp="8382">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8385" align="justify">
<div abp="8386">
<span abp="8387" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">All the above tyrannies somehow ganged up on the Moros. Every form of tyranny had already worked on the physical and mental existence of the Moros, individually and collectively. The Spanish colonial regime in Manila was tyrannical in character. Spanish governor-generals were more or less independent in running the affairs of the colony. Spain was very far and mostly the Spanish Crown ruled the Philippines through Mexico. Similarly, American generals in Mindanao and Sulu almost had a free hand "in cutting the Moro foot to suit the American shoe." Military commanders were good at cutting corners in making decisions. Is the tyranny of 400 years too short for a people to suffer the nightmare of time? The Moros are not only the minority, but since the American regime the majority has always decided for them.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8388" align="justify">
<div abp="8389">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8392" align="center">
<div abp="8393">
<strong abp="8394"><span abp="8395" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The King Could Do No Wrong</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="8396" align="center">
<div abp="8397">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8401" align="justify">
<div abp="8402">
<span abp="8403" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Early Christians believed that God imposed the state upon man as punishment for Adam's fall from grace in the Garden of Eden. This divine origin of the state presupposes that the king, who derived his authority from God, could do no wrong and therefore must be obeyed at all times. </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8404" align="justify">
<div abp="8405">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8408" align="justify">
<div abp="8409">
<span abp="8410" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This theory is similarly upheld in the Philippines. The Constitution, no matter how imperfect it is -and how many loopholes it has, must be obeyed at all times, because it is the supreme law of the land. This follows that any arrangement that is found unconstitutional, no matter how good and beneficial, is still bad and unacceptable, because the Constitution does not permit it. Of course, the rationale behind this is the preservation of the sovereignty, stability and personality of the state. While this view is understandable, because it is identifiable with - and cannot be detached from - national interests and survival, in fact the implications and consequences are not always good. As history has shown, the state, which is perceived as the ultimate epitome of <i abp="8411">Summum</i> <i abp="8412">Bonum </i>or the "highest good for the highest number," would sometimes prefer to do what is morally bad or undesirable to what is good and beneficial.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8413" align="justify">
<div abp="8414">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8417" align="justify">
<div abp="8418">
<span abp="8419" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The tyranny of ideas is best exemplified w hen the government rationalizes that any agreement with any of the revolutionary groups must not be violative of the Constitution. But the hard fact is that this Constitution does not epitomize the dreams and aspirations of the minority with whom the government is negotiating and, on the contrary, it is solely designed to suit the majority's concept of right or wrong and standard of interests.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8420" align="justify">
<div abp="8421">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8424" align="justify">
<div abp="8425">
<span abp="8426" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The truth of the situation is that as far as the resolution of the Moro issue is concerned or any given argument for that matter, there cannot be a monolithic view, not even three views - yours, mine and the correct one, as other proponents would put it. The truth is that there are as many views as there are individuals, groups or organizations in this part of the world, who are directly concerned or have great stakes in the conflict under settlement and negotiation. Different peoples, different groups different organizations have different points of view. It is human nature to disagree.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8427" align="justify">
<div abp="8428">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8431" align="justify">
<div abp="8432">
<span abp="8433" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Which side or view is correct depends much on the eye of the beholder, or on which part of the political, social or religious divide one is identified with. If the MNLF or the government is asked, certainly their reply would be to affirm the validity or rightness of their final agreement as the ultimate solution to this problem.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8434" align="justify">
<div abp="8435">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8437">
<span abp="8438" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On this score, President Ramos had made assertion during the signing of the GRP-MNLF Final Agreement;</span></div>
<div abp="8439">
<span abp="8440" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8441" align="justify">
<div abp="8442">
<o:p abp="8443"><span abp="8444" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i abp="8445"><span abp="8446" style="color: navy;">Today we not only witness history: We make</span></i><span abp="8447" style="color: navy;"> </span><i abp="8448"><span abp="8449" style="color: navy;">it. Today, with the formal signing of final peace agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), we bring to a close almost 30 years of conflict, at the cost of more titan 120,000 Filipino lives.'</span></i></span></o:p></div>
</div>
<div abp="8450">
<span abp="8451" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8452" align="justify">
<div abp="8453">
<span abp="8454" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari corroborated this statement by saying:</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8455" align="justify">
<div abp="8456">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8458" align="justify">
<div abp="8459">
<o:p abp="8460"><i abp="8461"><span abp="8462" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have agreed to end the war and restore peace ... This is a very momentous, very historic occasion. This will be written in the golden pages of history.</span></i></o:p></div>
</div>
<div abp="8463" align="justify">
<div abp="8464">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8469" align="justify">
<div abp="8470">
<span abp="8471" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Following this line of argument, all other views towards the final solution to the Mindanao problem are rendered outright wrong, fallacious or simply untenable or utopian. But who sets the standards of evaluation? Who gives this authority to evaluate or pass judgment? For what Is it mutually or commonly agreed by whom and for whom. and for whom is this prescription intended? Who knows this problem better, the government, the MNLF, the MILF, the OIC, or the people themselves?</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8472" align="left">
<div abp="8473">
<span abp="8474" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8475" align="center">
<div abp="8476">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8478" align="center">
<div abp="8479">
<strong abp="8480"><span abp="8481" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Colonialism: Mother of All Culprits</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="8482" align="center">
<div abp="8483">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8487" align="left">
<div abp="8488">
<span abp="8489" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8490" align="left">
<div abp="8491">
<span abp="8492" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8493" align="center">
<div abp="8494">
<span abp="8495" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8496" align="justify">
<div abp="8497">
<span abp="8498" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before us is a problem that has stayed in our midst for over 400 years. The changing times and the changing leaders, from colonial period up to the present, have miserably failed to solve the problem once and for all. And chances are that even with the signing of this final agreement and their mutual declaration for the termination of the 30-year war, the problem will continue to plague this country.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8499" align="justify">
<div abp="8500">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8503" align="justify">
<div abp="8504">
<span abp="8505" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Philippines is a unitary and highly centralized state which, historically, was an arbitrary creation of the succession of colonial powers that invaded this country. The Moros, as discussed earlier, valiantly stood their ground and succeeded to preserve their distinct way of life and consolidated their own national political life separately from the colonized natives. However, when the Filipinos, as neo-colonial administrators, succeeded, they followed the footsteps of their masters. This neo-colonialism or, for the purpose of this section, this "internal colonialism" is clearly manifested in the so-called rule of the majority, the Filipinos, over the minority like the Moros .3 The neo-colonial power imposes policies that are invariably and solely based on the standard of the majority people's interests. The GRPMNLF Final Agreement speaks well of this policy. It has very few substantial provisions, especially on the use of the natural resources and the power of the local governance to police and cleanse themselves that could enhance and strengthen the present ARMM. SPCPD and ARNIM Governor Nur Misuari, this early, is already complaining about many things: the defective system, lack of funds, lack of police powers and the untimely GRP-MILF talks, </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8506" align="justify">
<div abp="8507">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8510" align="justify">
<div abp="8511">
<span abp="8512" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Up to now and maybe even after three years, this agreement will still be a dead accord. Nobody knows whether Congress will enact an amendatory law to or repeal Republic Act 6734 or the Organic Act of the ARMM, exactly congruent to the provisions of this agreement; or whether the people in the 14 provinces and ten cities covered by the Tripoli Agreement or the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) will approve it in the plebiscite called for the purpose; or whether the next president after President 'Ramos (unless he succeeds himself) honor this agreement and make concrete steps towards its realization.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8513" align="justify">
<div abp="8514">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8517" align="justify">
<div abp="8518">
<span abp="8519" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Granting that a congressional act is enacted into law to implement this agreement to the satisfaction of the government, the MNLF and the OIC, there are still potent groups that can make or unmake this agreement. These groups are simply not dispensable, namely, the "people," the MILF, the Moro Islamic Liberation Organization (MILO), the Abu Sayyaf, the Islamic Command Council (ICC), and the National Islamic Command Council (NICC). Each group has its own peculiar way of seeing and resolving this problem but, clearly, each pushes for a solution or change based on the teachings of Islam. They differ only in strategy and tactics in pursuing their goals.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8520" align="justify">
<div abp="8521">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8523" align="justify">
<div abp="8524">
<span abp="8525" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, the use of the word "people" needs clarification. This word refers to the Bangsamoro people who are mostly Muslims. If there is one word that has been overused, if not "exploited," it is this. Every group, including the government, alleges to be representing or acting for and in behalf of the people. In fact democracy, as claimed also by the Filipinos, is defined as a "government of the people, for the people, and by the people." The MNLF and the MILF also assert that they are mass-based organizations, hence, people's organizations or struggles. And if this argument is logically sound, then the people must not be a homogeneous body, but are splintered or divided, with each subgroup belonging or loyal either to the state, a distinct group, or an organization. And again if that is the case, then no organization, not even the state, can legitimately represent the people.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8526" align="justify">
<div abp="8527">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8529" align="justify">
<div abp="8530">
<span abp="8531" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now if the state or every organization claims to be speaking for the people, how can we determine which one is telling the truth?</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8532" align="justify">
<div abp="8533">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8536" align="justify">
<div abp="8537">
<span abp="8538" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The answer lies on which group epitomizes the true sentiments. and aspirations of the people it represents. That group would have the genuine support of the people - and hence, is truly the people's organization.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8539" align="left">
<div abp="8540">
<span abp="8541" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8542" align="center">
<div abp="8543">
<strong abp="8544"><span abp="8545" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Foreign Interference: Age-Old Evil</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="8546" align="left">
<div abp="8547">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8549" align="justify">
<div abp="8550">
<span abp="8551" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The state of affairs in Mindanao is also greatly influenced by external pressures or foreign interference. Foreign interference, whether expressed directly or indirectly, does not only affect the formulation of government policies, but also the turn of events in the area, particularly in terms of internal conflict and the economic life of the people. These external political forces, to enumerate the lead actors, count the OIC, the United States, Japan, West Germany, Great Britain, Canada, France, Taiwan, and most of the ASEAN states.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8552" align="justify">
<div abp="8553">
<span abp="8554" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today, it is a fact in global power-play politics that one state or group of states interferes with or intervenes in the affairs of another state or states by request, imposition or outright invasion. Classical cases of intervention included those in Korea, Palestine, Israel, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Yugoslavia, Argentina, and Ethiopia.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8555" align="justify">
<div abp="8556">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8559" align="justify">
<div abp="8560">
<span abp="8561" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Intervention, per se, is bad and against the Charter of the United Nations. This is the general rule. The exception applies in special cases. But today this exception smackingly and slowly becomes the general rule. In the name - or under the guise - of humanitarian or global security reasons, intervention is committed everywhere, especially by big and powerful nations.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8562" align="justify">
<div abp="8563">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8566" align="justify">
<div abp="8567">
<span abp="8568" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Towards what direction and what gain does interference bring to people and the termination of conflict? Would it promote. genuine peace and development, say, in Mindanao?</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8569" align="justify">
<div abp="8570">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8572" align="justify">
<div abp="8573">
<span abp="8574" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Invariably, the state formulates foreign policy and conducts diplomatic relations solely on the basis of national interest. "My country, right or wrong" is still the foundation of all foreign policies of nations today. It has not changed with the passing of time and the coming of state-of-the-art technology.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8575" align="justify">
<div abp="8576">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8578" align="justify">
<div abp="8579">
<span abp="8580" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be this as it may, the fact is that using the good offices of a third party in the settlement of a state's internal dispute is a widely accepted practice. It is gaining acceptance among states world-wide, either as a matter of expediency or an addition to the practice of diplomacy. The OIC's role in the Mindanao conflict was in line with this usage. Its participation was deemed beneficial to all the parties in the conflict. The OIC was merely helping the peace initiatives to move forward and succeed. Except in 1979 and 1980, the OIC nor any member state had tried directly to arbitrarily pressure the government. By and large, OIC efforts have been exceptionally within the ambit of diplomatic etiquette and procedure.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8581" align="justify">
<div abp="8582">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8584" align="justify">
<div abp="8585">
<span abp="8586" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The case of the United States is a different story. For the U.S., the stakes in the Philippines are high and varied. The three most important considerations are political, economic and military, all strategically related to her global prime standing as the world No. 1 superpower and the world's policeman. In all three, she needs the Philippines, which she finds to be a steady and willing partner. The Philippines has consistently shown her loyalty and the United States simply does not want to lose that loyalty, or is willing to write this off. It is a valued prize, not much from friendship but because American national and global interests demand it.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8587" align="justify">
<div abp="8588">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8591" align="justify">
<div abp="8592">
<span abp="8593" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But unlike its past practice, the U.S. <i abp="8594">exerts pressure </i>today through her huge investment here. American multinational companies operating in Mindanao have earned huge profits from lands that used to belong to many indigenous tribes.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8595" align="justify">
<div abp="8596">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8598" align="justify">
<div abp="8599">
<span abp="8600" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In some covert ways, the United States is also helping the government in its counterinsurgency campaigns, especially against the Communist New People's Army and, expectedly, including the so-called Islamic extremists. The victory of either one of these perceived enemies, or just a serious military setback from them suffered by the "client state" such as the Philippines, could send a wrong signal to allies and foes alike and to her business partners abroad.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8601" align="justify">
<div abp="8602">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8604" align="justify">
<div abp="8605">
<span abp="8606" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For instance, the psychological-military doctrine of Low Intensity Conflict (LIC), though generally applied as an instrument of US military aggression in Central America in the early 1980s, had its roots traceable to the anti-communist campaigns in the Philippines.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8607" align="justify">
<div abp="8608">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8611" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="8612">
<span abp="8613" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="8614">Militarization: The Main Punch</strong></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8615" align="center">
<div abp="8616">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8620" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8621">
<span abp="8622" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What is the reason for the continued military buildup in Mindanao amidst the successes of the government peace initiatives? If the civilian government is talking peace or reaping the fruits of peace, why is the military preparing for war? Is the government already abandoning the political approach in favor of a military option?</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8623" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8624">
<span abp="8625" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a background, let us have a flashback of the status of Militarization in Mindanao more than two decades ago. In 1972, the AFP was barely 70,000 in strength and its annual budget was only P500 million. At the height of the rebellion in 1973-1975, the number swelled to more than 300 percent or 250,000 with a yearly expenditure of P 3.5 billion, or an increase of 700 percent. In 1982, AFP regulars reached 275,000 and military spending skyrocketed from 1"1 7.1 billion in 1981 to P8.3 billion.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8626" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8627">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8630" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8631">
<span abp="8632" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sixty percent of the army, half of the Marines, one-third of the Coast Guard, and 6,080 Air Force personnel and 200 pilots were deployed in Mindanao. In addition, there were 7,500 constables, 11,900 policemen, 64,000 ICHDFs and 35,000 paramilitary forces.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8633" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8634">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8637" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8638">
<span abp="8639" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="8640" style="color: navy;">Today, more than half of the AFP total strength is now deployed in strategic areas in Mindanao, estimated at 40 to 45 battalions with</span><span abp="8641" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="8642" style="color: navy;">60,000 to 70,000 men. Also stationed here are 40 percent of AFP artillery capability, 50 percent of armor assets, and 63 percent of tactical aircraft. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8643" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8644">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8647">
<span abp="8648" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The massive troop buildup heavily saturated the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Sulu, followed by Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and South Cotabato. The dangers inherent in this kind of situation always hangs onminously in the air. The perpetuation of the previous widespread violations of human rights through summary executions, warrantless arrests, disappearances, seizures, and tortures, forced dislocation, hamletting, raids and bombings will most likely stay.</span></div>
<div abp="8649">
<span abp="8650" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8651" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8652">
<span abp="8653" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a Matter of fact, even after the signing of the GRP-NINLF Peace Agreement heavy fighting is still taking place in many parts of Mindanao. The Abu Sayyaf<i abp="8654"> </i>after having stepped into the vacuum left by the MNLF, started to step up its attacks on government troops and installations in Basilan and Sulu. Moreover, the MILF massed troops to fight off naked AFP aggressions in Cotabato, Maguindanao, Basilan and Davao del Sur. And the highland tribes are now fighting back in Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, Surigao and Sarangani after they have been systematically pushed to the wall by settlers, loggers, and miners, and multinational investors. These confrontations are expected to increase and aggravate in the coming months or years as the forces of vested interest groups are getting more and more favorable treatment from the government.</span></div>
<div abp="8655">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8657" align="left">
<div abp="8658">
<span abp="8659" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8660" align="center">
<div abp="8661">
<strong abp="8662"><span abp="8663" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Severe Deprivation: In Continuum</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div abp="8664" align="center">
<div abp="8665">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8669" align="left">
<div abp="8670">
<span abp="8671" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8672" align="left">
<div abp="8673">
<span abp="8674" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8675" align="center">
<div abp="8676">
<span abp="8677" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8678" align="center">
<div abp="8679">
<span abp="8680" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<table abp="8681" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="AutoNumber3" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody abp="8682">
<tr abp="8683"><td abp="8684" height="100%" valign="top" width="25"><div abp="8685">
<span abp="8686" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</td><td abp="8687" dir="ltr" height="100%" width="100%"><div abp="8688">
<span abp="8689" style="color: navy;"><span abp="8690" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="8691">1. Socio-Economic Marginalization </b>- The areas occupied by the Moros are generally one of the most depressed in the Philippines today. Life is so miserable that people could hardly make both ends meet - they are already at the edge of the socio-economic survival. It is often said that the Moros 400 years ago were better off then than their descendants today, despite the blessings of modernism, science and technology.</span></span></div>
<div abp="8692">
<span abp="8693" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8694" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8695">
<span abp="8696" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, poverty is not the monopoly of the Moros alone. In fact it is besieging almost every home in the Philippines. On the eve of the imposition of Martial Law, one out of every two families was poor. In 1986, three out of every five families were poor.' Statistics showed that the poorest of the poor depended only on rice, corn, sugar and coconut production. Most of the poverty-stricken families are found in the rural communities.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8697">
<span abp="8698" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8699" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8700">
<span abp="8701" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Moros are overwhelmingly rural dwellers, although many are finding the cities as their new-found havens due to the raging conflict on the countrysides. Based on the 1991 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, average household incomes among the Moros were generally low. At least 83 percent of Moro families lived below the poverty line." Majority of Moros get their income from agriculture, mainly subsistence farming and fishing. Crop farming, aqua-farm cultivation and orchard farming are among the priority occupations. Poultry raising, mat-weaving, and vegetable gardening are also practiced.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8702">
<span abp="8703" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8704" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8705">
<span abp="8706" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span abp="8707" style="color: navy;">The usual reason given for this abject poverty is indolence of the</span><span abp="8708" style="color: navy;"> </span><span abp="8709" style="color: navy;">Moros. The same accusation was hurled against the now industrious Filipinos (formerly <i abp="8710">Indios) </i>by the Spaniards. The truth is: when any member of the human race, including a Moro, is motivated, as the Filipino now proves to be, he will become hard-working and productive.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8711" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8712">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8715">
<span abp="8716" style="color: navy;"><span abp="8717" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="8718">2. Landlessness</b> - The Moros are landless. The 1991 Census of Agriculture put the average farm size of 2.7 hectares for every family. Communal system of land ownership still persists. Several Moros still own a piece of land that is inherited from generation to generation. Most of their lands are untitled or titled in other people's names.</span></span></div>
<div abp="8719">
<span abp="8720" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="8721">
<span abp="8722" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span abp="8723" style="color: navy;">However, the crux of the land issue is the contradiction between the state's legal system and the communal system prevalent among the Moros. This conflict of legal perception about land ownership had given rise to many related problems, such as landgrabbing by the moneyed and powerful and the expropriation of vast tract of land by the state to giant transnational companies.</span></span></div>
<div abp="8724">
<span abp="8725" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8726" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8727">
<span abp="8728" style="color: navy;"><span abp="8729" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="8730">3. Poor Basic Services</b> - The Moros are also deprived of basic services, such as electricity, potable water, sanitary toilet facilities, etc. The 1990 Census of Population and Housing indicated that, in Sulu, only 9.4 percent of the households had electricity, in Tawi-Tawi, 10.0 percent, in Maguindanao, 25.8 percent, in Lanao del Sur, 34.9 percent, and in Basilan, 19.4 percent."</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8731">
<span abp="8732" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8733" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8734">
<span abp="8735" style="color: navy;"><span abp="8736" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b abp="8737">4. Low Literacy</b> - In the field of education, more than onefourth of the population has neither entered school nor finished elementary schooling. Primary education is the highest educational attainment enjoyed by two-fifths of the population. For every 20 elementary graduates, only seven finish high school and only one survives to finish a college diploma."</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8738">
<span abp="8739" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8740">
<span abp="8741" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8742" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8743">
<span abp="8744" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Infant mortality among the Moros is higher due to unhealthy environmental conditions. There is inadequate access to medical services, poor health education and malnutrition.</span></div>
<div abp="8745">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8747" align="center" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8748">
<span abp="8749" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="8750">The Enemy Within: Harder to Crack</strong></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8751">
<span abp="8752" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span abp="8753" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
<div abp="8754">
<span abp="8755" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is wisdom - no matter how it hurts - in the statement of Atty. Patricio Diaz, former Editor of the <i abp="8756">Mindanao Kris, </i>when he addressed the following statement to the Muslims in general and to their leaders in particular. Let us comment on it later in this section.</span></div>
<div abp="8757">
<br /></div>
<div abp="8758" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8759">
<span abp="8760" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here are his words:</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8761">
<span abp="8762" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8763" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8764">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8767">
<span abp="8768" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><i abp="8769"></i></div>
<div abp="8770" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8771">
<i abp="8772"><span abp="8773" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Apparently, the leaders and the people in the Muslim Provinces have different outlook, foresight and priorities from those of the leaders and people in Christian provinces. This difference makes a big different achievements.</span></i></div>
</div>
<div abp="8774">
<i abp="8775">
<span abp="8776" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i><br />
<div abp="8777" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8778">
</div>
</div>
<i abp="8781">
<span abp="8782" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i><br />
<div abp="8783" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8784">
<i abp="8781"><span abp="8785" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">All leaders in the Christian provinces tell their people to look forward to the year 2000 and beyond. Many Muslim leaders tell their people to look back to 1900 and farther back highlighting their lost glory, the oppressions they have suffered and are suffering, and their being a different nation. Different motivations make different achievements."</span></i></div>
</div>
<i abp="8781">
<span abp="8786" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></i><br />
<div abp="8787">
<br /></div>
<div abp="8788" align="left" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8789">
<span abp="8790" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="8791">
<span abp="8792" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8793" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8794">
<span abp="8795" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="8796" style="color: navy;">The tyranny of the self over self is what we refer to here as the</span> <span abp="8797" style="color: navy;">enemy within. Let us remember that when we point two accusing fingers at someone, our other three fingers are pointing back at us. While it is pointless to argue that the mother of all the culprits in the whole mess in Mindanao and Sulu is the colonization of this region, this does not mean that the Moros, particularly the leaders, have not been party to the aggravation of the situation. Dulawan (Buayan or Buhayen) is as old as or older than Manila, but see what is there in Dulawan that is good for the eyes to see. There may have been improvements lately, but rarely have they interested even the local population. There is really a sad lack - many, many things wanting in the leaders who have generally failed to discharge their duties to their people. While many or most of them have kept on enriching themselves, the people have continued to wallow in poverty and other deprivation.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8798">
<span abp="8799" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8800" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8801">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8804">
<span abp="8805" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8806" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8807">
<span abp="8808" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">By the same token, the individual Moro or the entire population, with many exceptions, can be faulted also. They appear to have learned nothing and, by their misdeeds or omissions, they have excluded themselves from among what the Almighty has described as "the best of creations." What our forefathers used to do many centuries ago, they have continued to hold on to, despite the passing of time and the coming of the 21st century. Take for instance, the matter of building a house. A great many if not most of our forefathers would consult a "fortune-teller" before erecting a house in a particular spot. Many of us are still. doing the same thing and look what has happened in most Moro communities, in the Supermarket, Cotabato City, in Taluksangay, Zamboanga City, in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, etc. Although there may be other reasons for-their pathetic situation, certainly this superstition, which is contrary to Islamic teachings, has been primarily responsible and is still prevalent.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8809">
<span abp="8810" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8811" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8812">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8815">
<span abp="8816" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8817" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8818">
<span abp="8819" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This traditional disposition and outlook that generally makes up the Moro psyche' or frame of mind has stunted development and brought negative consequences. Its acceptance seems so widespread that its beholders appear powerless to change in conformity with the demand of the modern age. These Moro should heed the injunction in the Holy Qur'an, which says: "God does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in their hearts."</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8820">
<span abp="8821" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8822" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8823">
<span abp="8824" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Atty. Patricio Diaz was right </span><span abp="8825" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">when he practicaIly charged many Muslim leaders of leading their people back in time; to fantasize on the glory of the past and blame others for their present condition as if admitting indirectly that they have failed and have not been men enough to put up a square fight.</span>
<span abp="8826" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8827" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8828">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8830">
<span abp="8831" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8832" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8833">
<span abp="8834" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the other hand, Mr. Diaz seemed to have failed to understand that the Muslims and their leaders are just human beings and, as such it is natural for them to prefer what is good or desirable from what is bad or undesirable. If the Muslims are looking back to the past, it is because that past represents the best of their lives, while the Christians may not be too eager to remember it because, then, they were considered no more than "slaves," "pintados," "indios," "indolent," etc. Their best world is now, in the present and in the future because, as successors of the colonizers, they now run the whole show. They control everything, have the power, access to state funds and resources, and greater opportunities; and above all, they decide and predetermine the destiny of the Moros. </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="8835">
<span abp="8836" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8837" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8838">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="8841">
<span abp="8842" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div abp="8843" align="justify" dir="ltr">
<div abp="8844">
<span abp="8845" style="color: navy; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is history that the Moros fought for more than three centuries against the superpowers of the time and they were not utterly routed. If they are what they are now, it is because of circumstances, of which they have no control. It is now up to the "only Christian nation in Asia" to show what Christian justice and morality are all about in addressing an "historic injustice" committed to the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu! No amount of moralizing argument could justify the colonization of the Moros. The Moros do not demand the whole moon; they are just seeking for a rightful share of the political pie!</span></div>
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<span abp="8851" style="color: navy;"><strong abp="8852"><span abp="8853" style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">MUSLIMS VIEW THEIR HISTORY</span></strong></span></div>
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<span abp="8863" style="color: navy;"><span abp="8871" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Muslims throughout the world generally have tended to look at their history as a process tending towards justice, provided men make the effort to work for it. But more than this, there is the widespread belief that the historical process is not solely the result of Man’s intentions and actions but there is also the Merciful and Compassionate Deity who is involved in the direction of such a process. Thus, concomitant with the belief that life on earth is a severe moral test, there is always the hope that living the Islamic way of life makes it more purposive and tends to bring about a social situation where justice and good life become operative.<o:p abp="8872"> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="8863" style="color: navy;"><a abp="8879" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvthmBV6ZTEPgYVx_wMmggpIMXZp_9-_vDFo178CJsMUH8kLYYxzqomr8SMrmFJ1PqgW2j8czk78YwT4nd1Tk7m2RWke86E461UG3z7DYJFK_GLAiIYLPoX3g11EsrWoIESbIPSkbt1k/s1600/bangsamoro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="8880" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="8881" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvthmBV6ZTEPgYVx_wMmggpIMXZp_9-_vDFo178CJsMUH8kLYYxzqomr8SMrmFJ1PqgW2j8czk78YwT4nd1Tk7m2RWke86E461UG3z7DYJFK_GLAiIYLPoX3g11EsrWoIESbIPSkbt1k/s400/bangsamoro.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span abp="8890" lang="EN-US" style="color: navy;"><span abp="8891" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because of all this, it becomes understandable why Muslims in the Philippines believe that the coming of Islam to the Philippines, and hence their being Muslims, constitutes an instance of Allah’s mercy and graciousness. Also understandable is the belief that their bitter wars against the Spaniards and Americans, their resistance to any form of European colonial design or foreign economic exploitation, and even their internecine quarrels and the chronic epidemics that have visited them have served to maintain their integrity as an Islamic Community.<o:p abp="8892"> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="8900" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span abp="8901" lang="EN-US" style="color: navy;">In so far as they are aware of belonging to a definite religious community, Muslims in the Philippines have always made an effort to understand their past and have never ceased to recall those men who, on account of personal traits, character, and leadership, have helped to guarantee the preservation of Islam in the Philippines in spite of the determined efforts of their antagonists to deprive them of their religion, land, and knowledge of their ancient past. A careful analysis of the history of the Muslims in the Philippines will reveal that the character and attitudes of present-day Muslims are not only the result of what they have made out of themselves but also of what others have forced them to become. Thus it is important to know how Islam was introduced and how it expanded in the Philippines. We need to know also those forces, which came into conflict with Islam, forces which helped to shape the character of the present day Muslim Filipino.<o:p abp="8902"> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="8974" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I copied this story from Jaime Makabayan Blog, who was able
to secure permission from the Author Salah Jubair through a Facebook Friend.</span></div>
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<strong abp="8984"><span abp="8985" style="color: lime; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Youtube Videos</span></strong></div>
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<span abp="9045" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong abp="9046">Related topics :</strong></span></div>
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<span abp="9054" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span abp="9057" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9058" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The bravery of Corralat / Sultan Kudarat (1636–37 The Conquest
of Mindanao)<o:p abp="9059"></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="9062" style="line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9063" href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/06/bravery-of-corralat-sultan-kudarat.html"><span abp="9064" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/06/bravery-of-corralat-sultan-kudarat.html</span></a></span></div>
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<span abp="9074" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9075" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Corcuera’s Campaign in Jolo - March–April, 1638<o:p abp="9076"></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="9079" style="line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9080" href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/06/corcueras-campaign-in-jolo-marchapril.html"><span abp="9081" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/06/corcueras-campaign-in-jolo-marchapril.html</span></a></span></div>
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<span abp="9089" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9090" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Battle of Bud Bagsak in Sulu<o:p abp="9091"></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span abp="9094" style="line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9095" href="http://jibrael.blogspot.jp/2007/10/battle-of-bud-bagsak-in-sulu.html"><span abp="9096" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://jibrael.blogspot.jp/2007/10/battle-of-bud-bagsak-in-sulu.html</span></a></span></div>
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<span abp="9106" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9107" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Battle of Bud Dajo - Jolo Sulu<o:p abp="9108"></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div abp="9110">
<span abp="9111" style="line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9112" href="http://jibrael.blogspot.jp/2007/10/battle-of-bud-dajo.html"><span abp="9113" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://jibrael.blogspot.jp/2007/10/battle-of-bud-dajo.html</span></a></span></div>
<div abp="9114">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="9118" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9119">
<span abp="9120" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="9121" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div abp="9122">
<span abp="9123" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9124" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Mindanao Conflict and the Jabidah Massacre<o:p abp="9125"></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9126" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9127">
<span abp="9128" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9129" href="http://jibrael.blogspot.jp/2007/05/mindanao-conflict.html">http://jibrael.blogspot.jp/2007/05/mindanao-conflict.html</a></span></div>
<div abp="9130">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="9134" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9135">
<span abp="9136" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="9137" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div abp="9138">
<span abp="9139" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9140" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Land of the Moros<o:p abp="9141"></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9142" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9143">
<span abp="9144" style="line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9145" href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/08/land-of-moros.html"><span abp="9146" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/08/land-of-moros.html</span></a></span></div>
<div abp="9147">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="9151" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9152">
<span abp="9153" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="9154" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div abp="9155">
<span abp="9156" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9157" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sultan Mahamad Alimudin of Sulu - renamed by Spaniards as
Ferdinand I<o:p abp="9158"></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9159" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9160">
<span abp="9161" style="line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9162" href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/07/sultan-mahamad-alimudin-of-sulu.html"><span abp="9163" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/07/sultan-mahamad-alimudin-of-sulu.html</span></a></span></div>
<div abp="9164">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="9168" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9169">
<span abp="9170" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="9171" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div abp="9172">
<span abp="9173" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9174" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Relation of the Conquest of the Island of Luzon, 1571 – 1572<o:p abp="9175"></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9176" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9177">
<span abp="9178" style="line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9179" href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/06/relation-of-conquest-of-island-of-luzon.html"><span abp="9180" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/06/relation-of-conquest-of-island-of-luzon.html</span></a></span></div>
<div abp="9181">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="9185" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9186">
<span abp="9187" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="9188" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div abp="9189">
<span abp="9190" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9191" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Relation of the Voyage to Luzon 1570 - Conquest of Manila<o:p abp="9192"></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9193" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9194">
<span abp="9195" style="line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9196" href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/06/relation-of-voyage-to-luzon-1570.html"><span abp="9197" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2010/06/relation-of-voyage-to-luzon-1570.html</span></a></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9198" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9199">
<span abp="9200" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="9201" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9202">
<span abp="9203" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="9204" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9205">
<span abp="9206" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9207" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sabah / North Borneo and the Sultanate of Sulu<o:p abp="9208"></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9209" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9210">
<span abp="9211" style="line-height: 115%;"><a abp="9212" href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2013/03/sabah-north-borneo-and-sultanate-of-sulu.html"><span abp="9213" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.jp/2013/03/sabah-north-borneo-and-sultanate-of-sulu.html</span></a></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9214" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9215">
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</div>
<div abp="9216" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="9217">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="9219" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="9220">
<span abp="9221" style="line-height: 115%;">************************************************************</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9222" align="left" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="9223">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="9224">
<span abp="9225" style="line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div abp="9226" align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span abp="9227" style="line-height: 115%;">
</span>
<br />
<div abp="9228" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div abp="9229">
<span abp="9227" style="line-height: 115%;"><span abp="9230" lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span abp="9231" style="font-family: "calibri";"><span abp="9232" style="font-size: large;"><span abp="9233" style="color: blue;"><strong abp="9234">Meet the members
of the Transition Commission<o:p abp="9235"></o:p></strong></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="9227" style="line-height: 115%;">
</span>
<br />
<div abp="9236" align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span abp="9227" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span abp="9237" lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">MANILA, Philippines -- Fifteen
individuals will perform the task of drafting the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro
political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM). <o:p abp="9238"></o:p></span><br abp="9239" />
</span><br />
<div abp="9240" align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span abp="9227" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span abp="9241" lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Led by Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, <a abp="9242" href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/25433-transcom-sabah-beyond-our-mandate-milf"><span abp="9243" style="color: blue;">the
Transition Commission convened for the first time on Wednesday, April 3</span></a>.<o:p abp="9244"></o:p></span><br abp="9245" />
<div abp="9246" align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span abp="9247" lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">The body was created by virtue of
<a abp="9248" href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/18123-aquino-signs-eo-on-bangsamoro-transition-commission-amid-technical-impasse"><span abp="9249" style="color: blue;">Executive
Order 120.</span></a> Eight of the members were nominated by the MILF while 7 were
nominated by the government. <o:p abp="9250"></o:p></span><br abp="9251" />
<div abp="9252" align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span abp="9253" lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">“The MILF views the commission as
its first initial partnership with the GPH (government of the Philippines),”
Iqbal said during the opening ceremonies for the commission's first meeting.
“We shall not work against each other but instead work with each other to
address the Moro problem or more correctly, the Moro question,” he added.<o:p abp="9254"></o:p></span><br abp="9255" />
<div abp="9256" align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span abp="9257" lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Who are the members of the
Transition Commission? They have one thing in common -- they are all
Bangsamoro. Get to know them here:<o:p abp="9258"></o:p></span><br abp="9259" />
<div abp="9260" align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div abp="9261" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div abp="9262">
<b abp="9263"><span abp="9264" lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Mohagher Iqbal
- Chairman</span></b></div>
</div>
<ul abp="9265" type="disc">
<li abp="9266" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span abp="9267" lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Also the
chief negotiator of the MILF on the peace talks<o:p abp="9268"></o:p></span></li>
<li abp="9269" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span abp="9270" lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Member of
the MILF Central Committee, chair of the committee on information<o:p abp="9271"></o:p></span></li>
<li abp="9272" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span abp="9273" lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Studied BA
Political Science and MA Political Science at the Manuel Quezon University<o:p abp="9274"></o:p></span></li>
<li abp="9275" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span abp="9276" lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Joined the
Moro National Liberation Front in 1972 after returning to Maguindanao from
Manila<o:p abp="9277"></o:p></span></li>
<li abp="9278" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span abp="9279" lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Joined the
MILF, then known as the New MNLF Leadership, in 1977<o:p abp="9280"></o:p></span></li>
<li abp="9281" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span abp="9282" lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Wrote two
books -- Bangsamoro: A Nation Under Endless Tyranny, and The Long Road to
Peace: Inside the GPH-MILF Peace Talks under the pen name Salah Jubair<o:p abp="9283"></o:p></span></li>
<li abp="9284" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span abp="9285" lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hails from
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao<o:p abp="9286"></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div abp="9287" align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span abp="9288" lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a abp="9289" href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/25461-meet-the-members-of-the-transition-commission">http://www.rappler.com/nation/25461-meet-the-members-of-the-transition-commission</a></span></span><br />
<div abp="9290">
<br /></div>
<div abp="9291">
<span abp="9292" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="9293" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="9294">
<span abp="9295" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p abp="9296">************************************************************</o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9297" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="9298">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="9301" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="9302">
<span abp="9303" style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Historical Photos of Bangsamoro</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="9304" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="9305">
</div>
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<a abp="9309" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvkKRRYh1FSliCsKe1gQcgbjNT-6QcTujNvqvVT-IgFugwOy-SFLp3FcaMfs89Ud93pgI_c8qmsoC9owDcVGjFs1vyVD0icUyVOgiPe0Jl9LJvAc2opISwHA6wz0C7OljhtQC31RZEGA/s1600/american+in+sulu+sultan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="9310" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="9311" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvkKRRYh1FSliCsKe1gQcgbjNT-6QcTujNvqvVT-IgFugwOy-SFLp3FcaMfs89Ud93pgI_c8qmsoC9owDcVGjFs1vyVD0icUyVOgiPe0Jl9LJvAc2opISwHA6wz0C7OljhtQC31RZEGA/s400/american+in+sulu+sultan.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a abp="9321" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4sbqDqBk4YAgWS2pKgiECoMlGFcaw9zIC22uH5rWbCniZlHXSKedSNWycAZCbCaHoMuunefEIgCdlzIpxBIbM-qGfA_fXVtAB0MqjRO4eEbafufYkAUxdnI-22MrJRbCtR9A8FtYUGE/s1600/Bates+-+Gen+Bates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="9322" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="9323" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4sbqDqBk4YAgWS2pKgiECoMlGFcaw9zIC22uH5rWbCniZlHXSKedSNWycAZCbCaHoMuunefEIgCdlzIpxBIbM-qGfA_fXVtAB0MqjRO4eEbafufYkAUxdnI-22MrJRbCtR9A8FtYUGE/s400/Bates+-+Gen+Bates.jpg" width="330" /></span></a></div>
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<a abp="9327" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8iwA7O9CwMSKZ7BOj3AKX2KwXN4dHOaOsiJlA-69zowDhKuod3FiDwcO2G3eFUcrbHl6rga2Ik_SaE20LakackvoDhPHEcHjhHR5gsV8Z19fYU-dwfqc_sWyDJnWSBSqwjSzbgklqOY/s1600/Bates+-Tausugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="9328" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="9329" border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8iwA7O9CwMSKZ7BOj3AKX2KwXN4dHOaOsiJlA-69zowDhKuod3FiDwcO2G3eFUcrbHl6rga2Ik_SaE20LakackvoDhPHEcHjhHR5gsV8Z19fYU-dwfqc_sWyDJnWSBSqwjSzbgklqOY/s400/Bates+-Tausugs.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a abp="9333" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlumAOKacI7uaAe1XwvBrFqu46Q5mvsF-tj7OhLmUK5XGtVnQBMtpaHUceWCqdK-yDbT16mBDIHtF4E4OiZ6UtWwS27Hujv2v_7xFczKHmCkExKdhytJesOBVBTW-nZfN32OU2m9eKOM/s1600/Bates+Treaty+-+page+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="9334" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="9335" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlumAOKacI7uaAe1XwvBrFqu46Q5mvsF-tj7OhLmUK5XGtVnQBMtpaHUceWCqdK-yDbT16mBDIHtF4E4OiZ6UtWwS27Hujv2v_7xFczKHmCkExKdhytJesOBVBTW-nZfN32OU2m9eKOM/s400/Bates+Treaty+-+page+1.JPG" width="378" /></span></a></div>
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<a abp="9339" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf61DccBT57qXj9UoZxGj7id8SVDNwjEnCGZ2sT-YqJQEjlOYFobqA3p42_0bOayHt96CDBQoWAQ4xqEqTd8QwmscFQ1sbeIGfcCaJCjanCwBWthUJN0PQbSCKhyphenhyphen3S7EFBURHmNvn-qCQ/s1600/Bates+Treaty+-+page+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span abp="9340" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img abp="9341" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf61DccBT57qXj9UoZxGj7id8SVDNwjEnCGZ2sT-YqJQEjlOYFobqA3p42_0bOayHt96CDBQoWAQ4xqEqTd8QwmscFQ1sbeIGfcCaJCjanCwBWthUJN0PQbSCKhyphenhyphen3S7EFBURHmNvn-qCQ/s400/Bates+Treaty+-+page+2.JPG" width="366" /></span></a></div>
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<span abp="9421" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bud Dajo</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-87510101548103966432016-05-25T21:51:00.001+08:002016-05-25T21:51:08.894+08:00South China Sea Dispute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDRy6DQFt6clrMgDwqBVyNMH28hCdGSpHH_UfUrfH6PI3QO7yamN6BwHOpDj9hQHDpT7i8AZlPo2kcMAAOy3BIQ59vsAHXqwXayUoXnFUnabvwlqlHlLJlMCQSFdOzfMRikEaltF_kyw/s1600/gaven+reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDRy6DQFt6clrMgDwqBVyNMH28hCdGSpHH_UfUrfH6PI3QO7yamN6BwHOpDj9hQHDpT7i8AZlPo2kcMAAOy3BIQ59vsAHXqwXayUoXnFUnabvwlqlHlLJlMCQSFdOzfMRikEaltF_kyw/s640/gaven+reef.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gaven Reefs is an LTE low tide elevation before China started making it as Articifial Island as per the British Admiralty book Sailing Direction.</span></div>
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The above official documents from the U.S. government can be found in the website of IRASEC.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reference : </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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http://www.radyo-filipino-australia.com/uploads/1/7/6/2/17625931/westphilippinesea-southchinasea-philippine-justice-antonio-carpo-presentation_.pdf</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Related story :</b></span></div>
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<b>Historical
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http://www.imoa.ph/imoawebexhibit/<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Top Philippine
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http://www.rappler.com/nation/60167-top-philippine-judge-carpio-chinese-maps-china<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Long history
of PH management</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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http://opinion.inquirer.net/42821/long-history-of-ph-management<o:p></o:p></div>
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http://jaimedelacruzblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/ang-batuhan-na-kinamkam-ng-tsina.html<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Three
Centuries of Philippine Maps 1598 to present era.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/11/three-centuries-of-philippine-maps-1598.html<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>West Philippine
Sea Arbitration - Philippines won in First round</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/10/west-philippine-sea-arbitration.html<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>We must
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http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/03/we-must-recover-our-scarborough-shoal.html<o:p></o:p></div>
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http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/01/china-constructing-artificial-islands.html<o:p></o:p></div>
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http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/04/ayungin-shoal-philippines-last-line-of.html<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Download
Justice Antonio T. Carpio’s Presentation on West Philippine Sea Dispute (South
China Sea Dispute)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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http://www.iss.nl/fileadmin/ASSETS/iss/Documents/News___events_docs/SouthChinaSea_Dispute_May2015.pdf<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h1 class="eza-title" id="headline" itemprop="headline" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: -0.03em; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">US Navy edges back to Subic Bay in Philippines – under new rules</span></h1>
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http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2015/1112/US-Navy-edges-back-to-Subic-Bay-in-Philippines-under-new-rules</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-84515163006400472542016-05-25T21:49:00.001+08:002016-05-25T21:49:03.748+08:00Spratly islands and Bajo de Masinloc in Ancient Chinese Maps, Spanish and other Foreign Maps.<br />
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<b>A Cartographic Exhibit</b></div>
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<b>Based on the 06 June 2014 Lecture of</b></div>
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<b>Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio</b></div>
<br />
<h2 class="blurb">
Maps merely constitute information which varies in accuracy from case to case; of themselves, and by virtue solely of their existence, they cannot constitute a territorial title, that is, a document endowed by international law with intrinsic legal force for the purpose of establishing territorial rights." Burkina Faso/Republic of Mali (1986 I.C.J. 554) <br /><br /> Thus, a state cannot enlarge its rights under international law by its own unilateral acts or domestic legislation. Yet, this is exactly what China did in 1947 when China drew its nine- dashed line map in the South China Sea, claiming as basis historical facts. <br /><br /> Despite the irrelevance of historical facts to present-day maritime claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ancient maps of China made by Chinese authorities, Chinese individuals or foreigners, and ancient maps of the Philippines made by Westerners, Philippine authorities or individuals, vividly present the actual historical facts in the South China Sea. </h2>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Historical Truths and Lies - </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Scarborough Shoal in Ancient Maps</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.imoa.ph/imoawebexhibit/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Map of China during Ming Dynasty not showing Scarborough shoal or Spratly</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="background-color: white;"><b> as part of China.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="background-color: white;">* * * * * </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Ancient Chinese maps showing Hainan island as the southernmost territory of China. </b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="background-color: white;">From </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman";">IRASEC</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b>Spanish and other foreign maps showing either P. de Mandato, or Panacot shoal, </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b>or Bajo de Masinloc which is the other name for Scarborough shoal.</b></span></span></div>
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<h1 class="headlines" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 7px; padding: 0px 0px 3px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Malaspina Expedition 1789–1794 </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em;">http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9780904180817</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"ISLAS
FILIPINAS - MAPA GENERAL - OBSERVATORIO DE MANILA"</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Published
in 1899 in Washington, D.C. by the Jesuit Jose P. Algue and the U.S. Coast and
Geodetic Survey. </span><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The map shows "B. Masinloc." </span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><b>Edited Spanish maps pointing to Scarborough and Spratly.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><b>Malaspinas Expedition</b></span></span></div>
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<h1 class="headlines" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 7px; padding: 0px 0px 3px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Malaspina Expedition 1789–1794 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em;">http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9780904180817</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Present era Maps of the Philippines</b></span></span><br />
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<b>Philippine held islands in Kalayaan Islands Group.</b><br />
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<b>Bajo de Masinloc - Scarborough shoal to Zambales coast.</b><br />
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<b>Bajo de Masinloc - Scarborough shoal</b><br />
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<b>If our Bajo de Masinloc became a permanent PRC Chinese territory then they can reclaim even ten percent of the shoal and they can build a huge naval and military base that can threaten the security of our country.</b></div>
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<b>Quoted from : </b></div>
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<b>"</b><span style="text-align: center;">On the matter of Bajo de Masinloc/Scarborough Shoal, it must not be allowed by Manila to turn into a dagger pointing at the throat of the Philippines given its proximity to its centers of gravity in Luzon such as the capital city, airports and ports in the National Capital Region and Central Luzon. Any military officer versed in military affairs would find that easy to discern not unless he specialized in business administration.</span></div>
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Eventually Manila must muster the political will and courage to steam back to that shoal and face off once again with the Chinese and frustrate what they are doing there. What China is doing to the Philippines at Ayungin must be done by Manila to the Chinese at Bajo de Masinloc. China will not withdraw there even if there is a favorable ruling for the Philippines from the international tribunal on the arbitration case.</div>
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<b>Pls read more below :</b></div>
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<b> Securing the Shoals - What must be done ?</b></div>
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<b> http://www.interaksyon.com/article/67903/securing-the-shoals--what-must-be-done</b></div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/West%20Philippines%20Sea/Malampaya%20Oilfields/malampaya%20chart%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/West%20Philippines%20Sea/Malampaya%20Oilfields/malampaya%20chart%202.jpg" height="614" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Our Malampaya Oilfield on the coast of Palawan</b></div>
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<b>Our Malampaya Oilfields off the coast of Palawan.</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman";"><b>Related story </b>:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></div>
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Top
Philippine judge uses Chinese maps vs China<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/60167-top-philippine-judge-carpio-chinese-maps-china">http://www.rappler.com/nation/60167-top-philippine-judge-carpio-chinese-maps-china</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Historical
Truths and Lies<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.imoa.ph/imoawebexhibit/">http://www.imoa.ph/imoawebexhibit/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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SCARBOROUGH
SHOAL<o:p></o:p></div>
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Long history
of PH management<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://opinion.inquirer.net/42821/long-history-of-ph-management">http://opinion.inquirer.net/42821/long-history-of-ph-management</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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IRASEC –
Geopolitics of Scarborough Shoal<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.irasec.com/ouvrage34">http://www.irasec.com/ouvrage34</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Download
Justice Antonio T. Carpio’s Presentation on West Philippine Sea Dispute (South
China Sea Dispute)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.iss.nl/fileadmin/ASSETS/iss/Documents/News___events_docs/SouthChinaSea_Dispute_May2015.pdf">http://www.iss.nl/fileadmin/ASSETS/iss/Documents/News___events_docs/SouthChinaSea_Dispute_May2015.pdf</a><o:p></o:p><br />
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Three
Centuries of Philippine Maps 1598 to present era.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/11/three-centuries-of-philippine-maps-1598.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/11/three-centuries-of-philippine-maps-1598.html</a></span><br />
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West
Philippine Sea Arbitration - Philippines won in First round<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/10/west-philippine-sea-arbitration.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/10/west-philippine-sea-arbitration.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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We must
recover our Scarborough Shoal from China's illegal occupation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/03/we-must-recover-our-scarborough-shoal.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/03/we-must-recover-our-scarborough-shoal.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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China
constructing Artificial Islands in some reefs of our Kalayaan Islands Group in
West Philippine Sea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/01/china-constructing-artificial-islands.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/01/china-constructing-artificial-islands.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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BRP Sierra
Madre at Ayungin Shoal - Philippine's Last Line of Defense Against China's
Agression<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/04/ayungin-shoal-philippines-last-line-of.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/04/ayungin-shoal-philippines-last-line-of.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="watch-title " dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Justice Antonio Carpio on the South China Sea dispute"><span style="font-size: small;">Justice Antonio Carpio on the South China Sea dispute</span></span></h1>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-60554140484852294702016-05-25T21:46:00.003+08:002016-05-25T21:46:48.581+08:00Three Centuries of Philippine Maps - 1598 to present era.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Petrus Kaerius, Amsterdam, 1598, Philippinae</b></div>
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This small map is historic for being the first individual map of the Philippines, already within its established historical borders.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Robert Dudley (1573-1642) Florence 1646. Carta particolare </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">del mare e costa di Manilla.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Carta particolare dello Stretto di Manilla nel Isole Filipine.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Carta particolare dell'Isole Filipine e di Luzon.</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nicolas Sanson d'Abberville, Paris, 1632. Les Isles Philippines; Amsterdam, 1655. De Philippynsche Eilanden</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Sanson was the first great cartographer of 17th century France.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nicolas Sanson d'Abberville, Paris, 1632. Les Isles Philippines; Amsterdam, 1655. De Philippynsche Eilanden</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Sanson was the first great cartographer of 17th century France.</span></div>
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<b>Pierre du Val, Paris, 1663, Isles Philippines</b></div>
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<b>Pierre du Val, Nuremberg, 1694. Insulae Philippinae</b></div>
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<b>Allain Mallet, Paris, 1682; Les Isles Philippines</b>.</div>
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Published in Decriptionde l'Univers, Paris, 1683. the map has a print of a naval battle at the bottom.</div>
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<b>Allain Mallet, Paris, 1682; Les Isles Philippines</b>.</div>
Published in Decriptionde l'Univers, Paris, 1683. the map has a print of a naval battle at the bottom.<br />
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<b>Robert Morden, London, 1689, The Philippine Isles.</b></div>
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This was one of the first British maps of the Philippines</div>
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Maps%20-%20Chart%20Foreign/Spanish%20maps%20-%201598%20to%201898%20Original%20size/page%2019%20-%20a%20-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Maps%20-%20Chart%20Foreign/Spanish%20maps%20-%201598%20to%201898%20Original%20size/page%2019%20-%20a%20-.jpg" /></a><b style="text-align: left;">Die Philippischeb Insuln.</b><span style="text-align: left;"> Johans Ulrich Muller/ GabrielBodenechr after Hirschmann hand-colored copper engraving. 1692 map from </span>Kurtz-buendige Abbild-und Vorstellung der guntzenWelt; pl 15; first revised edition published by George Wilhelm Kuehn in Ulm. No cartouche on map.</div>
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<b>Die Philippischeb Insuln senn.</b> Johans Ulrich Muller/ GabrielBodenechr after Hrschmann hand-colored copper engraving. 1702 (1692) map from "Kurtz-buendige Abbild-und Vorstellung der</div>
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guntzenWelt; pl 15a; published by George Wilhelm Kuehn in Frankfurt / Ulm. Later edition with</div>
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short text only but with vignette at bottompage: with cartouche in upper right of map "Insulae Philippinae"</div>
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<b>Die Philippischeb Insuln.</b> Johans Ulrich Muller/ GabrielBodenechr after Hirschmann hand-colored copper engraving. 1692 map from Kurtz-buendige Abbild-und Vorstellung der guntzenWelt; pl 15; </div>
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published by George Wilhem Kuehn in Ulm First edition extensive text and an upper right cartouche "Insulae Philippinae"</div>
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<b>Pedro Murillo Velarde, Manila, 1734.</b></div>
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<b>Carta hydrographica y chorogphica de las Islas Filipina</b></div>
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<b>Pedro Murillo Velarde, Manila, 1734.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Carta hydrographica y chorogphica de las Islas Filipina</b></div>
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<b>Pedro Murillo Velarde, Manila, 1734.</b></div>
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<b>Carta hydrographica y chorogphica de las Islas Filipina</b></div>
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<b>Later edition of Pedro Murillo Velarde, Manila, 1788. Mapa de las Yslas Filipinas.</b></div>
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Published in Historia General de Filipinas, byJuan de la Concepcion, Manila 1788. The line "De la Compania de Jesus" that appears on the previous Murillo maps has been removed.</div>
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<b>Pedro Murillo Vellarde, 1887. Mapa de las Yslas Filipinas</b></div>
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Published in Cartas de los P.P. de la Compania de Jesus de la Mission Filipinas. Earlier published in</div>
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DiccionarioGeografico-Estadistico-Historico de las Islas Filipinas., by Manuel Buzeta, Madrid, 1850.</div>
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<b>Pedro Murillo Villarde, 1892, Mapa de las Yslas Filipinas. </b></div>
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In Juan Jose Delgado S.J.'s Historia General Sacro-Profana.</div>
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<b>George Anson. London, 1748. A Chart of the Channelin the Philippine Island through which Manila Galleon passes together with the adjacent Islands.</b></div>
English, Dutch, and French versions of a map first published in "Voyage Round the World, by George Anson, London, 1748." This shows the normal route of the Manila Galleon from Manila past<br />
Mindoro, Romblon, and Masbate to San Bernardino Strait, " The Embarcadero"<br />
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<b>George Anson. London, 1748. A Chart of the Channelin the Philippine Island through which Manila Galleon passes together with the adjacent Islands.</b><br />
English, Dutch, and French versions of a map first published in "Voyage Round the World, by George Anson, London, 1748." This shows the normal route of the Manila Galleon from Manila past<br />
Mindoro, Romblon, and Masbate to San Bernardino Strait, " The Embarcadero"<br />
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<b>George Anson. London, 1748. A Chart of the Channelin the Philippine Island through which Manila Galleon passes together with the adjacent Islands.</b><br />
English, Dutch, and French versions of a map first published in "Voyage Round the World, by George Anson, London, 1748." This shows the normal route of the Manila Galleon from Manila past<br />
Mindoro, Romblon, and Masbate to San Bernardino Strait, " The Embarcadero"<br />
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<b>George Anson. London, 1748. A Chart of the Channelin the Philippine Island through which Manila Galleon passes together with the adjacent Islands.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
English, Dutch, and French versions of a map first published in "Voyage Round the World, by George Anson, London, 1748." This shows the normal route of the Manila Galleon from Manila past</div>
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Mindoro, Romblon, and Masbate to San Bernardino Strait, " The Embarcadero" </div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Jacques Nicolas Bellin, Paris, 1752. Cartes des Isles Philippines</b></div>
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J<b>acques Nicolas Bellin, Paris, 1752. Cartes des Isles Philippines. </b>This smaller map was printed on two sheets with Luzon in the upper sheet and the Visayas and Mindanao in the lower sheet.</div>
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<b>Thomas Kitchin, London, 1769. A new map of the Philippine Islands. </b></div>
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Kitchin was one of the most prolific map publishers in the latter part of the 18th century. His General Atlas was published in 1773.</div>
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<b>Johann Schreiber, 1789. The Philippine Islands in the Asian Sea.</b></div>
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<b>Chretien-Louis-Joseph de Guignes, Paris, 1808. Cartes de Iles Philippines</b></div>
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<b>Wilhelm Ernst August von Schlieben, Leipzig, 1925. </b></div>
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The Philippines is included among the Spanish colonies and is printed on the same sheet as some African islands.</div>
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<b>Charles Le Gobien, 1819</b></div>
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Untitled map first published in 1715.</div>
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<b>Joaquin Martinez de Zuniga, London, 1814. Mapa de las Islas Philipinas. </b><b style="text-align: left;">A correct map of the Philippine Islands. </b><span style="text-align: left;">Included in the English translation of his Historical View of the Philippine Islands.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><b>Philippe Vandermaelen, Brussels, 1827. Partie des Iles Philippines.</b></span></div>
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<b style="text-align: left;">Philippe Vandermaelen, Brussels, 1827. Partie des Iles Philippines.</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: left;">Alabern, Madrid, 1850. Islas Filipinas</b><br />
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<b style="text-align: left;">Anonymous, ca 1850, Mapa del Archipielago Filipino.</b><br />
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<b style="text-align: left;">Juan de la Puerta Vizcaino, Madrid, 1860, Islas Filipinas</b><br />
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<b>D. Martin Ferreiro, Madrid, 1864, Islas Filipinas</b><br />
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<b>B.C. Bachiller, Madrid 1852. Islas Espa</b>ñolas Filipinas, Carolinas y Marianas.<br />
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<b>Walter Blackie, London, 1860. The Philippine Islands.</b></div>
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<b>Edward Weller, London 1861. The Philippine Islands.</b></div>
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<b>Encyclopedia Britannica, 1875, Philippine Islands. </b><span style="text-align: left;">A map included </span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">in the ninth edition's entry on the Philippines.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"><b>Edward Stanford, London, 1890, The Philippine Islands.</b></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"><b>John Foreman, London, 1890, Map of the Philippines. </b></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This map was in the first edition of Foreman's book which had two later editions. </span></div>
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<b>H. Miralles, Barcelona, 1896. Islas Filipinas</b></div>
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<b>Fernando Fulgosio, Madrid, 1871. Islas Filipinas. </b>This was included in the<br />
"Cronica de las Islas Filipinas" published by Rubio. Grilo and Vitturi<br />
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<b>Fernando Fulgosio, Madrid, 1871. Islas Filipinas. </b>This was included in the </div>
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"Cronica de las Islas Filipinas" published by Rubio. Grilo and Vitturi</div>
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<b>W. Weisauer, Vienna, 1878. Karte von Nord-Luzon.</b></div>
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<b>Sud Luzon. </b>Map showing the route of Dr. Richard von Drasche.</div>
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<b>Allain Mallet, Paris, 1683. Manille</b></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Spanish maps showing Scarborough shoal and Spratly is part of Spanish Filipinas.</span></strong></div>
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<b>Permanent
Court of Arbitration - Philippines versus China </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/11/permanent-court-of-arbitration.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/11/permanent-court-of-arbitration.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>West
Philippine Sea Arbitration - Philippines won in First round</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/10/west-philippine-sea-arbitration.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/10/west-philippine-sea-arbitration.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Global Day of Prayer for Peace and Victory in the West
Philippine Sea</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/09/global-day-of-prayer-for-peace-and.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/09/global-day-of-prayer-for-peace-and.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>MARCHA
infront of China Consulate at Makati City</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/07/marcha-infront-of-china-consulate-at.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/07/marcha-infront-of-china-consulate-at.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>We must
recover our Scarborough Shoal from China's illegal occupation.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/03/we-must-recover-our-scarborough-shoal.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/03/we-must-recover-our-scarborough-shoal.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>China
constructing Artificial Islands in some reefs of our Kalayaan Islands Group in
West Philippine Sea. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/01/china-constructing-artificial-islands.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2015/01/china-constructing-artificial-islands.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Martsa para
sa Kalayaan infront of PRC Chinese Embassy at Makati</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/06/martsa-para-sa-kalayaan-infront-of-prc.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/06/martsa-para-sa-kalayaan-infront-of-prc.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>The
Philippines should be more aggressive in the Spratlys.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-philippines-should-be-more.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-philippines-should-be-more.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Historical
Fiction : China's South China Sea Claims</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/05/historical-fiction-chinas-south-china.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/05/historical-fiction-chinas-south-china.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>BRP Sierra
Madre at Ayungin Shoal - Philippine's Last Line of Defense Against China's
Agressio</b>n.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/04/ayungin-shoal-philippines-last-line-of.html">http://jibraelangel2blog.blogspot.com/2014/04/ayungin-shoal-philippines-last-line-of.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p> <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Related YouTube videos </strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><strong><span style="border: 1pt; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">SC Associate Justice presents old Chinese maps</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong><span style="border: 1pt; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></strong>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>This
300-year-old Philippine map shows Scarborough Shoal</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*******************************************</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-28255323076884677832016-05-25T21:26:00.000+08:002016-05-25T21:26:07.010+08:00The Geopolitics of Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc)<div abp="627">
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<a abp="629" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlm6qN-3KmQuzMXd_UPXpTkVo1mCEJZwtnIMHcqA0440BfTq2h7lyfmpFCOLvP29dW6f2OcNmPgkpKB926cNjRNt9rGm4IOmfvcZyymhlhX2oxMZ1BjegdtFCp2qnWQbalWuQF53Sdc6p/s1600/China+to+Philippines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="630" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlm6qN-3KmQuzMXd_UPXpTkVo1mCEJZwtnIMHcqA0440BfTq2h7lyfmpFCOLvP29dW6f2OcNmPgkpKB926cNjRNt9rGm4IOmfvcZyymhlhX2oxMZ1BjegdtFCp2qnWQbalWuQF53Sdc6p/s640/China+to+Philippines.jpg" width="453" /></a></div>
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<span abp="633" style="color: red;">Scarborough on the red circle.</span><br />
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Francois-Xavier Bonnet</div>
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IRASEC Nov 2012</div>
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<span abp="643" style="color: grey; font-family: Frutiger-Roman; font-size: xx-small;"><span abp="644" style="color: grey; font-family: Frutiger-Roman; font-size: xx-small;"><span abp="645" style="color: grey; font-family: Frutiger-Roman; font-size: xx-small;">Les Notes de l’Irasec, n°14, novembre 2012 — Irasec’s Discussion Papers, #14, November 2012</span></span></span></div>
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<b abp="652">Abstract</b></div>
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Scarborough is the largest atoll in the South China Sea, located some 220 kilometers from the Philippines. The shoal is located inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines but is claimed by China as its ancestral territory since the 13th century.</div>
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The paper considers the strategic importance of the shoal for the two countries. Then, using unpublished records and documents from China, the Philippines, and the United States, the author will show that the two countries claimed Scarborough Shoal in the 1930s, each without the knowledge of the other, and performed few actions that asserted their sovereignty up to the 1990s.</div>
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Finally, the study raises up the lack of solidarity of the ASEAN countries, and the possibility of the United States and the Philippines invoking the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 in case of an escalation of violence in the area.</div>
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<b abp="668">Introduction</b></div>
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<b abp="673"> S</b>carborough Shoal (Bajo de Masingloc and Panatag for the Philippines or Huangyan Island for China), located some 220 kilometers from the province of Zambales (Luzon Island, Philippines), is, since 1997, a bone of contention between the Philippines and China. Scarborough is the largest atoll in the South China Sea,2 submerged at high tide with few rocks above sea level, but was largely unheard-of before the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1994. The shoal is located inside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines but is claimed by China as its ancestral territory since the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368).3 For the Chinese authorities, Huangyan Island is part of a larger archipelago called Zhongsha Qundao comprising mostly underwater features (like Macclesfield Bank) located in the northern part of the South China Sea. The stakes are high. The few rocks of Scarborough Shoal are the only features of Zhongsha Qundao (Macclesfield Bank) above sea level. If China loses these rocks, it would not only lose the natural resources around the shoal (fishing grounds and the potential deposits of polymetallic nodules4) but also the possibility of claiming Zhongsha Qundao and, by consequence, the whole of the South China Sea. This conflict, recurrent year after year during the fishing season, worsened from April to July 2012. To settle the issue once and for all, the Philippine government invokes the possibility of bringing the matter to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).</div>
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In a first part of this paper, we consider the strategic importance of the shoal for the two countries, in the context of UNCLOS. Then, using unpublished records and documents from China, the Philippines, and the United States, we will show that the two countries claimed Scarborough Shoal in the 1930s, each without the knowledge of the other, and performed few actions that asserted their sovereignty up to the 1990s. Finally, we analyze, the lack of solidarity of the ASEAN countries and its impact on conflict resolution, and the possibility of the United States and the Philippines invoking the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 in case of an escalation of violence in Scarborough Shoal.<br />
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<span abp="688" style="font-size: large;"><b abp="689">1. What is at stake? Scarborough Shoal and UNCLOS</b></span></div>
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<b abp="695"> 1.1. The 2012 standoff between China and the Philippines</b></div>
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On April 10, 2012, the Filipino warship Gregorio Del Pilar attempted to arrest eight Chinese boats that were poaching in Scarborough Shoal. The timely arrival of two Chinese marine surveillance vessels blocked the Filipino maneuvers and was followed by the tensest standoff since 1997. In the spirit of de-escalation of the dispute, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar was replaced by two civilian ships (from the Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries). At the height of the standoff, in May, no less than 80 Chinese fishing boats were present in and around the shoal. The arrival of a typhoon in July forced the Filipinos to depart, leaving the shoal, de facto, under the control of the Chinese. In August, the Chinese fishermen left Scarborough Shoal, but not before cordoning off the entrance of the shoal. As of October 2012, two Chinese civilian ships are still patrolling the area.5</div>
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During this standoff, the Chinese government used a large range of activities to intimidate and make the Filipino government bend to its will. One of them was the use of the national media, notably through Internet, to spread (or at least not stop) rumors of preparation for war against the Philippines. The Chinese government retaliated also on the economic side. The punitive measures ranged from a stricter control on bananas exported by the Philippines to stopping Chinese tourists from traveling to the Philippines. Moreover, Beijing used its diplomatic influence and power on Cambodia (which is presiding over ASEAN in 2012) to block the production of an official communiqué (which would have mentioned the dispute over Scarborough Shoal) at the end of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phnom Penh on July 16, 2012. It was the first time in 45 years that ASEAN was unable to produce an official communiqué (see section 4).</div>
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Since the Chinese are, for now, alone on Scarborough Shoal and have focused their attention, during the month of September, on another dispute, this time with Japan (over the Senkaku/Diaoyutai Islands), calm has returned on the Scarborough front. But for how long? If, during the latest visit of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas to China (at the end of September), the two parties recognized the importance of their bilateral ties (trade, investment, tourism, etc.), they also reiterated, without surprise, their respective claims to Scarborough Shoal.6 The interest for this previously mostly-ignored shoal is linked to the new possibilities offered by UNCLOS.</div>
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<b abp="713">1.2. Scarborough Shoal an island? The Chinese perception</b></div>
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For China, Scarborough Shoal is of utmost importance for its claim over the Zhongsha Qundao (Zhongsha Islands or archipelago) and consequently to the features located inside the controversial “U-shape line”. In effect, the Zhongsha Qundao is composed of Macclesfield Bank, Truro Shoal, Saint Esprit Shoal, Dreyer Shoal, and Scarborough Shoal. All these banks and shoals, except for Scarborough Shoal, are under several meters of water even during low tide.7 Chinese policymakers know too well that without Huangyan Island, the chance of having their ownership over Zhongsha Qundao recognized is nil. If China loses Huangyan/Scarborough, it will lose Zhongsha Qundao, which could be divided by the EEZs of the neighboring countries or placed under the regime of the high seas. By consequence, China’s entire claim to the South China Sea supported by the “U-shape line” would be moot and academic.</div>
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To support their claim to Zhongsha Qundao, the Chinese describe Scarborough Shoal as an island (Huangyan Island). Article 121 of UNCLOS defines an island as a “naturally formed area of land, surrounded by water which is above water at high tide”.8 In theory, island status would allow the drawing of, from Scarborough Shoal’s baselines, not only a territorial sea (12 nm) and a contiguous zone (24 nm), but also an EEZ (200 nm) and a continental shelf. In this case, Scarborough Shoal would give to China a huge and disproportionate maritime territory. It is, nevertheless, doubtful that UNCLOS could recognize Scarborough Shoal as an island. Pictures 2 and 3 show clearly that the shoal has few rocks above sea level at high tide. Rocks are defined in UNCLOS Article 121 (3) as elements that cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own. Scarborough Shoal satisfies these two criteria as both Filipino and Chinese fishermen live on their boats during the fishing season; none could live on these rocks, and all the logistics come come from the two mainlands. The irony is that the representatives of China have affirmed in various international forums that :</div>
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“If a 200-mile limit of jurisdiction could be founded on the possession of uninhabited, remote or very small islands, the effectiveness of international administration of ocean space beyond national jurisdiction would be gravely impaired”.9 </div>
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As the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia in the United Nations said, those statements above should also be “relevant to the situation in the South China Sea”.10 In this case, the rocks of the shoal could give to China, at most, only a territorial sea and a contiguous zone but not an EEZ or a continental shelf. This highly controversial perception of the shoal as an island is the main reason the Chinese refuse systematically to have the case adjudicated by an international body and prefer bilateral negotiations with the Philippines.</div>
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<b abp="740">1.3. Remembering Mischief: the Philippines and Scarborough Shoal</b><br />
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For the Philippines, the stakes are also high. The rich fishing grounds of Scarborough Shoal attract most of the fishermen from the provinces of Zambales, Pangasinan, and Bataan. In 12 hours of travel by motorized outrigger, fishermen can reach the shoal and harvest tons of fish (jack, mackerel, etc.) and lobster. Since the coastal areas of these provinces are depleted, these hundreds of fishermen depend almost solely on the shoal for their livelihood. Moreover, some deposits of polymetallic nodules have been found around the shoal, at a depth of more than 3,000 meters (to date, no gas and oil exploration has been done around the shoal).11 Beyond these local economic advantages, real and potential, virtually the whole EEZ of the western side of Luzon could be threatened by the Chinese claim. </div>
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If we add the strong feelings of patriotism of the Filipinos12 and the consciousness of the Filipino officials that they have a key in their hands to block or limit China’s huge claim over the whole South China Sea,13 the rocks of Scarborough Shoal become disproportionately strategic at the national and regional levels. Finally, the trauma of Mischief Reef (the Spratlys) is still fresh in the minds of the militaries. In 1995, Chinese troops occupied this reef, claimed by the Philippines as part of its EEZ, and built in the succeeding years a strong naval base equipped with a sophisticated system of communications.14 The risk could be that Scarborough Shoal would be transformed into another communication and intelligence hub, this time closer to Luzon and potentially able to undertake surveillance activities in the northern part of the main Singapore-Hong Kong and Manila-Hong Kong sea lanes.15 Such an intelligence project could be easily disguised as a project to provide shelters for Chinese fishermen, like in the case of Mischief Reef.</div>
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After long debates over two decades, accelerated in 2009 by the submission of the limits of the extended continental shelf to UNCLOS, the Filipino policy-makers seem to have decided that the shoal is a low-tide elevation with some rocks (not islands) above sea level at high tide. According to Article 13 of UNCLOS, a low-tide elevation is a “naturally formed area of land which is surrounded by and above water at low tide but submerged at high tide”.16 The main argument of the Philippines is that Scarborough Shoal is located inside its EEZ. Therefore, if the shoal is recognized as a low-tide elevation and being outside the territorial sea of the two mainlands, it would not have a territorial sea of its own (Article 13 (2)).17 In this hypothesis, only a few rocks could possibly have a territorial sea (12 nm or 24 nm if a contiguous zone is added) and the waters beyond that territorial sea would definitely be under the jurisdiction of the Philippines.</div>
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By separating water and land, the Philippines set aside the issue of land titles on th rocks/islands to focus on its maritime rights, paving the way for a potential arbitration by the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).18 The ITLOS is not competent for the questions of land territories but can give an opinion on whether the Scarborough Shoal is a lowtide elevation with rocks or an island. If the ITLOS deems that the feature is made of few rocks above sea level, Scarborough Shoal would be totally surrounded by the EEZ of the Philippines, which would neutralize all its strategic appeal; China would not be in a position to claim</div>
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Zhongsha Qundao, which would be seen as a group of five rocks above the sea level at high tide, constantly submerged banks, and some reefs above sea level at low tide. It is therefore understandable that the Chinese authorities exert all their efforts to intimidate and test the resolve of the Philippine government to go to the ITLOS.</div>
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<span abp="774" style="font-size: large;"><b abp="775">2. Who owns the shoal? A geohistorical perspective</b></span></div>
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<span abp="778" style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></div>
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<b abp="781">2.1. A forgotten claim? The Philippines and Scarborough Shoal</b></div>
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<b abp="784">2.1.1. Of wrecks, surveys, and rescue operations: Scarborough Shoal in the 19th century</b></div>
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The reefs, sand banks, shoals, and islets of the South China Sea have long been known to mariners as dangers to be avoided at all costs. The Paracel Islands (between Hainan Island and the coast of Vietnam), Macclesfield Bank (east of the Paracels), Scarborough Shoal (between Macclesfield Bank and the west coast of Luzon) and the Spratly Islands (between Palawan, Borneo, and South Vietnam), were surveyed and mapped by the colonial powers of the 19th century. These mapping activities had no other purpose but to “clean” the sea lanes crossing the South China Sea of all obstacles to navigation and trade (tea and opium).</div>
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On September 12, 1748, a British boat named Scarborough, carrying tea, was wrecked on a feature called Maroona by Spanish cartographers. Maroona Shoal became known internationally as Scarborough Shoal. Maroona Shoal was first surveyed in April 1800 by a Spanish frigate, Santa Lucia, sent by Admiral Malaspina in Manila.19 This expedition showed that the center of the atoll was at longitude 117° 48’ 5’’ E.20 These results were published in a chart in 1808, but Maroona Shoal was renamed Bajo de Masinloc, a term used up to the present by the Philippine government.21</div>
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A more precise survey of this feature was organized in May of 1866 by the British vessel H.M.S. Swallow under the command of E. Wilde. Scarborough, or Maroona Shoal as it was still named in the China Sea Directory of 1889, was described as an atoll of 40 kilometers in circumference with the shape of a triangle. The reef consisted of a narrow belt of corals and of several rocks with an elevation from 90 cm to three meters above sea level. The team of E. Wilde concluded that there was only a single entrance—on the southeastern side—to the lagoon where a boat could anchor. This anchorage was nevertheless precarious (the depth at the entrance was less than three meters, and the passage narrow) and should be used only in the calmest weather.22 With the exception of these two surveys, Scarborough Shoal did not attract the attention of the colonial powers. During this period up to the 20th century, it was unthinkable to claim a sandbank, a reef, rocks, or an atoll in the high seas. Thus, a territorial claim on Bajo de Masingloc by the Spanish authorities, if ever they had it in mind, could not have succeeded in the international arena of the time.</div>
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However, with the island of Luzon being the closest to Bajo de Masingloc (124 nm or 220 km), responsibility for rescuing vessels stranded at the shoal naturally fell to the Spanish navy. Thus, according to the Spanish Hydrographic Office, boats from the Philippines were sent to help crews in difficulty on this shoal.23 This responsibility seems to have been transferred to the American colonial government in the archipelago. For example, when, on May 8, 1913, the Swedish steamship Nippon went aground on Scarborough Shoal, the Bureau of Navigation in Manila sent the Coast Guard cutter Mindoro to help the stranded crew.24 Moreover, a conflict arose between the salvaging company and the insurance companies for the sharing of the proceeds of the salvaged cargo (copra). The Manila Court of First Instance and then the Supreme Court of the Philippines were seized by the litigants. The final judgment of the Supreme Court was recognized by the claimants.25 If, from this very sparse information, we can not conclude that Scarborough Shoal belonged to the Philippines since at least the 19th century,26 few remarks should be made.</div>
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First, the 19th century nautical books of the British Admiralty and the Spanish Hydrographic Office did not note the presence, on this shoal, of fishermen from China or elsewhere (unlike on the Spratly and Paracel Islands). Second, the geographical proximity spoke in favor of the Philippines (rescue operations). In a way, Bajo de Masingloc could be seen as integrated in the sphere of influence of the Philippines, but outside the main archipelago. Political and symbolic acts, like naming the shoal, surveying, mapmaking, and organizing rescue operations, were the only appropriate activities that the Spanish and American authorities could do on an isolated shoal, which was, for the most part, underwater during high tide.</div>
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<div abp="816">
<b abp="817">2.1.2. Scarborough Shoal and the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935-1941):</b></div>
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<div abp="819">
<b abp="820">a forgotten claim?</b></div>
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The main argument of of the Chinese government and legal scholars is to consider the Philippine claim on Scarborough Shoal as extremely recent. According to their writings, the Philippine government claimed this shoal for the first time in 1997.27 Subscribers to this view contend that the atoll is outside the Treaty of Paris signed between Spain and the United States in December 1898, the Treaty of Washington between the United States and Spain of November 7, 1900, and the Convention between Great Britain and the United States concluded on January 2, 1930, so the Philippines cannot reasonably claim it. On the Filipino side, legal scholars have avoided this subject, jumping from the Spanish time to some activities in the 1960s and then to UNCLOS. By doing this, these Filipino researchers have missed, in my opinion, a point: a claim on Scarborough Shoal by the Philippine Commonwealth government in 1937-1938.28</div>
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As Hancox and Prescott have shown in their research, the reefs, sandbanks, islets, and islands of the South China Sea were the object of secret surveys and mapping in the 1920s to 1930s.29 In the context of the southern expansion of the Japanese empire, the navies of the colonial powers, particularly Great Britain and later the United States and Japan, were exploring each reef and atoll to assess their potential as refueling stations, observation stations, naval and submarine bases, and navigation aids, and to find possible secret sea lanes crossing these dangerous areas. Conflicting claims for the Paracel Islands started in the 1920s between China and Japan, joined by France in the 1930s. In July 1933, the French government started the first claim on the Spratly Islands, opening the contest for the South China Sea islands.</div>
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In this context, the government of the Commonwealth was preparing the Philippines for its independence, particularly its defense. Thus, none of these conflicting claims in the South China Sea escaped the vigilance of high-level Filipino politicians and scholars. Elsewhere, we have shown that some of them pushed for a claim on the Spratly Islands but the American State Department considered the nine islets claimed by France not only outside the Treaty limits but too far from Palawan.30</div>
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It is, thus, not surprising that the Commonwealth of the Philippines claimed Scarborough Shoal. The process started on December 6, 1937, when the director of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) in Manila, Captain Thomas Maher, received a request of information about Scarborough Shoal and its ownership, from the office of the U.S. High Commissioner.31 Maher’s answer, albeit technical and not political, must be carefully reviewed. In effect, if Maher recognized that Scarborough Shoal is 9 miles (14 km) outside the limits set forth by the 1898 Treaty of Paris, these limits should be seen as flexible and not fixed boundaries.32 This flexibility can be shown by the fact that in 1900, the Philippines recuperated some islands (Sibutu and Cagayan de Sulu) but lost the Island of Palmas in 1928 and gained the Turtle Islands and Mangsee Reef in 1930. In his opinion, if the Spanish records, notably the maps and the survey of 1800, were enough evidence of Spanish ownership (he probably did not know about the rescue operations), the Philippines could lay a claim on Scarborough Shoal, “the transfer of which would be governed by the treaty of November 7, 1900”.33 With prudence, the director told the High Commissioner to ask the opinion of the State Department concerning potential foreign claims and proposed, after a survey of the shoal, building a small lighthouse. Interestingly, Maher mentioned a colleague noting that Philippine traders described Scarborough Shoal as a place with a considerable quantity of pearl shells, with pearls of excellent quality.34</div>
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Maher’s memorandum and the request of the High Commissioner were forwarded to the colonial administration.35 The president of the Commonwealth himself, Manuel Quezon, through his Secretary Jorge B. Vargas, asked the State Department to research all information available regarding the ownership of Scarborough Shoal. The objective of this request was to claim the shoal and develop a system of aid for air-ocean navigation on it.36 After researching in the records of the State Department, Secretary Cordell Hull concluded that his Department had no information in regard to the ownership of the shoal. He went further by considering that:</div>
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“Because of the absence of other claims, the shoal should be regarded as included among the islands ceded to the United States by the American-Spanish Treaty of November 7, 1900. … In the absence of evidence of a superior claim to Scarborough Shoal by any other government, the Department of State would interpose no objection to the proposal of the Commonwealth Government to study the possibilities of the shoal as an aid to air and ocean navigation”.37</div>
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Later, two other administrations directly interested by the project, the Navy Department and the Department of Commerce (Civil Aeronautics Authority), had “no objection to the course of action contemplated by the Commonwealth Government”.38 Despite all these developments, we have not been able to find a document or a draft showing an official claim on Scarborough Shoal. My hypothesis is that to avoid attracting the attention of the Japanese to this shoal, the American and Filipino authorities kept a low profile on this question. The bureaucratic process took nearly the whole year of 1938, and in 1939 the Japanese Navy took the control of Hainan Island, the Paracel Islands, and was pushing toward the Spratly Islands. For security reasons, Scarborough Shoal was unofficially claimed.</div>
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From this period of the Commonwealth, two remarks can be drawn. First, the claim of the Philippines on Scarborough Shoal is obviously not recent. Second, the Treaty of Washington of 1900 is used by both the USC&GS and the State Department for the transfer of the shoal to the Philippines. Many analysts consider, in a restrictive manner, that this treaty concerned only the islands of Sibutu and Cagayan de Sulu. In fact, the unique article of this treaty is open to all islands that belonged to the Philippines during the Spanish time but would be found, in the future, outside the limits of the Treaty of Paris.39 Among them were the two islands cited above. The considerations above should be, of course, balanced with the arguments advanced by the Chinese government. Do they have a rich records of ownership and management of Scarborough Shoal, or, as they have called it since 1983, Huangyan Island?</div>
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<b abp="857"><span abp="858" style="font-size: large;">2.2. Of ancient texts and maps: the Chinese claim</span></b></div>
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<b abp="862">2.2.1. The myth of an old claim?</b></div>
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<div abp="865">
A quick look at the document “Some Basic Facts on China’s sovereignty over Huangyan Island”, published on the website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Manila,40 reveal a very limited amount of information about the so-called old history of China’s sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal. In fact, the arguments jump from the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368 A.D.), with a map and some astronomical research by Guo Shoujing, directly to the 1935 work of the Map Verification Committee of China, which declared all the islands of the South China Sea as part of China’s territory. Curiously, the Chinese government is using, for the first time, the scientific survey made by the famous astronomer Guo Shoujing in 1279 (with the results made into a very precise calendar) to claim Scarborough Shoal. This argument, in fact, has been used and re-used in all China’s White Papers concerning the conflict with Vietnam over the Paracel Islands. Did Guo Shoujing go to the Paracel Islands or to Scarborough Shoal? In fact, many Chinese scholars disagree about Guo Shoujing’s trip to the Paracel Islands. The astronomer measured the geographical coordinates of 27 places. The easternmost point was in Korea; the westernmost was in Yu Nan; the southeasternmost was in Zhu Ya (Hainan); and the northeasternmost was in Tie Le (north of Mongolia, in Siberia). The measures had an error of less than a degree.41 The fact that Zhu Ya was Hainan and not in the Paracel Islands or Scarborough Shoal reduces the so-called historical sovereignty of China to the year 1935, not so far from the 1937-38 claim of the Philippines.</div>
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<div abp="869">
This is consistent with the political maps of the Chinese empire, particularly with the political and administrative maps of Guangdong Province and the island of Hainan up to 1909. On these official maps (see Annex 1, Maps 1 to 4), both before and after the Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1856 1860),42 the island of Hainan was consistently marked as the southern limit of the empire. Neither the Paracel Islands nor Scarborough Shoal, and even less the Spratly Islands, appeared on these maps as part of the Middle Kingdom. Moreover the old texts show, generally, a lack of knowledge concerning the maritime places now claimed by China as part of its territory. For example, Wang Wen Tai, who in 1843 described the maritime routes from Guangdong Province to Malaysia, used by foreign and Chinese ships, wrote:</div>
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“Today, the foreign boats leave Wan Shan [in Guangdong Guangdong] and go directly to the south. After five days of navigation, they arrive at the Hong Mao Qian [Macclesfield Bank], pass it and navigate again five days towards the southwest. They arrive at Cao Xiu Shi [Sapato Island]. Cao Xiu Shi is the southern limit of the Wan Li Chang Sha [the Paracel Islands]. (The northern part of the Wan Li Chang Sha is off the county of Ling Shui in Hainan and is long of 1000 lis. In the southeast of Wan Li Chang Sha, there is Qi Zhou Da Yang [probably the Spratly Islands]. In the Qi Zhou Da Yang there are big rocks, but we do not know anything about it.) From Cao Xiu Shi, the boats go to the southwest, and after seven days they reach Di Pen Shan.</div>
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Concerning the Chinese navigators, they also leave Wan Shan toward the southwest, then pass Wan Lua Shan [Guangdong Island or Pulo Canton, off Vietnam], Xin Zhou [a port in Vietnam], Lu Nai, then to the south and after five days they reached Kun Lun Shan [Pulo Condor], which belongs to Vietnam. They continue five days to the south and reach Di Pen Shan. They take this longer route to avoid Cao Xie Shi”.43 <span abp="878" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="879" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">From the description by Wang Wen Tai, the Chinese navigators were not brave mariners who named and took control of the islands and reefs of the South China Sea, as depicted by the present Chinese scholars.44 These mariners feared the high seas and simply followed the traditional route along the coast of Hainan and Vietnam (Annam) (or the Inner Passage, see Map </span></span><span abp="880" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="881" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
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<span abp="883" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="884" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
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<span abp="889" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="890" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
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<span abp="895" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="896" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
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<span abp="898" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="899" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
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<div abp="901">
<span abp="902" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="903" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">6). The foreigners, especially the British mariners, on the other hand, passed by the high seas, through Macclesfield Bank (or the Outer Passage).45 This bank was called, by the Chinese, Hong Mao Qian, which literally meant “the bank of the barbarians with red hair”.46 This name was simply the Chinese translation of “Banc des Anglais [English Bank]”, which appeared on French maps before it was renamed Macclesfield.47 The fact that this bank did not have a Chinese name and was outside the traditional route of the Chinese navigators should be noted. Today, the Chinese government claims that the Zhongsha Islands, of which the Macclesfield Bank and the Scarborough Shoal are part, have been, since time immemorial, under the sovereignty of China. Obviously, up to the 20th century, the Zhongsha Islands were not part of China and the information about Hong Mao Qian was simply the result of interviws of Europeans mariners and consultation of foreign charts.</span></span></div>
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<div abp="912">
<span abp="913" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="914" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><b abp="915">2.2.2 China and Scarborough Shoal: a modern claim.</b></span></span></div>
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<div abp="923">
With the exception of an isolated remark made in 1876 by the first Chinese Ambassador in Europe, Guo Song Tao (1818-1891), concerning the Paracel Islands,48 there is little evidence that the Chinese authorities had an interest in the South China Sea islands and reefs up to the end of the 19th century. In fact, for three months each year between 1881 and 1884, the German Imperial Navy sent two boats (the ship Freya and the warship Iltis) to study and map the Paracel Islands without either seeking the permission of or incurring protest by the Chinese government. This mission was finished without any problems and the German Admiralty published the results in 1885 in a document called “Die Paracel-Inseln” [The Paracel Islands].49 This German hydrographic survey became an international reference for the description of the Paracel Islands.50 Moreover, as we have seen, Spanish and British naval authorities were surveying and organizing rescue operations on Scarborough Shoal, without the Chinese government protesting or even knowing. </div>
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<div abp="927">
The trigger that started a strong Chinese interest in some groups of islands in the South China Sea was the discovery, in 1909, that Japanese traders had been exploiting the natural fertilizer (bird manure or guano) found on Pratas Island (Dongsha) since 1907, without the knowledge of the local Chinese authorities. Pratas Island and Reef, located off the coast of Guangdong Province, became the subject of negotiations between the governments of China and Japan. In November 1909 the Chinese Navy took back the islands officially after a ceremony and the payment of compensation to the Japanese businessmen. During the scandal of Pratas Island and Reef, the Governor of Guangdong, Zhang Yen Jun, sent, in April 1909,51 Admiral Li Zhun to explore, map, and give names to the Paracel Islands. The objectives of this first official Chinese mission were to check that no Japanese businessmen were established there and to integrate these islands into the national territory of China. A new map of Guangdong Province was published the same year, showing for the first time the Paracel Islands (or Xisha Qundao) as part of the province (see Map 3). <span abp="928" style="color: black;">Thus, from 1909 to 1935, the Paracel Islands became the southernmost part of China on all the maps and official documents.52 Neither Scarborough Shoal nor the Spratly Islands were considered as parts of the national territory of China at this time.53</span> </div>
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<a abp="930" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAaWRQztv343k6U41e9LNz8bayAYj033OEW0zRuft6QCauyijipODKp5f_N8heP1VVG9EB-gJEk3cab7t9jHZDI2VEan08Oeoxm93moxSilhl_guI1nHExq1w5aNTnSemKyRFS7UNGpqw/s1600/Map+3+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="931" border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAaWRQztv343k6U41e9LNz8bayAYj033OEW0zRuft6QCauyijipODKp5f_N8heP1VVG9EB-gJEk3cab7t9jHZDI2VEan08Oeoxm93moxSilhl_guI1nHExq1w5aNTnSemKyRFS7UNGpqw/s400/Map+3+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When, in November 1931, the committee in charge of checking the maps of China and standardizing all the names of places54 started its work, the island of Triton in the Paracel Islands </div>
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<div abp="934" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="935">
was still considered the southernmost place of China (Annex 1, Map 7). However, the war between </div>
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<div abp="937">
China and Japan changed the priorities and the committee had to stop its work for financial reasons. These financial problems were so important that the committee had to wait until May 1933 to be operational again. Between May 1933 and December 1934, the committee organized 25 meetings and published for the first time, in April 1935, a map of all the South China Sea island groups (the Paracels, Macclesfield, Scarborough and the Spratly Islands) as part of the Chinese territory.55 </div>
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<a abp="941" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz1itBuscnVtVQiu2FnDU8oyi-1J5Q3a1_bWxBCntvEA0KJb8C7qnv0TnlgsUSenu6fLpLajlr-JSRWAVEL43dP1t6IfRXeZNbI1WSMQKuszJwzNv1BC87YgI5TudttWfgW7rFsAtbRt_/s1600/map+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="942" border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz1itBuscnVtVQiu2FnDU8oyi-1J5Q3a1_bWxBCntvEA0KJb8C7qnv0TnlgsUSenu6fLpLajlr-JSRWAVEL43dP1t6IfRXeZNbI1WSMQKuszJwzNv1BC87YgI5TudttWfgW7rFsAtbRt_/s400/map+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i abp="944"><span abp="945" style="color: blue;">Scarborough and Spratly Island are not part of Chinese territory</span></i>.</div>
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Why did the Chinese government change the scope of its territory so dramatically between 1933 and 1934? Since 1931, the territorial integrity of China had been threatened. In 1931, Manchuria was annexed by the Japanese. In 1932, the French government was claiming, for the first time, the Paracel Islands as part of Annam (Vietnam).56 Moreover, as we have said above, the French government made a second claim, in July 1933, this time on the Spratly Islands. This last claim was made just two months after the Chinese committee on national territory began its work. These two claims of the French government confused the minds of not only of the Chinese public and the media, but also the official authorities like the military and the politicians in Guangdong Province and Beijing. In fact, the Chinese believed that the Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands or Xisha were exactly the same group, but that the French had just changed the name as a trick to confuse the Chinese government. To ascertain the position of the Spratly Islands, the Chinese Consul in Manila, Mr. Kwong, went, on July 26, 1933, to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and discovered, with surprise, that the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands were different and far apart.57 This big blunder, showing a complete lack of knowledge about the Spratly Islands, was recognized by the Chinese authorities in their internal documents. For example, the director of the influential newspaper, the Peiping News, Mr. Wang Gong Da, wrote to the Foreign Affairs Secretary, Mr Luo: </div>
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“The Spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs said that a protest was prepared if [emphasis mine]it was proven that the nine islands [Spratlys] were part of Xisha [the Paracels]. Don’t make a diplomatic blunder; these islands are not part of Xisha. Triton Island [in Xisha] is the southernmost part of our territory. South of Triton Island, there is no connection with the Chinese territory. Our so-called experts, geographers, Navy representatives, etc., are a shame to our country”.58 The militaries themselves recognized this blunder. In a secret report dated September 1, 1933, the Military Council defined the policy concerning the Spratly Islands: </div>
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“All our professional geographers say that Triton Island [in Xisha] is the southernmost island of our territory. But we could, maybe, find some evidence that the nine islands [Spratlys] were part of our territory in the past. After all, during the Han Dynasty, the North then the Center of Vietnam belonged to China. Under the Tang Dynasty, the military province of Annam was founded. Under the Ming Dynasty, the expeditions of Cheng Ho put Luzon, Malaysia, and Indonesia into the territory of the Empire. Moreover, at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, Vietnam was included in our maps. Consequently, and naturally, these nine islands, being located at the center of our possessions, should belong to China. It seems confirmed by the 1923 book of the British Admiralty, China Sea Pilot, which mentions the presence of fishermen from Hainan on Tizard Bank [part of the Spratly Islands]. Unfortunately, this book does not say to whom these islands belong and does not give any evidence of any Chinese administration, the presence of an official representative of China, or Chinese </div>
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equipment and infrastructure. </div>
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In conclusion, we have only one piece of evidence, our fishermen from Hainan, and we have never done anything on these islands [emphasis mine]. We need to cool down the game with the French, but let our fishermen continue their activities to protect our fishing rights. Our Navy is weak and these nine islands are not useful for us now …. </div>
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We must focus only on the Xisha Islands because the points of evidence of our sovereignty on them are so numerous that the whole world accepts it, with the exception of Japan”.59</div>
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<div abp="970">
Following the discovery that the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands were two different groups, the Chinese government did not protest the French claim on the nine islands. But, like the military above, considering that in the future Chinese researchers could find evidence of sovereignty over these islands, the Department of Interior decided to integrate in the new map of China all the islands and reefs of the South China Sea. The process was simple: the committee in charge of checking the maps and names studied the foreign charts of the South China Sea and then simply translated the phonetics of the foreign names, without worrying about the meaning of these new names or whether these features had any historical links with China.60 This blanket claim, not publicized to the whole world at this time, was following the colonial principle “Let’s claim them all first, and only later we will try to justify our claim”. In a way, the integration of Scarborough Shoal on the new map of China was a collateral aspect of the main Chinese claim over the Paracel Islands. </div>
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In the new map of China published in 1935 (Map 5), Scarborough Shoal, called Si ge ba luo jiao (phonetic for Scarborough island), was part of a group called Nansha [southern sand] comprising also Macclesfield Bank, Druro Bank, and other submerged features. The Spratly Islands claimed by France were called Tuansha [chaotic sand]. It should be noted that some Chinese researchers discovered in 1977 some sketches, made by a fisherman from Hainan in 1935, showing the fishing grounds of the South China Sea. This sketch was made into a map. As can be seen on this map (Annex 1, Map 8), Scarborough Shoal does not appear; only the Paracels, Macclesfield Bank, and the Spratly Islands are marked. In 1947 the name Nansha was given to the Spratly Islands, and Macclesfield Bank, etc., were named Zhongsha [middle sands]. </div>
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Thus, before the Second World War, in the context of Japanese expansion, the Philippines and China made parallel claims to Scarborough Shoal, each without knowing that the other was doing the same. Both claims were unofficial in the sense that there was no notice to the whole world, to avoid attracting the attention of the Japanese. Nevertheless, in the case of the Philippines, the State Department had more specific information about Scarborough Shoal than the Chinese had. For the Chinese government, Scarborough Shoal was simply one small feature among all the South China Sea islands and reefs. They had no information about this shoal but were expecting that in the future their researchers would find some evidence of Chinese ownership. In conclusion, the Chinese claim was as recent or as old as the one of the Philippines. </div>
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<a abp="981" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3Z3vlPMCcV-DC6q6-SZcwMdTrzZz0_spNE_AJCGcjbNcXgqplZjgc27KS_iMbWuvsHWWQ377ALUFWbvtqxHiJhA6tlHjTjv42i-y3Ei-yClAa0YGuCmJ8z_R9RVLiMDmC7AdUcptjHyk/s1600/map+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="982" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3Z3vlPMCcV-DC6q6-SZcwMdTrzZz0_spNE_AJCGcjbNcXgqplZjgc27KS_iMbWuvsHWWQ377ALUFWbvtqxHiJhA6tlHjTjv42i-y3Ei-yClAa0YGuCmJ8z_R9RVLiMDmC7AdUcptjHyk/s640/map+5.jpg" width="517" /></a></div>
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<a abp="985" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JowCS6UZsrEQEGG85bykxF4JzF4ZCEkzUELoSjhpC4SFXy8sI51VekFuhHZlTtNM9eUGvx1cGrxpDU112dx_jQmwc-t9kVebKocuaO1Mm7LJQKGS2ugL-bGCUbDwCTkJ24IhDIcjw0yf/s1600/map+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="986" border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JowCS6UZsrEQEGG85bykxF4JzF4ZCEkzUELoSjhpC4SFXy8sI51VekFuhHZlTtNM9eUGvx1cGrxpDU112dx_jQmwc-t9kVebKocuaO1Mm7LJQKGS2ugL-bGCUbDwCTkJ24IhDIcjw0yf/s400/map+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b abp="990"></b><b abp="991">2.3. Scarborough Shoal: between smuggling and territorial claims </b></div>
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From the end of the Second World War up to the 1990s, Scarborough Shoal was largely ignored by the governments of China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. In some international conferences, the two Chinese governments would claim regularly that the Xisha, Zhongsha, and Nansha islands were part of their territories, but no specific actions were taken concerning Scarborough Shoal. This shoal was too close to Subic Bay, the main American naval base in Asia. In the context of the Cold War, the main ally of the United States, Taiwan, and the far away Mainland China would not risk trying to take control of a mostly-underwater reef. </div>
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In the Philippines, the name of Scarborough Shoal appeared in the newspapers mostly in relation to the smuggling activities of syndicates based in the province of Cavite and abroad. In October 1963, for example, the Philippine Navy discovered that the shoal was used as an entry point for smuggled goods (cigarettes, etc.) coming from Macao, carried by Taiwanese fishermen.61 According to news reports, the international syndicate built two bodegas and some pier facilities on the shoal. Fishermen from the Philippines working for the Filipino side of this syndicate loaded goods on their boats and unloaded them on various beaches of Luzon. These well-organized international private activities were simply using loopholes of maritime laws of the time. The status of a shoal in the high seas was still not clear. The Philippine Navy arrested the Filipino fishermen (a Taiwanese boat was pursued by a Filipino boat but was able to escape) and bombed, on orders of Defense Secretary Macario Peralta, the facilities built by the syndicate. This bombing followed an aerial mission by the Philippines Air Force over the shoal. It should be noted that these state activities (fighting smuggling and bombing the structures on the shoal) undertaken by the Philippine Navy were not protested by Taiwan or China. Following the confiscation of around 680 crates of cigarettes and some weapons, Commodore Juan B. Magluyan, chief of the Philippine Navy, requested eight new boats to patrol more efficiently the maritime offshore areas of the Philippines, and destroy smugglers’ relay stations not only in Scarborough Shoal but also in the area of the Spratly Islands. Already, the Navy authorities were complaining that the fleet was outdated, with only half of the boats in good condition for sea patrols. Of this half, only half were effectively used for sea patrols; the others were used for carrying rice or VIPs. </div>
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Scarborough Shoal was also perceived as a possible security risk by intelligence officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). For example, in March 1964, the Senate Blue Ribbon </div>
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Committee started an investigation on smuggling activities by high level Filipino politicians. During the hearings, the AFP Chief of Staff, General A. Santos, indicated that since 1961, the AFP </div>
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Intelligence Service uncovered some evidence linking smuggling activities in the Philippines with </div>
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communist China. In August 1961, during a raid against Filipino communists in Dupax (Nueva </div>
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Vizcaya Province), some documents including maps were seized. These maps, decoded by the Service, showed the smuggling routes from China, Macao, and Hong Kong to the Philippines, and </div>
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<div abp="1012" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1013">
Scarborough Shoal was one of the transhipment points for the smuggled goods entering the country.62 Were the smugglers simple businessmen or agents working for the subversion of the </div>
</div>
<div abp="1014" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1015">
Philippines? Whatever the reality, our point is to show that, despite the difficulty to the Philippine </div>
</div>
<div abp="1016" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1017">
Navy, this shoal was sometimes patrolled, arrests were made, and the the area was monitored by the Philippine Air Force when it was necessary. Moreover, the Intelligence Service of the AFP was aware of a potential risk of subversive activities through this shoal. It is probably the reason that, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1018" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1019">
following these investigations, a Filipino flag was raised on an 8.3-meter-high flag pole and that the government built and operated a small lighthouse.63 </div>
</div>
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<div abp="1021">
<br /></div>
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<div abp="1022" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1023">
Throughout this period, the two Chinas were inactive on the shoal. The Taiwanese had been focusing their activities on Itu Aba Island in the Spratlys since 1956.64 The Mainland government contented itself to protest the “imperialistic invasion” of the Nansha Islands (the Spratly Islands) by the Philippines, which together with Xisha and Zhongsha were part of the traditional territory of China. These protests could not be followed by practical activities since, at this time, the Chinese Navy was non-existent. One thing is certain: the activities of the Filipinos on Scarborough Shoal in the 1960s went unchecked and were not protested by the two Chinas. As Zou Keyuan himself recognized, not only foreign scholars but also Chinese scholars “neglect to mention Scarborough reef (sic) in the four traditionally-acknowledged groups of islands in the South China Sea”.65 In short, up to the end of the 1970s and beginning of the 1980s, the shoal was largely ignored by intellectuals and policy-makers in China. The first official mission on this shoal by Chinese authorities was made in 1978. In effect, that year, the Earthquake Bureau and Oceanic Administration made a survey of Scarborough Shoal. In 1983, the shoal was renamed Huangyan Qundao (Huangyan Islands).66 </div>
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<div abp="1027">
Thus, when, on May 1, 1997, Philippine Navy ships intercepted an international amateur radio team, sponsored by China, on Scarborough Shoal, and later arrested 21 Chinese fishermen, it started the first confrontation between the two countries over the shoal. On the Chinese side it was perceived as the first time the Philippines dared challenging China’s sovereignty over the shoal. But, in light of what we have said before, the Philippines could easily turn the argument against China.</div>
</div>
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<div abp="1031">
<span abp="1032" style="font-size: large;"><b abp="1033">3. The legal documents vs. the “U-shape line: strategic </b></span></div>
</div>
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<div abp="1035">
<span abp="1036" style="font-size: large;"><b abp="1037"> ambiguity </b></span></div>
</div>
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<div abp="1039">
<br /></div>
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<div abp="1041">
<b abp="1042">3.1. The legal documents of the Philippines and Scarborough Shoal </b></div>
</div>
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<div abp="1044">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1045" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1046">
When, on March 10, 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the new law on the baselines (R.A 9522) declaring Scarborough Shoal as outside the main archipelago but under the regime of islands, it was in conformity with UNCLOS and the historical links between the shoal and the Philippines. In fact, as we have seen, the shoal could be perceived as a special territory since the 19th century (under the sphere of influence of the Philippines) and confirmed as such by its exclusion from the different baseline laws of 1961, 1968, and 2009.67 The various state activities on the shoal, like organizing rescue operations, fighting smuggling activities, building a lighthouse, or more recently arresting poachers, are consistent with the nature of a low-tide elevation and its isolation from the main archipelago, and with the sovereign rights of the state in its EEZ.68 </div>
</div>
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<div abp="1048">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1049" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="1050" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCvqi5yiHcYiXcRLnmp6zuu2xfJIxKU1nHOlimr1qYSuX4NaFSD6swyk7rGT3XXtngAZLAHElCEN2-61cp8WyY0xN_A6DDkzA_vc3l-7qyLgo0oGCJxUmMaUOF1dIHWPGC-4ST6gqtvnA/s1600/picture+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1051" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCvqi5yiHcYiXcRLnmp6zuu2xfJIxKU1nHOlimr1qYSuX4NaFSD6swyk7rGT3XXtngAZLAHElCEN2-61cp8WyY0xN_A6DDkzA_vc3l-7qyLgo0oGCJxUmMaUOF1dIHWPGC-4ST6gqtvnA/s640/picture+3.jpg" width="563" /></a></div>
<div abp="1052" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1053">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1054" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1055">
The Chinese government has also criticized the Philippines’s position as inconsistent with the constitutions of 1935, 1973, and 1987, as they refer to the Philippines’s territory through the colonial Treaties, excluding de facto the shoal.69 However, first, neither of the post-colonial constitutions refers to the different Treaties signed by the American from 1898 to 1930. In both constitutions, the national territory is described as comprising “the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein”.70 No details were given on the geographical coordinates of the archipelago. Second, as we have seen, the shoal was claimed in 1938, and the two constitutions (1973 and 1987) specify that the national territory of the Philippines comprises also “all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction”. Thus, it would be logical to consider that Scarborough Shoal belongs to this category, “other territories”. </div>
</div>
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<div abp="1057">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1058" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1059">
<b abp="1060">3.2. The “U-shape line” and Chinese ambiguity</b> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1061" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1062">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1063" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1064">
The 2012 confrontation between China and the Philippines over Scarborough Shoal reactivated a long-drawn-out debate about the nature of the Chinese claim over the South China Sea and how to interpret the now-famous “U-shape line” or “nine-dotted line” drawn on all official maps of China since 1947. Many Chinese and foreign scholars have attempted to give an interpretation of this line, which encompasses most of the South China Sea. Is China claiming all the waters and land features located inside the line? Or is China claiming only the land features and their adjacent waters in accordance with UNCLOS? In other words, the line could be seen as an historical maritime boundary transforming the South China Sea into a “Chinese lake”, or a simple line of delimitation of land features belonging to China, similar to the Treaty limits of the Philippines. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1065" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1066">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1067" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1068">
In fact, historically, this cartographic symbol encompassing the South China Sea first appeared in 1936, on privately-published atlases and maps of China. A systematic study by Han Zhen Hua showed that the “U-shape line” appeared on 26 maps published between 1936 and 1945.71 Moreover, some Chinese historical atlases showed two lines on the maps of Asia (Annex 1, Map 9). A thick black line showed the maximal expansion of the Chinese empire, considering all the tributary states as part of the empire (the Sulu Islands were included). A second thin line encompassed the whole of the South China Sea, in order to show to the viewer how small China had become in modern times. In all these maps, this “U-shape line” was not considered a fixed maritime boundary but a simple delimitation line showing what land features belong to China. In effect, the southern limit of the line, for example, varied greatly in latitude from 9° N (three maps) to 4° N (at the latitude of James Shoal, one map), with most of the maps marking the Southern limit at 7° N (19 maps) or 8° N (three maps)72. </div>
</div>
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<div abp="1070">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1071" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1072">
In 1947, the Republic of China (ROC) published the first official map of the South China Sea with the “U-shape line” symbolized by 11 dashes. In the context of rivalry between the ROC and the Philippines over the Spratly Islands, a subtle strategy was developed by the officials of the Navy, Defense, and Interior during a meeting on June 12, 1947.73 During this meeting, the Navy official explained that, between Palawan Island (Philippines) and the closest land feature of the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands) there is a distance of 12 nautical miles. As each island is allowed to have a maritime belt of three nautical miles, there would be enough maritime space between the two countries (six nautical miles). However, for the official of the Interior, the standard to follow was the South China Sea as a whole. In short, the ROC government would claim officially and publicly everything inside the 11-dash line but, in case of negotiations with a third party, would follow the international rules of this time (i.e., a belt of three nautical miles around each island). With this flexible strategy, it was clear that the ROC government considered the “U-shape line” as a delimitation line and not an historical maritime boundary. The ambiguity was erected as a strategy to allow more flexibility during negotiations. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1073" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1074">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1075" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1076">
Following the defeat of the ROC government and its exile in Taiwan in 1949, the 1947 map was adopted by mainland China. However, two of the dashes were deleted in the area of the Tonkin Gulf in 1953. This new “Nine-dotted line” map has been the standard map in China and Taiwan since then. Since the implementation of UNCLOS in 1994, the “U-shape line” has been commented upon many times by various scholars but the Chinese government has always held to “strategic ambiguity” in its interpretation. In 2009, though, in the context of the Malaysian-Vietnamese joint submission and Vietnam’s own submission of their extended continental shelves to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), the Beijing government gave an inkling of its possible interpretation of the line in the future. In effect, in protest to the actions of Malaysia and Vietnam, the Chinese not only reiterated their “indisputable historical rights and sovereignty” over all the land features enclosed by the “U-shape line” but also: </div>
</div>
<div abp="1077" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1078">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1079" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1080">
“[China] enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters as well as the seabed and subsoil thereof (see attached map). The above position is consistently held by the Chinese government, and is widely known by the international community”.74 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1081" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1082">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1083" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1084">
In protest to the Philippine position over the Malaysia-Vietnam project, the Chinese underlined also their “indisputable sovereignty” over the Nansha Islands (Spratlys), but also: </div>
</div>
<div abp="1085" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1086">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1087" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1088">
“In addition, under the relevant provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea, as well as the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone (1992) and the Law on the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf of the People’s Republic of China (1998), China’s Nansha Islands is fully entitled to Territorial Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf”.75 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1089" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1090">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1091" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1092">
From these two paragraphs, it could be inferred that, with extreme caution, the policy makers in China may interpret the “U-shape line” as a delimitation line of “their insular possessions”, entitled to maritime zones in accordance with UNCLOS. This interpretation seems to have been confirmed, for example, on February 29, 2012 by Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei who separated the disputes over the sovereignty on insular features in the Spratlys and the disputes over maritime delimitations.76 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1093" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1094">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1095" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1096">
However, the increasing assertiveness of the Chinese in the South China Sea since 2010 seems to contradict this interpretation. In effect, on May 25, 2011, for example, three Chinese surveillance ships cut the exploration cable of a survey ship belonging to PetroVietnam. This incident happened deep in Vietnam’s EEZ and far from the Paracel Islands.77 This kind of incident, combined with pressure on foreign oil companies not to participate in exploration projects of the Southeast Asians claimants (inside the U-shape line), and an imposition of a unilateral annual fishing ban, seem to suggest that, in practice, China wants to enforce its jurisdiction in the whole area encompassed by the “U-shape line”.78 This divergence between some official statements and the practice of the Chinese government creates a strong uncertainty among the Southeast Asian claimants, who have all adopted UNCLOS for the definition of their maritime territories and jurisdiction. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1097" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1098">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1099" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1100">
Nevertheless, as Rodolfo Severino wrote, there is a risk in pushing China to clarify its claim in the South China Sea and define exactly the nature of the “U-shape line”.79 This risk is to force the Chinese government to adopt the most radical interpretation of the “U-shape line”, under the pressure, notably, of hard-core nationalists at home. By sending their maritime claims unilaterally </div>
</div>
<div abp="1101" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1102">
to the ITLOS, the Philippines takes the risk of pushing China into a corner. This risk is particularly </div>
</div>
<div abp="1103" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1104">
high as the nationalists in Taiwan, in 1993, have already been successful in imposing this view on </div>
</div>
<div abp="1105" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1106">
their government. The policy guidelines for the South China Sea, for example, published in 1993 in </div>
</div>
<div abp="1107" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1108">
Taipei, noted that: </div>
</div>
<div abp="1109" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1110">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1111" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1112">
“The South China Sea area within the historic water limit is the maritime area under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China, where the Republic of China possesses all rights and interests”.80 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1113" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1114">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1115" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1116">
In short, departing from its original position (1947), the ROC now considers the “U-shape line” as a maritime boundary defining its historical maritime domain, or a “Chinese lake”. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1117" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1118">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1119" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1120">
Thus, the actual “strategic ambiguity” of Beijing could be a “blessing in disguise” for the Southeast Asian claimants and should be carefully managed by them. The Beijing government is trapped by these two representations of the “U-shape line”, notably for Zhongsha Qundao. If it chooses to apply UNCLOS on Zhongsha Qundao, it could use the few rocks of Scarborough Shoal and claim a small maritime jurisdiction. The government would have to justify this minimal jurisdiction at home, and could be considered as traitorous to the nation, with unpredictable political consequences. If it aligns on the hard-line position of Taiwan and considers the “U-shape line” as delimiting the maritime territory of China, the Chinese government would have to enforce its sovereignty and the risk of an escalation of violence would be high, with the possible involvement of the United States. As the “U-shape line” has never been recognized by the international community and has no meaning in international law (only historical bays are recognized), China risks isolating itself and being accused of having imperialistic designs over Southeast Asia. This move would be counterproductive, as Chinese officials have many times in the past attempted to reassure the Southeast Asian nations that the rise of China would be peaceful. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1121" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1122">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1123" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1124">
My hypothesis is that China is gaining time by using this “strategic ambiguity” developed by the ROC in 1947 but abandoned in 1993. In this balancing act, the resolves of ASEAN and the United States are being tested.</div>
</div>
<div abp="1125" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1126">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1127" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1128">
<span abp="1129" style="font-family: "bookantiqua";"><span abp="1130" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: large;"><b abp="1131">4. ASEAN, China, and the United States: managing the </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1132" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1133">
<span abp="1134" style="font-family: "bookantiqua";"><span abp="1135" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: large;"><b abp="1136"> disputes? </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1137">
<span abp="1138" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1139" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1140">
<span abp="1141" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1142" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1143">
<span abp="1144" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1145" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1146">
<span abp="1147" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1148" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1149" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1150">
<span abp="1151" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1152" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> Up until now, each time a conflict arose over Scarborough Shoal, the governments involved have been able to deescalate the tensions, in the spirit of the South China Sea Declaration of 2002. But the measures taken have always been temporary in nature and the tensions have recurred every year during the fishing season (October to June). The latest row over the shoal (from April to July 2012), particularly tense, demonstrates the need for a united front among the ASEAN countries and “to manage the conflicts” in the South China Sea through a binding code of conduct. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1153">
<span abp="1154" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1155" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div abp="1156" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1157">
<span abp="1158" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1159" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div abp="1160" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1161">
<span abp="1162" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1163" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><b abp="1164">4.1. Discord in the ASEAN family </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1165">
<span abp="1166" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1167" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div abp="1168" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1169">
<span abp="1170" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1171" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div abp="1172" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1173">
<span abp="1174" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1175" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> On April 22, 2012, the Philippines’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Albert del Rosario, frustrated by the silence of ASEAN, called on all the nations that have a stake in the South China Sea to take a stand on the perceived “new aggressiveness” of China over Scarborough Shoal. “All, not just the Philippines, will be ultimately negatively affected if we do not take a stand”.81 This call was not only targeting the naval and commercial powers, like the United States and Japan, but also the ASEAN countries as a block. In fact, the 2012 bilateral dispute over Scarborough Shoal revealed, once more, the deep divisions among the ASEAN countries. Only four countries of ASEAN (Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam) are claiming parts of the South China Sea. Other countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand) have deep economic and financial ties with China and hesitate to displease their big neighbor. These divergent national interests were exacerbated, in 2012, by the accession of Cambodia to the chairmanship of ASEAN. Cambodia took the opportunity to systematically block all attempts by ASEAN to release any statements concerning Scarborough Shoal and the South China Sea dispute in general. For the first time in 45 years, for example, ASEAN was unable to produce an official communiqué, at the end of the Foreign Ministers meeting in Phnom Penh on July 16, 2012. The Cambodian officials left the meeting when Vietnam and the Philippines insisted on having a paragraph on the Scarborough Shoal dispute in the communiqué. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1176">
<span abp="1177" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1178" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div abp="1179" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1180">
<span abp="1181" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1182" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div abp="1183" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1184">
<span abp="1185" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1186" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> The sacrosanct principles of decision-making by “consensus” and neutrality towards the territorial disputes of its members, which have been at the foundation of ASEAN since its inception, are probably reaching their limits. The only consensus among the ASEAN nations, stated in the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and signed by China, is the necessity to peacefully resolve, in accordance with international law, and without the recourse to force, the disputes in the South China Sea. Moreover, ASEAN encourages the development of Confidence Building Measures (CBM) between China and the Southeast Asian claimants.82 But, beyond these very general statements, the lack of consensus among ASEAN nations weakens all proposals for conflict management and resolution. In 2011, for example, the Philippines proposed the establishment of a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship, and Cooperation (ZoPFFC). This proposal, supported by Vietnam, was to delimit precisely the disputed areas in the South China Sea and transform them into areas of cooperation among the claimant states. The ZoPFFC would have been managed through a specific development agency. By separating the disputed areas from the non-disputed areas, the project would have forced ASEAN to quit its traditional position of neutrality and push for a multilateral solution to the dispute. As this displeased China, for whom the only acceptable solution is bilateral negotiation, ASEAN rejected this proposal. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1187">
<span abp="1188" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1189" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div abp="1190" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1191">
<span abp="1192" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1193" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div abp="1194" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1195">
<span abp="1196" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1197" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> Facing a more aggressive policy in the South China Sea by China since 2010, but also bolder moves by the Philippines and Vietnam, and an increasing involvement of the United States in the region, ASEAN and China are bound to develop a strong Code of Conduct (COC) to defuse the tensions. The actual guidelines of the 2002 DOC, adopted only in July 2011, are not binding on the claimants and cannot be enforced. The numerous incidents in the South China Sea since 2010 show the need for an enforcement mechanism binding upon the signatories of the code. For Mark Valencia, for example, the code should have a provision stipulating that dispute settlement should be compulsory and adjudicated through an ad hoc tribunal.83 </span></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1198">
<span abp="1199" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1200" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div abp="1201" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1202">
<span abp="1203" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1204" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
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<div abp="1205" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1206">
<span abp="1207" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1208" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> Nevertheless, even if on July 20, 2012 the Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN called for “the early conclusion of a Regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea”,84 it would probably not be binding but a mere political declaration. This pessimistic view, shared by many analysts, is based on previous experiences: the 2002 DOC, for example, was downgraded from a legally binding code to a simple declaration.85 As in the case of the ZoPFFC, the negotiators clashed over the geographical scope of the DOC: should the DOC cover the whole of the South China Sea or only the disputed areas? What are the disputed areas? The Paracels and the Spratly Islands, as pushed by Vietnam? Orthe Spratly Islands only, as advocated by some other countries, like the Philippines? The main stumbling block for the negotiators, however, is the nature of the Chinese claim over the South China Sea and the interpretation of the “U shape line”. </span></span></div>
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<div abp="1209">
<span abp="1210" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1211" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
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<div abp="1212" style="text-align: left;">
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<div abp="1213">
<span abp="1214" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1215" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
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<div abp="1216" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1217">
<span abp="1218" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1219" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><b abp="1220">4.2. The South China Sea disputes: an American “conundrum” </b></span></span></div>
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<div abp="1221">
<span abp="1222" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1223" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
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</div>
<span abp="1225" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1226" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div abp="1227" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1228">
<span abp="1225" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1226" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> The silence and indecision of ASEAN over the South China Sea disputes have deeply frustrated and angered some of the claimants, notably the Philippines and Vietnam. This frustration has contributed to the deepening of their relationships with the United States in order to counterbalance the perceived aggressiveness of China in the South China Sea. In the double context of a shift in foreign policy of the United States from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Asia-Pacific region, and of the dispute over Scarborough Shoal, many Philippine officials, the national media, and public opinion have debated over the possibility of invoking the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT)86 in case of an escalation of violence with China over the shoal. As rumors and statements of preparation of war circulated in the official Chinese media without censorship, this question became particularly sensitive, pushing Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Rosario to clarify this point.87 </span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1225" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1226" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
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<div abp="1229" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<span abp="1225" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1226" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div abp="1230" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1231">
<span abp="1225" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1226" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> Can the United States be dragged into the Chino-Philippine dispute over Scarborough Shoal?Officially, the position of the United States over the South China Sea disputes is close to the position of ASEAN. The United States has repeatedly said that they do not take sides in these territorial disputes but enjoin the claimants to resolve their differences peacefully in accordance with international law and with respect of freedom of navigation. However, this principle of neutrality is counterbalanced by the Treaty obligations of the United States. The 1951 MDT can be invoked in three cases of attacks: 1) on the metropolitan territory of the Philippines (or the U.S.); 2) on the island territories under the jurisdiction of the Philippines (or the U.S.) in the Pacific Ocean; 3) on the armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft of the Philippines (or the U.S.) in the Pacific Ocean.88 </span></span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1225" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1226" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div abp="1232" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span abp="1225" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"><span abp="1226" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
<div abp="1233" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1234">
If we apply the MDT to the case of Scarborough Shoal, several remarks can be made. Since the promulgation of the 2009 baseline law, the Philippine government clearly does not consider that the shoal is part of its metropolitan territory. However, as we have seen, the claim over Scarborough Shoal was made some 13 years before the signing of the 1951 MDT. No lesser persons than the President of the Commonwealth, the High Commissioner in the Philippines, the Secretaries of State of the Navy, of Commerce, and of War concurred with this claim. If the expression “Pacific Ocean” integrates also the South China Sea,89 Scarborough Shoal could possibly be considered as part of the category “island territories”. Moreover, an attack on any public boat of the Philippines patrolling around the shoal could prompt the decision to invoke the MDT. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1235" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1236" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1237">
Thus, the risk could be potentially high for the United States to be embroiled in the bilateral dispute. The Chinese government is conscious of this risk and has sent to Scarborough Shoal only civilian ships belonging to the Bureau of Fisheries and State Oceanographic Administration.90 However, at the beginning of the standoff between the two countries, in April 2012, the Philippines used a warship, unsuccessfully, to enforce its fishery laws on the shoal. This act was considered a provocation by the Chinese, and could have easily escalated into violent acts if the Philippines did not recall its warship and replace it with civilian boats from the Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries. Moreover, the Filipino Coast Guard has observed the dangerous behavior of the Chinese boats trying to intimidate the smaller Filipino boats, by maneuvering so close to them and the reef and at such high speed that an accident could have easily happened, potentially escalating into a more serious situation.91 These potentially dangerous behaviors at sea should probably be addressed in the future Regional Code of Conduct in order to reduce the risks of escalation and involvement of a third party. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1238" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1239" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1240">
However, the invocation of the MDT does not mean an automatic armed response. In fact, the two parties would meet and decide their next move. These actions could range from the status quo, to diplomatic sanctions, to an armed response.92 Few analysts consider that the United States would risk damaging their larger bilateral relationships with China for the sake of Scarborough Shoal. Moreover, the capacity of the United States to intervene quickly in the South China Sea for the defense of the Philippines would depend on their access to the facilities situated on the island of Luzon, and the possibility of prepositioning their forces.93 This last point could become a bone of contention between Filipino nationalists across the whole political spectrum and the Aquino administration.94 If the various nationalist groups have been highly supportive of the strong position of the Aquino administration during the standoff with China, they would probably withdraw their support from the government if the price to pay for the security of the Philippines were the return of an important and visible American presence to the country. Nevertheless, the United States can use the MDT as a “sword of Damocles” hanging over the head of China and develop their own “strategic ambiguity”.95 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1241" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1242" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1243">
<span abp="1244" style="color: blue;"><b abp="1245"><span abp="1246" style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></b> </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1247" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1248" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1249">
1) The Philippines’s claim on Scarborough Shoal can be, probably, based on several activities of the Spanish Navy during the 19th century. The Spanish authorities surveyed, mapped, and named the shoal, and organized rescue operations there. These actions, pursued during the American time, were limited due to the fact that the shoal was far from the coastal area of Luzon and mostly submerged at high tide. The shoal was nevertheless in the sphere of influence of the Philippines. During all this time, there is no evidence of a Chinese interest, no protest by the Emperors of the Qing Dynasty, and no description of fishing activities on this shoal. Even the Paracel Islands, closer to China, were not part of the imperial territory before 1909. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1250" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1251" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1252">
2) In 1937-38, the colonial authorities, either American or Filipino, claimed Scarborough Shoal. This claim was supported by the State Department and other important mainland administrations. The transfer of the shoal could be done by invoking the Treaty of Washington of 1900. Parallel to the Filipino claim, the Chinese government made a blanket claim in 1935 to all the features of the South China Sea, among them Scarborough Shoal. Nevertheless, with the exception of the Paracel Islands, the Chinese authorities recognized that they had only one piece of evidence to justify their huge claim: the presence of their fishermen from Hainan. This preventive claim could be justified later, in the future, by more thorough research. The Filipino and Chinese claims were not publicized to the whole world, probably to avoid attracting the attention of the Japanese. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1253" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1254" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1255">
3) Up to the 1990s, the Philippine government had some activities that went unchecked by Chinese administrations (both mainland China and Taiwan). These activities, like stopping smuggling activities, bombing the facilities of the smugglers, arresting some of them, building a small lighthouse with a Filipino flag, and possibly the U.S. and Filipino navies using the shoal for target practice were all state practices limited by the fact that the shoal is mostly underwater. Moreover, the constitutions of 1973 and 1987 defined the main territory of the Philippines archipelago but added, “and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction”. Having been claimed by the Philippines since 1937-38, Scarborough Shoal could logically enter the category “other territories”. This category would recognize the special position of this shoal as under the sphere of influence of the Philippines during the Spanish time but not part of the main archipelago. The three laws on the baselines (1961, 1968, and 2009), excluding the shoal from the main archipelago, tend to reinforce the idea of a special maritime territory. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1256" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1257" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1258">
4) The activities of the Chinese government on the shoal started at the end of the 1970s. The protests of the Chinese in the decades before were never targeted to the Filipino activities on </div>
</div>
<div abp="1259" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1260">
Scarborough Shoal, but to activities in the Spratly and Paracel areas. It was the occasion to tell to the world that China was claiming all the features of the South China Sea, among them Zhongsha Qundao. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1261" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1262" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1263">
5) The four points above concern the possible land title of the Philippines over the shoal. These must be combined with the jurisdiction over the water surrounding the shoal. By showing to the ITLOS that Scarborough Shoal is a low tide elevation with few rocks above sea level, the Philippines could neutralize the EEZ around the shoal that the Chinese are eyeing. Nevertheless, this move could push China to choose to interpret radically the symbol of the “U-shape line” and attempt to enforce its jurisdiction in all the waters encircled by the line, with significant consequences on the security and stability of the region. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1264" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1265" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1266">
6) The neutralization of Scarborough Shoal is also in the interest of the other ASEAN countries, as it would reduce considerably the possibility for China to claim the whole South China Sea. However, the 2012 standoff on Scarborough Shoal has put the spotlight on the deep divisions among the ASEAN member states. A regional Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, binding all the claimants, would be necessary to reduce the tensions. However, the possibility is high that the COC would become a simple declaration under the influence of China. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1267" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1268" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1269">
7) Last but not the least, the Philippines’s claim was made 13 years before the Mutual Defense Treaty was signed with the Americans in 1951. The claim was supported and encouraged by the highest personalities in the American administration of the time. Scarborough Shoal could possibly be considered as part of the MDT’s category, “island territories”. The United States and the Philippines can develop a “strategic ambiguity” on the possible use or not of the Treaty. This strategy could “help protect the Philippines and peace and stability in the South China Sea”</div>
</div>
<div abp="1270" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1271" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1272">
<b abp="1273">Annex 1</b> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1274" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1275" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1276">
<b abp="1277"><span abp="1278" style="font-size: large;">Ancient Administrative Maps of China</span></b> </div>
</div>
</span><div abp="1279" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1280">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1281" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1282">
Map 1. Qing dai yi tong di tu [Administrative atlas of the Qing Dynasty], by Zhang Qiyun Jian Xiu, first edition 1760 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1283" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1284" style="text-align: left;">
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<a abp="1286" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1oY3mFr8nCrL8AcGpne6x7j6KkVmfNIne5GZMZK0CJ05ae8hcUVUizRag1sqUqIMA-MGeboud5tS3Y1RmK1dlbPjBle9_xbrUEjIpbKeRpQjuNxuXKXt7UPps0eImKrMes9OhidV00xn/s1600/map+1+ancient+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1287" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1oY3mFr8nCrL8AcGpne6x7j6KkVmfNIne5GZMZK0CJ05ae8hcUVUizRag1sqUqIMA-MGeboud5tS3Y1RmK1dlbPjBle9_xbrUEjIpbKeRpQjuNxuXKXt7UPps0eImKrMes9OhidV00xn/s640/map+1+ancient+map.jpg" width="596" /></a></div>
<div abp="1288">
This very detailed map of Hainan Island shows precisely all the sand banks, islets, etc. around the main island. Xisha, Zhongsha, and Nansha were not part of the administrative map of the Qing Dynasty in 1760. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1289" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1290">
<span abp="1291" style="color: blue;">XISHA is Paracel Island, ZHONGSHA is Macclesfield Bank, and NANSHA is Spratly Island.</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1292" style="text-align: left;">
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<a abp="1294" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB1AWcPIpxq4CRj0rpZ55Gnf62Fu38hoLH7_8C6sUVC8gaI9v35ltpQMVn9rYvSz0x0BO5kctw4Mpk45durGfYl1aR_Ox3d29JEglQy-eD-ttu_ONdVMbQW6g_GGU_v18RLEsHaJ8Us0C/s1600/map+2+ancient+map+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1295" border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB1AWcPIpxq4CRj0rpZ55Gnf62Fu38hoLH7_8C6sUVC8gaI9v35ltpQMVn9rYvSz0x0BO5kctw4Mpk45durGfYl1aR_Ox3d29JEglQy-eD-ttu_ONdVMbQW6g_GGU_v18RLEsHaJ8Us0C/s400/map+2+ancient+map+a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div abp="1296" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1297">
Map 2. Da qing yi tong zhi [Administrative book of the Qing Dynasty], 1784 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1298" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1299" style="text-align: left;">
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<a abp="1301" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTv8tJfjNjTLmV_Bs5lqNDDRhz3UIo8xO02kvCOGVLXL51iAi56ZFfSsuMOZ8GNYgifcVhk7z5AWFDXiTYSA-q9A2crqf6sGSMAPazk0BIHxe1X4Q_fUgYBkw358Zl66wqq5DGRcwajV5/s1600/map+3+ancient+map+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1302" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTv8tJfjNjTLmV_Bs5lqNDDRhz3UIo8xO02kvCOGVLXL51iAi56ZFfSsuMOZ8GNYgifcVhk7z5AWFDXiTYSA-q9A2crqf6sGSMAPazk0BIHxe1X4Q_fUgYBkw358Zl66wqq5DGRcwajV5/s400/map+3+ancient+map+a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div abp="1303" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1304">
Map 3. Guangdong dong tu [General map of Guangdong Province], 1866 (source: Zheng Xihuang (ed.), An atlas of ancient maps in China, Volume 3, 1997, No 196) </div>
</div>
<div abp="1305" style="text-align: left;">
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<a abp="1307" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLgfkbTsDcXfxLZLLiLMyTcNYLcnKXmvHZVm92iZzmHNGEqIW5YBUcCdyMzMvuzZPgCQfBsBITSjCxQxmE1DxpDCHEl-shE8aAExYx89rkIOASOuHSWa30O6kxsDlsUEAoNjJonpKgQrW/s1600/map+4+ancient+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1308" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLgfkbTsDcXfxLZLLiLMyTcNYLcnKXmvHZVm92iZzmHNGEqIW5YBUcCdyMzMvuzZPgCQfBsBITSjCxQxmE1DxpDCHEl-shE8aAExYx89rkIOASOuHSWa30O6kxsDlsUEAoNjJonpKgQrW/s400/map+4+ancient+map.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
<div abp="1309" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1310">
Map 4. Guangdong Yudi Quantu [Atlas of Guangdong Province], 1897 (source: China in ancient and modern maps, Sotheby’s publications [multiple authors]: Philip Wilson Publishers Limited, 1998, p. 247) </div>
</div>
<div abp="1311" style="text-align: left;">
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<a abp="1313" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4eR4xHIsYcQbjNoyFBXZBHnwCtXayEg_Q6xiKWlMbBg_y-q4o67xoqGVaAJGsw9NMUrm7HB1lESCnJIDKsEBuA4DrA52a5f7Cc8zUIe7Su9sYJNPmaR7gVyVz-eIZjrinC4MH6zkHrUv/s1600/map+5+ancient+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1314" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4eR4xHIsYcQbjNoyFBXZBHnwCtXayEg_Q6xiKWlMbBg_y-q4o67xoqGVaAJGsw9NMUrm7HB1lESCnJIDKsEBuA4DrA52a5f7Cc8zUIe7Su9sYJNPmaR7gVyVz-eIZjrinC4MH6zkHrUv/s640/map+5+ancient+map.jpg" width="435" /></a></div>
<div abp="1315">
Map 5. Zhonghua min guo xin qu yu tu [Map of the new territory of the Republic of China], by Tong Shiheng, Shanghai: Zhong Wai yu tu ju, Minguo 6 [1917] Since 1909, the Paracels are integrated in the maps of China. On this map of 1917, the Paracels are in the small frame, right corner (see details Map 6). </div>
</div>
<div abp="1316" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1317" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="1318" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuleE_Ng2rzZi2Lf1jgS1-pcu1murBazwmnkCTeVm0I9EEwfMvbrL3VfBxDXsh0iHrfAliHZuELBGZyGa-5xwf4fT81ccYJZDTP2XeSXwzgeXFAIS90tgePWIoG76w7KuG4XnlIXHGqES/s1600/map+6+ancient+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1319" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuleE_Ng2rzZi2Lf1jgS1-pcu1murBazwmnkCTeVm0I9EEwfMvbrL3VfBxDXsh0iHrfAliHZuELBGZyGa-5xwf4fT81ccYJZDTP2XeSXwzgeXFAIS90tgePWIoG76w7KuG4XnlIXHGqES/s640/map+6+ancient+map.jpg" width="625" /></a></div>
<div abp="1320">
Map 6. Details of the Zhonghua min guo xin qu yu tu, 1917. The southernmost part of Xisha Qundao (Paracels) is Te li tun dao, the phonetics for Triton Island. <span abp="1321" style="color: black;">Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands are not part of the Chinese territory.</span> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1322" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1323" style="text-align: left;">
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<a abp="1325" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8JYnilzkQST5vhADOAGWykBKpcGYdwqevQHNORLRHQY4tAN6_uASN9KOS_DlJvOHPielZKi0cYo0K5m-iI71F7FWnhDJFK4_66Dz78kna67L8ndqku3H3FQzD-DiM_Fs-Zy70RMKTu8p/s1600/map+7+ancient+,map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1326" border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8JYnilzkQST5vhADOAGWykBKpcGYdwqevQHNORLRHQY4tAN6_uASN9KOS_DlJvOHPielZKi0cYo0K5m-iI71F7FWnhDJFK4_66Dz78kna67L8ndqku3H3FQzD-DiM_Fs-Zy70RMKTu8p/s400/map+7+ancient+,map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div abp="1327" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Map 7. Details of the Liang guang di tu (Map of Hainan and Guangdong Province), Guangdong, Minguo 20 [1931] </div>
</div>
<div abp="1328" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1329" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1330">
The year the Committee on National Territory started its work (1931), the province of Guangdong published this large map showing, in the frame (corner left), only Xisha Qundao as part of its territory. XISHA QUNDAO is Paracel island.</div>
</div>
<div abp="1331" style="text-align: left;">
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<div abp="1332" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1333" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="1334" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WTnBQNvhG9jutLaDhr1f3RvG93MzX1l6DtqPgPIc03mZ_tRrZ3mhvV-blTFHMNGuLdRnCtOg64EJNK3K6b5WB2N5uR1032G-r3YjWt3T10F-kyEnGVaUdb_en08knXltjNNyduk6l4Ic/s1600/map+8+sketches-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1335" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WTnBQNvhG9jutLaDhr1f3RvG93MzX1l6DtqPgPIc03mZ_tRrZ3mhvV-blTFHMNGuLdRnCtOg64EJNK3K6b5WB2N5uR1032G-r3YjWt3T10F-kyEnGVaUdb_en08knXltjNNyduk6l4Ic/s640/map+8+sketches-.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<div abp="1336">
Map 8. Map made in 1977 from sketches by a fisherman, Mr. Fu Hong Guang, in 1935 (source: Committee on Toponymy of Guangdong Province, Compilation of the References on all the Names of the Islands of the Southern Sea, Calligraphy by Ling Shi Tang, Guangdong Map Publishing Company, 1987, p. 86) </div>
</div>
<div abp="1337" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1338">
This map shows the fishing grounds of the Paracel Islands, Macclesfield Bank, and the Spratly Islands, but nothing about Scarborough Shoal. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1339" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1340" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1341" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="1342" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWc1SjUWbCOf8quosjcqp8As1g091eyQccyDRrNUMMoCWlKSgRLa9HBPk2euhYt9qzjGyeMXyHjdKBUVWldQqCft0GrF4M5WY8Om6zsIxalAWrfebuu8JD61hcB7spnq0pZSIp1M9_wDd/s1600/ancient+map+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1343" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWc1SjUWbCOf8quosjcqp8As1g091eyQccyDRrNUMMoCWlKSgRLa9HBPk2euhYt9qzjGyeMXyHjdKBUVWldQqCft0GrF4M5WY8Om6zsIxalAWrfebuu8JD61hcB7spnq0pZSIp1M9_wDd/s640/ancient+map+9.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
</div>
<div abp="1344" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1345" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Map 9. Xin Zhongguo fen sheng tu [New map of the provinces of China], by Tu Sicong and Wang Zhen Bian Zuan, [Chongqing]: Sheng huo shu dian, 1939, p. 45 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1346" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1347" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1348" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The thick black line shows the tributary states of China in the past. The thin line in the South </div>
</div>
<div abp="1349" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1350">
China Sea shows the actual limits of the territory of China, as perceived by the two authors. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1351" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1352" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1353">
<b abp="1354">Annex 2</b> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1355" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1356" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1357">
<b abp="1358"><span abp="1359" style="font-size: large;">Transcriptions of some records, concerning Scarborough Shoal, in the Bureau of Insular Affairs papers (BIA) in the U.S. National Archives Records Administration (NARA). </span></b></div>
</div>
<div abp="1360" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1361" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1362">
Letter from Wayne Coy, Office of the U.S. High Commissioner in Manila, to Thomas J. Maher, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1363" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1364">
U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Manila, December 6, 1937 (Reference: BIA 907.127 NARA) </div>
</div>
<div abp="1365" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1366" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1367">
Dear Captain Maher, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1368" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1369">
Scarborough Reef (Shoal) lies some 200 miles north of Manila almost on the Manila-Hong Kong air line. Can you tell me whether or not it is outside of Philippine territorial waters, and if it is outside of Philippine territorial waters, is it unclaimed?</div>
</div>
</span><br />
<div abp="1370">
<br /></div>
<div abp="1371" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1372">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1373">
<span abp="1374" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1375">
<span abp="1376" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1377">
<span abp="1378" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1379">
<span abp="1380" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1381">
<span abp="1382" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1383">
<span abp="1384" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1385">
<span abp="1386" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1387">
<span abp="1388" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1389">
<span abp="1390" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1391" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1392">
<span abp="1393" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> Cordially yours,</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1394">
<span abp="1395" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1396" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1397">
<span abp="1398" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> Wayne Coy </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1399">
<span abp="1400" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1401" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1402">
<span abp="1403" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1404" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1405">
<span abp="1406" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">*******************************************</span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1407">
<span abp="1408" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1409" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1410">
<span abp="1411" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1412" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1413">
<span abp="1414" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1415" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1416">
<span abp="1417" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">Letter of Thomas J. Maher, Director of Coast Surveys to Wayne Coy, Office of the U.S. High </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1418">
<span abp="1419" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1420" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1421">
<span abp="1422" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">Commissioner in Manila, December 10, 1937 (Reference: BIA 907.127 NARA) </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1423">
<span abp="1424" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1425" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1426">
<span abp="1427" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1428" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1429">
<span abp="1430" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> Dear Mr. Coy, </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1431">
<span abp="1432" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1433" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1434">
<span abp="1435" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> In reply to your letter dated December 6, 1937, I am forwarding you the following: </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1436">
<span abp="1437" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1438" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1439">
<span abp="1440" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div abp="1441" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1442">
<span abp="1443" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> a) Extract from India Directory 1836 </span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1444">
<span abp="1445" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div abp="1446" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1447">
<span abp="1448" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> b) One extract from “Derrotero de Archipelago Filipino” dated 1879, with translation </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1449" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div abp="1450" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1451">
<span abp="1449" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> c) One extract from the China Sea Pilot, Vol II, British Admiralty </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1449" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div abp="1452" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1453">
<span abp="1449" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> d) One extract from the Coast Pilot, French Hydrographic Office </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1449" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div abp="1454" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1455">
<span abp="1449" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;"> e) One copy of Chart n° 4200 on which are outlined the treaty limits of the Philippine Islands </span></div>
</div>
<span abp="1449" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div abp="1456" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span abp="1449" style="font-family: "bookantiqua"; font-size: small;">
<div abp="1457" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1458">
You will note that the eastern limit of Scarborough Shoal is about 9 miles west of the treaty limits outlined on chart 4200. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1459" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1460">
We have not carried our surveys, in this section, to the treaty limits as outlined. The location </div>
</div>
<div abp="1461" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1462">
of Scarborough Shoal or Reef has not been determined by this organization. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1463" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1464" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1465">
The limits as shown are based on: </div>
</div>
<div abp="1466" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1467">
- The Treaty of Paris, December 10, 1898 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1468" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1469">
- Supplemental treaty dated November 7, 1900 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1470" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1471">
- Arbitral award, Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, April 4, 1928 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1472" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1473">
- Presidential proclamation, January 2, 1930 based on a convention between the United States and </div>
</div>
<div abp="1474" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1475">
Great Britain. 38 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1476" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1477" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1478">
The Treaty of Paris might be interpreted as setting the limits of jurisdiction within certain specified boundaries. The supplemental treaty removed any possible ambiguity as to jurisdiction extending to all Spanish territory in the Philippine Archipelago. The Arbitral award of April 4, 1928 recognized the jurisdiction of the Netherlands over Palmas Island which is situated approximately twenty five miles westward of the eastern limits as defined by the Treaty of Paris or twenty five miles within those limits. The Convention as set forth in the proclamation dated January 2, 1930 extended the original Treaty of Paris limits in the southwest area. The limits are determined by extent of territory instead of by fixed boundaries. These two changes show the flexibility of the limits: in one case, favorable in so far an extension was concerned; in the other unfavorable, in so far as the result was a loss of territory within boundaries described in the Treaty of Paris. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1479" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1480">
It may be of interest to note that modern charts show Scarborough Shoal or Reef as the closest to Luzon in that latitude. However, there are areas between Luzon and Scarborough Shoal or Reef which have not been surveyed. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1481" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1482">
Copies of charts on file in this office, the originals apparently dating back to 1727 indicate that there is a strong possibility of Scarborough Shoal or Reef having been known prior to the grounding on it of the Scarborough, as they show a shoal in the same latitude as Scarborough but differing in longitude, in the direction in which navigation in those days was most weak.</div>
</div>
<div abp="1483" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1484">
These old charts show several shoals off the west coast of Luzon. One is listed as Bco de Masingolo O’ Panacot. Other charts show a similar shoal with the name somewhat modified. All are in practically the same latitude as Scarborough Reef or Shoal, but situated closer to Luzon, yet Scarborough Reef or Shoal, is today the closest known reef or shoal to Luzon in that latitude. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1485" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1486">
The technique of navigation a century and a half and more ago was such that, from shipboard, latitude could be determined with the necessary accuracy, but the determinations of longitudes were often accompanied by marked uncertainties if not inaccuracies. This great variation in longitude, even with respect to this one shoal, is shown on a chart of the China Sea believed to have been published or compiled about 1770 and contained in a volume believe to be solely the Oriental Neptune, though this map may have been compiled by Dalrymple. Three different locations of Scarborough Shoal apparently by different navigators are noted. All are practically in the same latitude but with an extreme difference in an east and west direction of about 140 miles. “B” location is about 80 miles west of the location most nearly agreeing with the accepted position. Location “A” is about 60 miles west of location “B” (Distances subject to correction as units of latitude were used as an approximate scale without investigation of chart distortion). Remarks intended as illustration of errors in location only. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1487" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1488">
While conversing with the Commanding officer of the British ship Herald regarding surveys of Asiatic waters, I asked him if he had been to Scarborough Shoal and if on account of the grounding of the Scarborough it were considered British. He did not answer my question, but said that it was no good. Acceptance of that statement, in its fullest meaning, would require some information as to the basis of his point of view. From necessity, not from choice, I have ridden out a typhoon within Apo Reef, a place which could not be called good, either. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1489" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1490" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1491">
Mr. Maynard, in charge of one of the Divisions of this office, informed me that a trader statedto him that he and some others organized a party which visited Scarborough Shoal; that excellent pearls could be obtained there and that there was a considerable quantity of pearls shells, but that rough weather was experienced and nothing was accomplished. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1492" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1493" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1494">
You probably have in your files news clippings (Bulletin July 27, 1933; La Vanguardia August 22, 1933) regarding the occupancy of certain islands in the vicinity of the Great Danger Reef. Under date of July 26, 1933 the Consul General of China requested information regarding the 9 islands west of the Philippines reported as having been taken over by the French government. I doubt that the possibility of laying claim to Scarborough Shoal or Reef had been overlooked by those scouring this section of the Pacific. Inquiry might therefore be made of the State Department as to whether they have information regarding definite ownership. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1495" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1496">
An expression of opinion as to ownership or what constitutes ownership will not be made by this office. Only the data, or references thereto on file in this office are submitted for consideration, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1497" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1498">
viz: </div>
</div>
<div abp="1499" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1500" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1501">
1) Coast Pilot records of grounding of the Scarborough, 1748 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1502" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1503">
2) Old charts indicating prior discovery or knowledge</div>
</div>
<div abp="1504" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1505">
3) Reference to survey in April 1800 by a Frigate sent by the Spanish Admiral from Manila. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1506" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1507">
If this survey would confer title on Spain or be a recognition of sovereignty, or a claim for same without protest, the Reef would apparently be considered as part of Spanish territory the transfer of which would be governed by the treaty of November 7, 1900. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1508" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1509">
A survey of the shoal is desirable for several reasons (see paragraph 3). If the survey shows an atoll or a rim enclosing deep water, it should be visited during both monsoons, for the purpose of observing the turbulence of the sea within. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1510" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1511">
Consideration might be given to the establishment of an unwatched skeleton steel frame light and to a determination of its feasibility. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1512" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1513">
I am also referring you to the Commandant, Navy Yard, Cavite, Bureau of Insular Affairs and the State Department. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1514" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1515" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1516">
Respectfully, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1517" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1518">
Thomas J. Maher </div>
</div>
<div abp="1519" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1520" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1521" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1522" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1523">
<b abp="1524">Letter of Jorge B. Vargas, Office of the President of the Philippines, to Wayne Coy, Office of the </b><b abp="1525">U.S High Commissioner in Manila, March 31, 1938 (Reference: BIA 907.127. NARA)</b></div>
</div>
<div abp="1526" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1527">
Sir, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1528" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1529" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1530">
I have the honor to enclose herewith for transmission to the Department of State, Washington, D.C, papers relative to the Scarborough Shoal.</div>
</div>
<div abp="1531" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1532" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1533">
The Commonwealth Government desires to study the possibilities of the reef, particularly as to its value as an aid to air navigation. It is requested, therefore, that inquiry be made of the State Department as to what information is available regarding its ownership. In case it should appear that the reef is of value to air or ocean navigation, the Commonwealth Government may desire to claim title thereto, should there be no objection on the part of the United States Government to such action. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1534" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1535" style="text-align: right;">
<div abp="1536">
Very respectfully,</div>
<div abp="1537">
Jorge B. Vargas </div>
</div>
<div abp="1538" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1539" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1540">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div abp="1541" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1542">
<b abp="1543">Letter of State Secretary Cordell Hull to the Secretary of War, Harry H. Woodring, July 27, 1938 (Reference: BIA 907.127. NARA)</b></div>
</div>
<div abp="1544" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1545">
My dear Mr. Secretary: </div>
</div>
<div abp="1546" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1547">
The receipt is acknowledged of the War Department’s letter of May 24, 1938, transmitting correspondence received from the United Sates High Commissioner relative to Scarborough Shoal, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1548" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1549" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1550">
and to a desire of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines to study the possibilities of this shoal, particularly with respect to its value as an aid to air navigation. With the intention of possibly laying claim thereto if no objection be interposed on the part of the Government of the United States, the Commonwealth Government inquires as to what information the Department of State may have on the subject of the ownership of the shoal. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1551" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1552" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1553">
This Department has no information in regard to the ownership of the shoal other than that which appears in the file attached to the letter under reference. While the shoal appears outside the limits of the Philippine Archipelago as described in article III of the American-Spanish Treaty of December 10, 1898, it would seem that, in the absence of a valid claim by any other government, the shoal should be regarded as included among the islands ceded to the United States by the American-Spanish Treaty of November 7, 1900. This view would appear to be warranted by the following considerations: </div>
</div>
<div abp="1554" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1555" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1556">
1) The record of a survey of the shoal made in April 1900 by a ship sent out by the Spanish </div>
</div>
<div abp="1557" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1558">
Admiral at Manila (see page 3 of letter of December 10, 1937 from the Director of Coast Surveys to </div>
</div>
<div abp="1559" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1560">
the Office of the United States High Commissioner). </div>
</div>
<div abp="1561" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1562" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1563">
2) The fact that the shoal is in the general region of the Philippine Archipelago and that the nearest land is the island of Luzon, approximately 120 miles distant. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1564" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1565" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1566">
3) The absence of any evidence of any claim to the shoal by any other government. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1567" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1568" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1569">
Accordingly, in the absence of evidence of a superior claim to Scarborough Shoal by any other</div>
</div>
<div abp="1570" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1571">
government, the Department of State would interpose no objection to the proposal of the Commonwealth Government to study the possibilities of the shoal as an aid to air and ocean navigation, provided that the Navy Department and the Department of Commerce, which are interested in air and ocean navigation in the Far East, are informed and have expressed no objection to the course of action contemplated by the Commonwealth Government. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1572" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1573">
The enclosures with your Department’s letter of May 24 are returned herewith. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1574" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1575" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div abp="1576" style="text-align: justify;">
<div abp="1577">
Sincerely yours, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1578" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1579">
Cordell Hull</div>
</div>
<div abp="1580" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1581" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1582">
</div>
</div>
<div abp="1583" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1584">
<b abp="1585">Letter from W. R. Furlong, Acting Secretary of the Navy to Louis Johnson, </b></div>
</div>
<b abp="1586"><div abp="1587" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1588">
Acting Secretary of War, August 27, 1938 (Reference: BIA 907.127. NARA)</div>
</div>
</b><div abp="1589" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1590" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1591">
Sir, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1592" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1593" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1594">
Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of 1 August 1938 and the accompanying papers, with reference to the international status of Scarborough Shoal. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1595" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1596">
It is noted that the Commonwealth Government of the Philippine Islands desires to study the </div>
</div>
<div abp="1597" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1598">
possibilities of this reef, particularly as to its value as an aid to air navigation and with the possibility of later claiming title thereto should there be no objection on the part of the United States Government to the such action. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1599" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1600">
The papers accompanying your letter, which are returned herewith, have been carefully considered and this Department has no objection to the course of action contemplated by the Commonwealth Government. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1601" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1602" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1603">
Respectfully, </div>
</div>
<div abp="1604" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1605">
W. R. Furlong</div>
</div>
</span><br />
<div abp="1606">
<br /></div>
<div abp="1607">
<br /></div>
<div abp="1608">
<span abp="1609" style="color: cyan;"></span><br /></div>
<div abp="1610" style="text-align: center;">
<div abp="1611">
*****************************************************</div>
</div>
<div abp="1612" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div abp="1613" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1614">
<i abp="1615"><span abp="1616" style="color: blue;"></span></i><br /></div>
<div abp="1617" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1618">
<span abp="1619" style="color: blue;"><i abp="1620">Footnotes :</i></span></div>
</div>
<div abp="1621" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="1622" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1623">
1 François-Xavier Bonnet is a French geographer and Research Associate of IRASEC (Research Institute on Contemporary </div>
<div abp="1624">
Southeast Asia). </div>
</div>
<div abp="1625" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1626">
2 Zou Keyuan, “Scarborough Reef: A New Flashpoint in Sino-Philippines Relations?”, IBRU Boundary and Security </div>
<div abp="1627">
Bulletin, Summer 1999: p. 71. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1628" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1629">
3 <a abp="1630" href="http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/sgdt/t922594.htm">http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/sgdt/t922594.htm</a> </div>
<div abp="1631">
4 Interview by author, Manila, 2011. There are no exploration activities for oil and gas yet in this area. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1632" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1633">
5 Forum on “West Philippine Sea beyond disputes, diplomacy and damage control: The need for strategic management”, </div>
<div abp="1634">
October 5, 2012, Asian Center, University of the Philippines. </div>
<div abp="1635">
6 <a abp="1636" href="http://globalnation.inquirer.net/51276/roxas-says-no-change-in-ph-china-standoff">http://globalnation.inquirer.net/51276/roxas-says-no-change-in-ph-china-standoff</a> </div>
<div abp="1637">
7 For example, Saint Esprit Shoal is at least 10 meters below sea level; Macclesfield Bank is 20 meters below sea level with </div>
<div abp="1638">
areas nine meters below sea level. See Admiralty Sailing Directions, China Sea Pilot, Vol. 1, Revised edition 1987, p. 79-80. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1639" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1640">
11Oil companies consider that there is no possibility of finding oil and gas in the area of the shoal. See Jay L. Batongcal, </div>
<div abp="1641">
Conference in Ateneo de Manila, August 23, 2012. </div>
<div abp="1642">
12 See, for example, ABS-CBN News, Palace says nat’l pride at stake in Scarborough dispute, 04/20/2012. </div>
<div abp="1643">
13 Interview by author. Manila, 2011. </div>
<div abp="1644">
14 Some of our sources think that a part of this system of communications is to guide and detect submarines. </div>
<div abp="1645">
15 Jay L. Batongcal, Conference in Ateneo de Manila, August 23, 2012. </div>
<div abp="1646">
16 UNCLOS, Part 2, Territorial sea and contiguous zone, Section 2, Limits of the territorial sea, Article 13, Low-tide elevations. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1647" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1648">
<br /></div>
<div abp="1649">
17. UNCLOS, id. The second paragraph of Article 13 stipulates that, “Where a low-tide elevation is wholly situated at a distance exceeding the breadth of the territorial sea from the mainland or an island, it has no territorial sea of its own”. </div>
<div abp="1650">
18 The jurisdiction of the ITLOS comprises all disputes concerning the interpretation or application of UNCLOS. Nevertheless, Article 298 of UNCLOS allows a state to exclude, from the compulsory binding procedures, some specific kinds of disputes. These categories are sea boundary delimitations or those involving historic bays or titles (Art.298 (a)), disputes concerning military activities (Art. 298 (b)), and disputes involving the United Nations Security Council (Art. 298 (c)). Since 2006, China has excluded these three types of disputes from the compulsory binding procedures of the </div>
<div abp="1651">
Tribunal. However, the Philippines can request an arbitration concerning its sovereign rights in its EEZ in the area of the Scarborough Shoal, questioning the activities of China and seeking a legal opinion on the nature of the shoal. The results of the arbitration would be binding on China. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1652" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1653">
19 James Horsburgh, Memoirs: Comprising the Navigation to and from China, by the China Sea, and through the various Straits and Channels in the Indian Archipelago, London, 1805, p. 28. The Spanish Hydrographic Office was created in 1800. See David Hancox and Victor Prescott, Secret Hydrographic Surveys in the Spratly Islands, Maritime Institute of Malaysia, 1997, p. 24.</div>
</div>
<div abp="1654" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1655">
20 James Horsburgh, op. cit., p. 244. </div>
<div abp="1656">
21 Aaron Arrowsmith, Chart of the Philippine Islands, from the Spanish Chart 1808. Bajo is an old Spanish hydrographic term </div>
<div abp="1657">
that means shallows. Bajo de Masingloc can be translated as Shallows of Masingloc. </div>
<div abp="1658">
22 Hydrographic Office, The Admiralty, The China Sea Directory, Vol. 2, London, 1889, p. 352-353. </div>
<div abp="1659">
23 Annuario de la Dirrecion de Hidrografia, ano 4, numero 56, Madrid, 1866, p. 18-19. </div>
<div abp="1660">
24 Conference of Dr. Jay L. Batongbacal, Ateneo de Manila, August 23, 2012. </div>
<div abp="1661">
25 See <a abp="1662" href="http://www.chanrobles.com/scdecisions/jurisprudence1916/mar1916/gr_l-10051_1916.php">http://www.chanrobles.com/scdecisions/jurisprudence1916/mar1916/gr_l-10051_1916.php</a> </div>
<div abp="1663">
26 Spanish maps of the 18th century show some shoals off the coast of Zambales Province (Luzon) at the latitude of Scarborough Shoal but with widely different longitudes. Moreover, there is no evidence of any kind of “management” of this shoal, like conduct of rescue operations, before the 19th century.</div>
</div>
<div abp="1664" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1665">
27 See Zou Keyuan, op. cit., 1999, p. 71-81. </div>
<div abp="1666">
28 This silence is surprising as the documents we found, in the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), in Maryland, have been declassified since 1994. </div>
<div abp="1667">
29 David Hancox and Victor Prescott, op. cit., 1997. </div>
<div abp="1668">
30 François-Xavier Bonnet, “The Spratlys: A Past Revisited”, World Bulletin, Volume 23, July-Dec. 2004, University of the Philippines Law Center, p. 18-19. The State Department considered that the islands claimed by France were separated from Palawan by a large maritime area called “Dangerous Ground” on the nautical charts. This “Dangerous Ground” could not be claimed by a colonial power as it was made of reefs and other underwater features. From that time, the U.S. government has always considered the need to separate the “Dangerous Ground” from the Spratly Islands proper. In </div>
<div abp="1669">
their perception, they consider the Spratly Islands as a group of islands situated west of the “Dangerous Ground” even if they don’t express it publicly. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1670" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1671">
31 Memorandum of Captain Thomas Maher, USC&GS Manila, to Mr. Wayne Coy, Office of the U.S. High Commissioner, </div>
<div abp="1672">
December 10, 1937. Bureau of Insular Affairs (BIA) 907.127 NARA (see Annex 2). </div>
<div abp="1673">
32 Id., p. 2 </div>
<div abp="1674">
33 Id., p. 3 </div>
<div abp="1675">
34 Id., p. 3 </div>
<div abp="1676">
35 Memorandum from Antonio G. Perez, Chief Administrative Officer from the USC&GS Manila to Jesus Cuenco, Secretary of Public Works and Communications, January 18, 1938, Confidential. BIA 907. 127 NARA. </div>
<div abp="1677">
36 Letter of Jorge Vargas, Secretary to the President, to Wayne Coy, Office of the United States High Commissioner, March 31, 1938. BIA 907.127 NARA (see Annex 2). </div>
<div abp="1678">
37 Memorandum of Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, to Harry Woodring, Secretary of War, July 27, 1938, BIA 907.127. NARA (see Annex 2). </div>
<div abp="1679">
38 Letter from Rear Admiral Furlong, Acting Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of War, August 27, 1938. BIA 907.127 NARA (see Annex 2). Letter of Paul Frizzel, Secretary of Commerce, to the Secretary of War, October 19, 1938. BIA 907.127 NARA. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1680" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1681">
43 Wang Wen Tai, Hong mao fan ying ji li kao lue [To Study the Foreigners], 1843, in Han Zhen Hua, op. cit., 1988, p. 163. </div>
<div abp="1682">
44 The seven expeditions of Admiral Zheng He (from 1405 to 1433), reaching the Indian Ocean (or Western Ocean for the Chinese), Eastern Africa, and the Middle East during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), were the exceptions in the whole history of the Empire. </div>
<div abp="1683">
45 The British mariners called the sea lane between the coast of Annam and the long bank of the Paracels the Inner Passage; they called the high seas route through Macclesfield Bank, east of the Paracels, the Outer Passage. This differentiation would disappear when the European cartographers and surveyors discovered that the Paracel Islands were much smaller than initially perceived. </div>
<div abp="1684">
46 “The barbarians with red hair” was the name given originally to the British people by the Chinese. </div>
<div abp="1685">
47 This name comes from the British ship Macclesfield. Its captain, John Harle, made, in 1701, the first description of the bank. See China Sea Directory, op. cit., p. 108. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1686" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1687">
48 He made the first unofficial claim over Bai La Su Dao, the phonetic translation of the Paracel Island. See Guo Song Tao, Shi xi ji cheng [Journey of a diplomat in western countries], Book 1, p. 7, in Han Zhen Hua, op. cit., 1988, p. 126. </div>
<div abp="1688">
49 Committee on Toponymy of Guangdong Province, Compilation of the References on all the Names of the Islands of the Southern Sea, Calligraphy by Ling Shi Tang, Guangdong Map Publishing Company, 1987, p. 367. Generally, Chinese scholars, writing for an international audience, consider that these German missions were in the Spratly Islands and that the Chinese government protested these activities to the point that the Germans left the area. In fact, Chinese scholars’ own research shows otherwise, but such findings are not published in English. </div>
<div abp="1689">
50 China Sea Directory, op. cit., p. 103. In the note it is said, “The description of these islands and reefs [the Paracels] is principally from the German government surveys, executed between the years 1881 and 1884”. </div>
<div abp="1690">
51 April 1909, according to the lunar calendar used by the Chinese. For the solar calendar (Gregorian calendar), it was in May 1909. </div>
<div abp="1691">
52 For example, in 1928, the Commission, sent to the Paracels to reaffirm Chinese sovereignty over the archipelago, confirmed that, “The Paracel archipelago is our nation’s southernmost territory”. See Marwyn Samuels, op. cit., 1982, p. 57. </div>
<div abp="1692">
53 See Han Zhen Hua, op. cit., 1988, p. 319. 14 </div>
</div>
<div abp="1693" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1694">
<br /></div>
<div abp="1695">
56 The French government did not react to the Chinese mission of 1909. </div>
<div abp="1696">
57 Memorandum of Captain Maher, op. cit., December 10, 1937, p. 2. The Consul submitted, on August 1, 1933, his report to the Chinese Foreign Affairs Department, which said, “The islands are collectively known as Tizard Bank and are situated at 530 miles from Hainan, 350 miles from the Paracels and 200 miles from Palawan …. The reports mentioning that the 9 islands were part of Xisha [the Paracels] are incorrect”. See The North China Herald and National News Weekly of </div>
<div abp="1697">
August 9, 1933. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1698" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1699">
58 Wai Jiao bu nan hai zhu dao dang an hui bian [Compilation by the Department of Foreign Affairs of all the records concerning the islands in the South Sea], Vol. 1, Taipeh, 1995, p. 47-49. </div>
<div abp="1700">
59 Id., 1995, p. 99. </div>
<div abp="1701">
60 See the critics of the Chinese geographers in Committee on Toponymy, op. cit., 1987, p. 43.</div>
</div>
<div abp="1702" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1703">
61 Daily Mirror, October 10-11 and 14, 1963 and Manila Times, October 11-12-14 and 29, 1963</div>
</div>
<div abp="1704" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1705">
62 Manila Times, March 21, 1964. </div>
<div abp="1706">
63 Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Position on Bajo de Masinloc and the Waters Within its Vicinity, April 18, 2012. The ruins of the small light are noted in the Admiralty Sailing Directions, China Sea Pilot, Vol. 2, 1998, p. 70. The light is located on the northeast side of the reef. </div>
<div abp="1707">
64 Following the claim of the Filipino Thomas Cloma on Freedomland (the Spratlys) in 1956, the Taiwanese established themselves on the biggest island of the group, Itu Aba. </div>
<div abp="1708">
65 Zou Keyuan, op. cit., p. 71. </div>
<div abp="1709">
66 Committee on Toponymy, op. cit., 1987, p. 52. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1710" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1711">
69 See <a abp="1712" href="http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/sgdt/t922594.htm">http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/sgdt/t922594.htm</a> </div>
<div abp="1713">
70 The 1973 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, Article 1, National Territory. </div>
<div abp="1714">
71 Han Zhen Hua, op. cit., 1988, p. 353. Between 1914 and July 1933, three maps showed also the “U-shape line” but it encompassed only the Paracel Islands and the Pratas Islands. These maps are: 1) Hu Jin Jie [Zhong hua min guo di li xin tu] (Map of the new geography of the Republic of China) 1914; 2), Tu Si Cong [Zhong hua zui xin xing shi tu] (Map of contemporary China) 1927; 3), Chen Duo [Zhong guo mo fan di tu] (Best map of China) July 1933. </div>
<div abp="1715">
72 Han Zhen Hua, op. cit., 1988, p. 354-355. </div>
<div abp="1716">
73 Wai Jiao bu nan hai zhu dao dang an hui bian [Compilation by the Department of Foreign Affairs of all the records concerning the islands in the South Sea], Vol. 2, Taipeh, 1995, p. 784-788. </div>
</div>
<div abp="1717" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1718">
74 China’s communication to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, May 7, 2009, p. 1 at </div>
</div>
<div abp="1719" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1720">
<a abp="1721" href="http://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/mysvnm33_09/chn_2009re_mys_vnm_e.pdf">http://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/mysvnm33_09/chn_2009re_mys_vnm_e.pdf</a> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1722" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1723">
75 China’s communication to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, April 14, 2011, p. 2 at </div>
</div>
<div abp="1724" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1725">
<a abp="1726" href="http://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/mysvnm33_09/chn_2011_re_phl_e.pdf">http://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/mysvnm33_09/chn_2011_re_phl_e.pdf</a> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1727" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1728">
76 International Crisis Group (ICG), Stirring up the South China Sea (1), Asia Report No 223, April 23 2012, p. 3 at <a abp="1729" href="http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/north-east-asia/223-stirring-up-the-south-china-sea-i.pdf">http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/north-east-asia/223-stirring-up-the-south-china-sea-i.pdf</a> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1730" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1731">
77 ICG, op. cit., p. 6.</div>
</div>
<div abp="1732" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1733">
78 Ian Storey, “China’s Bilateral and Multilateral Diplomacy in the South China Sea”, in Patrick M. Cronin (ed.), Cooperation from Strength, the United States, China and the South China Sea, Center for a New American Security, January 2012, p. 54 at <a abp="1734" href="http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_CooperationFromStrength_Cronin_1.pdf">http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_CooperationFromStrength_Cronin_1.pdf</a> </div>
<div abp="1735">
79 Rodolfo Severino, op. cit., p. 1. </div>
<div abp="1736">
80 Erik Franckx and Marco Benatar, “Dotted Lines in the South China Sea: Fishing for (legal) Clarity”, in Tran Truong Thuy (ed.), The South China Sea, Towards a Region of Peace, Security and Cooperation, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Hanoi, The Gioi Publishers, 2011, p. 33, at <a abp="1737" href="http://nghiencuubiendong.vn/en/">http://nghiencuubiendong.vn/en/</a> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1738" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1739">
81 <a abp="1740" href="http://globalnation.inquirer.net/34333/other-nations-must-take-stand-on-china-%E2%80%93-philippines">http://globalnation.inquirer.net/34333/other-nations-must-take-stand-on-china-%E2%80%93-philippines</a> </div>
<div abp="1741">
82 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, 8th ASEAN Summit, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 4, </div>
<div abp="1742">
2002, <a abp="1743" href="http://www.aseansec.org/13163.htm">http://www.aseansec.org/13163.htm</a> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1744" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1745">
83 Mark Valencia, A Code of Conduct for the South China Sea: Politics, Principles and Possible Provisions, Kuala Lumpur, Maritime Institute of Malaysia, 2012, p. 33, at <a abp="1746" href="http://www.mima.gov.my/images/stories/ResearchCentres/SOM/">http://www.mima.gov.my/images/stories/ResearchCentres/SOM/</a> </div>
<div abp="1747">
Research_Project/2012_RP/som%20-%20guiding%20principles%20for%20a%20code%20of%20conduct.pdf </div>
</div>
<div abp="1748" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1749">
84 Rodolfo Severino, A Code of Conduct for the South China Sea?, Pacific Forum CSIS, Honolulu, Hawaii, August 17 2012, p. 1 at <a abp="1750" href="http://csis.org/files/publication/Pac1245A.pdf">http://csis.org/files/publication/Pac1245A.pdf</a> </div>
<div abp="1751">
85 Rodolfo Severino, op. cit., p. 1 at <a abp="1752" href="http://csis.org/files/publication/Pac1245A.pdf">http://csis.org/files/publication/Pac1245A.pdf</a> </div>
<div abp="1753">
86 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America, August 30, 1951. </div>
<div abp="1754">
87 Statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary, Alberto Rosario, regarding the Philippines-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty , May 9, </div>
<div abp="1755">
2012 at <a abp="1756" href="http://www.gov.ph/2012/05/09/statement-of-secretary-del-rosario-regarding-the-philippines-u-s-mutual-defensetreaty-may-9-2012/">http://www.gov.ph/2012/05/09/statement-of-secretary-del-rosario-regarding-the-philippines-u-s-mutual-defensetreaty-may-9-2012/</a> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1757" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1758">
<a abp="1759" href="http://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/standoff-at-scarborough-shoal-implications-for-us-china-relations/">http://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/standoff-at-scarborough-shoal-implications-for-us-china-relations/</a> </div>
<div abp="1760">
91 <a abp="1761" href="http://globalnation.inquirer.net/35177/philippines-denounces-china-for-bullying-tactics">http://globalnation.inquirer.net/35177/philippines-denounces-china-for-bullying-tactics</a> </div>
<div abp="1762">
92 Walter Lohman, Scarborough Shoal and Safeguarding the American Interests, Issue Brief, n°3603, May 14, 2012, The </div>
<div abp="1763">
Heritage Foundation, p. 2, at <a abp="1764" href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/05/south-china-sea-dispute-betweenchina-and-the-philippines-safeguarding-americas-interests">http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/05/south-china-sea-dispute-betweenchina-and-the-philippines-safeguarding-americas-interests</a> </div>
</div>
<div abp="1765" style="text-align: left;">
<div abp="1766">
93 Renato Cruz De Castro, “Future Challenges in the U.S-Philippines Alliance”, Asia Pacific Bulletin, n°168, June 26, 2012, </div>
<div abp="1767">
East-West Center, p. 2, at <a abp="1768" href="http://www.eastwestcenter.org/publications/future-challenges-in-the-us-philippines-alliance">http://www.eastwestcenter.org/publications/future-challenges-in-the-us-philippines-alliance</a> </div>
<div abp="1769">
94 Renato Cruz De Castro, op. cit., p. 2. </div>
</div>
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95 Walter Lohman, South China Sea: Make the Chinese Guess, April 21, 2011, the Heritage Foundation, at </div>
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<a abp="1774" href="http://blog.heritage.org/2011/04/21/south-china-sea-make-the-chinese-guess/">http://blog.heritage.org/2011/04/21/south-china-sea-make-the-chinese-guess/</a> </div>
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96 Walter Lohman, op. cit., April 21, 2011</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-20890599469690740832016-05-25T08:52:00.002+08:002016-05-25T08:52:23.106+08:00The History of Pandi, Bulacan and the Kakarong Republic<br />
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Pandi is a second class rural municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. The municipality of Pandi lies 41 kilometres (25 miles) north-east of Manila and is located at the eastern portion of Bulacan Province. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 66,650 inhabitants.<br />
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With the continous expansion of Metro Manila, Pandi is now included in the Greater Manila's build-up which reaches San Ildenfonso, Bulacan at its northernmost part. Pandi is one of the youngest towns in Bulacan, During the Spanish Regime, Pandi was a part of the political jurisdiction of the town of Meycauyan City including the tows of San Jose del Monte, Bocaue, Marilao, Valenzuela, Obando,Santa Maria, Balagtas, it also formed part of the vast Hacienda Santa Maria de Pandi, which included the towns of Sta. Maria and Balagtas and parts of Angat and Bustos. Pandi was then a part of the town of Balagtas (then Bigaa) until its formal separation and independence on April 17, 1946.<br />
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<b>Early History</b><br />
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Pandi was originally part of the Hacienda of Dominicans named Hacienda which belongs to the Town Santa Maria de Pandi (now Santa Maria, Bulacan). In 1874 it was turn over to the town of Bigaa as one of its Barrio and the religious activity belongs to Convento de Bigaa under the auspices of Augustinian order established a chapel under the advocacy of Immaculate Concepcion.<br />
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<b>Republic of Kakarong de Sili. </b><br />
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During the Philippine Revolution, Pandi played a vital and historical role in the fight of Philippine independence, Pandi is historically known for the Real de Kakarong de Sili Shrine - Inang Filipina Shrine, the site where the bloodiest revolution in Bulacan took place, where more than 3,000 Katipuneros died.<br />
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<i>Inang Filipina Shrine in Kakarong de Sili. wherein about 6,000 Katipuneros from various towns of Buloacan headed by General Eusebio Roque, better know as " Maestrong Sebio" that the "Kakarong Republic" was organized shortly after the cry of Balintawak. "Kakarong Republic" was the first and </i></div>
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<i>truly organized Revolutionary Government established in the country to overthrow the Spaniards antedating even the famous "Malolos" and "Biak-na-Bato Republic". </i></div>
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Likewise, it is on this site where the "Republic of Real de Kakarong de Sili of 1896. one of the first Philippine revolutionary republics was established. It was in Kakarong de Sili in which abouth 6,000 Katipuneros from various towns of Bulacan headed by Brigadier General Eusebio Roque, a mysticist (albularyo) better known as "Maestrong Sebio or Dimabungo". The "Kakarong Republic" was the first revolutionary government established in Bulacan to overthrow the Spaniards. These significant events have been included as one of the attributes in the seal of the province of Bulacan.<br />
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According to available records including the biography of General Gregorio del Pilar, entitled "Life and Death of a Boy General" written by Teodoro Kalaw, former director of the National Library of the Philippines.<br />
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An improvised fort was constructed at "Kakarong de Sili" it had streets, and independent police force, a musical bang, a factory of falconets, bolos, and repair shops for riples and cartridges. The "Kakarong REpublic" had a complete set of officials with Canuto Villanueva as Supreme Chief and "Maestrong Sebio" - Eusebio Roque as Brigadier General of the Army. The fort was attacked and totally destroyed on January 1, 1897 by a large Spanish force headed by General Olaguer - Feliu. General Gregorio del Pilar was only a lieutenant at that time and the "The Battle of Kakarong de Sili" was his first "baptism of fire". This was where he was first wounded and escaped to nearby barangay "Manatal". After the Battle of Kakarong de Sili mysticist Eusebio Roque wre arrested and transferred to Bulakan town where the seat of Alcaldia Mayor was located and he was sentenced to death.<br />
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The Kakarong Lodge No. 168 of the "Legionarios del Trabajo" in memory of the more than 3,000 Katipuneros who perished in the battle erected a monument of the Inang Filipina Shrine in 1924.</div>
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<b><i>Please read more at the below web link :</i></b></div>
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandi,_Bulacan</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also known by the moniker "Dimabungo" General Eusebio Roque was one of Bulacan's most prominent Katipunan leaders whose heroic role in the Philippine Revolution was often associated with stories of miracles. It is said that Roque described as a seer and a "master mystic" (hence his other nickname, "Maestrong Sebio"), used to pray in battle and miraculously repelled bullets as a results.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Roque was instrumental in the establishment of Real de Cacarong (or Kakarong de Sili), the biggest fortress or headquarters in Bulacan. It was then situated in Bigaa "now Balagtas Bulacan) and according to Nick Joaquin's "A Question of Heroes". had its own streets, a market, a foundry, an armory, its own government , its own police, even its own "banda de musika."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Katipuneros under Roque soon made their presence felt through their armed resistance against the Spaniards. Threatened by their numbers, Governor General Camilo Polavieha was quoted saying "En Cavite esta el escandalo, y el peligro en Bulacan" (the disorder is in Cavite, but the danger is in Bulacan). And soon came the tragic downfall of Kakarong de Sili that no one-not even Roque the "miracle man" - was able to foresaw.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Led by Lt. Jose Olaguer Feliu y Ramirez, the Spanish forces made a surprise attack in the Bulacan fortress, killing thousands of civilians and rebels in the process. Roque was able to escape towards Bustos, but was later captured after one of his own men - a traitor - divulged his whereabouts to the Spanish authorities. As a punishment, he was forced to walk from Bustos to Bulakan, Bulacan (then the capital of the province) before being imprisoned and finally executed.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the defeat of Kakarong de Sili, Gen. Isidoro "Matanglawin" Torres established another headquarters in Paombong, Bulacan but it , too, fell to the Spanish forces.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aside from killing around 1,100 rebels during the surprise assault in Kakarong, the Spanish forces also seized "seven cannons, a cartridge factory, and a large number of firearms"</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gregorio del Pilar one of the youngest generals of the Philippine Revolutionary Army, enlisted in Roque's troops in Kakarng and was one of the brave soldiers who defenced the fortress up to the last minute. His role in the said conflict earned him the rank of lieutenant.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Link :</b></span></div>
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<b>10 More Haunting Last Pictures Ever Taken in Philippine History</b><br />
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g blogID=6731780608964839614#editor/target=post;postID=198064555162896008;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=1;src=link</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Notwithstanding the heated debate of whether it became a <i>de facto </i>government after it operated in the open, the Katipuanan actually succeeded a republoc long before Emilio Aguinaldo's Biak-na-Bato or the Malolos Republic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Located in Bulacan, the Republic of <i>Real de Kakarong de Sili </i>was established on December 4, 1896 by some 6,000 Katupuneros led by Supreme Chief Canuto Villanueva and General Eusebio "Maestrong Sebio" Roque. Together they constructed a fort in the area and established a working mini-state.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The republic operated like a real government, complete with its own armed forces, police, and other civilian offices. Unfortunately the republic lasted for only a month. On January 1, 1897, a large Spanish contingent overran the fort and massacred an estimated 1,000 - 3,000 Katipuneros. The most survivor of this setback would be none other than Gregorio del Pilar.</span></div>
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A lieutenant at the time, del Pilar sustained injuries during the battle - his baptism of fire - but managed to escape. Today a monument - the Inang Filipina Shrine -stands on the site as testimony to the bravery of the revolutionaries.</div>
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<span style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.71429;"><b>10 Little-known Facts About The Katipunan</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.filipiknow.net/facts-about-the-katipunan/</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<b>Historical records from the Immaculate Conception Parish Church of Pandi.</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-90787269084628557242016-05-25T05:43:00.001+08:002016-07-04T07:29:46.483+08:00Mary Angelica's Poetry<br />
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<b style="line-height: 115%;">SIBOL PANDIEÑO
by Mary Angelica Bonifacio</b><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-16144813852269417412016-05-21T18:50:00.001+08:002016-05-21T19:05:49.084+08:00The Legend of Bernardo Carpio<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Bernardo%20Carpio/Bernardo_Carpio%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Bernardo%20Carpio/Bernardo_Carpio%207.jpg" height="640" width="455" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once upon a time, there was a couple who lived in one of the many mountains of San Mateo, Rizal. The man and woman were very poor and led a very hard life. But one day, amidst all their poverty and hardships, came a bundle of joy and happiness. The man and the woman were given the gift of the birth of a big, beautiful, and healthy baby boy. They named their newborn son Bernardo Carpio and he became his parents' most precious treasure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Like any other kid, Bernardo loved to play. But something was noticeably very different about Bernardo. Unlike other kids, Bernardo had the power of extraordinary strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was said that when Bernardo was still a baby crawling on all fours, all the floorboard nails that he hooked with his tiny fingernails were pulled out from their very places. When Bernardo was sill learning how to walk, any railing that he used for support was destroyed and splintered into pieces. And anytime Bernardo's parents gave him a new toy to play with, the toy would break and become crushed in the palms of his small hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As Bernardo grew up to be a handsome young man, his power doubled and increased even more, He soon became renowned not only for his power of extraordinary strength, but also for his dashing good looks. Furthermore, Bernardo possessed great courage and bravery that were second to none.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everyone knew that Bernardo could easily beat any man so no one would dare face Bernardo Carpio in a match of strength and bravery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not like other typical guys, Bernardo was not interested in merriment, social gatherings, and other festivities. The loveliness of all the beautiful young women in his town did not appeal to him. What really captivates Bernardo was the forest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bernardo found his real happiness in the forest. The part where the trees were</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the thickest and the densest is where he often stayed. These is where he spent time with and sought the company of his close friends, the animals of the forest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the forest that Bernardo frequented iived an enchanted creature. This enchanted creature was a very big and a very strong male. However, the creature also had the ugly manner of envying and causing harm to others. The enchanted creature had seen Bernardo many times during the innumerable visits that he had made to the forest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It did not take long before the begrudging and hateful enchanted creature got wind of Bernardo's fame for his extraordinary strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The enchanted creature was sure that the young man would be no match against his own power and strength. One day, the enchanted creature for Bernardo to come into the forest. As soon as he saw Bernardo, he immediately challenged him into a duel. Bernardo was not one to back down from any fight so he accepted the challenge right away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And so the two fought. This was foilowed by many different battles in which both of them made use of their power of great strenth. And in every single one of them, the enchanted creature lost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">They separated after a long and arduos battle. The enchanted creature left but not without hatred in his heart for the one that defeated him. He waited for the right time and the right opportunity to exact revenge on Bernardo for the loss and shame that he had suffered in his hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the enchanted creature was able to chance upon Bernardo once again, he invited him to a hidden area of the forest. In that area were tow enourmous slabs of stone that were position on either side of the place. In the middle of those two stone slabs was where the enchanted creature dwelled. The creature told Bernardo to go ahead and enter the place. As soon as Bernardo reached the spot right in the center of the two stones. the enchanted creature vanished into thin air. And suddenly, the two stone slabs started to fall towards Bernardo. Using his extraordinary strength, Bernardo fought against the stone's massive weight and size to prevent them from crushing him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">According to the elders, Bernardio Carpio is still in the same place, holding those two stones. And every time an earthquake occurs, it is said that it is because of Bernardo Carpio moving and wishing to break free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Credit to WOW Paradise Philippines</b> :</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 27px;">http://www.wowparadisephilippines.com/bernardo-carpio.html</span></div>
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<h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" lang="en" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: black; font-family: 'Linux Libertine', Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
Pamitinan Cave</h1>
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamitinan_Cave#mw-head" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamitinan_Cave#p-search" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;"></a></div>
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<tr><th class="fn org" colspan="2" style="background-color: #e7dcc3; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Pamitinan Cave</th></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Location</th><td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodriguez,_Rizal" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rodriguez, Rizal">Rodriguez</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rizal">Rizal</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Philippines">Philippines</a></td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Coordinates</th><td style="vertical-align: top;"><span class="plainlinks nourlexpansion"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><img alt="" class="wmamapbutton noprint" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/WMA_button2b.png/17px-WMA_button2b.png" style="border: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: middle;" title="Show location on an interactive map" /><a class="external text" href="https://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Pamitinan_Cave&params=14_43_54.5556_N_121_11_24.3018_E_type:landmark_" style="background: none !important; color: #663366; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;"><span class="geo-default" style="display: inline;"><span class="geo-dms" style="display: inline;" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for this location"><span class="latitude" style="white-space: nowrap;">14°43′54.5556″N</span><span class="longitude" style="white-space: nowrap;">121°11′24.3018″E</span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="coordinates" style="float: right; font-size: 11.05px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-align: right; top: 0px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_system" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Geographic coordinate system">Coordinates</a>: <span class="plainlinks nourlexpansion"><img alt="" class="wmamapbutton noprint" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/WMA_button2b.png/17px-WMA_button2b.png" style="border: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: middle;" title="Show location on an interactive map" /><a class="external text" href="https://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Pamitinan_Cave&params=14_43_54.5556_N_121_11_24.3018_E_type:landmark_" style="background: none !important; color: #663366; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: none;"><span class="geo-default" style="display: inline;"><span class="geo-dms" style="display: inline;" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for this location"><span class="latitude">14°43′54.5556″N</span> <span class="longitude">121°11′24.3018″E</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Geology</th><td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Madre_(Philippines)" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Sierra Madre (Philippines)">Sierra Madre</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wawa_Dam" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Wawa Dam">Wawa Dam</a></td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Access</th><td style="vertical-align: top;">Tours are available</td></tr>
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In the foothills of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Madre_(Philippines)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Sierra Madre (Philippines)">Sierra Madre</a> mountain range lies the <b>Pamitinan cave</b>. It is located in the San Rafael <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Barangay">barangay</a> (near <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodriguez,_Rizal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rodriguez, Rizal">Rodriguez</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rizal">Rizal</a>) in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Philippines">Philippines</a>. It is also near the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wawa_Dam" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Wawa Dam">Wawa Dam</a>. The cave was formerly known as the '"Cave of Bernardo Carpio"'. Its former name was derived from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernardo_Carpio" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Bernardo Carpio">Bernardo Carpio</a>, a figure in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_mythology" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Philippine mythology">Philippine mythology</a> who was rebuked by the gods because of his insolence. Legend states that he was chained forever in the Montalban <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorge" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Gorge">gorge</a>, cursed to keep two mountains from colliding with each other.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Santos.28Philippines.291998_1-1" style="font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamitinan_Cave#cite_note-Santos.28Philippines.291998-1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;">[1]</a></sup></div>
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On April 12, 1895, <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andres_Bonifacio" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Andres Bonifacio">Andres Bonifacio</a> along with eight other <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katipunan" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Katipunan">katipuneros</a> declared the Philippines independence from the <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_empire" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Spanish empire">Spanish empire</a> inside of this cave.The walls still bear inscriptions of <i>"Viva la Independencia Filipinas"</i> from the time of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Revolution" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Philippine Revolution">Philippine Revolution</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tan2010_3-0" style="font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamitinan_Cave#cite_note-Tan2010-3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;">[3]</a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-4" style="font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamitinan_Cave#cite_note-4" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;">[4]</a></sup> On June 21, 1996, Pamitinan cave was declared a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historic_site" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Historic site">historic site</a> by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Historical_Commission_of_the_Philippines" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="National Historical Commission of the Philippines">National Historical Commission of the Philippines</a>.</div>
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During <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="World War II">World War II</a>, Japanese soldiers occupied the cave and used it as a camp.</div>
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Wawa Dam</h1>
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</div>
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<tr><th class="fn org" colspan="2" style="background-color: skyblue; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Wawa Dam</th></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"><a class="image" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WawaDamjf6015_03.JPG" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="WawaDamjf6015 03.JPG" data-file-height="3456" data-file-width="4608" height="480" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/WawaDamjf6015_03.JPG/220px-WawaDamjf6015_03.JPG" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/WawaDamjf6015_03.JPG/330px-WawaDamjf6015_03.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/WawaDamjf6015_03.JPG/440px-WawaDamjf6015_03.JPG 2x" style="border: none; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>Wawa Dam</b></div>
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<img alt="Wawa Dam" data-file-height="64" data-file-width="64" height="8" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/12px-Red_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/16px-Red_pog.svg.png 2x" style="border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; vertical-align: middle;" title="Wawa Dam" width="8" /></div>
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Location in the Philippines</div>
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<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Country</th><td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Philippines">Philippines</a></td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Location</th><td style="vertical-align: top;">Montalban Gorge, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodriguez,_Rizal" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rodriguez, Rizal">Rodriguez</a>,<a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_(province)" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rizal (province)">Rizal</a></td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Coordinates</th><td style="vertical-align: top;"><small><span class="plainlinks nourlexpansion"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><img alt="" class="wmamapbutton noprint" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/WMA_button2b.png/17px-WMA_button2b.png" style="border: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: middle;" title="Show location on an interactive map" /><a class="external text" href="https://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Wawa_Dam&params=14_43_40_N_121_11_30_E_type:landmark_region:PH" style="background: none !important; color: #663366; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;"><span class="geo-default" style="display: inline;"><span class="geo-dms" style="display: inline;" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for this location"><span class="latitude" style="white-space: nowrap;">14°43′40″N</span> <span class="longitude" style="white-space: nowrap;">121°11′30″E</span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="coordinates" style="float: right; font-size: 11.05px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-align: right; top: 0px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_system" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Geographic coordinate system">Coordinates</a>: <span class="plainlinks nourlexpansion"><img alt="" class="wmamapbutton noprint" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/WMA_button2b.png/17px-WMA_button2b.png" style="border: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: middle;" title="Show location on an interactive map" /><a class="external text" href="https://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Wawa_Dam&params=14_43_40_N_121_11_30_E_type:landmark_region:PH" style="background: none !important; color: #663366; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: none;"><span class="geo-default" style="display: inline;"><span class="geo-dms" style="display: inline;" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for this location"><span class="latitude">14°43′40″N</span> <span class="longitude">121°11′30″E</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></small></td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Purpose</th><td style="vertical-align: top;">Water supply (original)<br />
Recreation (current)</td></tr>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="background-color: skyblue; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Dam and spillways</th></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dam#Types_of_dams" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Dam">Type of dam</a></th><td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch-gravity_dam" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Arch-gravity dam">Arch-gravity dam</a></td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Impounds</th><td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marikina_River" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Marikina River">Marikina River</a></td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Length</th><td style="vertical-align: top;">280 feet (85 m)</td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spillway" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Spillway">Spillways</a></th><td style="vertical-align: top;">One</td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" style="vertical-align: top;">Spillway type</th><td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spillway#Other_types" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Spillway">Ogee crest</a></td></tr>
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<b>Wawa Dam</b> (also known as <b>Montalban Dam</b>) is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_dam" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Gravity dam">gravity dam</a> constructed over the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marikina_River" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Marikina River">Marikina River</a> in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_the_Philippines" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Municipalities of the Philippines">municipality</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodriguez,_Rizal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rodriguez, Rizal">Rodriguez</a> in <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_(province)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rizal (province)">Rizal</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippines" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Provinces of the Philippines">province</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Philippines">Philippines</a>. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_dam" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;" title="Arch dam">slightly arched dam</a> is situated in the 360-metre (1,180 ft) high Montalban Gorge or Wawa Gorge, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_gap" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Water gap">water gap</a> in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Madre_(Philippines)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Sierra Madre (Philippines)">Sierra Madre Mountains</a>, east of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Manila">Manila</a>. It was built in 1909 during the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Philippines" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="History of the Philippines">American colonial era</a> to provide the water needs for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Manila">Manila</a>. It used to be the only source of water for Manila until <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angat_Dam" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Angat Dam">Angat Dam</a> was built and Wawa was abandoned. Due to insufficiency of water supply for Metro Manila, there was a strong clamor to reuse the dam.</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 27px;"><b>Related story :</b></span></div>
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<b>Bernardo Carpio</b><br />
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernardo_Carpio</span></span></div>
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http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Bernardo_Carpio</div>
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<b>The Myth of Wawa Dam in Montalban</b></div>
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http://www.wowrizal.com/features/latest/the-myth-of-wawa-dam-in-montalban/</div>
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http://philurbanlegends.blogspot.com/2013/09/pandora-wawa-dam-lady.html<br />
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<b>Pamitinan Protected Landscape</b></div>
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http://parks-philippines.blogspot.com/2011/05/pamitinan-protected-landscape.html</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>WOW Paradise Philippines</b> :</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 27px;">http://www.wowparadisephilippines.com/bernardo-carpio.html</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 27px;">* * * * </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 27px;"><b>YouTube Video</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 27px;"><b>Pamintinan Cave in Rodriguez Rizal</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Bernardo Carpio - Animated</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-72295061074891096122016-05-20T11:56:00.005+08:002016-05-26T11:22:14.223+08:00My sea voyage with my wife onboard MV Handy River <b>Year 2001</b>
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MV Handy River is a Philippine registered Bulk cargo vessel of 22,000 GRT, owned and managed by Malaysian International Shipping Corp. MISC is owned by Petronas the state oil corporation of Malaysia. I was employed by MISC Fleet for about 5 years in some of their ocean-going bulk vessels. We are all Filipinos from the Master (which is me) down to the lowest rank.<br />
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However in 2002 owing perhaps to political reasons all MISC ships were reverted to Malaysian Registry. However we still remain onboard the ship though it was under Malaysian flag, since Malaysia were short of officers and crew on their own registered vessels.<br />
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From Brisbane Australia where my wife boarded the vessel, to Inchon South Korea, to Portland Oregon, to Vancouver BC, to Iligan City-Philippines, till Johore Bahru Malaysia where she disembarked from the vessel after the ship's drydocking.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="275" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065888407079021826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMW7Zevh4gwxpOK2mw8s-6TcbVm2oXfDoILd9bnEFaVKIKBHONiKMdSyb2-Uz2jswqyxF2vL1cX8pEd-loKJf14HlSRyaVXSstj9wo10fl_PKb7lyBvEC6DW-SPUasvQyF_TZVGnPLKKWS/s400/ship.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" />Vessel fully loaded with cargo, now on deep draft.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="237" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065887307567394034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL990aHmXAaew75wCXuKpea2rJBKeKWWFWdHttcNAvifB5OTgzDgD93Vqc2Ym_9bCt0kyf9pIgReU57sMDSEi0c6q-soWNbdZ1np_ItILm-DT8XCQ0DVALjaNMsN0p0Xb6juF53UFuxhA2/s400/ship2-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /> She is looking at the Radar<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="352" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065889429281238290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgrD2QFNTRG2BDFshQ7qeF8ogiaaQmnuU0liSIpBEdaZ2HFJ7DRGJmld-D7Us0u_HtTmnrlg8_6BFXiMPiRaY1WDcNw4ks6F_9J0eFy7tsO-0K15Ng9fp_oMkcKjS4fANWuzIkUYzTd7F/s400/ship3-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" />At the helm (steering wheel) of the ship.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065890958289595682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4d0H6LbgVAHI3d2zCPaH6_t31N-UnmwEa8PL_pL1TpvWmsEbGUXucbCIp0LHQUvK8ZFjuTOANL2WNWjJrRBhax0rijWhFAatrTHRQyZcifXvJ0zVXgiEjxD0EfwwhenkCf0YNcA-UZNS/s640/ship1-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> Wife taking a compass bearing of a target .<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="450" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065894647666502978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2NjQ7_Q2Tc6Y5wYP2kvdYgsRsaOTU5eyq7cl-DPigvgvRtJd7J-WZGP1My2BSpgBtsXhsr7Jkdv3-p6rilYdyfVqYpe0MQ4st4_3u6Q3jKNq_QKV2yMDy8w_WzLFaYAimVkE0LUFcsiM/s640/ship9.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> She joined the Officers and Crew in the Boat Drill / Abandon ship drill.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="448" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065896060710743394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT5Ne1zDyGIkwqrFEHqyeITbmGDa6UKJqrBmLqFTh7xgFCeaDvL1IHv2LmtpcVrOtRglYaxS_CZesRez-jpHvXgFlANnS5M-O-Gpq2nxusjmtPE4e9DJcVCSki_30WKBINzbuw3n9EySf/s640/ship8.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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Fire & Emergency Drill's demonstration of safety appliances by the Chief Mate and Chief Engineer.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="452" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065898100820209010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1LMszudSnqp7Z38932ittiJlSEhmJGXIiygX8wQD-vZMZdoM8oqW5pdfmRQL92_T7rn1epI_MLMj8wLQkBVVhWevH_B25_61yKwzHVQsRqDMIFAuvpOH7iuKRx-6YsJlI3veyk2hSl89/s640/ship7-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> Light moment onboard during Saturday's Barbecue Party. <br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="444" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067733855741867554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOhUxS7t62MGlmmkhVU53dwPGkoKQtE2ltBymb_ReY0bv4gBQYEKzt-awYjyoZDesm5pS6d12WdojrFJ-RhzHS6qXjHngmpWaw1zWfWjXco9L_nrfkTaotAG69FPLKie43dE4VTePrVhD/s640/korea1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />
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Shore leave while our vessel is in port at Inchon Korea.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="448" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067734779159836210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoin_Y3aeMjPpbUJYjStTKcdPIkI_pIBuqPhWENc_K39inF4fuO2uAV6lOTZW9UfZFfMAWjrwYTo8_ZUlrg2BoR5lxyBtWa2wEyQg9PC-SPzYaaZAXee8bJA3MCTqGd_F2Skp8eQb0hBM/s640/korea2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="444" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065902906888613282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNx-0WWW0yev9_AFqOG8wdATfYyNmLDtkZRDjYhs8XgPrlhGE2gexLNNPXJLIVK7oODsDKSXEqUWqUFaRVEwGfMgeFGHFk7p1GZbRtTOZd7dX9HGd8RirmyVtiu3T0ECqCz2_Fx4rPcfF/s640/oregon1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> A port in Oregon River<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="440" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065922586428763842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtZLbTnZfcz9xeYgkqM-VNbwEO6vtsBbtI5cBnLw0kJ2lJTWK6DecrVGdh4ab-NADsq_Od4mFCRpe4CrwTpV7ZfOxc-UGLxwaHCm8KA8uKIGGq0Sz4YbjYCA0IZLqFCY9Bf5LzxrrMQfd/s640/ship11.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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Our ship leaving Oregon River.
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<img alt="" border="0" height="436" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065903512479002034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWzSbzYsTHRRn-hnPA3N56nrjXZABKMYxNCPDVK3fmKH1i2F3HSULh82yJ5a1yt5hd1fvs48LPSaB_UFjsQmxihc5dD1py0XI19AumlMgvXBMg1F3stxeGww-riMOjNameYk_G9ThyqCE/s640/myoffice.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> My ship's office.
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<img alt="" border="0" height="440" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065904268393246146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mVtTWyXELWnFs5HMqKRrH8UAdB_ZJX0Q9kb7Q0kTuzbKOAfufCsroiSuTZcgwoXWlVd66-jyFODNF6gfxE6CbhUfKdOoaTFgZPujGSY5K3EyePTSjl6k4JdOQJ-94zEpL2CFjTghJb5O/s640/ship11.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />Vessel transiting Oregon River after loading wheat in bulk cargo from Portland, next port is Vancouver BC.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="450" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065905024307490258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljagkAUS7HKCdyKsDBAOuwtfg0n7SwUWqg6dfLXSIs7gOnGBJKhMxIKjcwuDkCCZkqg2xHKL3IsM73x1WCJroNsSYBy4cXo6Y8IFo3pucD5oo4Hgok3ZW-owxRDnH9MpETCcNSq4zrjci/s640/bc1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />Vancouver BC, Canada.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="446" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065913592767245810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOPRrnBriJdn-SHRIsP-QKSnKfOnaAFaB-d-6eD2_4tHtXhbkk5W6LovzuhnX_0A77R8jY_CH4d2XgcZaahwUc7q2yQ6VrUmP6z-7jamnxcnMre8AbgxqevvlZAxL4rlgmUkqdYoe7n81/s640/bc3.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> </div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="452" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065913184745352674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX8v1R2LVy4D9M3uDL4_NfVcYfcR1Tl7l7o10W5MB1_oNJo8J4xj-cpC4Mmnrxdy9t0DpELj4z8Xey7vF8g6ETptq7MIKPLPgmiMIHna_211iVo6U3N-MYyByTuriZXAVFUbF-KZGN50j/s640/bc2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="452" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065913970724367874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYop4IzQ2ezp9V9x5DksP3C2AMwJwcmo2kRjQSLrdOTzNuHSucfw-pekppz-xF4EyYHG1vpL8N2liJRyrPHvWR41sytxunlp4V5z5dR60QzMOUdaQmUq0FxhYLES4rm1SIwCnIwKbp2oD/s640/bc4.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="450" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065914322911686162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv31CZpUHnBAXVWo-6qL_QIVmi_uQtm04NqfCKJnaRgM2HMnRIbBNcGChE3g2VX5-L1os-ltzmNuoH1Qan0Xv-p8ycfkTYlUf9N0q6tKQmRS7wlpW5SaUZCSl7SOwyXyIgDcoS8wtHV77w/s640/bc6.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="446" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065914769588284962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKsARfaWFkZVwfWsCWmbF6zDHhxr3EEp_t6DD9MkMWhMWn5z7MrfMRjpe-R7hU18wZ1uRqp98kN7erU9jR_Qjf-2CUgnLAJIDPaSjOq2r51f3DKoNCDwVO3nEYU4zJ1a1hVdViifH3D0E/s640/bc7.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><i><b>Vancouver BC - 2002</b></i><br />
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After leaving Vancouver we sailed to Iligan City in the Philippines to discharge the wheat in bulk cargo. After a week in Iligan we proceeded to Johore Bahru, Malaysia for vessel's drydocking.<br />
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<a href="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Trivia/ship1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/emmanuel_esber/Trivia/ship1-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: start;"><i><b>Our vessel at a Malaysian Drydock and Shipyard. </b></i></span>
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<span style="text-align: start;">On arriving at the Shipyard, our vessel was fitted to a submerged craddle with wheels, then hydraulic jacks lifted our vessel (weight of light ship 10,000 tons) to make the craddle in line with the wharf's railroad track. Then our ship was towed by a motor tractor to the shipyard ground.</span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="416" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065920602153873074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5o60pxAegpDXoVCmJmsVlGnJ7-6OGOdasrvLrFAPCnU1Dz0bY3JRDIx7omll3YhIWKxmUPU9xu7aQZcrIACo6sz0AvM3kQATJn300JctU0wXxzHdbom2t1hLB4hyphenhyphenRXRaAOj-uuOeDYwfI/s640/Liftingship.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065916865532325458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6EFAF1aGubt-FdUawyqr52lKAMNf91e0WH_0DhbSiWcgmPoYOiw_zmTD9wIKWuoJkZNSdtXFR_4Q8E9r9etRyadQ7P8rgAFIxIheEgxrnW2qziZPQVpnq0ZnGhNt9PJyPyiZKdGnvSRW/s640/ship3-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="556" />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065917393813302882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifDp6yLrBuCf9fJ0LTk1eqi3M0t9GAlUc34tiqsJupQn4Z5iubyfCnP79hGBbxiQHvNL8M31yVggOA1wYu2XjqVfJv1YoVe1b9BOPK6sE7i1tlTt2aPgXPA0IF_qM-Ne2OrIqDwZXYu_B/s640/ship4.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="428" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065918119662775938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttXrLPtmDfbSTUyH8hVBhshcQBcvnRgBCdNlpJI6TweZ43xuBf951HeLuzrwcOY3mIzSXVDyshwKWFcVgM9UGjROLIxvDVMLRyQpp8rN1OpXNjJCDezopoq2SybzLIRNDJ0DyWZFvl1kv/s640/ship6.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />Vessel completed the major repair, anchors were still on the ground and preparing to haul up.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="434" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065918755317935762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjsbQ5k09ujwCqlkMQrXceWGVgIV5xMxw8Dlrdn8hcm9eMExszH3ccL5NeDaDbj1dzgXHl2VlM0YTiGwDhgtduByMpenZMXyqxMx0tVN8lrRS99sE9iBnBm_XGk9gWwvbpFS4Xtt0VjrK/s640/ship5.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />
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Vessel completed drydocking and now docked alongside the wharf, waiting for sea speed trial.
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<img alt="" border="0" height="428" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065919734570479266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCr811dceN9FKFVqZp3xUVMiG89O51S-JAuDJ-DLzqgccEtMRpUM0M4q933w9lqaUVHoWhO4LRlXFNYRkFdNAvGjYaWouT77ws4JdrdhXPeUMEKWwHn1Ochsui06m3ECJfN2gnHyOqCbf/s640/KumanderTisay.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />
My wife disembarked from the vessel before the sea trial and I sent her off at Johore Bahru Airport for her return trip to Manila.
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Related Story</span></b> :</div>
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<b>The Days of my Seafarer's Life</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://jaimedelacruzblog.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-days-of-my-seafarers-life.html<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-76818931924944923882016-05-20T10:53:00.002+08:002016-05-26T11:21:49.170+08:00The Days of my Seafarer's Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKJCaS00FxCxt0Qa2MWXtet9_ChuqJTohXM8KUjOY9WDdopm3Me_YzM1AZkfPpsEpojZ101YdYazd54AqUgMMlwDCure1qRPnyr8Tvd1j-DuxwHgmQJeB5vLTNn610lzDpghyphenhyphenCv-Zl96q/s1600-h/days+of+my+life.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374611915883545538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKJCaS00FxCxt0Qa2MWXtet9_ChuqJTohXM8KUjOY9WDdopm3Me_YzM1AZkfPpsEpojZ101YdYazd54AqUgMMlwDCure1qRPnyr8Tvd1j-DuxwHgmQJeB5vLTNn610lzDpghyphenhyphenCv-Zl96q/s400/days+of+my+life.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 152px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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I was born in Manila but I grew up in the rugged, scenic and secluded town of Pandi Bulacan at the foot of Sierra Madre mountain range. Growing up in my hometown is full of idyllic memories till the day when our family moved back again to Manila to start a family catering business at GSIS building in Manila. I continued my Grade 6 class at the Philippine Normal College’s elementary dept, and then Manila High School, and College at the Philippine Maritime Institute. </div>
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Just after graduation from the Nautical College, I joined the ship as a Cadet. It was full of unforgettable memories, for that time I was young, innocent, and reckless, it was the beginning of the days of wines and roses, and adventures for me.</div>
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On the summer of 1970, I was already a ship’s 3rd Officer when I was assigned to work on a Hydrographic survey ship in the former South Vietnam. It was during the height of the Vietnam War and it was very thrilling and exciting experiences when I first arrived in Saigon’s Tan Son Nhut Airport.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uD1TUFeI1IA/TwYAFDaXRJI/AAAAAAAAGVQ/Q8e4eVQ3ZTs/s1600/lpvietnam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uD1TUFeI1IA/TwYAFDaXRJI/AAAAAAAAGVQ/Q8e4eVQ3ZTs/s640/lpvietnam.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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The Airport tarmac was full of all kinds of war machines, Jet planes, fixed propeller aircrafts, Helicopters, and other armors of war. Young American soldiers arriving from the U.S. Military staging points in California, Okinawa, and from Clark Airbase and Subic Naval Base in the Philippines. The arriving GIs were mostly draftees and were very young,as young as 18 years old and as green as their green jungle uniform. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6VDGNybfRbW8jiUk6b-XKTlCaspf4rUzXbusKwQ6WRAQT6c0ZYW590_x1Nf99C6F35Yg1EMUxMiMWVEx8aqDni2MttlJnoozGxc78InXypVOGt4eSMGFpYoCS6DZ4cXDlP4-eCXxjkaq/s1600-h/vietnam+war.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374605797767244658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6VDGNybfRbW8jiUk6b-XKTlCaspf4rUzXbusKwQ6WRAQT6c0ZYW590_x1Nf99C6F35Yg1EMUxMiMWVEx8aqDni2MttlJnoozGxc78InXypVOGt4eSMGFpYoCS6DZ4cXDlP4-eCXxjkaq/s1600/vietnam+war.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Also in the airport were American soldiers returning to their homeland after their grueling tour of duty and perhaps they wished they never come to Vietnam. Some returnees were in coffins, and some were in crutches. And those soldiers going back to the “Land of the Brave and the Free” were very much physically fit and hardened by the brutal war, but their psyche were already damaged by that ruthless war. </div>
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Those soldiers returned to their homeland, defeated and with a deep damage to their psyche and souls for the rest of their lives. But before they went home they usually spent their last night in the brothels and bars of Saigon, since most of them usually spents months in the combat area. </div>
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In those bars and brothels you can find the very young Vietnamese girl from 14 years old and the average age of those hapless girls is 20. Most of these girls or women came from the provinces in the highlands whose farms and homes were completely burned by Napalm. Those miserable girls have no choice, either they die from the bombs dropped from the U.S. warplanes, or die of starvation. </div>
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( Ten and twenty years later, I may have met them again, those hapless girls. Perhaps some of them survived that brutal war, became boat people and later resettled in the U.S. mainland. I may have met some of them again in the Vietnamese-owned Hair Saloon in Vancouver BC, or in Los Angeles California or perhaps they became bar owners in the harbor area of New Orleans, La. or in Houston Tx.) </div>
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The airport was bristling with activity, everybody seemed to be in a hurry, in a hurry to die or to live and leave that God’s forsaken place ?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqyTPfQHgrRZCYEagRMfCIZE7NMQe-M6seUR7FoxIiHci5lgCmBAEMCbYM87Uk_JudrhX1BIVenxZaRn9q4hJ9p2esAyJ9KSlzf5rYNaI_pqxUSfvnQyvPWDComq7F8KxUJdiS8JBQzGz/s1600-h/vietnam+war.+2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374606742421327218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqyTPfQHgrRZCYEagRMfCIZE7NMQe-M6seUR7FoxIiHci5lgCmBAEMCbYM87Uk_JudrhX1BIVenxZaRn9q4hJ9p2esAyJ9KSlzf5rYNaI_pqxUSfvnQyvPWDComq7F8KxUJdiS8JBQzGz/s1600/vietnam+war.+2.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The ship I was onboard was a Hydrographic survey ship that was hired by either the U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam or the CIA, to surveys the bays, rivers, and coastal areas where the Americans were having their war operations. I was in Vietnam for a year experiencing the agonies, sorrows, and brutalities of men against fellow men. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LU-tXQZiuk/TwX-B4d8YKI/AAAAAAAAGVE/ZGd1ZO8Vz80/s1600/vietcong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="497" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LU-tXQZiuk/TwX-B4d8YKI/AAAAAAAAGVE/ZGd1ZO8Vz80/s640/vietcong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em>The Chief of Saigon Police executed publicly a "Vietcong" guerilla.</em></div>
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I have seen Vietnamese mothers pimped for their very young 14 or 16 years old still virgin daughters, just to have a bowl of rice for the younger siblings, as their families were impoverished by that war. The most inhuman war in the 20th century waged by the Americans against a brave peoples who struggle to free their land from the evils of corrupt local imperialist who was supported and sanctioned by the American government and the huge politically influential American weapons industry.</div>
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I have endured the endless nights of seeing and hearing combat Helicopters firing their Rockets and machine guns on their unseen enemies on the ground. Jet planes dropping Napalm and fire bombs on the hapless civilians and guerillas alike, and hearing cannon fire from the far off mountains. I have suffered the sleepless nights hearing the sounds of endless depth charges and hand grenades thrown to the water by U.S. Army patrol boats and US Navy warships, to kill the suicidal and brave guerilla commandos that were adept in putting plastic mines on the hull of Navy ships or any ships that is supporting the American war machine. </div>
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It was very difficult to get sleep on that war torn days as the nights were turned to days by the thousands of flares lighting in the night blue skies, your brains and ears will be numbed by the exploding bombs, cannons, rockets, and depth charges. It seems to me that war is like living in hell. But in the midst of war and agonies, love can also. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pfuw_xF5fM0/TwTMGX31yeI/AAAAAAAAGT8/er0eKjyscG0/s1600/Ao+Dai%252Cnon+la1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pfuw_xF5fM0/TwTMGX31yeI/AAAAAAAAGT8/er0eKjyscG0/s400/Ao+Dai%252Cnon+la1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the ancient and beautiful coastal town of Danang in South Vietnam, I met my first love. Her name is Lan and by her looks I can trace that she a got a bit of French ancestry and her manners and poised, is a sign that she come from a well-to-do family, but were reduced to poverty due to the war. I met her on the street of Danang, selling pliers, hammers, cigarettes and etc, she bought from the American soldiers.</div>
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For about two weeks we loved and enjoyed the ecstasy of love as we were both young naïve, and restless. And words were not enough to describe our undying love for each other. After those happy moments we part and said goodbye not knowing whether we will see each other again. </div>
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While my Hydrographic ship is en-route to the island of Phu Quoc near the Cambodian border, I heard in the AFVN radio that my girlfriend’s village near Danang was overran by the Vietcong and later recovered by the US Marines after a bitter and ferocious firefights. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ij9335Hmh4yWwPaJ0RClWuAd8Srb9wiGMv99u1QSJmmHa8M-CuiYfIl0T_0MG70_ASLoXNVBGEB2J2nVItwfi6EjtOmn313XYvKmOqoHOZryMTT9lbi2yNsnCcnjqgWhH958rt42NdiI/s1600-h/vietnam+war+9.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374609865933970530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ij9335Hmh4yWwPaJ0RClWuAd8Srb9wiGMv99u1QSJmmHa8M-CuiYfIl0T_0MG70_ASLoXNVBGEB2J2nVItwfi6EjtOmn313XYvKmOqoHOZryMTT9lbi2yNsnCcnjqgWhH958rt42NdiI/s400/vietnam+war+9.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 272px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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A few days later, I learned from a friend based in Danang that my dearest Lan died in that battle after her village was reduced to ashes by American planes dropping Napalm bombs. The war-weary Jet pilots accidentally dropped their Napalm bombs on the American-friendly village instead of their targets which is a Vietcong encampments a few kilometers away from Lan’s village She died a horrible and agonizing death from a friendly fire bombs. In the military jargon, civilian’s death from military operations were called “ killed by friendly fire. </div>
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She died during the Vietcong’s “Tet” offensive, on the eve of Vietnamese Lunar New Year, just a day before her 18th birthday, an innocent victims of that amoral and ruthless warfare. For a year, I was in anguished and in deep sorrows for her tragic and untimely death. It was the winter of 1971 when my Hydrographic ship left South Vietnam bound for Singapore. </div>
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I left Vietnam with a deep sorrows in my heart grieving for the death of Lan, and a deep pain in my souls as my spirit was also scarred by that war, a wound in my soul that may never heal. </div>
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The Hydrographic ship sailed for Singapore for dry-docking and there I transferred to a commercial ship. I was aboard many Singapore ship from 1971 up to 1985, from 3rd Officer rank to Master (Captain of the ship). </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rq59mG94k_c/TwTNVN78hHI/AAAAAAAAGUI/kyk3m_0ZD3s/s1600/23004037_Singap20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rq59mG94k_c/TwTNVN78hHI/AAAAAAAAGUI/kyk3m_0ZD3s/s640/23004037_Singap20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em>View of Singapore in the 1970s</em></div>
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On the year of 1974 while attending the wedding of my Filipino 2nd Officer to a charming Singaporean girl, I happened to meet a beautiful and attractive Singaporean girl of Chinese ancestry who happens to be the best friend of the Bride. Her name is Liezl and on that very moment I knows that she will be mine. She is an 18 years old College student and work part time as a Ramp Fashion Model.</div>
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It was a love at first sight and about a month later she became my girlfriend. We have an unforgettable romance and passionate sex , until one day she told me that she is pregnant. Since I am leaving for sea that time, I promised her that I will come back and on my return, I will marry her. As if fate is against us, it took about three months before I was able to return to Singapore. </div>
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I was very excited on meeting her again, but on approaching her I felt her coldness and a look of apathy towards me. She said while crying “ I am not sure when you are coming back or if you will ever come back, so I went to a doctor for abortion”. And I told her “ If you only wait for me and trusted me then you don’t have to do that drastic action.” But she only cried and cried and I know that what is done cannot be undone anymore. We continue our relationship until we finally quarrel and was bitter to each other. We break-off our relationship while there is still love and respect between us.</div>
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On the year 1980, I was already a Master Mariner when I met and fell in love with a 25 years old Filipina Nurse in Singapore. She works in Thompson Medical Center, one of the best Hospitals in Singapore. Her name is Angela and I tried to win her love for about 3 years but owing to my nature of work, we seldom see each other. </div>
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Angela went back home to the Philippines for about a year while I was sailing in Singapore ships, playing the role of Casanova, flirting, and making love to any girl who falls in my hand. Later on the year of 1983, Angela was hired to work in one of the Hospital in Baltimore in the United States.</div>
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On that same year of 1980 up to 1983, while falling in love and trying to win Angela hearts I also have a forbidden love affair with a Singapore girl. She is Kristine, a Eurasian beauty, and she works in Hongkong Bank at Singapore. My best friend Evita, who works in the same bank with her, introduced her to me. When, I met Kristine, I never asked if she is single or married. I always presumed that a girl or woman is single if she is attracted and friendly to me as most married woman were elusive to other men and faithful to their husband. Married woman is taboo for me and never, I pursued a married woman, for I am a moralist and a God-fearing man</div>
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For about a week while my ship is in port, every day, I dated Kristine after her office work</div>
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at Hongkong Bank main building at Raffles Place. We have a delightful time together, holding hands in lover’s lane and romantic candle-lit dinner in cozy restaurant. During her office hours in the Bank, I always sent to her a bouquet of beautiful Red Roses. After about a week, I sailed with the ship and returned to Singapore after a month. </div>
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On arrival Singapore, I was in a state of euphoria for I will meet my dearest Kristine on that special day which is also Valentines Day. From her office I brought her home so she can change for a nightdress for a Valentines Dinner. We went to the cozy restaurant of Holiday Inn and had a very romantic candle-lit dinner serenaded by a Filipino Band while we are holding hands and talking of sweet nothings and playing gentleman to her. After that wonderful dinner with wines and serenaded with romantic love songs, we went to Sheraton Hotel's Blue Velvet Disco. </div>
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And there at Blue Velvet disco while the sweet music “ To All the Girls I Loved Before” is played and we were dancing with our bodies tightly pressed to each other, I kissed Kristine on her cheek which she responds by smiling very sweet to me. Then before her smiles faded from her lips, I gave her an unforgettable French kisses on her lips and mouth. </div>
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On that very moment we knows that we loved each other so much that I knew that inevitably we will spend the nights together. We checked-in for a room on that Hotel and we spend the night with a very passionate and lustful love making that I have never experienced in my days of womanizing. It was a blissful night of ecstasy and an affair to remember for both of us.</div>
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After a night of love and lust, we finally rested from exhaustion and then she told me something that frozen me. “ You know darling, I am already married,” said Kristine with sadness in her quavering voice. With remorse and guilt, I told her, “ You should have told me, when I first dated you.” “Well, you never asked me and besides you told me that you will always love me, whoever I am,” she replied.</div>
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Then she relates to me that her husbands always hurt her after her tiring work in the office. And she said “ He was so jealous and neurotic that he accused me that I have an affair with my own cousin.” </div>
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And she added “ I admit that sometimes I have gone with my cousin after office work to unwind in the cocktail lounge for a couple of drinks, but I never cheated my husband and never had a love affair with my own cousin or other man,” With a wink in her naughty eyes she said, “Well, now I had an affair with you, Kristofer.”</div>
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I said to her, “ I feel guilty to have a love affair with you, knowing that you are a married woman.” And she replied, “ I am more guilty than you are, knowing that you are still a bachelor and a nice gentleman. While me is a soon- to be- divorced woman.” I am so confused and my conscience was bothered. “ Well, if I did not met you, sooner or later I will also have an affair with other men, who will be smitten by my Eurasian beauty’’ and Kristine added “ I am thankful that you came, and we found love, my dear Kristofer.” </div>
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On the following day, I visited Hongkong Bank to bring a bouquet of Red roses to my dear sweetheart Kristine. But my best friend Evita is waiting for me in the Bank lobby, and told me “ Kristofer, I heard that you have dated Kristine last night. If you are interested with her, just forget it.” She is already married and there is a Divorce case pending in the Court and you might get involved in the scandals.” I replied to Evita, “Thanks for your advice but it is quite late.” </div>
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I told my best friend Evita that I have misgiving and does not want to continue further my relationship with Kristine after knowing that she is a married woman and on the middle of divorce proceeding, but Kristine won’t let me go. As Kristine is like a person drowning in the sea, clinging to anything that floats, so that she can survive in the cruel world we live in. And me, the good-hearted Kristofer was caught by a trap. Destiny had entrapped me in that unenviable relationship.</div>
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My love affair with Kristine continued for about three years until one day e realized that our Love affair has no future as we grasp that we don’t really love each other and our relationship was based only on passion and lust. We decided to finally end our affair, and at long last I was freed from a love cage. But it was an unforgettable Affair To Remember…. </div>
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<em><b>End of part 1</b></em></div>
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<b>Footnote:</b><br />
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In the year 2000, I returned to Vietnam as a Master of a Container ship. The black and scarred vegetation on the banks of Saigon River and the Mekong River Delta that was burned by Napalm during the war were all green vegetation at present. Saigon city which was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, was a teeming Metropolis of motorcycles and flashy cars, the Vietnamese were still after the American dollars. More and more Americans were having their fun in the city, but they are not American soldiers but Tourist and former soldiers who fought the war, the most sought after foreign currencies is still the mighty US dollars. </div>
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There is a Jollibee in the plaza center of the city. And the tallest and the most beautiful building is owned and occupied by Citibank, an American Bank. Ho Chi Minh City today looks like just another progressive capitalist city. I reckoned that ideology whether capitalism or socialism is not a big factor for a country to progress. It is nationalism or love of country that makes a country progressive. The little girl that ran naked after the napalm bombing of her home became an American citizen after residing in the US for many years.Her story was featured in the Time Magazine in the 1990s.</div>
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<em>A Catholic church in the center of Saigon</em> <em>City.</em></div>
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<em><b>Street scene in Saigon</b></em></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Related Story</span></b> :<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Wikipedia - Vietnam War</b><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War</a><br />
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<b>My sea voyage with my wife onboard MV Handy River <i></i></b><br />
http://jibrael.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-sea-voyage-with-my-wife-onboard-mv.html<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-52054918934285028632013-12-01T23:22:00.001+08:002013-12-07T09:26:57.593+08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">History of the Muslims in the Philippines</span>
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<span style="color: red;">"A NATION UNDER ENDLESS TYRANNY"</span>
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2nd Edition, By Salah Jubair
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;">PREFACE TO THE SECOND
EDITION</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: navy;"><br /></span><span style="color: white;">-</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
nation is reborn in the Moro. Though centuries older than the
Filipino nation in the North, it is long-lost in the debris and fame
of the past. It last reasserted its identity decades after the entry
of America. But it was not to claim past glory, rather, it was to
unshackle the gory image put on it by
colonialism</span>.</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Alas!
This was a monumental error; for the name Moro symbolizes national
identity, power and belief in one true God.</span></span></span>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Today
this error is being set right. Under the banner of Islam the Moro
nation or what the MILF calls Bangsamoro is trying to make history
repeat its laurels and feats for its honor - and even more, to
reconstruct and build a vibrant, dynamic and progressive homeland
for everyone to live happily ever after.</span></span></span>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This
book on the Moros is not presumed to be exhaustive and scholarly. It
is not history either. The following pages constitute an attempt to
explain the hows and whys the Moros became strangers to the land
they had nurtured for centuries - and which they are now trying to
liberate - with their "blood, seat and tears."</span></span></span>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Much
has been written about this nation, but invariably all those, with
due respect to where respect is due, are little lacking in vision
necessary in order to feel and grasp the totality of the situation
in our homeland. it is this author's firm conviction that only
someone involved body and spirit in the present struggle could
really portray our people's sentiments and aspirations. Outsiders
may indulge in endless speculations from their respective postures
or conduct tiresome researches but in all likelihood will perforce
fail to paint a complete perspectives of this nation and its
struggle. Paradoxically enough, the extent and intensity of a
revolution, nay a jihad, can be felt and described much vividly by
none save those who are in the thick of it or perchance those
inspired by it.</span></span></span>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This
book is written with the earnest hope to inform the unprejudiced
readers about the crisis that had overtaken our people and our
homeland. Without sustained efforts to expose the crimes of the
Manila government against our people and, no doubt, also against
humanity, the world might only connive at its tyranny, embolden its
inhuman policies and perpetuate its brutality.</span></span></span>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">That
the Moro is a nation under endless tyranny is a premise that his
book tries to narrate and explain - and hopefully will
prove.</span></span></span>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
original title of this book in the first edition is Bangsamoro: A
Nation Under Endless Tyranny. In this edition, I dropped the word
for brevity and more importantly to do away with the technical
confusion arising out of it. Bangsamoro is literally translated into
"Moro nation" and therefore to retain it is redundant. The readers
may notice in the course of reading this book that the author uses
only he word Bangsamoro as it was used by the MILF, MNLF or any
group.</span></span></span>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This
work would not have been made possible without the valuable
assistance of Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, Ondel Meling, Dr. Esmael
Disoma, Malik A. Mantawil, Manda Kalim, Esmael Abdula, Alfaro
Alilaya, Yusuf Abdullah, Abdulwahab Guialal, Boy Alano, Al Mukhlis
and other persons, whose identities right now cannot be disclosed
for some guarded reasons. To them, I owe my special
indebtedness.</span></span></span>
<br />
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">To
Atty. Lanang Ali for reviewing the manuscipt and offering some
advice, especially on legal matters.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I
am obliged to render my personal thanks to Dr. Alunan C. Glang for
his warm support and moral encouragement.</span></span></span>
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I
would like to express my unending gratitude to Abu Maarouph for all
his professional, moral and material support in the making of this
book. I will never forget.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In
</span>conclusion, I say "thank you" to all of them.</span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">SALAH JUBAIR<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Author</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">CHAPTER 1 – ONCE UPON A TIME</span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Crossing the Bridge</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It was widely believed forty years ago that people came to the
Philippines in several migratory waves through land bridges that once linked
the present islands of this country with mainland Asia. They walked dry-shod
into this archipelago with their beasts of burden over these land bridges at a
time, which pre-historians referred to as the Pleistocene or Great Ice Age.
During this period, the waters of the ocean stood 156 feet below the present
levels, thereby allowing many necks of land to protrude above the surface and
form land masses or bridges which enabled the first man to cross into what
would later be called the Philippines.<br />
<br />
Centuries after this period the great flood took place. The polar ice thaw
increased the volume of ocean waters, causing them to rise to the present levels.
Subsequently, all the land bridges were inundated and disappeared from view,
and all succeeding migrations were made possible only by the use of boats.<br />
<br />
The wave migration theory was first advanced by Spanish friars who speculated
on the origins of the Filipinos and the Moros. However, in some of their
writings they were inclined to consider the latter as a separate race. In 1882,
Ferdinand Blumentritt, an Austrian Filipinist, also subscribed to this theory
that there were three waves of Malay migrants who came to our islands. But it
was Prof. H. Otley Beyer, at one time head of the Anthropology Department at
the University of the Philippines, who made this theory very popular and
accepted for several decades. Beyer's long years of archaeological research
dwelt on retrieving facts of past cultures in the islands mainly from
artefacts, bones and other remains. His findings shed light on the cultural,
political, economic existence and even the beliefs of peoples.<br />
<br />
It was admitted, therefore, as a scholarly theory that there were three waves
of migration of peoples towards the archipelago, including Mindanao and Sulu,
each wave comprising several or scattered minor movements. The theory held that
the first to arrive via the land bridges were the aborigines or first
inhabitants. Estimated to have come as early as 21,000 or 22,000 years ago,
they were dark-skinned, kinky-haired, short-statured, and primitive in styles.
Among this group was the "Java Man," who came first, and was followed
by the "little people": Negritos or ''Aetas,'' Australoid Sakai, and
Proto-Malays.<br />
<br />
Among the next group, after the Great Ice Age, from 3,000 BC onward, were
people of the Indonesian stock, who came in two migratory waves by sea from
South Asia and settled in the country. They came by dugout canoes or
plank-built boats. These Indonesians, taller in height and lighter in skin,
introduced bronze and the rice terraces.<br />
<br />
The third migrants, who came centuries after the Indonesians, were the
brown-skinned, medium-height Malays. They were expert navigators, potters,
weavers, blacksmiths and bold adventurers. Most of the Filipinos and Moros
today are descended from this group. However, in the case of the latter, it is
believed that they first came to Mindanao and Sulu not later than the first
century before Prophet Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him). </span></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
</span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Contrary View</span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Up to 1953,
Beyer's Wave Migration Theory remained unquestioned. Subsequently, however,
most prehistorians surmised that there were only two movements of peoples into
the islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific to explain the present
populations. The first, occuring more than 6,000 years ago, was that of the
Australoids, that included the Australian aborigines, the Ainus, the Dravidians
- the population of the Vedda of Sri Lanka - and, debatably, the Melanesians,
Negritos and Papuans. Generally, this group is characterized by dark skin
pigmentation. The second wave, presumably from five or six thousand years ago,
composed the Southern Mongoloids or what are commonly known as the "brown
race." They are also called Austronesians, because their descendants speak
languages belonging to that group. The Austronesian language family, also known
as Malayo-Polynesian, has a variety of more than six hundred languages that
spread from Madagascar in the coast of Africa to Easter Island near South
America.<br />
<br />
Additional research on the subject in the last forty years casts doubt on the
Beyer's assumption. Geologists, archaeologists, linguists, and prehistorians,
in their respective fields, all disagree in one or some of his theory. The main
objection to his work is that it was flawed by inadequate evidence, dubious
methodology and pure speculation.<br />
<br />
One of those who dissented was Dr. Fritjof Voss, a German scientist, who
studied the geology of the Philippines. He said the Philippines was never a
part of mainland Asia as proven in 1964-67 when a scientific study was made on
the thickness of the earth's crust. It was discovered that the 35-kilometer
thick crust below China does not stretch to the Philippines. On the contrary,
the Philippines sits along a great earth fault line reaching downward to deep
trenches underneath.<br />
<br />
In 1975, a young Filipino anthropologist, F. Landa Jocano, also criticized
Beyer's theory, particularly on the issue of the Negritos as the first
inhabitants of the Philippines. He argued that the fossil remains of ancient
men whom Beyer tagged Negritos could in no way be conclusively identified as
such. He even charged Western colonizers of deliberately fragmenting the
population into ethnic groups to advance their colonial interests.'<br />
<br />
Newer theories may arise in the future in the attempt to explain this
Philippine phenomenon, but seen in the practical side of the lives of the
people their value is negligible. For theories, in essence, are largely
speculations, or at best, analyses of relation of facts to one another and,
therefore, are yet to be proven or confirmed by further studies. What may be
heretical today may be revered tomorrow, or vice versa.</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Pre-Islamic Society<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">As mentioned
earlier, the Moros belonged to the third wave of migrants in Beyer's Wave
Migration Theory and second or last in the other theory. In either case, they
were estimated to have arrived about two centuries before the birth of Prophet
Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him) and they already exhibited a higher stage of
development, especially in the art of warfare. They inhabited the plains,
valleys, coastal lands, and riverside areas. They formed settlements or
communities with political organizations along family or blood lines.<br />
<br />
The Pre-Islamic Moro social structure had three classes: the datus or chiefs,
the commoners or citizens and the slaves. The word datu was both a political
function and social status and extended to the incumbent ruler and all members
of the ruling elite. Generally, the right to rule hinged on direct descent from
the ruling class. In some instances, like exceptional bravery or victory in
war, a commoner could become a datu, or in the case of the slave, could buy off
his liberty by paying a stipulated amount. The system was not as rigid as that
of the caste system of India where no one was allowed to leave the caste into
which he was born.<br />
<br />
The realm of the datu was more or less equal to that of a village or the
Spanish barrio today. However, there was no common term for this political unit
for the Moros spoke at least thirteen languages or dialects, most of which were
mutually unintelligible. Some say this political unit was called banua4. But
this term is clearly Visayan, and therefore, leaves the claim in doubt. Among
the Moro dialects and languages, only the Tausog exhibited a commonality with
Visayan. Both belong to the central branch of the Australoid language being
spoken in this country. In its political connotation, banua means natural
environment or a country, a homeland. The banua covered island to island,
including the seas thereat, as well as the vegetation. Sometimes one datu
allied himself with another to form a confederation of settlements for purposes
of constituting a more formidable alliance against a rival datu or datus or for
commercial purposes. Generally, datus were of equal status or footing. However,
one could emerge superior to the other by force of arms, bravery in war or by
physical prowess.<br />
<br />
In the beginning, the prevalent method of settling conflicts was by use of
force, but later on a code of laws evolved to provide for a more practical way
of resolving disputes since warfare was a costly and losing enterprise,
especially to the vanquished.<br />
<br />
The economy was based primarily on agriculture, although weaving,
pottery-making, blacksmithing and fishing were also prevalent. Lands were
fertile and vast. However, cultivation was mainly along, the rivers, lakes,
coastal areas, plains and valleys. The use of irrigation ditches was extensive.
"Slash-and-burn" or swidden farming was popular in the uplands,
especially in the dry season.. In commerce, the barter system was in use for
money was not yet invented.<br />
<br />
The foregoing sketch should be regarded only as an area of the bigger picture.
Part of it has basis in history; the rest results from hypothesis about the
complex process whereby our ancestors were subjected to or interacted,
involving various components such as individuals, goods, ideas, and other
factors.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Islam Moves North<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In many instances, global politics affected directly or indirectly the
turn of events even in faraway places. Had not the Moors been defeated by the
Spaniards in 1492. the Spaniards could not have come in 1521 and conquered the
Philippines. Or had the Spaniards delayed their coming to the Philippines for
just half a century there would be no such thing as the "only Christian
country" in Asia. There could have been an entirely different story to
tell regarding the spread of Islam in Luzon and the Visayas.<br />
<br />
There is evidence that as early as the last years of the fifteenth century,
Islam was already gaining headway in many places in the Philippines. It was
carried directly from or via Sulu or Mindanao by preachers, traders or voyagers
from Borneo who settled among the inhabitants of the islands. In the words of
one popular writer:</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">... It is hard
to believe that Manila was once firmly under Muslim heel, Muslims controlled
the seat of government, the wealth and the trade up and down the Pasig and around
Bai lake and Batangas as well as the sea lanes to Mindanao and Borneo.<br />
<br />
The Muslims were the ruling class in Luzon, the rich traders, cultural leaders
and missionaries, the ones with the knowhow and the right connections, the
literacy and what's more, the right religion.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Aside from
Manila, then known as Selurong, Islam had already gained ground in Batangas,
Pampanga, Cagayan, Mindoro, Palawan, Catanduanes, Bonbon, Cebu, Oton, Laguna
and other districts. Preachers of Islam, all reportedly coming from Borneo,
came to teach the natives the rudiments of the new religion. Such Islamic
practices as circumcision, reading the Qur'an, avoidance of pork, and the use
of Muslim names were already noted among the natives of these districts.<br />
<br />
What is Metropolitan Manila today was formerly the bastion of Islam. Manila was
ruled by Rajah Sulaiman Mahmud, jointly or assisted by Rajah Matanda, his uncle
and Tondo under the rule of Rajah Lakandula. Manila was not only the commercial
center but a powerful fort (cotta) was built near the mouth of the Pasig River
in defense of the realm.<br />
<br />
It was to the islamized natives of Manila that the word Moro was first applied
by the Spaniards in 1570 to denote those who professed Islam. Indio first
denoted the pagan natives, but was later to include even the christianized. It
was only in later years, more specifically in 1578 and after, that the name
Moro was generally applied to the Muslims of Mindanao and Sulu.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #8064a2; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Chapter II – A NATION IS
BORN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nation Defined<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The concept of "nation" is something recent in the
history of mankind. Before the last century people were not aware of this
chauvinistic term, as it is felt and understood today. Therefore, as a first
step, let us endeavor to understand and define what a "nation" is before
we can move on to ascertain whether the Moro constitutes a nation.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines a nation as, among other related
meanings:<br />
<br />
(1) a community of people composed of one or more nationalities and
possessing a more or less defined territory and government; and<br />
<br />
(2) a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more
nationalities and usually characterized by a relatively large size and
independent status. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Another authority has opined that a nation has several basic ingredients
such as a common or related blood, common language, common religion, common
historical tradition, and, above all, common customs and habits.' And in its
perfect form, it is a group of people having a common racial origin, speaking
the same language, having a common civilization, common customs and traits of
character, a common literature. and common traditions. There is, however, a
very pragmatic view on this subject. Two noted Filipino authors, Jose Aruego
and Gloria Aruego-Torres, father and daughter, said that a nation exists where
its component atoms believe it to be a nation.3 They concluded that despite the
lack of a common religion or a common language a nation can exist.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With these definitions at our disposal, we may be able to
conceptualize and hope to settle this issue once and for all.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Concept of Nationalism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To repeat, the sense of nationalism is a modern concept and this
only came to ascendancy in the last century and a half. It is the product of
the chaos and political upheavals of the 18th century and a result of the
French Revolution. It spread to other lands by wars and commerce, and by
colonialism itself.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In ancient times the state was either a city-state, such as Athens,
Sparta, or early Rome, or a far-flung empire like Macedon and Persia. Even in
such antiquity, people were already conscious of their racial or cultural
differences, and each people sought to view itself as "superior," as
the Jews had considered themselves the "chosen people" or the Greeks
had regarded non-Creeks as "barbarians."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This sense of belonging to a unified or homogeneous group was the
offshoot of many factors, such as the need to defend a common frontier, the
development of a common tongue or language, a common belief, a common history
and tradition, and even shared conviction to close ranks and to resist a common
aggressor. Racial and cultural prejudice directed against a group of people
could also provide impetus to the formation of a homogeneous grouping. There
may be other reasons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Filipino Nationhood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The definition of a nation given by Jose Aruego and Gloria
Aruego-Torres is perhaps the most unrestrained and liberal. Obviously, only the
consent of a people, as a "clearly expressed desire of continuing the
common life," is enough to constitute a nation. However, in the case of
the Filipino political life, the spirit of nationalism came to exist only after
the 19th century.` Before this time there was no Filipino nation or a sense of
nationalism to speak of. Rather there were only ethnic groups who shared common
racial and cultural features. During the Spanish Period, the term Filipino, as
applied on someone - more particularly the Spanish insulares - was tantamount
to proclaiming oneself or being proclaimed a subject of King Philip of Spain
and his progenies.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The term Filipino was originally applied to Spaniards born
in the Philippines, but began to include the natives only in 1898 when Gov.
Gen. Basilio Agustin sought their aid and loyalty against the United States.
Before this time, the natives were derisively referred to as Indios with
all the most disparaging and hostile connotations. The Spaniards described the Indio
as a "machine that walks, eats, sleeps and exists",
"inferior race," a "racial savages," and someone with a
"limited intelligence."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Several factors paved the way for the development of Filipino
nationalism. The formation was no doubt the consequence of centuries of misrule
and exploitation and was hastened by political and economic development in the
Philippines and Europe. As noted earlier, the racial prejudices of the
Spaniards against the natives had proved to be one of the strongest unifying
factors among the geographically separated and linguistically divergent
natives. The rise of the middle class among the natives and their subsequent access
to the liberal and revolutionary ideas in Europe and America, as well as the
secularization controversy that led to the execution of Fathers Jose Burgos,
Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora were some of the factors that gave birth to
Filipino nationalism.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Thus, Filipino nationalism was a belated development. If there had
been earlier revolts against Spain they were no more than pocket rebellions
against unjust rule, ranging from personal grievances to opposition to
excessive imposition, from religious uprisings to agrarian complaints. None,
except the 1896 Revolution, was staged in the name and pursuit of a separate
nation. And almost all were undertaken by chiefs or religious leaders of the
fragmented barangays of Luzon and the Visayas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Evolution of Moro Nationalism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All the monickers assigned to the natives, Indio, Moro and Filipino
were given by the Spaniards. History should credit them for giving us all
these names, either out of hatred or by reasons of similarities, or by force of
circumstances, or by all of the above.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As earlier mentioned, the word Moro is not a new name. It
was derived from the ancient Mauri or Mauritania and was later on applied on
the Berbers of North Africa and those who came and conquered Spain. The name,
therefore, did not exclude the Arabs themselves especially the Umayyad princes
who founded the Umayyad kingdom of Spain. In a larger context, the name is not
confined to refer to a group of people, or a nationality, but applied rather to
a religious affiliation, transcending the barriers of geography, race and time.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">By a confluence of circumstances, the Spaniards were correct as far
as the issue of religious identification is concerned, but on the aspect of
nationality they probably had erred for there was no Moro nation to speak of at
the time but rather the same racial group of people, the Indo-Malayan race, who
happened to inhabit certain parts of the archipelago that they claimed for the
King of Spain. The only distinction was that one group was Islamized and the
other was still pagan, and had not the Spaniards come at that time there would
have been at least three or four kingdoms, one in Manila, two in Mindanao and
one in Sulu, and all or most of the inhabitants, like in nearby Malaysia,
Indonesia and Brunie, would have become all Muslims.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But destiny had it - and irreversibly - that the Moro had always
been so called since he crossed path with the Spaniards in 1578. It was a tag
that was chosen for him by his enemy, not by himself. But unlike Filipino which
signifies allegiance, nay subservience, to Spain, his name was the result of
animosity and warfare - and resistance to foreign pressure. If Filipino was
the child of colonialism, Moro was the offspring of anti-colonialism. Moreover,
even before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Moro had already perfected the
art of governance, a well-set code of laws, songs and poetry, such as the Darangan,
Indarapatra, Solaiman and the adat or customary laws. He already had
trade and diplomatic relations with the other states of Southeast Asia, Arabia,
India, Japan, and China. Sulu and Maguindanaon were already emporia while the
United States was still a wilderness.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, nationalism, per se, was not an end itself among the
Moros, but rather a cognition of what the Almighty Allah ordained for mankind
in the Holy Qur'an, Chapter 49, Verse 13, such as follows:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">0 mankind! Lo! We have created you male and
female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo!
the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It is very clear in this verse that the Almighty created tribes and
nations distinctly to differentiate one from the other and not to boast or,
claim superiority over others.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If the Moros fought for anything related to his perceived racial
distinctness, it was no doubt a peripheral issue; the main issue always was
over the point of religion. In this era of alcoholism, materialism and
worldliness, even a drunken Moro will react challengingly, either in deed or in
words, once he is accused to be a heathen or an unbeliever. The distaste for
unbelief is so internalized in the Moro psyche that even in. his seemingly
unconscious state he will react positively for his religion. A Moro has so
developed in himself that defense mechanism for Islam that he freely, consciously
or unconsciously, resurges forward whenever dared. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Some Issues Against<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Points have been raised to negate the idea of the existence of a
Moro nation. Some of them are as follows:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. Lack of Common Language </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- There is
no denying that the Moros speak thirteen languages or dialects; often, the name
of the language or dialect and the ethnic group are the same. Many of these
languages are mutually unintelligible, such as the case of Maranao and Tausog,
Samal and Maguindanaon, Yakan and Iranun, etc. On the other hand, there are
dialects that are so closely related that they are mutually intelligible. This
is the case of Maguindanaon, Iranun and Maranao. Not only are they mutually
intelligible, but they virtually constitute one Mindanao language. The same is
true with the dialects ,of the Badjao, Samal and lama Mapun, which are
intimately intertwined. And there is one language, Kalibugan or Kolibogan,
which, as its name connotes in Maguindanaon, is an amalgamation of most of the
major dialects of the Moros. It is said that when a Kalibugan speaks around
10-30 percent of the message can be delivered to a Tausog, Maguindanaon, Yakan,
Samal, Iranun or Maranao, each picking up only the words coming from or
resembling his own.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The lack of a single language mutually intelligible to the thirteen
ethno-linguistic groups of Moros can be a minus factor to a group claiming to
be a nation. A nation "should" speak only of one common language,
which is necessary to transmit shared values and norms. But if this is lacking
in the Moros, it is more lacking in the so-called Filipino nation. The
Filipinos possess and speak a much greater number of languages and dialects,
184 in all. Even today the Filipinos have miserably failed to truly develop a
national language that is accepted by - or at least acceptable - to all the
ethnic groups in the Philippines. The so-called Pilipino, deemed as the
national language is no more than an improvised Tagalog - thanks to the late
President Manuel L. Quezon, the first non-American chief of the archipelago and
a Tagalog by ethnic affiliation who, by fair or foul means, secured for it a
national role and prominence that eventually paved the way for its declaration
as a national language in 1946. This declaration had been persistently opposed
even to this day, especially by the Cebuano-speaking provinces of the Visayas.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Diversity in Customs and Tradition</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - Like
their counterparts in the northern islands, the Moros are racially Indo-Malayan
and whatever distinction between or among the thirteen sub-groupings range from
negligible to "almost as markedly as the Muslim people as a whole differs
from the Christian Filipino groups. The distinction between the Iranun and
Maranao and, to a certain extent, the Maguindanaon - the three groups constitute
61 percent of the entire Moro population - has not been clearly defined. In a
sense, the Maranao and Iranun are "brothers" and the Maguindanaon and
Maranao "cousins." The difference of Maranao or Maguindanaon from the
Badjao or "sea gypsies" is sharp, because, except for a small portion
of this group, they are still largely unIslamized. This difference perhaps is
the reference of some writers that the Moros have widely diverse customs and
traditions.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This diversity, however, when seen in the context of their racial
kinsmen in the North, is comparatively quite modest in proportion. Are not the
Filipinos culturally, historically more divided and heterogeneous than their
counterparts in Mindanao and Sulu? Are not the Tagalogs, the Cebuanos or
llocanos as different from one another as the Scots, the English, and the Irish
are? One writer, commenting on this, had this to say:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It is difficult, if not impossible, to define
what a Filipino is. All that can be done is to pick out some traits common to
the average Filipinos and to separate those that are obviously Spanish or
American."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This cultural status is the reason why Filipinos are faced with no
choice but to showcase in the forefront the long-preserved Moro cultures in
foreign cultural presentations, because there is no longer distinct Filipino
culture to speak of, except a mixture of Spanish, American and a few native
ingredients.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1991 the Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines Jose Ibarra, a
career diplomat, speaking on the Mexican-Filipino relations, made this glaring
statement:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Both our roots belong to Western civilization.
In our music and dance, in our folk arts, in our language, and in our
peculiarities and natural tendencies live our lives in festive air, we enjoy
similarities in culture and affinities in character.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One may not believe it, but the Pilipino, the official Filipino
language, has 18,000 Spanish words in it as against only 5,000 of Malay
origin." This is how extensive and deep-rooted the hispanization of the
Filipinos is. The American contribution is yet to be accounted for, but is
patently dominant in the Philippine political and educational systems.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the other hand and by comparison, Moro culture remains so to
this day, basically Malay despite the admixture of Hindu, Chinese, and later
Arabian (or rather Islamized). With these factors plus the effects of geography
and other forces of history, the result was customs and a tradition peculiarly
"moroized." It is not "arabized," it is not
"indianized" or "chinized."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Other Minor Variations </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- There
may be other variations or diversities in the socio-economic, cultural or
political development of the Moros, but all these are not so emphasized so as
to lose sight of their "distinctness" as a separate group. Among
these are their difference in historical development, livelihood patterns,
social organizations, level of Islamic acculturation, manner of dressing, and
even their arts.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Even if these observations are true for the Moros, they do not make
the Moro status exceptional. There are nations, even states, which are pervaded
by a variety of differences in national origin, language, religion, and
cultural patterns, and yet they exhibited strong sense of national unity. The
heterogeneous elements in these states rather worked surprisingly to their advantage,
particularly when confronted by external dangers. The United States and
Switzerland are two of such states. The United States has often been called a
"nation of immigrants." It has taken in more immigrants than any
other nations in history; in fact, except for the pure-blooded Indians, every
US citizen is either an immigrant or descended from immigrants.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If there have been points raised to cast doubt on the existence of
a Moro nation, there are points as well in support of it. The following are
some of these points:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. Common Racial Origin</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - As has
been discussed earlier, except for the very minority Negritos, all the
inhabitants of the archipelago including the Moros belonged to one racial
stock, the Indo-Malayan. And all the indigenous dialects of the Moros, together
with all those in Luzon and the Visayas, are related in varying degrees to one
another and with a common root from one parent-stock. the Austronesian or
Malayo-Polynesian language. Even up to the present, the lexicon of the various
Moro dialects contain derivatives or roots that are, beyond doubt, of Malayan
origin.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Common Religion</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> -
Invariably the ethnic tribes of the Moros accepted Islam without reservation,
an acceptance that came sometimes more from fanaticism rather than from conviction.
If there is one factor that gave them direction, spirit and cohesiveness, hence
securing for them their homeland, it was Islam. It was Islam which taught them
that war with Spain was a sacred obligation, with In assured place in heaven as
a reward.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Despite the differences in the degree of their Islamic
acculturation, all the thirteen ethno-linguistic groups chose Islam as their
religion. They tenaciously clung to it, for better or for worse, and they
survived.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, one crucial fact in the larger picture that should be
considered is that the Moros and Filipinos tend to live in two different
worlds, the former having maintained their roots more firmly in the Islamized
Malay world and inherited much from the Islamic civilization of Arabia and the
Middle East, while the latter looked to the West - to Spain, for their Catholic
religion and much of their customs and traditions, and to America for their
second language, English, and their political institutions."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Shared History</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - All the
best Spanish generals had been pitted against the Moros and all but none had to
admit that these "obscure Malays" were far from---easypickings."
And the fight did not happen for a day or months but for 320 years, or to be
exact, from 1578 to 1898 when America came in to impose a self-given
"mandate in Moroland."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The history of the Moros neither began at the coming of Spain nor
stopped at her exit. Her coming was merely an "accident in history"
and an interlude in the long and colorful annals of this group of Malays. Before
the Spaniards, they were already on their own and were already on the verge of
claiming more territories and peoples, not through the! force of arms and
trickery but through the charms of the faith and the magic of love for brethren
of a common race. After 1898, starting with America, the saga continues to this
day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In all these long years, all the thirteen Moro groups have had a
share, though in varying roles, in the defense of the faith, people and
homeland. The Badjaos, though sometimes pejoratively tagged even by their
Muslim neighbors as "Samal Palau" (House-boat Samal) or "Samal
Luwan" (Outcast Samal), may not have actually participated in the wars,
but the fact that they served the sultan of Sulu as subjects is nevertheless also
a role in history.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Organized Government</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - Unlike
the barangays of the North, fragmented as they had always been, the Moros had
their centralized government patterned after the Arabian model and, later, on
the Turkish fashion. The realm was headed by the sultan (hence the
political institution called sultanate), who inherited his position by
direct descent in a royal bloodline of Hashimite root. Below the sultan was
the heir-apparent or rajahmuda or crown prince, and in the lower tier of
the hierarchy were the administrative officers or ministers, the judge or qadi
as head of the judiciary or agama court, the naval commander or rajah
laut or kapitan laut, and not the least, the council of elders or Ruma
Bichara in Sulu or Bichara Atas in Maguindanao.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In describing the court of the sultan, one writer had these words:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The sultan's court was convoked with
ostentation and ceremony. He himself sat enthroned on a raised dais with his
full entourage seated on the floor; foreign emissaries remained on their fee t
to present official communications in lacquered boxes. Small brass swivel guns
(lantakas) were conspicuously displayed, not so</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">An example of a tiny state is Monaco, in Europe, with a population
of about 30,000 and total land area of 1.95 square kilometers. Its principal
source of income is gambling and tourism. Second is Luxembourg, also in Europe,
with a population of a little over 30,000 and area of 2.586 square kilometers.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the contrary, Mindanao alone is bigger than Monaco and
Luxembourg. It has a total land area of 117,000 square kilometers. It is very
rich in natural resources, outside the typhoon belt, and the weather is
excellent. Even the Moros number no fewer than five million.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. Independence Intact </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- To cap
it all, and without being redundant, there is nothing more convincing about the
fact that there is indeed a Moro nation than to restate again and again that
throughout the 377 years of Spanish presence in the Philippines the Moros
remained unconquered. And whatever Spain might have said of her sovereignty over
the Moro dominion was nothing but mere proclamation for, in truth and in fact,
this sovereignty was only felt and enforced inside her fortifications and
garrisons. One may argue, however, that in the closing years of the Spanish
regime on the eve of the entry of the United States the various sultanates
especially Sulu and Maguindanao had greatly weakened. This is as if to say that
it was a matter of time before they could all have been subdued by force of
arms. But this supposition did not take place in fact and cannot be argued to
have actually taken place, in roughly the same way that it is pure historical
speculation to say that had not Spain arrived at the time it did, all the
people of the entire archipelago could have become Muslims. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Modern Rationale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The actual "statehood" of the sultanate in the light of
modern day contemplation is a timely or pertinent topic in this discussion,
particularly the matter of the capacity of these sultanates for treaty-making.
The value of this subject matter to our discussion cannot be overstated.
However, even granting that the Moros had already constituted a nation, but a
nation is primarily a racial or ethnic concept. It is not a juridical or
political entity that is clothed with authority and responsibility to rule as
imbued on a state. Nation and state are two different things.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, before expounding on this further, let us understand first
what is a state. One American authority defined state as a
"community of persons more or less numerous, permanently occupying a
definite portion of territory, independent *of external control. and possessing
an organized government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual
obedience. From this definition, a state has four requisites for
existence, namely, people, territory, government and independence or
sovereignty. There is a minority view which added two more requisites:
possession of a sufficient degree of civilization and recognition by the family
of nations..</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Since this work is not a legal thesis and therefore an exhaustive
discussion of the subject of statehood is not within its province. It will
therefore employ a more casual approach to the subject.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. People</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-
According to authorities on the subject of statehood. the number of
people-inhabitants must be sufficient enough to ensure survival irrespective of
race, color, religion or culture. The 'important thing is that they would be
able to perpetuate themselves for political ends. The State of Vatican, as
aforecited, has only a population of 1,000. Easily the three sultanates could
pass this requirement.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Territory</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- The
space by which the state exists must be more or less permanent, big or small.
in order "to settle eventual disputes on jurisdiction." The
jurisdiction of these sultanates were rendered more valid when they entered
into treaties delineating their boundaries and jurisdiction.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Government</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> -
"As instrumentality of this political unity," these sultanates had
organized political machineries by which their powers were expressed and to
make real their will and functions. This is discussed earlier in this chapter
on how the sultanate conducted its day-to-day state affairs.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Independence or Sovereignty</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - The
state has the freedom from external control in the conduct of its internal and
external affairs. The fact that the sultanate had survived for more than three
centuries is the best testimony to this sovereignty or independence.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. Sufficient Degree of Civilization</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- Is it
not a fact that the Moros had a longer history than any group in the Philippines,
and does not this follow that they had a richer and more colorful civilization?
Long before the appearance of the Westerners in Asia, the Moros were already
civilized. They possessed a Malayan civilization and then enriched by Indian,
Chinese, and Arabic influences. Perhaps all that is necessary for the Doubting
Thomases to prove or disprove this is to scan the pages of history books to
verify for themselves the truth of this thesis.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6. Recognition by the Family of Nations</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - The
United Nations was only organized in 1945. The League of Nations, though
founded earlier in 1920, was practically an inutile organization. The United
States was not even a formal member. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #8064a2;">CHAPTER III – THE INVADED HOMELAND</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #8064a2;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #8064a2;"><span style="color: red;">The Flashback<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #8064a2;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #8064a2;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #8064a2;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #8064a2;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As mentioned earlier, the foothold of Spain in the Philippines is
an accident in history. Ferdinand Magellan, leading an expedition of 250 men
and five ships, was actually looking for the "Spice Islands, 112 where the
highly profitable spice grew in abundance. He thought that these islands were
in the Pacific Ocean close to America. Commissioned by King Charles I of Spain,
he proceeded with his idea that the East could be reached by sailing West and,
on September 20, 1519 from San Lucar, Spain, he and his crew left by cruising
around the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa and then West around
South America through a tortuous passage bearing his name, the Strait of
Magellan. For more than four months of incredible hardships, marred sometimes
by mutiny and no land in sight, his only orders were: "sail,"
"sail," and "sail." And at last, on March 17, 1521, they
sighted the island of Samar, which they named the "Archipelago of St.
Lazarus"; stopped briefly at the islet of Homonhon, and then disembarked
at Limasawa, another islet south of Leyte. At Limasawa, Magellan celebrated the
first Catholic mass in the Philippines on March 31, 1521. From here, not long
after, the conquest or conversion of the various islands was effected, except
the island of Mactan under Rajah Lapu-Lapu, who chose fire and blood to abject
submission. He flatly refused to give even an inch of his land or to compromise
his freedom. The dispute was thus to be settled by force of arms. In the famous
Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521 the Spaniards, despite armed with muskets,
crossbows, swords and body armor, were utterly routed. With his own hands,
Rajah Lapu-Lapu slew Magellan.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #8064a2;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #8064a2;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #8064a2;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #8064a2;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Magellan was Portuguese by nationality. Portugal originally
assigned him to India as a soldier. Accused of embezzlement during his army
stint and later indicted, he left and enlisted in the Spanish navy as a
mercenary. Soon enough he won the trust of his new masters and was sent to lead
the expedition to locate the Spice Islands.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #8064a2;">
</span><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #8064a2;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #8064a2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the debacle at Mactan, Charles I sent three more expeditions:
in 1525, 1526 and 1527, but all ended in dismal failure. Disheartened and
bankrupt, Charles 1 agreed to sign the Treaty of Zaragosa on April 22,1529 with
Portugal. The treaty provided, among other stipulations, that a demarcation
line in the Pacific at 297.5 leagues east of the Moluccas be drawn: All lands
west of the line belonged to Portugal and all those east went to Spain. With
this definition, the Moluccas, which Spain sold to Portugal, and the
Philippines, which Spain also claimed, both belonged to Portugal.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, despite this treaty, greed and faithlessness had their day
in Charles 1 when, in 1542, he made a last-ditch effort to obtain a foothold in
the East. He fitted an expedition under the command of Ruy de Villalobos with
the specific order to establish permanent settlement in the Islas del Poniente
or "Western Islands" or the Philippines. After a year of sea voyage,
Villalobos, in the company of four Augustinian priests, landed on the island of
Sarangani, south of Mindanao, and tried to establish a permanent footing.
Because of the stiff hostilities of the Moros, in addition to the poverty of
the place they were forced "to cat cats, dogs and rats, gray lizards and
unknown plants" - the Spaniards hurriedly left. On the way home, Bernardo
de Ia Torre, one of the crew, while passing by the islands of Samar-Leyte, gave
to these islands the name Filipinas in honor of Philip, then the Spanish crown
prince and later, King Philip 11, who succeeded Charles I. The name was later
applied to the entire archipelago, hence, its present form Philippines.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1556, Philip II ascended the throne and made it an official
policy to colonize the Philippines. In November 1564, the expedition under
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi left Mexico. Accompanying him as chief adviser and navigator
was Fray Andres de Urdaneta, a scholar priest and veteran of the previous
Loaysa Expedition. Appraised of the mission, Urdaneta objected because the
Zaragosa Treaty was still in effect. But there was nothing he could do: first,
they were already in the high seas, and second, Legaspi ignored his advice
anyway. The King ordered Legaspi to proceed to the Philippines and to make it a
permanent colony of Spain. On April 27,1565 the Spaniards landed in Panay, and
from there they wrested all the islands, one after the other, from the various
local chieftains. After securing all these areas, Legaspi sent Captain Martin
de Goiti to Luzon where a fortified town called Manila was located.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Moro–Spanish Intramural<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The town of Manila was ruled by Rajah Sulaiman Mahmud and Rajah
Matanda (jointly or assisted by the latter) and Tondo by Rajah Lakandula. All
supremos were of Bornean origin and in fact were closely related to the Brunei
sultan.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At this juncture, it is necessary to clarify, contrary to popular
perception, two important points in history. First, the first group of people
whom the Spaniards in 1570 called Moros were those in Manila and environs and
not the islamized natives in Mindanao and Sulu; and second, the first
Moro-Spanish War was not fought in the soils of Mindanao and Sulu but right in
what is now Metropolitan Manila.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For the first time after the fall of Granada in 1492, the Spaniards
and the Moros, nay Muslims, came face-to-face, each circling half the earth in
opposite directions. Each was already seething with anger for the other. They
had a big score to settle. The Spaniards hated the Muslims for they ruled Spain
for about 800 years, while the Muslims could not forgive the Spaniards for the
massacre of more than three million Muslims when the Christians recaptured
Spain.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now the hour of reckoning was at hand. Commanding the Spanish
troops was Captain Martin de Goiti while Rajah Sulaiman was leading the native
defenders. In a threatening voice, the fearless Sulaiman made his stand clear:</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We wish to be the friends of all nations. But
they must understand that we cannot tolerate any abuse. On the contrary, we
will repay with death the least thing that touches our honor.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In effect, this represented the first expression of patriotic
sentiments by a native chief against an alien power. Bold and piercing, this
was a foreign policy declaration.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">True to his words, reminiscent of the Islamic slogan of all ages,
"Victory or Martyrdom Rajah Sulaiman, the last Muslim ruler of Manila,
preferred martyrdom than to submit to the Spaniards. At the famous Battle of
Bangkusay, off Tondo's shore, on June 3, 1571, Rajah Sulaiman perished - but
his memory and example remained.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After the fall of Manila, all resistance to Spanish rule, except
those fought in Mindoro in 1574 and the so-called aborted Magat Salamat
Conspiracy in 1587, had died down entirely in Luzon and the Visayas within a
brief span of just eleven years. The Spaniards now became the new masters, not
just for one barangay or confederation of barangays but for the entire islands
of Luzon and Visayas. This was to last for 327 years.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After formally integrating all the conquered islands into the
Spanish Empire with Manila as the colony's capital in 1571, now dubbed as
"New Spain," the next tasks were to secure the new territory from
external threat and to push further the Crown's colonial designs. Spain came to
conquer and acquired gold - usually in the name or aid of the Cross. She was
prepared to move heaven and earth, so to speak, and to risk everything if only
to monopolize the ultra-profitable spice trade. So huge and rewarding was this
trade that the survivors of the Mactan and later the Cebu carriages, who barely
made their escape home, managed to procure spice along the way, sold the
commodity and were still left with considerable gains even after defraying the
cost of the four wrecked ships and paying for the 232 dead, including Magellan.
And owing to the severe rivalries between the Dutch and the Portuguese for the
control of the spice trade, Spain fitted a large expedition in 1578 to attack
the Brunei sultanate believing that it was in alliance with the Portuguese, or
that it lay within her sphere of influence. Initial good luck was on the side
of the Spaniards for they defeated the sultanate, albeit temporarily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 816.35pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 816.35pt; padding: 0in; width: 96.9%;" width="96%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Moro-Spanish War</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Indeed, the defeat of Rajah Sulaiman in Manila represented the
first chapter in the long years of Moro-Spanish confrontations in the
Philippines. The next and final chapter is what we are now about to start.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After the Brunei expedition, Spanish eyes focused on the Sulu
sultanate, which was suspected to be in alliance with Brunei. In fact, the
two royal houses were related by a series of intermarriages. In the same
year, Spain put up a large expedition under the command of Capt. Esteban
Rodriguez de Figueroa, who also commanded the</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brunei campaign, to attack Sulu. Sultan Buddiman Pangiran, then
the reigning sultan, resisted the invasion and although the attack was partly
successful on the part of the Spaniards but its implication was far-reaching.
This was the virtual declaration of war by Spain against the Moros of
Mindanao and Sulu. As a matter of fact, this was the official beginning of
the Moro-Spanish War which was to drag on and remain undecided for 320 long
years or until the Spaniards were ejected from the Philippines by the
Americans in 1898.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For the Spanish Crown, the war was to subdue a pagan people, to
curb "Piracy," to stop the Moros from sealing alliances with other
foreign European powers, and to forestall the entry of rivals into the field
of the spice trade. Conversion to Catholicism was evidently not in the
priority list, knowing too well that the Moros would prefer death to
conversion. For the Moros, the war was in defense of Islam, people and
homeland. It was a sacred obligation, with an assured place in heaven as a
recompense.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The instructions of Gov. Gen. Francisco de Sande to Capt. Esteban
Rodriguez de Figueroa on the siege of Sulu in June 1578 and Mindanao in April
1596 were the following:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You shall order them Moros] that there be not among them anymore
preachers of the doctrines of Mahoma (Muhammad) since it is evil and false
and that of the Christian alone is good. And because we have been in these
islands so short a time, the lord of Bindanao: [sic] has been deceived by the
preachers of Borney, and the people have become Moros. You shall tell that
our object is that he be converted to Christianity; and that he must allow us
freely to preach the law of the Christian, and the natives must beallowed to
go to hear the preaching and be converted, without receiving harm from the
chiefs. And you shall try to ascertain who are the preachers of the sect of
Mahoma, and shall burn or destroy the house where that accursed doctrine has
been preached, and you shall see that it be not rebuilt.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gov. Gen. Francisco de Sande gave similar instructions to Captain
Gabriel de Rivera earlier on January 15, 1579.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Both the Figueroa and Rivera missions 'to Sulu and Maguindanao,
respectively, did not accomplish significant successes. Figueroa merely made
the Sulu sultan sue for temporary peace, while Rivera failed to establish
contact with the chief of the Pulangi (River).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the meantime, the Spanish government in Manila adopted an
official policy to colonize Mindanao. For the purpose, the colonial
government and Capt. Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa signed an agreement
whereby the latter, in exchange for enormous material benefits and a position
to be inherited by a son or heir, would pacify the island of Mindanao and
establish a colony in the Pulangi at his own expense.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Accordingly, on April 1, 1596 Figueroa left for Mindanao with
fifty war vessels, 214 Spaniards and 1,500 native allies. After three weeks
of sea voyage, the fleet reached the mouth of the Pulangi or what the
Spaniards called Rio Grande de Mindanao and they started cruising upstream
which was tough and exhausting. The river current was swift. They landed at
Tampakan, and immediately Figueroa lined up his troops in battle array and
delivered a stirring speech:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Soldiers of Felipe! We stand upon the newest soil of Spain. To
subdue this dark forest and rid the soil of the infidel Moslem is our aim.
They submit as vassals and converts or fall before the Spanish blades.
Forward to our duty for King and country."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Few moments later, the jungle shook with the fierce battle that
followed. Leading the Maguindanao warriors were the brothers, Rajah Silongan
and Datu Ubal. On the Spanish side was Figueroa, aided by Juan de Lara. Clad
in body armor, Figueroa sallied forth and barely hat] he taken a few steps
when his head was cleft in two by a kampilan, a long and straight-edged Moro
cutlass, wielded by Datu Ubal. The loss of their leader demoralized the
Spaniards and more so when Juan de Lara, the next in command, hurriedly left
for Manila "to report."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The news spread like a prairie fire in Manila. The Spaniards were
furious over the death of Figueroa, but the Jesuits were the most aggrieved
for they had varied interests in the conquest of Mindanao. They branded the
Moros "traitors."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 1599, the Moros, aware that defensive war was the beginning of
defeat, decided to bring the war over into the enemy territory and staged
counterattacks. This was what hostile writers fondly called "Moro
piracy." The reprisal scheme was to cripple the enemy power base, exact
tribute, and to take advantage of the critical situation faced by Spain due
to the threat posed by the Dutch.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quite absurd was the charge of piracy. If there had been
incidents of piracy against the natives prior to the start of the Moro-Spanish
War in 1578, those were so small in number as to be negligible. However,
whatever may have been said on this subject, the truth stands that it was
Spain that started the confrontation and it was natural for the Moros to
defend themselves and hit back, if and when possible. On the issue of piracy,
the Spanish double-standard was bared: If she attacked the Moros she called
it "holy war," but if the latter hit back it was
"piracy."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The year-round raids conducted by the Moros engulfed the natives
in the Spanish-held territories with fear, despair and anxiety. The raiders
netted tens of thousands of prisoners, jewelry, precious ornaments, cannons,
and other valuable materials. By this time, the Spaniards were already
beginning to realize the high price of the bloody venture they had indulged
in and if ever they thought of backing out, it was already too late. But the
losses of the masters were easily dwarfed by those of the subjects, who were
caught between oppression from their masters and attacks by their masters'
foes. They were simply sandwiched between two evils.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In one of these raids, where a Jesuit priest, Melchor Hurtado,
was captured in 1603 by Datu Buisan of Maguindanao, a very interesting
dialogue took place between him and the datus of Leyte. Buisan asked the
datus whether they and their people as well as. those of Panay, Mindoro, and
Batangas, all Spanish subjects, had been protected by the Spaniards. Of
course, the Leyte datus did not need to confirm what was obvious. He urged
them that if they joined hands with the Maguindanaos, it would be easy to
thwart off the Spanish yoke. As a result, Buisan and the datus entered into a
blood compact and they became "ritual brothers."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In another raid in 1627, a Sulu fleet of more than thirty boats
of various sizes and about 2,000 men personally led by Sultan Bungsu attacked
the Spanish shipyard in Camarines. The garrison was overrun and the raiders
captured artillery, guns, ammunition, iron and brass pieces, and 300
prisoners, including a Spanish lady named Dona Lucia. 11 The raiders, after
divesting the garrison of all valuables, burned the shipyard.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scourge of Spain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The crucial point in the history of the Moros came in 1619 when
Sultan Dipatuan Muhammad Qudarat ascended the throne of the Maguindanao sultanate.
During his reign, the sultanate achieved power and fame unparalleled in the
entire history of Mindanao and Sulu. He was gifted with the exquisite
qualities of a great leader. He was intelligent, religious, decisive, kind,
and just. Holding Spain at bay for half a century and outlasting at least
eight governor generals," he was regarded as "providentially
created to punish the bad Spaniards." The natives in the Spanish-held
territories were ready to do whatever Spain wanted them except "to take
up arms against Qudarat." Spain considered him as the single greatest
obstacle in the efforts to subjugate the whole of Mindanao. Qudarat's sphere
of power and influence, aside from his traditional dominion over the whole of
Cotabato, Lanao, Davao, Misamis', Bukidnon and Zamboanga, was so extensive
that he was able to collect tributes from the seafaring inhabitants of the
coast of Borneo and some areas of Basilan and the Visayas. During his time,
the Maguindanao sultanate achieved its golden age.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In view of this awesome situation in the northern islands caused
by the Moros under Sultan Qudarat, the Spanish Crown decided to shift the
battle arena to Mindanao. Mindanao was ordered to be pacified at all cost.
This was in response to the series of victories inflicted by the Moro
raiders. In fewer than thirty years, no less than 20,000 persons were taken
captive by the Moro marauders and sold to the markets of Batavia, Ternate,
Amboina, Makassar, Java and Madras.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">.The task of pacifying Mindanao fell on Gov. Gen. Hurtado de
Corcuera in 1635. On March 13, 1637, Corcuera left Zamboanga and landed at
Lamitan 13 and started the assault immediately. Initially he encountered
minor oppositions, but as he and 800 soldiers kept pressing inland and
towards the heavily fortified capital, fighting intensified, causing wanton
sacrifice of lives. Qudarat himself was wounded and was on the verge of
capture, but owing to some "magical powers" attributed to him he
was able to slip past the ranks of the Spaniards. One of his wives, holding an
infant, threw herself into a cliff to avoid becoming a captive. Lamitan was
razed to the ground. Sultan Qudarat lost eight bronze cannons, 27 lantakas
(small brass cannon) and 100 muskets, in addition to heavy casualties
including 27 followers whose heads were propped up on spikes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This brief victory of Spain over Qudarat became the origin of the
Moro-Moro, a blood-and-thunder play in which the Christians always emerged
victorious over the Moros. Since that time the play has become an integral
part of all Filipino folk and religious festivals. Corcuera became an instant
hero and his return to Manila amidst pompous and colorful preparations,
occasioned unending jubilations over the Spanish victory.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The defeat of Qudarat at Lamitan did not weaken his resolve to
drive out the Spaniards. To him, this was only temporary and no more than
"a year's harvest." In the meantime, he took refuge at the Lake
Lanao region, and it was here that he delivered his most famous speech,
exhorting the Maranao datus and sultans to carry on the fight:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> You men of the lake, forgetting your ancient
liberty, have submitted to the Castillians. Submission is sheer stupidity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> You cannot realize to what your surrender
binds you. You are selling yourselves to toil for the benefit of these foreigners.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Look at the regions that have already
submitted to them. Note how abject is the state to which their people are
reduced. Behold the condition of the Tagalogs and of the Visayas whose chiefs
are trampled upon by the meanest Castillians. If you are no better in spirit
than them, then you must expect similar treatment. You, like them, will be
obliged to row the galleys. Just as they do, you will have to toil at the
ship-building and labor without ceasing on the other public works. You can
see for yourselves that you will experience the hardest treatment thus
employed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Be men, let me aid you to resist. All the
strength of my sultanate, I promise you, shall be in your defence.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What matters if the Castillians at first are
successful? That means only the loss of a year's harvest. Do you think that
is too dear a price to pay for liberty?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The exhortation found its mark and the lake Moros were back into
fighting form and shortly after they attacked and succeeded in capturing the
Spanish fort and set it ablaze. The garrison was evacuated and the Spaniards
did not return until after two centuries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Barely a year after his victory over Sultan Qudarat, Gov. Gen.
Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera led the invasion of Sulu. On January 4, 1638,
500 Spaniards and 1,000 native allies landed in Sulu. Committed to defend
Jolo, the Sulu capital, were warriors who numbered 4,000 including allies
from Borneo and Makassar. The confrontation started immediately, and after
more than three months of continued fighting, neither side could claim
victory. Both suffered heavy losses. On the side of the attackers, five of
their finest officers were slain, including an undetermined number of their
men. In the end, the conclusion was a negotiated settlement. Sultan, Bongsu
agreed to the truce, considering the hopeless situation facing his defenders.
They were struck by epidemics, possibly cholera or dysentery.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Qudarat, after a decade, succeeded in 1637 to extend his
political sway to almost the whole of Mindanao. This time, even the northern
part including Caraga was under his sphere of influence. Sultan Qudarat
declared jihad against Spain and invited the rulers of Brunei, Sulu, Ternate
and Makassar to unite and join forces with his sultanate in defence of Islam.
In response, all succeeding wars with Spain witnessed Borneans, Ternatans,
Makassars, and Sulus rallying together for the cause. Thenceforth all
expeditions against his sultanate ended in failure. Qudarat died of old age
of 90 in 1671.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the intervening years. from 1663 up to the next half a
century, first, in the face of the Dutch victories in the Moluccas and the
resultant threat to Manila and, second, by the Koxinga's impending invasion
threat, the Spanish Crown found it most imperative to consolidate home
defences. Spanish troops serving in the various Mindanao garrisons were
recalled to Manila. The main fort in Zamboanga was also abandoned. And as a
tactical move, they again negotiated treaties with the sultanates of Sulu and
Maguindanao, obviously to neutralize the Moros while the dangers were still
there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Throughout this period, there was general peace in Mindanao and
Sulu and the few remaining missions, such as Caraga and Dapitan, were left
unmolested. The prevailing peace also allowed the Maguindanao and Sulu
sultanates to consolidate their control over the areas they earlier held and
to resume commercial activities with their Malay neighbors, as well as with
the Dutch and the English. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Bloodiest Period</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After the twin threats of the Dutch and the Chinese had passed,
the Spanish Crown decided to refortify Zamboanga in 1718. Spain also
reoccupied other garrisons in Mindanao and Sulu and, upon the insistence of
the Recollects, Labo in Palawan was also fortified. Alarmed by this
development, the Moros designed new power realignments to meet the renewed
Spanish threat head on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Initially, the Spaniards were cautious, adopting a friendly
approach in dea</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">ling with the Moros. The new policy was especially felt in
matter of religion. The Spaniards abandoned conversion to Christianity as an
imposed requirement and to merely asked the Moros to allow missionaries in
their areas in exchange for commercial partnership. As expected, the policy
did not bear good fruit. The Moros refused to trust the Spaniards. Not long
after, hostilities resumed with even more fury and bloodshed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1751, Spain passed a Royal Decree known as the "Privateer
System- which marked the beginning of the bloodiest period in the history of
the Moro-Spanish War. The decree provided for the encouragement and
enlistment of private individuals to organize expeditions against the Moros.
The incentives were tempting and rewarding. It stipulated the total
extermination of the Moros, burning of everything combustible that they
owned, and the desolation of all crops and farmlands. Criminals who enlisted
were granted unconditional pardon and all enlistees were exempted from paying
tribute and were entitled to four-fifth of the booty. Thousands enlisted for
the mercenary expeditions. As anticipated, the results were quick, telling and
bloody.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the face of this threat of liquidation, the natural reaction
of the Moros was to meet fire with fire. After decades of lull in the
fighting, the Moros had not failed to toughen their war machines, oiled and
ever-ready to move into action. Evidently, they had prepared for this day and
had much in store for the Spaniards and their allies. Instead of waiting for
the adversaries to invade their lands, they conducted foray after foray deep
into enemy territory. No place, either in Luzon or in the Visayas, was exempt
from the terrible attacks of these fearless raiders. llocos, Catanduanes,
Batangas, Manila, lloilo, Mindoro, and everywhere were frequently attacked.
Consequently watch-towers and belfries began to dot the coastal lines of the
Spanish-held areas to keep a round-the-clock watch for approaching Moro
"pirates," whose approach brought that terrible cry: Moros en la
costa. Mothers frightened their children to sleep by the mere mention of the
word Moro. The name became so dreaded that it evoked such offensive meanings
as "pirate," "traitor" or "heathen." For a span
of a decade during this period, no fewer than 50,000 captives were taken and
many coastal towns were totally destroyed, their population greatly reduced.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Roughly the same degree of destruction on the Moros also took
place from both the offensives and counter-offensives of the Spaniards. There
were many tales of decimation of lives and property. Sometimes a whole Moro
settlement would be depopulated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On February 27, 1851, Spain launched a massive assault on Jolo,
employing of a fleet of one corvette, one brigantine, three steamboats, two
gunboats, nine transports, twenty-one barangays, and other boats of different
sizes. The attacking force was composed of 142 officers, 2,876 men and about
a thousand native volunteers. On the defenders' side were about 10,000 Moro
warriors. As usual, Jolo was bombarded first and then the ground assault
followed. In the ensuing fighting, the Spaniards reported 34 dead and the
Moros 300. Jolo was razed to the ground. However, the Sulu sultan disputed
this by saying that only 100 Moros died.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Decline of the Sultanate</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">More than any factor, the introduction of the steamboat in the
Spanish navy was the greatest plus factor that turned the tide against the
Moros. The Moro caracaos, 16 however swift, was no match to the Spanish
steamship equipped with heavy artillery. Consequently, Spain was able to
conduct bigger and more sustained operations against the Moros of Mindanao
and Sulu. The period witnessed the defeat of the Moros in Basilan, Malabang,
and Jolo. One such reversal was scored in Balangingi, Basilan in 1845,
against the Balangingi Samals, sometimes referred to by the Spaniards as the
"fiercest pirates" of the Sulu seas. After a gallant but futile
stand, the Balangingi Samals were routed after seventeen days of bloody
combat, and the survivors, mostly women and children, were exiled to Luzon.
Many of their descendants are still found in the town of Tomauini, Isabela,
but what are left of them can still manage to recite the Islamic formula of
faith: "There is no god except Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of
Allah."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the meantime, the Sulu and Maguindanao sultanates were
besieged by dynastic dissensions. In 1862, after the death of Pulalun, the
throne was a toss-up between Jamalul Azam, son of Pulalun, and Datu Jamalul
Kiram, a grandson of Sultan Shakirullah. Seeing the split, Spain, without the
slightest of hesitation, issued a certificate of recognition to Kiram, though
denominating him as the "feudal governor of Sulu and a subject of
Spain." This was repeated in 1884, when Spain interfered in the power
struggle between Ali ud-Din and Amirul Kiram, both contestants to the throne.
Initially, Spain favored Amirul Kiram but later on also began making deal
with the former. In the Maguindanao sultanate, the dynastic quarrel was
equally disastrous. In about 1731, the reigning Sultan Bayan ul-Anwar was
opposed by his younger brother, Jaafar Sadiq, who had earlier in 1710 fled to
Tamontaka. Jaafar Sadiq had excellent relations with the Spaniards. He was
credited with having allowed the Spaniards to build the first Catholic Church
in Maguindanao which stills stands today. The Sultan had a son, Malinug, who
by all indications would succeed his father and therefore could frustrate the
ambition of the uncle. To shorten the story, a series of clashes ensued which
culminated in the second week of March 1733, when Malinug with 700 warriors
attacked his uncle's capital at Tamontaka and slew him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In a bid to break all forms of resistance and to settle once and
for all the issue of sovereignty over the Moros, Spain launched on February
21, 1876 what became known as the final Jolo campaign. Gov. Gen. Jose
Malcampo personally led the campaign involving 9,000 troops, ten steamboats,
eleven gunboats, and eleven transports. Public approval, especially on the
issue of religious enmity, was carefully sought to support the campaign. In
the forefront of this campaign were the friars of the various denominations:
Recollects, Jesuits, Dominicans and Augustinians. 17 Together, they heralded:
"The war in Jolo is now a just war, a holy war in the name of
religion," or "War and war without quarters or rest for the wicked
sons of the Qur'an; war to the death with blood and fire!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As in the past, the action was preceded by intense bombardment
and followed by infantry assaults from all directions. One cotta after
another fell in intense and bloody fighting and was put to the torch. In the
face of these assaults, the Sultan, warriors and retainers retired to the
interior - to fight another day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Onrush of Juramentado</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The decline of the sultanate, its inability to provide
centralized and effective defense of the state and religion, paved the way
for the emergence of another form of resistance. The task became a matter of
individual obligation. This practice was what hostile writers called the
juramentado.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The term juramentado was derived from the Spanish verb
juramentar, meaning "to swear an oath." It was sarcastically used
by the Spaniards and their hirelings to refer to anyone committing suicide or
running amuck. Others presented the image of a rushing Moro warrior with
shaven hair, fiery eyes and plucked eyebrows, brandishing kris or kampilan to
attack infidels until he was slain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Actually this greatly maligned juramentado was a person who had
chosen to fight in the Way of Allah in his individual capacity since, as
stated above, the sultanate had ceased to put up an organized resistance
against the Spaniards. He was what in the Moro viewpoint was called
Sabilillah. The juramentado, after some initiation rituals and proper prayers
and the resolve to die for the cause, acted out his part as a sacred duty and
when he died in the course of his attack, he became shahid or
"martyr" with paradise as his ultimate reward. As with any real
Muslim warrior, the juramentado loved martyrdom more than life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an, Chapter Ill, verse 103,
to those who fight in His path:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Think not of those who are slam in God's way
as dead. Nay, they live finding their sustenance in the presence of their
Lord; they rejoice in the bounty of God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Speaking on this matter, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him!)
said in one of his traditions:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the last day wounds of those who have
been wounded in the Way of Allah will be evident, and will drip with blood,
but their smell will be perfume of musk.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> The fire of Hell shall not touch the legs of
him who shall be covered with the dust of battle in the road of God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Juramentado was the exact opposite of running amuck or
Committing suicide. The juramentado was a volunteer of conscience, with a
strong will to fight - and to die - and was rightly guided by the Islamic
requirements to strive in the Way of Allah. It is a conscious undertaking and
the one committing himself to the task had full certainty of the Almighty's
promise of eternal bliss in paradise. In suicide or in running amuck, one
becomes senseless and falls into a trance or into the trap of Satan. It is an
almost unconscious action resulting from hopelessness. If hostile writers
likened the juramentado to the second category, then they not only committed
a grave offense against him and Islam but also against the rules of good
scholarship.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Twilight of Spain</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What must begin must end. In the closing years of the Spanish
presence in Mindanao and Sulu, there were radical changes in the state of
affairs in Mindanao and Sulu. In 1861, the Spaniards garrisoned Cotabato,
which became the capital of Mindanao in 1871. But after a fire and earthquake
hit Cotabato the following year, the capital was returned to Zamboanga. This
time Sultan Muhammad Makakua, the incumbent sultan, was on the throne with
the blessing of the Spanish Crown, but he had lost much of his territory. In
Sulu, although Sultan Jamalul Kiram 11 was ruling with many of the previous
powers intact, the chiefs at the second level were beginning to assert
themselves in the affairs of the realm. At times, the sultan had a hard time
promulgating major decisions without the concurrence of his chiefs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At the decline of the Maguindanao sultanate, various minor
sultanates sprang up in the Iranun areas, as well as along the Pulangi. The
Iranuns of Malabang, Balabagan, and nearby areas now looked up to the Sultan
of Ganassi in the Lanao region as their new master. In the Pulangi, many of
these sub-sultanates pledged loyalty to the Sultan of Buayan. Sultan
Marajanuddin, who was in turn succeeded in 1865 by his brother, Sultan Bayao
of Kudarangan. In 1875, Datu Utto or Sultan Anwaruddin Utto, son of Sultan
Marajanuddin, took over as Sultan of Buayan. Datu Utto was married to Rajah
Putri, daughter of Sultan Qudaratullah Muhammad Jamalul Azam or simply Sultan
Untong. So married, Datu Utto also maneuvered to be declared jointly as
Sultan of Maguindanao. Openly, he was supporting the bid of his
brother-in-law, Datu Mamaku, brother of Rajah Putri. to become the new Sultan
of Maguindanao. But the Spaniards opposed his inclination vehemently. They
saw in Datu Utto the making of a "second Qudarat." Datu Utto was
able to unite the minor sultanates along the Pulangi, including those of
Talayan. Buluan and Kabuntalan. Although he suffered many reversals from the
hands of the Spaniards, he remained unconquered up to the coming of the
Americans.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1888, Gov. Gen. Valeriano Weyler succeeded Gov.Gen. Emilio
Terrero. Instead of pursuing the military campaign against Datu Utto, the new
Governor trained his attention on the Iranuns and Maranaos. in January 1889,
Spanish troops landed in Parang and Malabang. In April 1891, Spanish troops
reoccupied Parang. Baras and Malabang and, after fierce clashes especially in
the latter. decided in August to resume the campaign against the Maranaos.
Thrown into action in this two-pronged attack were 1 , 242 officers and men.
Fierce encounters followed. especially in the cotta commanded by Amai Pakpak.
In September, the campaign was terminated without conquering the lake Moros.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In March 1894, even after Weyler had left for Manila, the 112
Spaniards pursued the campaign without letup. Pantar, near Marahui, (Marawi),
was occupied. The datus of Taraca, Ramain, Maciu and Rumayan felt threatened
and, consequently, they cooperated in fortifying their positions around the
Agus river. Ambushes of Spanish soldiers and native allies became frequent
and, at one time, 65 Spanish soldiers were killed, including one captain. The
Spaniards retaliated by killing 35 Maranaos, including five datus. On June
24, about 500 Maranaos attacked 200 Spaniards, losing, however, 200 of their
own men.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On March 10, 1895, this time under Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco, the
Spaniards decided to bring the war back to Marahui and, again, they
encountered the same Amai Pakpak. In one of the cottas, 175 Moros perished
including Amai Pakpak, his son, and 23 datus. The Spaniards lost eighteen
soldiers, including two officers, and the wounded reached 197 soldiers,
including 21 officers. In this bit of action, about 3,000 Spanish troops and
native allies were involved.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In Sulu, Sultan Jamalul Kiram II tried to honor the peace
agreement with the Spaniards. This contributed largely to the lack of
widespread fighting in his realm, although he kept on procuring arms from
Borneo. However, in 1895, the celebrated brothers, Datu Kalbi and Julkarnain,
who figured prominently during the American regime, led about a thousand
Moros in the attack of Jolo. After some bitter fighting the attack was
contained.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This was the state of affairs during the last years of the
Spanish presence in Mindanao and Sulu. If Spain was unsuccessful in
completely putting down the Moros, it was not the result of faulty, planning
or the lack of genuine interest. On the contrary, her entire firepower,.
resources and manpower were all utilized to subjugate Mindanao and Sulu- and
the Moros were still on their feet, not on their knees. As a fitting tribute
to their gallantry and determination to resist even against formidable odds,
history has appropriately referred to the Moros as the
"unconquered."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Spain came to the Philippines not much for the Cross. In most
instances, as the facts of her actuations were gradually exposed, religion
was merely used to justify what otherwise was a satanic lust for worldly gain
and glory. If she had firmly planted the Cross in the Philippines, she was no
less successful in sowing the seed of hatred and animosity between the Moros
and the Indios. Even if the 39 christianized natives absorbed the greater
part of the misfortune that befell the entire inhabitants of Luzon and the
Visayas, this was the consequence of collaboration, even if they did this
against their wishes. The long list of Spanish invasions in Mindanao and Sulu
showed the participations of thousands of these natives, and their racial
brothers - the Moros - found it almost impossible to discriminate the
proselytized subjects from the colonial masters. Both were one in creating
havoc in Mindanao and Sulu. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;">CHAPTER IV – MANDATE IN MOROLAND</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Interregnum</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the Americans first appeared in the
northern horizon in 1898, the Filipino revolution was in full swing. As a
young and emerging world power, the United States had to find
"excuses" to realize her vast interests in Cuba, which was then
under Spain. The sinking of the American warship Marine at Havana
Harbor on February 15, 1898 resulting in the death of 246 men provided the
U.S. government the necessary pretext to declare war on Spain on February 25
and in the course of which Admiral George Dewey was ordered to proceed to
Manila to attack the Spanish Squadron under Admiral Patricio Montojo. This
was the May 1 Battle of Manila Bay, pitting a modern navy versus
"veritable leaking tubs." With the Filipino revolutionaries allied
with the Americans, the former won victory after victory against the Spanish
forces, until on June 12, 1898, after the last Spanish soldier had
surrendered, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, unmindful of or notwithstanding the
American mindset, proceeded to declare Philippine Independence at Kawit,
Cavite. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If Aguinaldo did not really misread the
American intention, but deliberately played a calculated game, then he had
blundered. The Americans never had the slightest intention of recognizing his
declaration of independence. As a matter of fact, American troops began to
occupy strategic areas vacated or surrendered to them by the retreating
Spaniards, to the exclusion of the Filipino revolutionaries. As soon as they
had gained enough strategic grounds, the Americans intentionally provoked the
Filipinos into a shooting war which setoff the start of the Filipino-American
War. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the outset, the Filipinos were made to
believe that the Americans came to help to liberate their lands from the
Spaniards, after which they would become an independent nation. Untrue to
their words, the Americans did not really come to liberate the Philippines
for the Filipinos but to acquire a colony in the furtherance of her own
imperialist scheme. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the meantime, the interval between the
Spanish evacuation of the Philippines and the arrival of American troops in
Mindanao and Sulu was, in a sense, ruled by anarchy. Moro warriors began to
attack the Spanish garrisons in Cotabato, Zamboanga, Sulu and Lanao and
sometimes wiped out the defenders to the last man. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Cotabato, Moro warriors began to
assault the Spanish garrisons in Pikit, Reina Regente, Tumbao, Cotabato and
Tamontaka. One by one, they captured these garrisons. Leading the Moros were
Datu Utto, Datu Piang (Amai Mingka), former Minister of Datu Utto; Datu Ali,
Piang's son-in-law and Rajahmuda of Salunayan; Datu Ampatuan or Bapa
ni Mangacop, and Datu Inok or Amani Giday. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These datus, all of the Buayan dynasty,
were conspiring to reassert their supremacy over the region vacated by the
Spaniards. The plot was to overthrow the Filipinos who had grabbed power to
side with Katipuneros. Eventually this situation led to the fighting along
Paseo de Villaeron in Cotabato on January 6, 1899, resulting in the killing
of Roman Vilo, Esteban Ortuoste, and a few others. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
in Cotabato, chaos also reigned in Zamboanga after the last Spaniards left.
The organization of the counsel that handled the affairs of the district also
disintegrated. The church at Zamboanga was ransacked. People complained of
widespread robbery and destruction of property. Pro-Katipuneros and those who
were not distrusted one another. A known Filipino revolutionary, Melanio
Calixto, was murdered by a pro-American named Isidro Midel. Fighting soon
flared up between the Filipino insurgents and followers of Datu Mandi, easily
the most powerful chief in the district. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The situation in Sulu, although not as
extensive, was even worse. The Spanish garrisons suffered terribly and many
were decimated to the last soldier, as in the case of the garrison in Tataim
in Tay. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Harassments were also severe in the other
islands like Bongao and Siasi. The Moro warriors were clearing every island
of Spanish troops. Only in Jolo did the Spaniards have a strong garrison.
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Lanao, a similar scenario was
unfolding, although_ in a lesser scale. Spanish garrisons, especially in
Marahui, were in a state of siege and sporadic attacks and ambuscades became
the rule. As a matter of fact, these garrisons were among the first to be
evacuated to escape the wrath of the lake Moros. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The American Mandate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
Americans claimed they had a mandate in their coming to Mindanao and Sulu.
But who gave this mandate to come to the Philippines, fight the Spaniards,
rob the Filipinos of their right to selfrule and the Moros of their homeland.
From God, from the American people, from the American politician-capitalists,
from the American capitalists or from the naked greed and avarice of Pres. William
McKinley. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Pres.
William McKinley, after contemplating what to do with the Philippines, told a
group of Protestant clergymen at the White House in November 1899:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I walked the floor of the White House night after
night until midnight; and I am not shamed to tell you, gentlemen, that I went
down on my knees and prayed Almighty God for light and guidance more than one
night. And one night late it came to me this way I don't know how it was but
it came: ... That we could not give them back to Spain-that would be cowardly
and dishonourable .... </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Was
this the mandate and was it from God? Why did President McKinley
"kneel" before his god only after the destruction of the Spanish
armada in Manila and not before he gave the order to Admiral Dewey to attack
Manila? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
the early years of his life, President McKinley had attended seminary in a
small town in his native Ohio and this might explain his "pietism"
and afterward his "pious imperialism." It is a strange coincidence,
however, that all colonizing powers rationalized their expansionist policies
by calling to the "gods" or by citing "ethnocentric
missions." France was also fulfilling her mission civilisatrice when
she laid siege on her Indochinese colonies. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
his policy speech to the U.S. Congress in 1899, Pres. William McKinley
succinctly expressed:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Philippines are not ours to exploit, but to
develop, to civilize, to educate to train in the science of self-government.
This is the path we must follow or be recreant to a mighty trust committed to
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">us.
</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Again,
the cloak of "benevolence" and the "White man's burden"
were central to this policy. But for twenty years or so, even after the grant
of independence, the Americans still enjoyed the economic parity rights under
the Laurel-Langley Agreement, which was only terminated on July 4,
1974. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Let
us go back to what<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had transpired
before the final decision to acquire the Philippines as a colony was made.
For a full six months, debates on what to do with the Philippines had been
going on in Washington. The choice was whether to grant it immediate
self-rule or to make it a colony. In the end, a compromise was sealed. The
imperialist Republicans and the so-called anti-imperialist Democrats met
halfway, and the result, to colonize the Philippines but grant her self-rule
at the "earliest feasible time," which took the United States forty
eight years to fulfill, or on July 4, 1946 when the Philippine independence
was granted. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">If
there was indeed a mandate - from the god of President McKinley and from the
politician-capitalists- this would have applied only to the Filipinas, then
comprising only Luzon and the Visayas. The territory of the Moros or
''Moroland'' should have been excluded. As the facts of history showed,
Mindanao and Sulu had always been a foreign territory for Spain had never
really acquired these islands either by conquest, purchase or any other
means. Her sovereignty was never enforced, except inside the confines of her
garrisons and fortifications. How on earth could a nation sell a territory
she never owned or conquered? One renowned writer, Dr. Onofre Corpuz, had
this to say on this point:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">By the time the treaty negotiators were parleying in
Paris there was no longer any vestige Of Spanish control, possession, or
government in Filipinas (that is to say, the Christian part of the
archipelago). And Spain never had control, government, nor possession of the
Moro territory. It did not have any "suspended sovereignty" because
its sovereignty had been terminated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Signing of
Kiram-Bates Treaty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On
the eve of the signing of the Kiram-Bates Agreement, there were three hard
postulates that were molesting the minds of the Americans. First, there were
still 34,000 armed Moros in the Moro country and the various islands were in
such a dangerous condition that no place could be safe for outsiders. The
swish of the kris, said an American author, Victor Hurley, was
unrestrained. Second, the American occupation forces had a hard time
containing the onslaught of the Filipino revolutionaries led by Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo when the Filipino-American War flared up in Luzon and some parts of
the Visayas. And the Americans feared any strategical or tactical tie-up
between the northern insurgents and the southern (Moro) warriors. Such an
eventuality would have been too hot to handle, even for the best of the
American generals. And third, even President McKinley had entertained serious
skepticism over the sovereignty of Spain over the Moro country, particularly
the Sulu sultanate. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Under the given situation, the Americans
had very limited leeway. To ignore the reality of the situation is to court
new disasters, prolong and escalate the fighting not only in the northern
islands but right in the Moro country. Finally, the Americans chose a
political approach by sending Brig. Gen. John C. Bates to Sulu to negotiate a
treaty with Sultan Jamalul Kiram II. On August 20, 1899, General John C.
Bates, representing the United States, and Sultan Jamalul Kiram 11 signed the
Kiram-Bates Treaty. Similar but informal agreements were also made with the
Moros of Mindanao. Among the Mindanao leaders who were provided with the same
pledge, especially on due recognition of the Moro religion, custom and
traditions, were Datu Mandi of Zamboanga, Datu Piang of Cotabato, and Sultan
Mangigin of Maguindanao. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The negotiation, with the Sulu sultan was
no easy job for the Americans. Right from the start the sailing was delicate,
fraught with risks. The American negotiators had to use earnest and tactful
diplomacy in order not to antagonize the sultan, who was expecting the
surrender of the Spanish garrison, but not to the Americans. He never
understood how the Americans had any claim of his realm which was never
conquered by the Spaniards. After over a month of unnerving bargaining, the
Sultan finally submitted a proposal which expectedly did not fit well with
the American wish. However, after some mutual refinements the document was
signed. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Kiram-Bates Treaty was made up of
fifteen articles. Some of the salient provisions are as follows: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. The United States
was to be recognized as the sovereign power over the Sulu Archipelago, though
the American authorities were to recognize and fully respect the rights and
dignity of the Sultan and the datus; </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. The Moros were
assured that their religion and customs would not be interfered with; </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. The United States
was permitted to occupy such places in Sulu as the public interests demanded,
but with due compensation for the owners whose properties were taken; </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. The people of Sulu
would have free, unlimited and undutiable trade in domestic products with any
part of the Philippine Islands; </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. Crimes of Moros
against Moros would be tried under the Sultan's jurisdiction but all other
cases were to be tried by the United States; </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. The United States
would give full protection to the Sultan and his subjects in case any foreign
power should attempt to impose upon them; </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. The Sultan and datus
agreed to cooperate in the suppression of piracy; </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8. Any slave in the
archipelago of Jolo would have the right to purchase freedom by paying to the
master his or her usual market value; </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9. The United States
would not sell the island of Jolo or any other islands of the archipelago to
any foreign nation without the consent of the Sultan; </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10. The importation of
firearms and other war materials was forbidden, except by license of the
Governor General of the Philippines; and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.6pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11. The United States
agreed to pay a monthly salary to the Sultan and nine of his top chiefs or
datus. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On April 9, 1900 General Bates informed
the Sulu sultan that the agreement was confirmed by the President of the
United States except for Article X regarding the practice of slavery.' For
its part, the U. S. Congress did not ratify the agreement on the pretext that
the Sulu monarch and his people were polygamous. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the course of time, disputes arose
over the interpretations of the provisions of the treaty especially on the
aspect of "sovereignty." The term was not only alien to the Moro
political terminology but was so "complex" and
"intricate" that the Sultan failed to appreciate the far-reaching
implications of its Western definition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blueprint of Subjugation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Beyond
any tint of doubt, the United States did not come to the Philippines in 1898
for the islands of Luzon and Visayas alone but to claim more territories.'
Fired by imperialist agenda, her intention to include the Moro country was
never suspect. However, the war with the northerners was still raging and any
mishandling of the Moros could be disastrous. Even a sort of modus vivendi
was in order; and, therefore, as earlier said, the signing of the
Kiram-Bates Treaty, more than any other reasons, was a dilatory tactic to
neutralize the Moros while the pacification campaign in the northern areas
was still underway. Moreover, even before American troops landed in Moro
country, the United States already had a comprehensive plan on how to handle
the Moros. This involved a wide-ranging strategy with military, political,
social, economic, and educational components. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">1. Military Occupation - </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Americans did not act passively in
the face of a possible alliance between the Filipino revolutionaries and the
Moros. The decision to occupy Sulu and Mindanao and take over the Spanish
garrisons were the first orders: "Relieve the Spanish forces; gradually
extend American jurisdiction .... and do this in such a manner as to cause a
minimum of friction with the people, for no reinforcements could be expected
for a long time."' In May 1899, American troops landed in Jolo, and on
October 30 the Military District of Mindanao, Jolo and Palawan (until 1905
was still known as Paragua) was constituted. On November 16, Zamboanga was
occupied, and from December 1899 to January 1900, the southern coasts of
Mindanao, including Cotabato, Davao, Mati, Polloc, Parang, and Banganga were
garrisoned. In charge of this command was Brig. Gen. John C. Bates, but on
March 20,1900, Brig. Gen. William Kobbe took over. Afterwards, the status of
the command was elevated to the Department of Mindanao and Jolo. In 1902,
Brig. Gen. William Kobbe was replaced by Brig. Gen. George Davis, who in
October 1, 1902 was succeeded, after a few adjustments in the structure which
was renamed the Department of Mindanao, by Brig. Gen. Samuel Sumner on July
10, 1902. A year later, General Sumner was followed by Maj. Gen. Leonard
Wood, later to become the first Governor of the Moro Province. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">At
this point, it is worthwhile to state that many of the military officers
assigned in the Moro country were veterans of the Indian wars and
reservations duty. It was, therefore, frequent that many of the methods in
governing the Indians were also tried in the Department of Mindanao. Usually,
the authority of the military commander assigned in Mindanao and Sulu was the
same as that of the commander at the Indian reservation west of the
Mississippi River. Under his command were some hundreds of Apaches, men,
women and children, who were all restrained in their liberties and were
virtually prisoners. Brig. Gen. George Davis, who succeeded Brig. Gen.
William Kobbe, had earlier worked in the Indian territories before his stint
here. One such approach resembling the treatment of the Indians was the
attitude that "treaties" made with them, who were considered
',savages," were not binding and could be unilaterally abrogated as
necessity arises. That action could be easily justified by simple misconduct
on the part of the "natives". </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
the beginning, the Moros and the Americans were quite at ease with each
other, in the way the Kiram-Bates Treaty defined their relations; i.e., there
was no direct American interference in the affairs of the local population.
There was no aggressive effort to carry on the so-called White Men's burden
to develop, "civilize," educate or to train the Moros in the way toward
a democratic government. The main concern of the occupation forces was to
maintain peace and order in the Moro region. But as more troops poured in, an
offshoot of the end of the Filipino-American War in 1901,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>frictions started to occur between the
Moros and the Americans. Customs regulations were enforced, taxes were
levied, and land surveys, mapping and exploring missions were increased.
Census was also conducted. Consequently, the shift from non-interference to
direct rule shaped up with the creation of the Moro Province. The military
occupation of Mindanao and Sulu lasted from 1899 to 1903. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.8pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">2. Direct Rule -</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> The main reason given for the change of
approach from non-interference to direct intervention with the creation of
the Moro Province was to prepare the Moros for integration into the body
politic of the colonial government. The insistence of the Filipino leaders
and the American acquiescence was predicated on one point: the importance of
the rich natural resources in the Moro country. The direct rule scheme, the
Americans alleged, was also to protect the common people from the
"tyranny" of the sultans and datus, from the depredations of
bandits, to introduce the American concept of justice, to stop the
unscrupulous practices of native traders, and finally to implement public
projects such as schools, hospitals and wharfs or ports. Slavery was also
made illegal. In brief, the direct rule policy, overtly, was to implement the
so-called American mandate in Moroland to develop, to civilize, to educate,
to train the Moros in the art of democratic governance. But covertly the main
motivation was the immediate exploration and finally the exploitation of the
vast natural resources in the Moro country. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
Kiram-Bates Treaty was singularly the main obstacle to the implementation of
the direct U.S. rule. The treaty clearly laid down the guiding principles of
non-interference in the local affairs of the Moros. But the Americans had to
get rid of this obstruction if they had to succeed in their grand plan for
the Moro country. On March 2, 1904 ' they did exactly what they were expected
to do. Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, without the slightest conjunction or any
moral or ethical consideration, unilaterally declared the treaty null and
void. On March 21, Gov. Leonard Wood notified the Sultan of the decision and,
naturally. he was displeased, especially when the decision was relayed
through someone (Wood) who for years had been teaching them that we must each
do exactly what we promise to do. He could not imagine how a government
claiming to have come on a "pious mission" could suddenly act so
unscrupulously in abrogating the treaty contained in a formal agreement
signed by both sides. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thus,
in essence, U.S. policy vis-a-vis the Moros was in line with the treatment of
the American Indians whereby agreements made with them were set aside as
convenience dictated, without the least hesitation or the slightest
compunction. These agreements carried no weight and no binding effects on the
Americans on the malicious pretext that the Moros, like the Red Indians, were
savages. With the "might is right" credo forming the guiding thrust
of the U.S. colonial expansion, this supercilious attitude was more than
expected. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">However,
even before this formal unilateral abrogation, the Kiram-Bates Treaty had
practically ceased to exist already, when the Moro Province was created on
June 1, 1903. If the Kiram-Bates Treaty was the instrument of indirect rule,
the Moro Province was the nail to drive down and establish direct rule in
Moro country. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
Moro Province was under the direct supervision of the Civil Governor of the
Philippine Islands and the Philippine Commission. The Civil Governor, with
the concurrence of the Philippine Commission, appointed the provincial
governor, secretary, treasurer, attorney, engineer and superintendent for the
Moro Province. The six officials. above constituted the legislative council,
which, subject to certain limitations, was the legislative body of the
province. The Moro Province was divided into five districts: Sulu, Zamboanga,
Lanao, Cotabato and Davao, which in turn were subdivided into several
subordinate local governments.<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
creation of the Moro Province was deemed the transitional machinery for the
shift from military to civil rule in the Moro territory. in actual operation,
however, it was no less than what the Spaniards conceived earlier as the
Politico-Military Province. All throughout its existence, the Province was
controlled and manned by military personnel. And this being a military
government, such guidelines as "to cut the Moro foot to fit the American
shoe" was central in the so called "civilizing" mission of the
military administrators of the Moro Province from 1903 to 1913. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The first governor of the Moro Province
was Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood. As governor of the province, he adopted a
"mailed fist" policy or simply the use of brute force to quell even
a minor military problem. His background either as military man or political
leader was far from desirable. As officer of the Rough Riders regiment, he
first saw action against the Indians and then against the Spaniards in Cuba
in 1898.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: 25.8pt right 325.65pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On both stints, there was much
destruction, mass slaughter and brutality. After the Spanish-American War, he
was appointed military governor of Cuba, and after his term ended in the Moro
Province, he was made Governor General of the Philippine Islands. Throughout
his career either as a military officer or politician, he was known to have
had little regard for human life. He acted with a martial temperament, said
to be the outcome of his ignominious defeat to Warren Harding in a
presidential nomination. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As
first governor of the Moro Province, Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood had the primary
task of organizing the province along the rationale of direct interference in
the affairs of the Moros. Already prejudiced to the absolute correctness of
the American outlook and ways and the rightness of the mandate over the
"good-for-nothing"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moro
laws, General Wood proceeded to discharge his official responsibilities though,
in fairness, firmly and with enthusiasm -with much predilection against the
general welfare of the Moros. He introduced laws which were not only
unpopular but exacerbated resistance to the American presence in Mindanao and
Sulu. In his characteristic 11 arrogant" ways, he bluntly told the Sulu
Sultan on the eve of the abrogation of the treaty: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 53.4pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 17.4pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I am going to be frank with you. At
present, your rights as a nation are nothing ... I believe we are here
forever, unless some greater country comes and drives us away; we do not know
of any such country. </span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On
April 16, 1906, General Wood was relieved of the post and Brig. Gen. Tasker
Bliss succeeded him as governor of the Moro Province. General Bliss never
fought in the Indian wars or in the Spanish-American War. He was more of a
scholar rather than a soldier and, moreover, was as "peacemaker."
It was his primary concern in war to end it rather than to prolong the
agonies and sacrifices of its victims. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
November 1909. Brig. Gen. john C. Pershing took over as governor of the Moro
Province and lasted up to December 15, 1913, when the Department of Mindanao
and Sulu was created. Like General Wood, he was a veteran of the Indian wars
and the Spanish- American War, and later in Mexico against Pancho Villa. A
year after his stint in Mindanao. he was appointed commander of the World War
1 American Expeditionary Force in Europe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">During his term as head of the Moro
Province, he was responsible for the creation of the first Christian colony
of settlers in Mindanao in 1912. Although he continued the educational
programs of his predecessors, it was under him that the number of Moro
children increased. However, disarmament of the Moros was his major
achievement. Under him, the Province greatly progressed, particularly in ways
of the American system of governance which eventually led to the appointment
of the first civilian rule in Mindanao and Sulu. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On
December 13, 1913, Frank C. Carpenter was appointed the first civilian
governor of the Moro Province, which later on was named Department of
Mindanao and Sulu on March 13, 1914. Aside from the five provinces already
under administrative jurisdiction of the Moro Province. two more provinces
were added, namely, Agusan and Bukidnon. Both the Moros and the so-called "wild
tribes" or "pagans," the inhabitants of the two provinces
added, were now lumped together under this office. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Frank Carpenter, a Nebraskan, joined the
army in 1888 and became Secretary of the Army in 1895. Four years later. he
was appointed secretary to General Lawton in the Philippines and thereafter
was appointed Assistant Executive Secretary and. later. as Executive
Secretary of the Insular Government. He learned to speak Tagalog and Spanish
very fluently and was endeared among the Filipinos. He was remembered for
many highlights, among which were the signing of the Carpenter Agreement In
1915, the filipinization of the offices. the adoption of the "policy of
attraction," and the sending of scholars or pensionados (including
Moros) to the United States for higher studies. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
1916, the legislative power over the Moro country was transferred to the
Philippine Legislature as per stipulated in the Jones Law. By 1920, the
control of the Moro Affairs, except for a few positions held by Americans,
was in the hands of the Filipinos. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On
February 5, 1920, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was formally abolished
by Act No. 2878 of the Philippine Legislature and, in its stead, the Bureau
of Non-Christian Tribes was organized. Teopisto Guingona, a native Christian,
succeeded Carpenter as Director of the new office. In 1936, a further change
was effected with the renaming of this office into the Commission on Mindanao
and Sulu with Dansalan, Lanao as its headquarters. The Commission was headed
by a Commissioner with the rank of Undersecretary in the Department of
Interior and Labor. The arrangement continued until the invasion of Japan in
1942. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
policy of direct rule, if one may gloss over the narration thus given, may
well be seen that, as far as their viewpoint was concerned, the Americans had
done the best they could under the circumstances. They did not and would not
have satisfied the Moros because they disagreed with the Moros in almost
everything<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>except perhaps "to
fight" - but as far as their self-styled mandate was concerned, they had
delivered it well. Before 1920, the Americans I lad made all decisions in the
affairs of the Moro country, but after this time the Moros and the pagans
were left completely at the "mercy or tyranny" of the Christian Filipinos.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">3. Scorch-Earth Policy - </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As discussed earlier, the American
occupation forces had a clear policy on the Moros: neutralize them while the
Filipino-American War was still raging in the northern provinces and, after
that, extend American control and sovereignty over the Moro country by all
means and at all cost. This "scorch earth" policy was shown in
their military campaigns against recalcitrant datus and sultans all over
Mindanao and Sulu. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
the 1903 official census, a distinction was made between the
"civilized" and "uncivilized" and the Moros were placed
under the latter category together with the wild tribes or pagans. In
describing the Moros, General Wood, in a letter to Gov. William Taft on
October 9, 1903, said: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 52.2pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 16.8pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The people of this island are
Mohammedans. Their faith teaches them that it is no sin to kill Christians
and they are taught by the priests to believe it is commendable. They are
nothing more or less than an unimportant collection Of pirates and
highwaymen, living under laws which are intolerable .... </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Earlier
in 1902, Brig. Gen. George Davis in his official report to Gen. William Kobbe
said: It is useless to discuss a plan of government that is not based on
force, might, and power."" In 1903, Capt. John Pershing also referred
to the Moros as 'savage". Impressions like these had greatly helped
shape the early policy of the United States in relation to the Moros. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We
shall endeavor to discuss this policy in this section where brute force was
used in what otherwise was a simple pocket military problem. The fights that
constituted what we refer to as the MoroAmerican War will be discussed in
another section. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There
is nothing more bloody, if only to show how this policy of brute force was
carried out to the hilt, than to recall what transpired in Bud Dajo in 1906,
Bud Bagsak in 1913, and to the Alangkat Movement in Cotabato in 1926-1927.
All three were essentially not military confrontations but simple cases of
massacres. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Bud
Dajo is an extinct volcano six miles from Jolo. It is covered by dense
tropical jungle and is 2,100 feet above sea level. Ensconced in the crater
were over a thousand Moro men, women, children armed only with <i>krises, </i>spears,
aging rifles, and a few cannons. Laksamana Usap, the leader, and his
followers were up in arms on issues they believed wrongly imposed on them.
One was the payment of the cedula tax, which resembled the
"tribute" of yore and which the Moros were not accustomed to give.
The defenders occupied a very strategic position, probably the "strongest"
ever defended against the occupation forces in the Philippines. Most
important of all, they were making a defense "unto death." The
American assault forces, numbering 790, were under the command of Col. Joseph
Duncan, and consisted of infantry and cavalry, an artillery battery,
constabulary troops, sailors, and a gunboat anchored offshore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Before
the actual combat. the Moros - women already dressed in men's clothes and in
full battle gear - were asked to "surrender" or at least send down
the non-combatants. The reply was a complete defiance. The Moros were
seething with hatred and rearing to fight. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">That
early morning of March 6, 1906, General Wood was in Jolo to get things done
personally. He had no other plan to settle the issue than to use force
against poorly-equipped but gallant warriors. The battle started. It
continued on the following day where the major phase of the fighting was
fought. There was bloody hand-to-hand fighting and after two days of combat,
on March 8, the slaughter. as expected, was terrible. Of the more than 1,000
defenders, only six survived, while the Americans suffered 21 slain and 73
wounded, including Colonel Duncan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">General
Wood was severely criticized for the carnage, where even women and children
were not spared. Critics pictured him as "blood-thirsty monster
difficult to parallel in history." But as expected, his boss in
Washington, Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, cabled his congratulations: "Upon
the brilliant feat of arms wherein you and they [his men] so well upheld the
honor of the American flag- <i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
carnage could have been averted if only the Americans had observed restraints
and paid due regard to the inviolability of human life enshrined in the
United States Constitution. Several letters and pleas were addressed to Gov.
Leonard Wood against a military solution, but he ignored all these pleas. His
conscience, if any, did not bother him in the least. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Seven
years after, American hands were again dripping with Moro blood in Bud
Bagsak. The central issue was the disarmament policy of Brig. Gen. John
Pershing, who succeeded General Wood as Governor of the Moro Province. The
Moros resisted this vigorously. After some extended negotiations, the Moros
led by Naqib Amil, Datu Jami and Datu Sahipa declared that they would never
surrender their firearms. General Pershing would settle for no less and
branded the Moros "outlaws" and "desperados." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Bud
Bagsak is another extinct volcano not far from Jolo. Five hundred Moro
warriors were encamped in the crater and swore to die rather than submit.
Before the battle began, the crater was subjected to "murderous"
bombardment, and soon on June 11, 1913, the action commenced. Five days of
combat action, mostly hand-to-hand, ensued, and on the final day, June 15,
the record of the fighting was made and the result, again, as anticipated,
was that nearly all of the 500 Moros were killed or wounded versus 14 killed
and 13 wounded on the American side. One report said 2,000 Moros were killed,
including 196 women and 340 children." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
defenders of Bud Bagsak were completely routed like their counterparts in Bud
Dajo, but the spirit of the Moros to resist did not die with them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It
is noteworthy to relate here the introduction of two new ingredients in the
fighting. First, the Moros devised a new weapon in their last-ditch desire to
fight the Americans in every way. This was the use of logs fastened to the
slope of the volcano and let loose on the advancing enemy. According to a
local tradition attached to the alleged military exploits of Sansawi, a
member of the Moro Company or Scouts fighting on the side of the Americans,
this caused many injuries even death to the attacking American soldiers.
Another was the participation of this newly-formed 52nd Company of the
Philippine Scouts, otherwise known as the "Moro Company." Members
of the unit were required to wear the red fez (a Turkish cap) with either a
gold or black tassel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On
March 23, 1927, the final assault was mounted on the members of the Alangkat
Movement or what the Americans called "Dance craze." The movement
was largely a Manobo affair under Datu Mampurok of the Arumanon Manobo and
crudely devised against the influx of Christian settlers into Mindanao. The
contingent under the command of Major Gutierrez and Colonel Stevens came to
the Manobo settlement (located at present-day Midsayap, North Cotabato) and
started shooting indiscriminately. The result was a massacre. Datu Mampuroc,
and 29 other Manobos, including women and children, were killed en masse.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: 25.8pt right 323.85pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Datu Mampuroc had many followers in
Lebak, Talayan, Dulawan and other areas in Cotabato. According to their
belief, Datu Mampuroc was Datu Ali reincarnated, who came back to earth to
continue the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>war against outsiders
who were out to drive out the natives. The ceremony was weird. Members
underwent a state of suspended animation or went in deep trance, after which
they engaged in wild sex orgies or went in warpath to kill people, especially
Americans or Christians. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: 25.8pt 3.3in right 323.85pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">4. Creation of Colonies - </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The next scheme to contain the Moros was
the creation of colonies. The first formal plan to settle Mindanao with
Christian settlers, as noted earlier, started in 1912 during the time of
Brig. Gen. John C. Pershing as Governor of the Moro Province. The main reason
for the resettlement plan was the alleged overpopulation in the northern
areas. Other reason given was that the Cotabato Valley needed settlers if it
was to produce rice in larger </span><span lang="FR" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: FR;">or commercial quantities. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
the same year, the first Christian rice colony, consisting of 100 families
from Cebu, was relocated in Cotabato. They were promised to own the land
eventually. Pershing emphasized that a well managed Filipino colony in the
heart of the Moro country, as an example, should act as a stimulus to Moro
agriculture.` They were practically provided with everything. free of charge,
and there were other incentives to lure others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">However
well-intentioned General Pershing was, but all his theories, save the
production of rice in a wider scale, were a farce. There was no over-population
in Luzon and the Visayas and the Moros were not encouraged to be productive,
at least not as it was supposed to be in Pershing's mind. On the contrary,
with the influx of wave after wave of settlers, the Moros were forced back to
the wall and, not long afterwards, violence erupted. Similar to the 1899
"holy mission," the arbitrary settlement of these "alien"
people had a direct disastrous consequence on the native inhabitants whose
priority rights were not considered or attended to. This policy was
reminiscent of that unscrupulous and amoral political theorist of the 15th
century, Nicollo Machiavelli (1469-1527). Machiavelli was an advocate of
trickery, treachery, and dishonesty in statescraft, and at one time was
"identified with Satan." He declared that a country can be
effectively colonized by settling there people of the colonizing power. This
bit of advice was apparently heeded by the Americans in Mindanao and Sulu as
it was by the British in Ireland. The Americans settled alien Filipino elements
in Mindanao and Sulu just as the British Crown planted Protestant outsiders
in Ireland. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Before
1913, the Americans had no fixed plan for creating settlements in Moro
country. Although the lure of lands in the Moro country, tagged as another
"Wild West" and inhabited by wild savages, was intense, there were
many obstacles on the way. First, serious fighting was still going on and
things were in a precarious condition. Second, there was no consensus as to
which group of people, Italians, Negroes, Greeks or Filipinos to settle.
Adding to this difficulty was the hot and humid climate prevailing in the
region. And third, the free flow of the American dollars as capital for
business ventures did not come to the Moro Province until the later part of
the second decade of this century. B.F. Goodrich started operations only in
1919, Del Monte through a subsidiary in 1925, and Goodyear in 1929. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As
a result of the explosive Negro Problem in the United States, the American
blacks became the priority in the still nebulous settlement plan. By settling
them somewhere, the Americans were actually defusing one of their serious
racial problems at home. Moreover, the Negroes, having come originally from
the usually arid African continent, would have little difficulty in adjusting
themselves to the tropical climate in the Moro region. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
1939, Pres. Manuel Quezon even had a special concept of settlement in mind by
proposing to plant Jews who were running away from the gas chambers of Adolf
Hitler. His Jewish contact suggested that after the settling of the Jewish
refugees a law should be passed banning all other foreigners in the
Commonwealth. The special target, without pinpointing it, was the Japanese
who then posed the greatest problem to the state before World War II. He had
in mind Lake Lanao in Mindanao as the favored site. However, had his idea -
some said a "misdirected magnanimity" - materialized, he could have
created another Palestine in Mindanao. Quezon might have been moved by the
savagery and horrors of the Nazis, which is natural to any rational human
being. But the question is, why did he fail to consider the outcome of his
"generosity" right in his own backyard? No less than 10,000 Jews
mostly from Germany and Austria were involved in the proposed settlement
project. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There
is no intention of listing all the ideas or proposals for settlement in the
Moro country. Certainly there were many more. However, two such ideas bear
mentioning. In 1899, there was a proposal from a certain C.A. Muir of
Weatherford, Texas that a settlement of 1,000 Texas farmers and mechanics be
established in Mindanao to induce others from depressed communities in the
U.S. to follow. They were offered many. incentives. In the same year, there
was another plan from W.G. Douglas of Baltimore to parcel lands in the
Philippines (including Mindanao and Sulu) into colonies. Each colonist would
be extended help and easy loans. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
the successful migration and settlement of outsiders in the Moro region
resulted in the dislocation, dispossession, containment and
"minoritization" of the Moros. They became virtual strangers in
their own lands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">5. Policy of Attraction - </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There was one clear-cut aspect of the
American policy vis-a-vis the Moros which contributed largely to the general
atmosphere of peace in Mindanao and Sulu; i.e., the policy of attraction.
History has proved that the Moro psyche would respond to love with love - and
to force with force - which was not always natural to man. Other people would
submit if force were applied. The Moro would not. His amor propio, his
dignity, his maratabat would urge him to resist for it was dishonorable to
surrender. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
policy was formally inaugurated after the termination of the military rule
from 1899 to 1913. It was one of the cornerstones of the administration of
Frank C. Carpenter when he became the Governor of the Department of Mindanao
and Sulu. In essence, it was nothing but an appeal directly to people's
natural interests or aesthetic sense. In practice, it involved the extending
of scholarships, building of schools, hospitals, construction of roads,
bridges, and artesian wells. The Americans also resorted to "dollar
diplomacy" or doleouts, giving posts in the government, arranging
pleasure trips and the excessive use of praise or flattery. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
the end, this policy mesmerized the minds of the Moros, which were the final
target; it gradually penetrated into their society as a whole, benumbing
their sense of national identity. The hands that firmly grasped the deadly <i>krises
</i>and spilled so much blood were now trained to seize the pens and indite
encomium eulogizing the erstwhile enemy-and-now masters. Exactly as it had
been planned, those who were enamored of this policy or those who had availed
of the pensionado program and studied in American schools, by and large,
became the foremost exponents of the American system and colonial interest.
These elements, fawning on their masters, went to the length of despising
their own people and institutions, and in many ways, religious zeal was
snapped out for worldly pleasures and other mundane matters. As a result, the
epoch marked the fashion of naming Moro children after American monickers,
such as Mcnutt, Pershing, Carpenter-etc. It also gave birth to the
self-defeating attitude popularly referred to as "colonial mentality of
preferring everything of foreign, nay American, origin. For the sultans,
datus and other chiefs, the power of praise and flattery, doles and donations
were masterly utilized to neutralize and finally to win them over to the side
of the Americans. On several instances, datus or groups of datus and other
chiefs, particularly those seething with deep-seated antipathy to the
American rule, were brought to Manila and other provinces and in some
instances even to America on "educational tour" or as guests of the
government. The purpose of these trips were no less than to convert them into
government spokesmen upon their return home. Two of those invited were Datu
Alamada (Amani Boliok) and Datu Ampatuan of Cotabato, who both figured prominently
in the early wars with the American occupation forces. The number of public
schools increased and attendance was made compulsory. Sons and daughters of
Moros were sent to Manila or Washington on scholarship grants or as
pensionados. Upon their return, they carried with them new world outlooks
based on the American value system and beliefs. Public works expanded and
field dispensaries and hospitals were made available. Moros were appointed,
though in a small scale, to offices and their lands began to be titled in
their names. Moros also "participated" in agricultural colonies.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
all these efforts, the net result was not "moroizing" the Moros but
"filipinizing" them in order to pave the way for the integration of
the various islands into one unified state once independence is granted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Moro Actions and Response<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We have stated that the presence of the Americans in
Mindanao and Sulu was a direct challenge to the independence and authority of
the still "unconquered" Moros, numbering about 335,000 by modest
estimate. They viewed the move toward integration the White Men's renewed
attempt to subjugate and christianize them. This move. they could not
tolerate or allow to happen, even if they had to go to war, as what their
forebears had done for many centuries. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Moros took the threat seriously. As they were
not trained to bow down in shame, it was now the American's turn to decide
whether to back off or take the square dare they had hurled forward. However,
for the purpose of this discussion, let us classify into two the forms of
struggle of the Moros during the American regime, namely, the armed and the
parliamentary. In this section, let us deal with the armed struggle first.
But before doing so, let us note that these two forms of struggle appeared to
lack coordination by a central leadership in the pursuit of common formal
political objectives. The main reason for this deficiency, perhaps, is the
superior handling of the problem by the American colonial administrators, who
had fully grasped the intricacies of the southern problem, as well as the
various errors of the Spaniards, and then succeeded in adopting an almost
flawless policy as far as their imperialist agenda in Mindanao and Sulu were
concerned. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">1. Armed Struggle -</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> There were several factors which ignited
the Moro-American War. First, the Moro's mental frame of struggle against
foreign encroachment did not slacken at the disappearance of the Spaniards.
The fighting itself merely had an impasse, thanks to the superb diplomacy of
the Americans, which they employed while their hands were full in their war
with the Filipino insurgents in the northern areas. For their part,
especially of the sultans and datus, the Moros were studying the situation
closely and were not in the rush to make hasty decisions. Second, the
American total disregard of the policy of non-interference in favor of direct
handling made the prospects of war a matter of time. The Moros were not used
to be commanded by outsiders and could not accept any infringement of this tradition.
Third, the two conflicting world realities - from the Moro side that the
Americans were "infidels," " secularists" and
"invaders," and from the American side, that the Moros were
"savages," "fanatics" and "pirates" - hastened
early conflicts. One considered the other as threat and, therefore, must be
disposed off as soon as possible. And fourth, such activities of the American
forces like land surveys, census, curtailment of slaves and disarmament
resulted in an early face-to-face contact with the Moros, especially those
who hated outsiders. In summation - and this is the bottom line - the Moros
wanted to preserve their independence and sovereignty over their lands from
foreign interference. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As early as May 1899, despite the Kiram-Bates
Treaty, trouble already erupted in Mindanao and Sulu. The main reason was
that the next-level chiefs, after seeing that the sultans were giving in too
much to the dictates of the Americans, started to assert themselves. Very
soon, serious military confrontations flared up in various parts of the Moro
country. These events led one American writer, J. Ralston Hayden, to comment
that never during the entire continental expansion of the United States had
armed encounters been so frequent and serious as that between the Moros and
American troops.` The Moros' bold display of heroism, bravery and
determination, even against formidable odds, spoke of their undying spirits
to fight for their religion, people and lands. The living legacy to this was
the invention of the 1911 .45 caliber pistol, which was specially designed to
stop the juramentado dead on his track. Earlier, American soldiers used
the.38 caliber revolver as sidearm and, although it was effective against the
Cubans it was not sufficient against the Moro warriors who could still lunge
at their adversaries with their krises and inflict casualties. The extent of
the ferocity of combat and the distraught condition of the American
occupation forces could be reflected in one of their most favourite
expressions: "The only good Moro is a dead Moro." No less than
20,000 Moros were killed in actions from 1899 to 1916. From 1904 to the end
of General Wood's term as Governor of the Moro Province in 1906, the Moros
suffered 3.000 dead as against 70 Americans." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There is no attempt here to document all the
engagements in the Moro-American War. The record would fill hundreds of
pages. Consider that in just less than three years of General Wood's rule,
there were already more than a hundred confrontations that took place, some
hard-fought. For this reason, the major confrontations would perhaps suffice
for this narration. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As early as April 1902, a large-scale engagement
occurred in Bayang, Lanao. About 1,200 American troops were thrown into
action against the 600 warriors of Sultan of Bayang and of nearby
settlements. The Moros were encamped in their cottas (forts) with brass
cannons emplacements. For the first time, the Americans had a taste of the
horrors of the on-rushing juramentados who simply refused to fall after being
hit repeatedly. The fighting protracted until May 3. Report of the fighting
showed that the U.S. troops suffered ten killed and 41 wounded as against
300-400 Moros slain, including the sultans of Bayang and Pandapatan. In honor
of a fallen young American lieutenant, Camp Vicar was erected near the scene
of the fighting. Capt. John Pershing was later appointed the new commanding
'Officer of the camp. Upon assuming the post, Pershing, nicknamed "Black
jack," immediately started to implement plans for the eventual recognition
of the U.S. sovereignty over the lake Moros. The lake Moros interpreted this
as no less than an act to subjugate them and to convert them into
Christianity. They warned the Americans to leave immediately or face the dire
consequences. A series of bitter engagements followed that lasted up to
February 1908. So beleaguered were the Americans that in Dansalan (Marawi)
they could not cross Keithley Road "without being shot at." At one
time District Governor Allan Card, the first civilian Governor of Lanao, was
wounded in an ambush in Maciu in February 1908. But because of American vast
resources, superior weaponry and battle tactics, the final outcome of these
engagements always favored the newcomers: 300 Moro casualties versus only
about 30 Americans dead or wounded. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Leading the Lanao resistance was the shrewd and
brave Datu Ampuan Agaus who outwitted the Americans several times and.
despite his many reversals, he was still up in arms until the middle of 1916.
Out of the deaths, havoc and destructions in these bloody encounters,
Pershing was not only promoted from Captain direct to General and thus
bypassing 862 senior officers, but was also hailed as a "hero" and
"military genius." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In Cotabato, the most celebrated anti-American
resistance was spearheaded by Datu Ali, <i>Rajahmuda </i>of Salunayan and
later of Buayan, and his brother, Jambangan. Datu Ali was supposed to succeed
Sultan Anwaruddin Utto as Chief of the Buayan sultanate, but for some reasons
Datu Piang or Tuya Tan, his father-in-law, had become the most popular
chieftain in Cotabato when the Americans arrived in December 1899. Mingka,
the daughter of Datu Piang, was however married to Datu Ali, who was raising
the flag of resistance against the cedula tax and anti-slavery campaign of
the Americans. Datu Ali's bravery and determination became known far and
wide. He did not only succeed to raise the flag of resistance in the entire
Cotabato Valley but also attempted to persuade the Lanao Moros to join hands
with him in fighting the Americans. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In early March 1904, General Wood personally led the
attack of Datu Ali's main cotta at Kudarangan which, according to account,
was the largest ever constructed" and could garrison "four or five
thousand men" and was defended by eighty-five pieces of artillery,
including a 3 to 5 1/2 inches caliber." After a bitter fight, the fort
was captured and Datu Ali and 260 followers retreated to Salunayan. In May
1904, it was Datu Ali's turn to even the scores with the Americans, who were
not familiar with the terrain of the marshland and the terrible bites of
mosquitoes there. In his diary, Wood recorded their encounter with
mosquitoes: </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I don't think anywhere in the world have
I ever seen mosquitoes as thick as they were at this place. The men were
almost crazy. There were countless millions of mosquitoes so thick it was
impossible to protect oneself against them, or sleep. Some wrapped their
hands in blankets and others sat over the fire until the smoke so hurt their
eyes and nostrils that they had to get away, and as soon as they left the
fire the mosquitoes attacked them. I think two nights here would have
destroyed the efficiency of the command and probably resulted in several
cases of temporary madness. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In a classic example of guerrilla tactic, Ali and
his men succeeded in luring the American troops into the Liguasan Marsh where
a well aid ambush led to the massacre of nineteen soldiers, including two
officers, and the capture of several others. The captives were later
released. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Finally on October 22, 1905, Capt. Frank R. McCoy
led an expedition of combined army and scouts of the 22nd Infantry and
Philippine Scouts under cover of darkness and sneaked deep into his hideout
near Malala River not far from Buluan to surprise Datu Ali and his men. Datu
Ali and scores others perished in this attack. What made the mission easier
was the "treachery" of Datu Inok or Amani Gallery, husband of
Bagungan, who tipped off the Americans on Datu Ali's hideout. Earlier,
Bagungan was abducted by Datu Ali, which enraged the husband and made him
turn against his former companion in the resistance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Even before 1903, a series of confrontation raged in the Sulu
archipelago. The most serious were those led by Panglima Hassan in alliance
with many minor datus in October of that year. Panglima Hassan was of humble
origin but he was gifted with intelligence and determination. He was so
influential that he could easily muster 500 warriors within hours notice and
many more in days. The Americans accused him of slavery and banditry, the
normal crimes imputed to other anti-American campaigners elsewhere in
Mindanao and Sulu. Eventually Panglima Hassan, already fed up with the
American hostile ways, decided to confront the Americans anew. With about 400
followers, including women and children, he assaulted the American troops
stationed in Jolo. The fighting lasted the whole day resulting in heavy
casualties on both sides, especially on the attackers. By then reinforcements
under the command of General Wood arrived in Sulu. Soon the Americans mounted
counter-offensives. The main fort of Panglima Hassan near a lake was besieged
from all directions and a gory hand-to-hand fight followed. After days of
continuous fighting, the fort was overran, Hassan overwhelmed and captured.
But after a masterly stroke of genius, Hassan escaped, leaving behind many
casualties among his captors, including Maj. Hugh Scott, who was wounded.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The struggle of Panglima Hassan was shortlived. On March 4, 1904, he
was martyred at his hideout atop Bud Bagsak. But the Americans found in him a
ferocious fighter who never hesitated to throw himself in battle, even
against a superior enemy. After his martyrdom, his followers led by Datu Pala
continued the resistance until November 1905 and declared a <i>jihad </i>to
drive out the infidel Americans. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Many more resistance fighters came forward. One was the famous Jikiri,
known as the "Terror of the Sulu Sea." Branded by the Americans as
a "bandit," he was, to the Moros, a kind of "RobinHood."
He slashed the throats of the Americans and their local lackeys, got their
properties and distributed them to the people and his men. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Like Panglima Hassan, Jikiri had a lowly beginning.
He once served the Sulu sultan as a betel-nut bearer. Early in his rebel
life, he had a small band of followers of just seven, but in due time this
grew in size. In 1907, his fame as a "pirate" began to cause much
trouble to the Americans in Sulu, then under Governor Alexander Rogers, who
soon raised the reward money to P 4,000 to get him "dead or alive."
Jikiri was not only brave; he was elusive to his pursuers and to hit back at
his pursuers with rage and impunity. He was particularly a terror to the
pearling rights grabbers; in fact, they were the main reason for his
resistance. No less than Sultan Jamalul Kiram 11, on his visit to Washington
in September 1910, told Pres. William Taft that Jikiri's banditry was due to
the violation of the traditional rights of the people over the pearl beds of
Sulu." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">After two years of hit-and-run confrontations, the
end of the road for Jikiri came on July 4, 1909. A combined American cavalry,
infantry and artillery assaulted the cave at Patian Island, ten miles from
Jolo where he and his men perished after a fierce hand-to-hand fight. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In August 1913, the Moros of Talipao on the Jolo
Island refused to pay the road tax imposed on them by the Americans. Led by
Datu Sabtal, they fortified themselves around the slopes of Mount Talipao.
Their refusal led to a series of engagements between the group of Datu Sabtal
and the Philippine Scouts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In 1914, Datu Alamada or Amani Boliok of Pedatan,
near Parang, defied the Americans. With a following of 3,000 men, women and
children, and possibly even more, the slippery Moro chieftain fought many
engagements with the Philippine Scouts and Constabulary troops. In his many
skirmishes with Capt. Allen Fletcher, the commanding officer of the American
outfit, Alamada was always on his feet and on the run. His feats were very
colorful in the beginning, but Moro culture would not give credit to those
who bowed down in shame by surrendering to the enemy. Datu Alamada
surrendered to the Americans on May 19, 1914. As can be noted, serious armed
confrontations with the Americans continued after 1914. Datu Ampuan was still
fighting the Americans up to 1916. Military operations failed to break up his
determined effort to fight the colonial rule. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In 1923, armed confrontation exploded in Tugaya,
Lanao when a group of Moros revolted against forced education imposed upon
their children to attend American schools, which they suspected to be an
instrument of conversion to Christianity. The resistance was cut short at the
death of the leader and 54 of his followers in the series of armed
engagements that followed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The same year, Datu Santiago and some Constabulary
deserters who joined him created much unrest in the Parang region of
Cotabato. Resorting to a hit-and-run fighting, Datu Santiago and his men were
able to inflict considerable casualties on pursuing government troops, now
already under Filipino leadership. Like any resistance leader, Datu Santiago
could not understand why he had to pay the cedula tax for staying in his own
ancestral place. He was also bitter about the forced education and the
excesses of the Constabulary troops. Fighting in a very favorable terrain, he
was able to hold on until 1925, when a fierce encounters took place resulting
in the loss of several hundreds of his followers. Unable to sustain the
resistance indefinitely, he finally surrendered to the government. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Again, trouble erupted in Sulu in 1927. Datu Tahil,
a veteran of the Bud Bagsak incident, where he lost his wife and child,
refortified the hills of Patikul. After many encounters that started in
January and claimed the lives of forty of his men and after a brief escape,
he decided to make peace with the government even against the wishes of his
clan. This angered even his own sister "who wished him death."
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In the meantime, the Philippine Commonwealth
Government was established on November 15, 1935 with Manuel L. Quezon as the
first President. Barely six months after, in June 1936, the most serious
armed rebellion took place in Lanao. It was spearheaded by Hadji Abdulhamid
Bongabong, a religious leader of Unayan, Lanao. The fighting lasted for many
years and took place around the lake, where a chain of Moro cottas were
erected in defiance. This is recorded in history as the great "cotta
fight." The grievances were contained in a petition letter addressed to
the President of the United States. Succinctly put, the issues raised were: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">1. Moros had become second class citizens; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.2pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">2. The Moro Province be segregated once
independence is given, to the Filipinos; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.2pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">3. Acquisition of lands in the Moro
Province be reserved for the Moros; and </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.2pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">4. Islam must not be curtailed in any
manner. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.2pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The uprising lasted up to 1941, just a
few months before the invasion of the Japanese Imperial Army. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.2pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The listing of the names of Moro
resistance leaders and their engagements with the occupation forces, first
against the Americans and then against the Filipinos, cannot be made complete
here. What we have is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. One fact of
history is that even after the exit of Spain, hardly months or a year passed
without one Moro leader or another taking the field to resist whoever was in
power. But a great many passed into oblivion and their exploits have not been
properly recorded, if they were not, in fact, systematically omitted or
ignored. Even the greatest, like Panglima Hassan, Datu Ali, Datu Ampuan
Agaus, and Jikiri, whose names are classics in Moro history, had been
villainously blackened by the Americans and their puppets, because these Moro
heroes had been regarded as the villains. They have ceased to exist now, yes!
- as have their tormentors, who are gone - but the cause they had fought for
is still very much within us; and certainly, others will pick up the flag of
resistance exactly, where they had halted, as thousands upon thousands now
are marching forward, following their footsteps, until final victory shall be
achieved! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">2. Parliamentary Struggle - </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The U.S. colonial government and the
succeeding Filipino neo-colonial power have utterly failed to stamp out Moro
resistance. But they have succeeded in rendering Moro traditional power
structure effete and almost obsolete. The main casualties have been the
sultans and datus, whose authority has been squelched to the extent that they
have become mere symbols of the past and mute relics of history. The
sultan-people direct dealing has been almost severed and, to get rid of the
evils of dual rule, meaning sultan and government ruling simultaneously, the
Commonwealth Government directed all state-installed officials in 1936 to
take over the roles so far exercised by the sultans and datus. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The disintegration of the traditional socio-political order and the
ever-tightening imposition of the secular-materialistic concept of life
bequeathed by the Americans have created an extremely difficult situation for
the Moros. Consequently, those who were won over to the American side, freely
or under duress, were the ones who with their pens, slogans and orations
adopted and pursued the parliamentary or unarmed way of struggle. They asked
the United States Government to separate the Moro Province, either as colony
or as independent state. Singly or in chorus, they unanimously refused to
join the Filipinos in their demand for independence. It is true that they did
not succeed; neither did they achieve anything of consequence in terms of the
real liberation of the Moros - that, obviously, was already foredoomed from
the start. But there is no gainsaying the fact that they did their best in
their own way. Yet, on the other hand, by following the unarmed way of
struggle, they were deeply entangled into the American cobweb and continued
to become subservient to the whims and caprices of the new colonial masters.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The agitation for a separate state did not die, even among those who
considered it pragmatic to cooperate with the Americans. As a matter of fact,
as early as August 10, 1910, on the occasion of the official visit of the
U.S. Secretary of War, Jacobson M. Dickenson, to investigate the real
condition of the Philippines vis-a-vis the grant of independence, they
already made known their deep commitment to the separation of the Moro
country from Luzon and the Visayas once independence is granted. A large
meeting was held and many Moros and Filipinos attended. The first to speak
were two Filipinos who said that the 70,000 Christians in the Moro Province,
who were "civilized," "educated" and
"property-owners" were ready and willing to govern the Moros then
numbering 335,000. Then some of the Moro leaders followed. Datu Mandi spoke
first and a portion of his speech reads:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As I look about, I see far more Moros than Filipinos
contingent, and if that is so, that is the reason it is called the Moro
Province .... If the American government does not want the Moro Province any
more they should give it back to us. It is a Moro Province. It belongs to us.</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 3pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Next to speak was Datu Sacaluran:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 3pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I am an old man now. I do not want any
more trouble. But if it should come to that, that we shall be given over to
the Filipinos, I would Still fight. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The third to come forward was Hadji Abdullah Nunyo
who declared:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We area different race; we are Mohammedans. And if
we should be given over to the Filipinos, how much more would they treat us
badly, when they treated even the Spanish badly who were their own mothers
and fathers for generations. How did they treat them? Think about it! Think
twice We prefer to be in the hands of the Americans, who are father and
mother to us now, than to be turned over to another people. </span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Between the Americans and the Filipinos, the Moros,
after decades of bitter-sweet interactions, learned to accept the former and
retained hatred for the latter. This was the legacy of the Spanish
colonialism in the Philippines. But battling for political favors and
attention from the Americans, the Moros were the underdog in the unfavorable
terrain of an alien Western system. The non-acceptability of a separate
Moroland was a foregone conclusion. That concept of separation never for a
moment became a part of the official policy of the United States Government.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In the meantime, the policy of putting Filipinos
into offices or "filipinization" that started very early in Luzon
and the Visayas in 1901 by Pres. William McKinley had been extended to the
Moro country. This was pushed forward rapidly when Francis Burton Harrison
became Governor General of the Philippines in 1913 - 1921. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On September 1, 1914, the newly organized Department
of Mindanao and Sulu, including seven provinces as part of its territorial
jurisdiction, was inaugurated in Zamboanga. Of these provinces, four had
Filipinos appointed as governors and only three, Lanao, Sulu and Cotabato.
had Americans retained as governors. The four provinces already under
Filipino governors were Zamboanga, Davao, Agusan and Surigao. In this
filipinization scheme, the role of the Moros was very negligible. At most it
was a consolation. A Moro was appointed third member of the Provincial Board
of Zamboanga, and later in 1915, a Moro was placed the third member of the
Board of Cotabato. After the passage of the Jones Law in 1916, which provided
formal commitment of independence to the Philippines, Gov. Gen. William
Harrison appointed Hadji Butu of Sulu, Datu Piang of Cotabato and Datu Benito
of Lanao to the Philippine Legislature. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Meanwhile, World War 1 commenced in Europe in 1914.
This global conflict had direct repercussions on the Moro country. Turkey
entered the war in October 1914 on the side of the Central Powers, and in
April 1917, the United States joined the Allies. The Moros still looked up to
Turkey both as capital of the Islamic world and the Sultan of Turkey as the
political head of the Muslim <i>ummah. </i>This attitude created some
apprehension among the American administration officials in Mindanao and
Sulu. They feared a Moro backlash favoring Turkey., But as unexpected, even
after the conclusion of the war in 1918, nothing untoward happened in
Mindanao and Sulu that was related to this global conflict. The Moros
remained generally unconcerned with the war. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In 1920, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was
governed entirely by Filipinos. American governors in the predominantly Moro
provinces like Sulu, Cotabato and Lanao were replaced by Filipinos. This led
to the conclusion that filipinization actually meant christianization"
of the civil service in Moro country. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On June 9, 1921, a petition from the Moros of Sulu
was forwarded to the United States Government. Along with an earnest desire
to remain under American rule, they stated clearly: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 49.2pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.8pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We are independent for 500 years. Even
Spain failed to conquer us. If the U.S. quits the Philippines and the
Filipinos attempt to govern us, we will fight. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On February 1, 1924, another petition containing a
declaration of rights and purposes was forwarded to the U.S. Congress from
more than 500,000 Moros of Mindanao and Sulu. More than one hundred signed
the petition for the Moros. Among the signatories worth mentioning, were
Sultan Mangigin of Maguindanao, Hadji Panglima Nunyo, Datu Sacaluran,
Maharaja Habing, Abdula Piang and Datu Benito. A portion runs thus:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.4pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">... In the event that the United States grants
independence to the Philippine Islands without provision for our retention
under the American flag, it is our firm intention and resolve to declare
ourselves an independent Constitutional sultanate to be known to the world as
Moro Nation. It is the duty of the Congress of the United States to make
provision at once for the security and protection promised to us when we
surrendered our arms to the United States Army. This promise is just as
sacred as any alleged promises you have made to the Christian Filipinos. 1 ou
have left us defenseless, and is your duty to protect us or return to us the
weapons you took from us and which we freely gave you, relying on your
promises? </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A keen American analyst of Philippine affairs, the
Honorable Clarence B. Miller, who had extensive tours of the islands, made a
startling but categorical conclusion that the Moros would immediately resort
to arms if compelled to live under the rule of the Filipinos. This
observation was corroborated by the findings of the Wood-Forbes investigation
at a meeting held in Lanao. One of the Moros present pointed to a building
over which were flying side by side the American flag and the Filipino flag
and said: "What is that strange [Filipino] flag flying beside ours? Take
it down."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Cotabato, Amai
Binaning spoke for the Maguindanao Moros and said: "We Moros wish the
protection of America. We wish to stay under the American flag." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">After the conclusion of the Wood-Forbes
Investigation of the Philippine Islands, one of its findings was:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Moros are a unit against independence and, are
united for continuance of American control, and, in case of separation of the
Philippines from the United States, desire their portion of the islands to be
retained as American territory under American control. The Pagans and
non-Christians, constituting about 10 per cent of the population of the
islands, are for continued control. They want peace and security. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">What almost turned the tide of history in favor of
the Moros were three important events in the year 1926. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The first was the visit of Harvey Firestone Jr. in
March to Mindanao looking for 1,000,000 acres of lands for rubber plantation.
Firestone got a lift when no less than Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood appeared very
supportive. This prospect, however, did not prosper for several reasons, one
of which being the stiff opposition of the Filipino nationalists who wanted
the Moro country to become an integral part of the Philippine Islands.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The second event was the filing of four bills for
the segregation or retention of Mindanao and Sulu either as an American
colony or a federal state. On May 6, 1926, Cong. Robert L. Bacon of New York
filed House Bill No. 12772 in the United States Congress which sought to
retain Mindanao and Sulu as an American colony, even as the rest of the
islands would be granted independence. Though mainly motivated by economic
reasons, Bacon's rhetoric stunned his critics and heartened his supporters.
In his privilege speech, he said:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Their so-called representation in the Philippine
Legislature is a farce and a mockery. They are deliberately denied any share
'or participation in the government. They have no elective
representatives.... They have no magistrates, no judges, no public prosecutor
drawn from their own people. And the guardians of law and order in their
region -constabulary - are practically drawn from the ranks of their
hereditary enemies - the Filipinos. The Filipinos are their lawmakers, their
governors, their judges, their persecutors and their policemen. To these
conditions the Moros respond by giving nothing but hate and unwilling
submission. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 27pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">He continued his rhetoric by saying:
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 69pt 10pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: right 289.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Philippine Islands are divided into
two very distinct areas - the Christian provinces... and the Mohammedan
territory .... These two regions belong to different and opposed civilizations
- the Christian world and Islam." </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Bacon was not alone. Apart from his supporters in
the U.S. Congress, there was tremendous popular support and endorsement from
the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu. During the deliberation of the bill, Datu
Piang of Cotabato, one of the most popular pro-American leaders, felicitated
the New York Congressman and cabled this message:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Allow me to congratulate you on a bill for the
separation of Mindanao from the government in Manila. Long have we hoped and
long have we prayed that the people of the U.S., after conquering us would
not turn us over to those who do not understand us. We have written the
President, asking him for the support of your bill. I am not talking for
myself, because I am an old man. I am talking for my people and for the Moros
of these vast islands." </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In the interlude, the Filipino politicians, who were
sharply divided at the moment, decided to come to terms to form the Supreme
National Council. The Council was headed by Manuel Quezon and its avowed
objective was to present a more unified front against the Bacon Bill. A
powerful lobby was organized to counter the efforts of Bacon and his
colleagues in the U.S. Congress. The Council bitterly denounced the bill and
criticized the movers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Three other bills were introduced in the United
States Congress, namely, the Roger, Copper and Kies bills. The first was
similar to the Bacon Bill while the Copper Bill provided for the retention of
the islands of Mindanao and Sulu for eventual federation with the United
States. The third bill was obscure but was believed similar to the rest.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The third momentous circumstance was when Pres. john
Calvin Coolidge, unable to ascertain the real situation in the Philippine
Islands in relation to the grant of independence, sent Col. Carmi Thompson to
investigate. The situation of the Moros was one of the main concerns. The
mission reported that the Philippines lacked social homogeneity and
solidarity. It also took note of the approval of the Bacon Bill by the Moros.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">.This prevailing sentiment was reiterated to Gov.
Gen. Dwight F. Davis two years after in one of his visits to the Island in
1929<i>. </i>One prominent Moro leader, Gumbay Piang, son of Datu Piang,
spoke of this universal desire of the Moros to dissociate themselves from the
independence movement of the Filipinos. He remarked that the Filipinos, after
having been influenced by Spain for many centuries, had an innate motive to
eradicate Moro identity and traditions in addition to having territorial
ambitions in Mindanao. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In 1927, an American observer in the <i>New York </i>Post
wrote the following:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The outstanding mistake of the U.S. in its
Philippine dealings has been their assumption that the native inhabitants
constitute a homogeneous Filipino people; instead there are numerous peoples,
the widely scattered population of the archipelago ... speaking many dialects
and radically if different character, in development and government needs.
This is particularly true of the Mohammedan people inhabiting the great
southern islands of the Philippines, who are altogether distinct in religion,
physical type and mental outlook.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Legalized Landgrabbing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before the turn of the
20th century, ninety eight percent of the lands in Mindanao and Sulu belonged
to the Moros.` Except in areas garrisoned by Spain particularly in the
northern part of Mindanao, the Moros lorded over these vast islands and the
various indigenous natives like the Manobos, Bagobos, Tagakaolos, and others
numbering about 23 ethnic tribes were largely under their sphere of
influence. But as soon as the Americans stepped into the Moro country, even
before the indirect rule was discarded, they decreed a law called the Land
Registration Act, also known as Act No. 496. requiring the registration of
all lands occupied by any person, group or corporation in writing, signed and
sworn to by the claimant. In such an early stage, when fighting was still
widespread in the various islands, the Moro may not have heard of this law
or, if they had, they would not have been willing to comply, for apparent
reasons. The payment for staying in one's land or the cedula tax was one of
the reasons why many Moros resisted the American occupation. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On April 4, 1903, the
Philippine Commission enacted Public Land Act No. 718. The law declared null
and void all lands granted by Moro sultans, datus or chiefs of any of the
non-Christian tribes without authority of the state. This law dispossessed
the Moros of their landholdings which, in most instances, they occupied since
time immemorial. The Moro sultans were not excluded from the operation of
this law and their failure to comply with it meant they would be squatters
and face automatic ejection. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On October 7, 1903, the
Public Act 926 was enacted into law which provided, among other stipulations,
that all lands not registered under Act No. 496 were deemed public lands, and
therefore available for homesteading, sale or lease by individual or
corporation. One can imagine that in less than a year, by reasons of
opposition to, default or ignorance of the American bureaucratic system, the
Moros could be deprived of their lands. These were shallow alibis leading to
the systematic dispossession of the Moros of their landholdings. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Mining Law of 1905
further confiscated Moro lands. The law declared all public lands as free,
open for exploration, occupation and purchase even by Americans. Such a law
opened the gates for American dollars to come, particularly in Mindanao,
where wide tracts of lands were still available. The influx of American
capitalists led to several conflicts which at one time caused the death of
Lt. Edward C. Bolton, District Governor of Davao, on June 6, 1906. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Cadastral Act of
1907 facilitated the acquisition of new landholdings. The law virtually
favored the educated natives, moneyed bureaucrats and American speculators
who were more familiar with the bureaucratic process to legalize claims
usurped through fraudulent surveys. <i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 1913, the Philippine
Commission passed Acts 2254 and 2280 creating agricultural colonies. The two
laws aimed at encouraging Filipino migrants from the northern areas to the
so-called "public lands" in Mindanao and Sulu. The purpose of the
colonies was as follows: 1) to increase food production especially rice; 2)
to equalize the distribution of population in the Philippines; 3) to bring
under cultivation extensive wild public lands; and 4) to afford an
opportunity for the colonists to become land proprietors <i>M </i>The
earliest colonies were planted right in the middle of Moro communities with
the aim of integrating Moros and Christian native population into a
"homogeneous Filipino people <i>1,41 </i>Of the ten colonies created
between 1913 and 1917 in the entire Philippines, seven were established in
Cotabato, one in Lanao and one in Basilan. The sites selected in Cotabato
were Silik, Peidu Pulangi. Ginatilan, Pagalungan, Pikit, Talitay and Clan.
all populated by Moros. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of special interest was
Philippine Commission Act No. 2254. Again, it showed the glaring instance of
injustices. While this law awarded Filipino settlers with a 16 hectare lot,
the Moro was permitted to own only eight hectares, despite his prior
birthright to the place. Such was the consequence of the previous enactments
that already deprived him of his ancestral landholdings. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 1919, the Public
Land Act No. 2874 was enacted which provided for the manner of acquiring land
ownership, especially in the Moro country. Under this law. a Filipino was
entitled to apply and possess a 24-hectare parcel of land. while a Moro only
ten hectares. The discrimination did not end there. In many instances, even
before the Christian could come to Mindanao, his land had been titled
already, while that of the Moro remained untitled for years. Or the Moro may
not have moved to title his at all. He may have been personally responsible
for some of the reasons for this failure, but that certainly was no
sufficient moral ground to deprive him of his landholdings. One noted
American writer had this to say on this predicament:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
government officials they turned to for counsel were often 'too busy' to
help. And when some did manage to file their registration papers. they were
disheartened by the uncertainty and delay in getting them approved . </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aside from the inherent
discriminations in such laws, there were at least two or more reasons for
this pathetic situation. Firstly, the Moros continued to resist the
registration of the lands they owned, occupied and tilled since time past
under a government that they considered to be a "foreign
authority." The second cause was the specious pretext raised
apologetically that the Moros were not only poor but ignorant, little
realizing that it was one of the fundamental duties of government to attend
to the needs particularly of the marginalized and depressed sections of the
population. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">1934 Constitutional Convention<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On March 24, 1934, the
Tydings-McDuffie Law was signed into law by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt of the
United States. The law contained provisions which specified the various steps
as preconditions before the establishment of the Commonwealth. The first step
was the holding of a constitutional convention not later than October 1, 1934
to draft a Constitution which would be forwarded to the U.S. President for
approval. After the approval, the Filipino people were to elect the officials
of the Commonwealth government. After the ten-year transition, the United
States would grant independence to the Philippines. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
On July 10, 1934, 202 delegates to the constitutional convention were
elected. Of this number, only four Moros were elected, namely, Datu Blah
Sinsuat and Minandang Piang of Cotabato, Arolas Tulawie of Sulu and Alauya
Alonto of Lanao. The other delegates, Tomas Cabili of Lanao and Jose Montano
of Sulu, were Christians. The election of delegates was the first time Moros
participated in a nationwide voting exercises. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On July 30, the
Convention started to work under the presidency of Claro M. Recto. The Moro
delegates participated in the deliberations and to represent the interests of
their constituents but against the tyranny of numbers they, numbering only
four or five, were practically unheard. The fact that they already belonged
to the second generation of Moros since the arrival of the Americans might be
enough to suspect that in all likelihood they could no longer represent the
legitimate aspirations and sentiments of their people. They were not only
proAmericans in every respect but were generally friendly to the Filipinos,
who were pushing for Philippine independence. The truth that they ran and won as delegates to this Convention which
would make formal self-rule a step nearer singularly attested to this
assertion. However, in fairness to them, they discharged their
responsibilities to what they thought was their -level best, but they never
equalled the exceptionally pro-Moro exploits of Tomas Cabili, though a
Christian, who voted against the Draft Constitution. It is on record that
Delegate Cabili made the following objections to the Draft Constitution: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.
It did not provide for the direct election of representatives. for the
provinces of Lanao, Cotabato and Sulu but left the matter for the Legislature
to decide - including, especially, the manner by which the representatives of
said provinces may be chosen; and </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.
It did not have any special provisions for the backward and non-Christian
population of the Philippines. He wanted the Constitution to recognize and
hold in trusteeship the welfare and progress of our backward population.' As
a sign of protest, he did not sign the 1935 Constitution. On the contrary, all
the blue-blooded Moro delegates signed the new charter. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Constitution miserably failed to
specify or imply due consideration for the Moro traditions, customs and laws,
which in Islam still fell within the ambit of religion. Many Moro leaders
openly campaigned against the ratification of the Constitution denouncing it
as an abridgment of their religion, rights and customs. Despite the
opposition, the Constitution got ratified. The Christian populace, not
thinking of the problem of the Moros, heavily voted for its approval.
However, in the succeeding elections for the delegates in September 1935,
Moro candidates who were closely associated with the Filipino leaders of
self-rule were badly routed in the polls. Hadji Gulamu Rasul of Sulu and
Minandang Piang of Cotabato were defeated by Datu Ombra Amilbangsa and Datu
Sinsuat Balabaran, respectively. In Lanao, Sultan Alauya Alonto was rejected
by the Moros in favor of Tomas Cabili. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHAPTER V – PUPPETRY IN THE MAKING<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inauguration of the
Commonwealth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I swore to myself and the God of my
ancestors that as long as I lived I would stand by America regardless of</span></i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <i>the consequences to my people or to
myself" </i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This was the statement of the man who would become the undisputed
leader of the Filipinos during the inauguration of the Commonwealth
Government of the Philippines on November 15,1935. Pres. Manuel Quezon was
the son of a Spanish mestizo sergeant in the Spanish Army in the Philippines.
He was born in Manila, but later emigrated to Baler, Tayabas where he married
also a Spanish mestiza schoolteacher. During the Philippine Revolution, he
was a lieutenant in the Bataan sector, especially during the general retreat.
of the Filipino forces. Like all his comrades, he surrendered to the
Americans in April 1901, thus both in his thoughts and actions he was a
captive of the Americans.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In his inaugural speech, President Quezon had firmly emphasized
that the government he sought to establish must satisfy not only the passing
needs of the hour but also the exacting demand of the future. In doing so, he
identified three major problems, namely, the need for political stability,
national security, and a poor economy that was too dependent to the United
States. From these main <i>national </i>concerns emerged minor problems that
also commanded equal attention and consideration.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Commonwealth was envisioned as a transition period before the
final grant of independence ten years thereafter. During this interlude the
government should make necessary adjustments on political, economic, social
and cultural aspects. The task was not an easy one considering the fact that
inherited problems from the Spanish and American times were seemingly
insurmountable. One such delicate problem was the policy formulation towards
the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu who, except for a few
"collaborators," overwhelmingly opposed political agglomeration
with the Filipinos. And without doubt, considering his background, President
Quezon was not prepared - as his succeeding actuations, pronouncements and
policies showed - to shed his "Spanish and American feathers." He
went further, vis-a-vis the Moros, by refusing to accord official recognition
to the sultans and datus. In one of his meetings with them, he had these
blunt words:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">... The sultans have no more rights than the humblest Moro and
that under my administration the humblest Moro will be given as much
protection as any datu under the law, and</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">that his rights will be recognized exactly as the rights of a
datu will be, and that every datu will have to comply with his duties as
citizen to same extent. and in the same manner that the humblest Moro is
obligated.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Definitely the bottom line is not equality before the law; rather
it was the radical reversal of the traditional system and the replacement of
the chiefs with leaders whom the people were made to bow down against their
will. Reacting to this situation, Sultan Alauya Alonto had this observation:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is indeed a
tragedy. Those of you who are accustomed to witness the native son of the
province conducting the affairs of your own people will surely understand
what it meant to be governed by "Outsiders" who do not have even
the command of the dialect of the people to be governed.'</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thus with President Quezon ended the policy of "special
treatment" accorded to the Moros, although this did not mean the birth
of equal consideration and protection for the Moros. As a matter of fact, the
Moros were not only reduced to second class citizens, but as far as Mindanao
and Sulu was concerned, the development of the Moros was a poor third
priority in the national agenda.' On the contrary, the Moros, along with the
burgeoning Japanese colonies in Davao, were perceived as threats to the
security of the commonwealth state. This was precisely the main reason why
the 30,000-man Moro Battalion was not issued firearms by the USAFFE during
the war with Japan because some pointed out the danger of arming the Moros to
the peace and order situation in Mindanao and Sulu.' Despite the pleadings of
Lt. Salipada Pendatun (later conferred the rank of Brigadier General), the
Moros were permitted to arm themselves with bolos, hence the outfit earned
its label as the "Moro Battalion." It was also the hard logic
behind the high gear migration to Mindanao particularly in the Moro-dominated
provinces of Cotabato and Lanao. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Legalized Landgrabbing
Continues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On February 12, 1935, the government enacted
Legislative Act <u>No. </u>4197, otherwise known as the "Quirino-Recto
Colonization Act." T his was the turning point of the land settlement
when the government declared settlement as the "only lasting
solution" to the problem in Mindanao and Sulu, thus shelving all other
long-range solutions as secondary and of less importance. The choice of the
term "colonization" in the very title of this enactment bespeaks
obviously of Manila's sinister designs. It had no scruples in openly calling
the Moro country its colony. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This Act envisaged land settlement, with Mindanao as the special
target. The mealy-mouthed preamble spoke of the great national advantage in
carrying out the work in that part of the country because land settlement is
the only government activity that will furnish an effective solution to the
Mindanao problem."' The Act opened the floodgates to massive influx of
settlers on Mindanao under the full sponsorship of the government. "Go
South, young men!" became the slogan of the day. Mindanao became the
"Promise Land." News that the program had the full backing of the
government, in addition to the construction of roads and other infrastructure,
spread like wildfire. Unknown number of individuals rushed south to join the
mad scramble for the choicest parcels of land, especially along the highways.
But the sad part of this was that instead of addressing past complaints of
the Moros, the government pushed too far in abetting and inciting
homestead-seekers in the unjust process of landgrabbing. Newcomers just
squatted on lands and began cultivation before they could get around to
subdivide the areas.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On November 7, 1936, Pres. Manuel Quezon signed into law
Commonwealth Act No. 141 which declared all Moro ancestral landholdings as
public lands. Section 84 of this law provides:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That all grants, deeds, patents, and other instruments of
conveyances of land or purporting to convey or transfer rights of property,
privileges, or easements appertaining to or growing out of lands granted by
sultans, datus, or other chiefs of the so-called non-Christian tribes,
without the authority of the Spanish Government while the Philippines were
under the sovereignty of Spain, or without the consent of the United States
Government or of the Philippine Government since the sovereignty over the
Archipelago was transferred from Spain to the United States, and all deeds
and other documents executed or issued or based upon deeds, patents, and documents
mentioned are hereby declared to be illegal, void, and of no effect.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By a simple piece of legislation, the Moros became landless and
were deprived of their ancestral holdings. Under this Act, a Moro was allowed
only to apply for a piece of land, not exceeding four hectares, while a
Christian was entitled to own up to 24 hectares, and a corporation, wholly
owned by non-Moros, was permitted to get 1,024 hectares.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In June 1939, Pres. Manuel Quezon signed Commonwealth Act No. 441
creating the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA). This was another
settlement law. Given the priority slots in this program were those who had
completed military training in preparation, as the proponents put it, to meet
the impending Japanese invasion. But the Moros viewed it from a different
angle. Their suspicions were not really unfounded because a similar condition
was required to be fulfilled by those who made up the first batch of fifty
settlers in 1912. The colonial government saw to it that the members of this
batch were required to be experts in <i>arnis </i>or sword-play. 12 This was
obviously in anticipation of encounters with the kris-wielding Moros of
Mindanao. NLSA opened up three major settlement projects and two of these
were in the Cotabato Valley. That in Koronadal Valley in Cotabato was
spearheaded by Gen. Paulino Santos, onetime Governor of Lanao and in 1944
appointed Commissioner for Mindanao and Sulu. In this project, 200 Christian
families were given each twelve hectares farmland and financial assistance
reaching up to P7.5 million.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the meantime, the settlement projects had been temporarily
slowed down, principally due to the war with Japan. All state attention,
activities and resources were focused on the war efforts. In addition, mass
movement of people, especially from one far-flung area to another in the
archipelago would not only entail huge expenses but was dangerous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Over-population Scare<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Before proceeding further, we should not fail to note carefully
the mendacious rhetoric of politicians who spearheaded the wholesale
colonization of Mindanao and Sulu by raising a hue and cry over the alleged
population explosion in Luzon and the Visayas. They argued that this
over-population problem was causing untold miseries and sufferings to the
people. They wanted a place where this excess population could be relocated.
To arouse public sympathy, they particularly referred to the so-called
"pauperized peasants and workers" in the haciendas in Central Luzon
and Negros in the Visayas, who had been exploited and persecuted since the
Spanish regime. They were never given the chance to own a piece of land, let
alone the ones they had been tilling, where they could work outside and away
from the cruel hands of landlords and hacienderos.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In his address to the first session of the First National
Assembly in 1936, President Quezon took the lead in sounding this alarm. Part
of his speech was as follows:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There are provinces in Luzon and the Visayas
that are already over populated. There are localities in some of these provinces
where the people live on large estates without opportunity to earn a
livelihood sufficient to meet the necessities of civilized life, much less to
own the land wherein they live and which they cultivate. It is inconceivable
that such a situation should exist in a country with extensive areas of
fertile uncultivated lands.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The fact that no less than the President himself of the
Commonwealth Government was involved in this ballyhoo to get the nod of the
National Assembly was more than enough reason to extrapolate on the issue.
President Quezon was not the first to raise the over-population issue. As
early as 1912, Gen. john C. Pershing was already pushing for the importation
of homesteaders from the over-populated Luzon and Visayas to the frontiers on
Mindanao." The same line of argument can be noticed in almost all
rationales behind the creation of settlement projects, as well as in the
opening up of frontier lands to new applicants. In 1913, the Philippine
Commission enacted Acts 2254 and 2280 creating "colonies" in
Mindanao, and one of the objectives was to equalize the distribution of
population in the Philippines.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In order to find out whether or not the population pressure was
founded on fact or fiction, let us refer to the three successive population
census in 1903, 1918, and 1939. The 1939 census is specially important
because the holding of this population count was well within the period when
the issue was very much alive. In the 1903 census, the population of the
entire country was 7,635,426 including 647,740 non-Christians; in 1918, it
was 10,314,310 including 932,935 non-Christians; and in 1939, it was
16,000,303. Of this last number, around 13,000,000 were in Luzon and the
Visayas, the rest in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After having this concrete data, let us proceed to determine the
density of population -based on the 1939 census which listed the national
population as 16,000,303. The Philippines has a total land area of 115,800
square mile; divide this area by 16,000,303 and the result is: 138 persons
per square mile. Since this density applied to the entire Philippine Islands
including the Moro territory, then let us focus our attention on Luzon and
the Visayas, where the congestion was allegedly serious. Based on the same
1939 census, the people of the two islands numbered 13,000,000. Divide that
number by the total land area of the two islands: 78,420 square miles (Luzon:
40,420 and Visayas: 37,380), and the quotient (outcome) is 165 persons per
square mile.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now after considering the data aforecited, does the logic of
overpopulation scare still hold? Was President Quezon really speaking of
facts or merely masking the government's real intentions on Mindanao.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">for whether it was an economic, social or political issue
critically depended on the support of the christianized natives.` The irony
of it all was that when legions after legions of settlers arrived on Mindanao
it became clear-that, contrary to official government bulletin, these people
were not the poor peasants and workers of Central Luzon and Negros, but
people from the more affluent areas of the llocos region, Cebu and lloilo,
who later became the carpetbaggers, loggers, ranchers and bankers of
Mindanao. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What happened afterward was just the reverse of the hoped for results
of resettlement as the lasting solution to the Mindanao problem. Endless
bloodshed and destruction became the order of the day because the situation
seemed so skillfully woven to neutralize the Moros right in their own
backyard. Why did the government establish, particularly the early settlement
projects, right in the middle of Moro communities, when other places
elsewhere were easily available? When people's fundamental rights and needs
are not properly addressed but are, instead, suppressed or even ignored,
conflicts will inevitably follow. In the past we witnessed the upsurge of
violence as soon as the newcomers reached the shores of Mindanao. The
Alangkat Movement in 1926-27 in Cotabato Valley, a mainly Manobo initiative,
was actually a protest against foreign rule and the settling of an alien
people. In 1942, at the height of the war with Japan, a series of massacres
took place between rival guerrilla groups, fueled by or rooted in social and
agrarian frictions. One group was led by Capt. Mantil Dilangalen and another
by Capt. Froilan Matas. In Cotabato alone, about 1,000 people on both sides
were brutally hacked to pieces in the towns of Buluan, Tacurong, Midsayap and
Pigkawayan. The bloodbath in Pigkawayan was exceptionally terrible. The
marketplace was enclosed in barb wire and the Moros inside were sorted out
and slaughtered en masse. About 200 men, women and children perished in this
slaughter. Some were buried alive. The ring leaders were Capt. Froilan Matas,
Capt. Jose Escribano and Capt. Sebastian Javelosa, who collaborated with the
Japanese occupation forces or stayed away as separate guerrilla units from
the Moro units. No justice was meted out and the culprits remained scot-free
even after the war. Capt. Froilan Matas became the mayor of Magpet and so did
Capt. Jose Escribano in Tacurong.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Moro Appeals and Rebellions</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">During the height of the deliberations of the Constitutional
Convention, Hadji Abdulhamid Bongabong, chief religious leader of Unayan, and
189 Lanao Moros sent a letter of appeal - or a virtual warning - to the
United States through the Governor General on March 18, 1935. The petition,
popularly referred to as the historic Dansalan Declaration, speaks well of
the undying sentiments and aspirations of the Moros for a separate homeland.
The following is the full text of the petition:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the agreement that we have arrived (i.e.,
the Declaration) our people gave their unanimous approval. We would like to
inform you (i.e. U.S. Congress) that because we have learned that the U.S..
is going to give the Philippines an independence through the efforts of Hon.
Quezon and others, we want to tell you that the Philippines, as it is known </span></i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">to the <i>American
people, is populated by two peoples with two different religious practices
and traditions. The Christian Filipinos occupy the islands of Luzon and the
Visayas. The Moros predominate in the islands of Mindanao and Sulu. With
regard to the forthcoming Philippine Independence, we foresee that the
condition will be characterized by unrest, suffering and misery ....</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our Christian associates have for ... many
years their desires to be the only ones blessed with leadership and well
progressive towns and cities. One proof of this is that, among us who were
capable of participating in managing and administering the government have
not been given the chance to demonstrate their ability. Another proof is that
Christian Filipinos have taken control of our insular funds in which by right
we must have equal share. Most of those funds are annually appropriated for
the provinces of Luzon and the Visayas, and little are appropriated for the
so-called Moro Province in the islands of Mindanao and Sulu. As a result
their provinces progressed by leaps and bounds and ours lagged behind.
Another result is that we have been and are still behind in modern
civilization and education</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One more discriminatory act of our Christian
Filipino Associates is shown in the recen t constitution of the Philippine
Commonwealth. In that constitution, no provision whatsoever is made that would
operate for the welfare of the Moros ... the (provision of the) constitution
are all for the welfare of the Christian Filipinos and nothing for the Moros.
As a proof of this, our delegate did not sign the constitution.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We do not want to be included in the
Philippine Independence (fo r) once an independent Philippine is launched
there will be trouble between us and the Christian Filipinos because from
time immemorial these two peoples have not lived harmoniously .... It is not
proper to have two antagonizing peoples live together tinder the Philipine
Independence.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One proof of this (is) that when Lanao had
its Filipino Governor many leading Moro datus were killed for non apparent
reasons. This has not ended up to the present time because our people can't and
will never forget the bitterness of this incident ....</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Should the American people grant the
Philippine Independence, the islands of Mindanao and Sulu should not be
included in such independence. Our public land must not be</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">given to other people other than the Moros.
We should be given time to acquire them, because most of us have no lands.
Out. people do not yet realize the value of acquiring those lands by the
process of law. Where shall we obtain the support of our family if our lands
are taken from us. It will be safe to us that a law should be created
restricting (the acquisition) of our lands by other people. This will avoid
future trouble.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our practices, laws and decisions of our
Moro leaders should be respected .... Our religion should not be curtailed in
anyway .... All our practices which are incidental to our religion of Islam
should be respected because these things are what a Muslim desires to live
for .... Our religion is no more, our lives are no more.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As expected, the petition was never given due consideration. It
was not even read in the Convention and, most probably, only the Moro
delegates were the ones privy to the content of the petition. All the rest
obviously swallowed the official government line that the Moro Problem ceased
to be synonymous with Mindanao, but rather assumed the status of an economic
problem of national concern and development. The basic issues and concerns
raised in the declaration, especially over lands, were never addressed, as
clearly shown in earlier discussion of the Commonwealth policy to formally
colonize Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After having ascertained that there was no legal remedy
forthcoming from the Commonwealth and the United States Government, Hadji
Abdulhamid Bongabong launched a rebellion in Lanao beginning in June 1936.
This only simmered down in 1941. The firefights were referred to as
"cotta fights" in Philippine history. The government had a hard
time putting down the rebellion of Hadji Bongabong, who built a chain of <i>cottas
</i>in and around Lake Lanao.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On October 8, 1936, a major disturbance also occurred in Sulu.
,.'he leader was Imam Saccam. One of the issues raised by the rebels was the
report that the Philippines was granted independence?' It started with the
ambush of 20 Constabulary soldiers by 50 armed followers of Imam Saccam at
Kulay-Kulay. All initial negotiations to make him surrender failed, although
one by one his followers perished. Though his uprising did not succeed, it
had direct effect on the neighboring town of Talipao, where another armed
resistance erupted in 1937. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Japanese Invasion</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On December 8, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Army landed in the
Philippines. Davao and Sulu were occupied immediately and in April 1942,
Cotabato and Lanao were garrisoned. The Moros, approximately 700,000 in
population, saw the newcomers as another group of invaders and therefore had
to be fought. Numbering by tens of thousands, the Moros enlisted in the
United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) in fighting off the
Japanese invasion; Those who were not accommodated in the regular USAFFE
units joined the guerrilla battalions just to become involved in the war
endeavors. Among those who figured prominently in the war were Lt. Salipada
Pendatun, Datu Udtog Matalam, Gumbay Piang and Manalao Mindalano. The
guerrillas inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese troops through
hit-and-run tactics. At one time, the guerrillas under Manalao Mindalano
inflicted 129 casualties on the Japanese soldiers during an ambush in
Tamparan along Lake Lanao. The Japanese retaliated by subjecting the
guerrillas with intense bombings that lasted for almost a month. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, if there were many Moro leaders who fought in the side
of the Americans, those who cooperated alongside the Japanese were equally
many. They thought it would be better to take part in the Japanese war
efforts. Others tried to exonerate this cooperation by saying that it was
making the best out of a bad situation.` Still others cited the cooperation
as serving the best interests of the people. Those who went the way of
cooperation were Sultan Alauya Alonto of Lanao, Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, Datu
Minandang Piang of Cotabato, and Datu Ombra Amilbangsa, Datu Gulamu Rasul and
Datu Salih Ututalum of Sulu. Some of these leaders accepted positions in the
Japanese Puppet Government, and actually benefited from this cooperation,
especially in terms of material and educational rewards. Right after the war,
some pro-Japanese leaders were charged with treason before the People's Court
for collaboration. One of the biggest and most celebrated cases of
collaboration was that filed against Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, Datu Odin
Sinsuat and Datu Blah Sinsuat. The investigation lasted up to 1948.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In these cases, the men who were charged with collaboration with
the Japanese were called "traitors" and those who sided with the
Americans were hailed as "heroes." Seen from the reverse side, the
question would bring out the same answer in reverse. Those who were
identified with Japan would have been "heroes" and those with
America would have been "traitors." Thus, whichever side they
chose, they would always be the villain to the opposite side, which only
reveals the ugly facet of nationalism when viewed in the prism of other
countries, especially of the colonialists or invaders.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Both the Americans and the Japanese came to the Philippines in
quest of more lands, glory and gold at the expense of the Filipinos and Moros
in this country. Therefore, whichever side one chose or fought for during the
war the fact remained that one fought for the wrong cause and had done the
immoral thing. Author Onofre D. Corpuz made this observation:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A lively issue for some time was that of
collaboration with the Japanese occupation regime. In the verdicts of the
tribunals that tried the collaboration cases, the men who were declared to
have collaborated with the Japanese were called traitors, as if those who
were loyal to the United States, and fought the guerrilla war so that the
Americans would return, were any less betrayers of the nation's integrity.
The meaning of the nation had been lost; the Filipinos could only view
themselves in terms of other countries."</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The truth of this otherwise comical scenario was rendered more</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">revealing after the war. Both the so-called heroes and traitors
were equally catapulted into high-ranked positions, elected or appointed, to
serve the government after the war. Although there were some who were found
guilty of collaboration by the People's Court, this was shortlived. When
Pres. Manuel Roxas assumed the presidency in 1946, he solved the
collaboration issue by proclaiming amnesty to all the political prisoners. He
himself was a "collaborator," for he served well in the Philippine
Puppet Government under Pres. Jose P. Laurel. The Americans themselves,
through the maneuvers of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, chose Manuel Roxas, the
"collaborator," over Sergio Osmena, a hardliner on the
collaboration issue, to become the protege of the Americans in the election
of 1946. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">During the war there were times that animosities between the.
Moros and Christians degenerated into open hostility. This was particularly
true with opposing guerrilla units, one group fighting on the side of the
Americans and the other with the Japanese. The guerrillas were the former,
while the Japanese-backed Bureau of Constabulary were the latter. The Bureau
was renamed the Philippine Constabulary when the so-called Philippine
independence was granted by Japan on October 15, 1944. On the guerrilla side
were Salipada Pendatun, Datu Udtog M talam, Datu Mantil Dilangalen and Gumbay
Piang and, on the side of the Japanese, were no less than Gen. Paulino
Santos, Froilan Matas and Sebastian javelosa. Actually, Pendatun was not
involved in the conflict, but being the most prominent guerrilla leader, he
was inevitably dragged into it. On July 1, 1944, a patrol of Japanese-BC
Patrol led by Capt. Sebastian Javelosa attacked a guerrilla base in Buluan
and captured two prominent Moro leaders, Datu Butu Mangudadatu and Datu
Daongtan. The guerrillas retaliated by laying a siege on the BC garrison at
Tacurong, which resulted in the slaying of Lt. Gregorio Jayme and the capture
of 40 BC soldiers. The Japanese conducted a reprisal by sending 37 planes to
bomb the guerrilla positions. Twenty two persons, including two guerrillas
were killed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On August 1, 1944, Pres. Manuel Quezon died in Saranak Lake, New
York. Sergio Osmena, then the Vice President of the Commonwealth Government,
was sworn in immediately as President. He pledged to continue the fight until
the Philippines was finally liberated . On September 2, 1945, Japan signed
the terms of surrender on board the battleship Missouri at Tokyo Bay. This
ended the war. Immediately, Pres. Sergio Osmena appointed Moros to the
government. Salipada Pendatun was appointed Governor of Cotabato and Datu
Manalao Mindalano to the Executive Committee of the Philippine Veterans
Legion in Manila. In the 1946 election, three Moro leaders were elected.
Salipada Pendatun won a Senate seat, Datu Ombra Amilbangsa of Sulu and
Manalao Mindalano of Lanao were elected congressmen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;">CHAPTER VI – ANNECATION OF MINDANAO AND
SULU</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Grant of Self Rule</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After the defeat of Japan in World War 11, the United States
officially annexed Mindanao and Sulu into the territory of the Philippines in
the grant of independence on July 4, 1946. This was a very painful decision.
The Moros were never given the right to free choice and to national
self-determination and to vote on the issue through a referendum. The hard
fact is that they, after having been disarmed and rendered defenseless, were
forcibly incorporated. Thousands of them resisted and died fighting in the
process. But this decision had already been sealed as early as 1935 when the
Commonwealth regime was inaugurated. Wider American interests were seen
better served in an undivided territory under Filipino rulers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Moros, now faced with a situation never before experienced,
slipped into "independence" with almost a closed mind. Those still
with revolting hearts were rendered practically helpless. The many decades of
bloody confrontations had practically sapped their energies to be able again
to go into the field and fight. Those who by chance or by choice tasted power
with the new political order were busy picking up the spoils of their
collaboration.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As a whole, the Moros were poised at the crossroads. Either they
went on fighting aimlessly or they must learn to accept the situation they
had no chance to change. There was no clear distinction made. Everything
rested in the hands of the new Filipino rulers, who inherited the Moro country
in a silver platter. The Americans freely handed to them the "Promise
Land" but not, of course, without inheriting the so-called Moro Problem.
It was up for them to put the "house in order." The trouble may
have been that they had already concluded that all would be well with the
Moros after independence. This was the premise from which they started,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Together under one flag with the Moro, the Filipino must make
good his pledge that he could govern the Moro well. The Moros had been
outstanding in their opposition to Filipino rule, but the Filipinos were
persistent in their desire to govern the Moros. This was the situation when
the Moros were turned over to the Filipinos for governance.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Mere Change of Face</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For over four decades since the arrival of the Americans in 1898,
the cream of the Filipino leadership, descendants of the Maharlikas of the
pre-Spanish days, had been taking a tutorial course from their new masters.
These officials, who now spoke English, were spoon-fed on the ways to
interpret and implement American maxims in subjects as wide-ranging as
administrative structure, legal system, national economy and lifestyle. When
they took over the mantle of power of the new state, after this thorough
grounding, they merely became the "alter egos" of their American
colonial masters. The system of government and the institutions were the
continuation of the old order with all the components of worldliness,
hedonism and materialism. They mimicked blindly their masters' ideas, values,
outlooks and tastes and very soon, their whole personality revolved around
the cult of the "stateside" or the attitude that everything
American was not only good but the best. And even after the physical exit of
their masters, the alter egos continued in subservience and worship. No
Filipino leader then and now had successfully dissociated himself from this
entrapment. Politicians, perhaps with very few exceptions, enhanced their
political clout by seeking the blessings of their former bosses in
Washington. This submission can easily be seen during the inauguration of the
Independence Day in 1946. Pres. Manuel Roxas, the first President of the
Republic, had dutifully declared: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We have already subscribed irretrievably to the principles of the
American Declaration and the American Constitution. Those principles are now
embodied in the basic law of the land. We are committed to the cause and
international programme of the United States of America.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It is not unusual for states which had achieved their freedom to
dissociate themselves from the policies and values of their colonial masters.
The case of the Filipinos was different. Nationalism did not become part of
the national policies as long as Mother America was on the other side.
Filipinos and Americans had parity rights in the exploitation of the natural
resources. The Filipinos also agreed to grant lands in the public domain,
rent-free, to the United States as military bases. Free trade was also agreed
upon, a scheme that insured the perpetuation of the agricultural-type of economy
for the Philippines.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The overriding belief during the struggle for the grant of
independence was that the Filipinos could govern the Moros properly. This was
the message conveyed, at least ostensibly, for placing early Christian
settlers right in the middle of Moro areas, so that the two groups could live
harmoniously and productively. The belief later became a neurotic assumption
that the Moro Problem had ceased to exist and therefore, the grant of
independence, more than ever, was not only necessary but very timely.
Unfortunately, there was no corresponding effort to ensure that the
assumption would become a reality through the formulation of proper state
policies or programs. Thus equipped with this distorted presumption, the
Filipinos proceeded to rule and trade on the basis of tact and luck with the
Moros of Mindanao and Sulu. What followed next cannot be overstressed here,
but the following pages will attempt to put it plainly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Second Class Citizens</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As a young and emerging state, the Philippines had to attend to
many priorities needed for reconstruction and nation-building. The country
was so devastated during the last war that she had to start practically from
scratch. There were other social, political and economic problems. The
Communist-inspired rebellion was one of the most serious concerns of the
state. In contrast, the so-called Moro Problem was never given proper
attention. It was deliberately dropped from the national agenda that required
immediate action. Consequently, the Moros also assumed minor roles after the
war. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For a while, Mindanao as the "Land of Promise"
continued to lure in hordes of people. Not to be outdone, in fact in the lead
roles, were American capitalists- thanks to the parity rights agreement and
the local elites, who were mostly feudal lords and political kingpins. The
American capitalists intensified their spoliation of Mindanao. In 1957,
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was awarded 1,000 hectares of land in
Makilala, Cotabato for rubber plantation. In 1963, Dole Philippines, a
subsidiary of the Castle and Cooke Company, acquired a vast tract of lands in
Tupi and Polomolok, Cotabato for pineapple business. In 1966 Weyerhaueser
Corporation obtained 72,000 hectares of forest lands in Mindanao for logging
operation. in 1968 Boise-Cascade Corporation started hauling lauan timber
from its 42,000-hectare concession, also in Mindanao. For reason of space, we
cannot list all the American capitalists who engaged in big business ventures
on Mindanao.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The case of the Filipino capitalists is even more revealing; in
fact, they cornered the lion-share of the booming timber, pasture and coconut
concessions in Mindanao. Imagine one such locally-owned company, the Bislig
Bay Lumber Company, which had acquired 141,000 hectares in Surigao for
logging operation. Such names as Sarmientos, Magsaysays, Sorianos,
Cojuangcos, Puyats, Alcantaras, Ayalas, Floirendos, Yuchengcos and many more
did not only enrich themselves from the wealth of Mindanao but directly
contributed to the deprivations and sufferings of the natives of the region.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1973, a government-sponsored study found out the following
disparity between the socio-economic conditions of the Moros and the
Christians: 1) Only 12 percent of the Moros had electricity, while the
average in the whole Mindanao was 17.5 percent; 2) 20 percent of the Moros
had water supply, while the average for Mindanao was 25 percent; and 3) There
was only one doctor for every 6,959 Moros, while there was one doctor for
3,954 for non-Moros.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Earlier, in 1957, the Province of Cotabato had 1,546 Christian
educators as against only 37 Moros; six Moro business proprietors versus 144
Christians, one Moro lawyer to 38 Christians; and not one Moro dentist,
engineer or pharmacist.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Unlike other provinces, Sulu, Lanao and Cotabato continued to be
governed as "special provinces." The government directly chose the
highest officials of the provinces until 1950, when the right of suffrage was
extended to the Moros. Except Cotabato, the two other special provinces persisted
in having Christian governors until later. The Commissioner for Mindanao and
Sulu exercised control and supervision over these provinces until 1950, when
this office was abolished and its functions were taken over by the Office of
the President. In 1956, the supervision was transferred to the Executive
Secretary until these provinces were reclassified as "regular" the
following year. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Legalized Landgrabbing Persists</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As noted in the preceding discussion, the full-blast settlement
of Mindanao initiated by Pres. Manuel Quezon was temporarily shelved in view
of the impending war with Japan. This was not continued until 1950, when the
government established the Rice and Corn Production Administration (RCPA),
which was apparently a continuation of the bid to promote rice and corn
production. Subsequently, in the same year, the RCPA and the Agricultural
Machinery and Equipment Corporation, whose function was to supply farmers
with farm machinery and equipment, were merged to form the Land Settlement
Development Corporation (LASEDECO). The new agency became the implementor of
the resettlement program of the state. By the end of its mandate, it had
resettled 1.500 fan-Lilies to the expenses of P3.5 million. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The resurgence of the agrarian-related problem posed by the
Communist-inspired Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (National Army against the
Japanese) or Hukbalahaps or Huks called for the immediate upgrading or
reshuffling of government agencies handling land settlement. Thus, Mindanao
also became the dumping ground for the so-called "undesirables" of
Luzon and the Visayas. In 1954, the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Administration (NARRA) was created through Republic Act No. 1160. At the
outset. the NARRA efforts were not very extensive. But a few years later, in
1963, it had already resettled 20,500 families at the cost of P44.5 million.'
As in the Commonwealth period, Lanao and Cotabato were adversely affected by
the convergence. The government also created the Economic Development
Corporation (EDCOR) which issued homestead lands to alleged former Huks.
Ironically, however, many of those resettled in Mindanao. especially in
Cotabato and Lanao were not former Huks. In fact, many former soldiers were
deliberately mixed with the former rebels in order to function as stabilizers.'
The EDCOR was set up under the control of the Philippine Army and its budget
Also emanated therefrom. The EDCOR settlements were largely through the
initiatives of Ramon Magsaysay, then Secretary of National Defence.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">NARRA was subsequently taken over by the Land Authority, and one
of its functions was to administer all the various settlement projects of the
government. In September 1971, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos signed into law
Republic Act No. 6389 creating the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The
agency took over the administration of all existing settlement projects in
the country. By December 1980 the DAR, now renamed Ministry of Agrarian
Reform (MAR), was administering some 23 settlement projects in Mindanao. And
in 1983, the MAR was in charge of 52,728 resettled families nationwide,
22,639 of them in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In February 1986, Pres. Corazon Aquino carried on with the
settlement projects of the Ministry of Agrarian Reform (MAR). After some
time, the government made a new approach by pushing for the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). This approach called for the breakup of big
landed estates into small units of seven to 15 hectares, depending on whether
the land was planted with rice, coconut, sugar, etc. The CARP Law is in
effect at the time of this writing (1997).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It is very clear that the various land and settlement laws and
projects of the government since the beginning of this century benefited only
the Christians. Hardly any effect trickled down to the benefit of the Moros
and other indigenous natives. This historic injustice became more appalling
with the introduction of the Torrens System of land ownership which was
copied from Australia. The system was a complete anathema to the clan or
community ownership system prevalent among the Moros. The doctrine considers
all lands within the state as public domain and ownership is a state-conveyed
privilege. Any person or group may own property subject to the laws of the
land. Its implementation, therefore, resulted in the wholesale confiscation
of the ancestral lands of the Moros, and the expropriated lands were declared
"public lands" and hence subject to distribution even to outsiders.
This state of affairs is well elucidated by the following statements by Aijaz
Ahmad in Class and Colony in Mindanao:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Muslims, who were 98 percent of the region's population in 1913,
accounted for only 40 percent by 1976, according to government estimates.
They had owned all the land in Mindanao on the eve of colonization. Today,
they owned less than 17 percent, most of it in remote and infertile mountain
areas which lacked marketing and infrustructural facilities. Over 80 percent
of the Muslims are now landless tenants.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sad to state, this tragic scenario persisted. In collusion with
greedy agents, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Land Bank of
the Philippines (LB) continued to dispossess the Moros of their few remaining
landholdings, in consideration of payment from 30 to 40 percent of the
amount. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Recrudescence of Troubles</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Exactly as it had been forewarned, hardly a year elapsed since
the granting of independence without trouble erupting in Mindanao and Sulu.
The momentary truce caused by the bitter pangs of the last war vanished as
quickly as a passing fad after the superficialities or cosmetics of the day
had worn off. As a matter of fact, the discriminatory policies persisted, the
onrush of land-hungry outsiders continued unabated, greedy entrepreneurs and
power-seekers saw the vast opening and seized it, while the Moro leadership
escalated in lip-service or sank further in ineffectiveness. All these
troublesome events continued to grow until fighting erupted once again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Immediately after the War, in 1947, Saubing and Binang, two
"notorious bandits" to the government, refused to cooperate with
the maiden state. They started engaging government troops in Sulu sent to
quell them. The situation deteriorated further when other Moro warriors
joined the insurrection.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">By about 1951, armed clashes started to rage over wide areas of
Sulu, Lanao and Cotabato. The most bloody was the one launched by Kamlon
Hadji and 100 followers. Despite their inferior strength and crude weapons
comprising mostly of old rifles and krises and their being mainly restricted
in the Luuk area on Jolo island, Kamlon and his band made the government
shake in its shoes. They inflicted severe losses on lives, equipment and
fund. For almost eight years the government engaged Kamlon and, during the
final assault, 5,000 ground troops were utilized along with naval, air and
mortar supports. Logistical expenditures, after the final inventory, amounted
to P 185 million. Despite all this cost, Kamlon could not be routed or
captured. He finally gave up conditionally due to advancing age.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At the same time, two Lanao chieftains, Abdulmajid Panondiongan
and Tawantawan, were also proving very troublesome to the government. Like
Kamlon, they decided to raise the banner of resistance and succeeded in
inflicting considerable casualties on pursuing government troops. As
expected, the uprising did not succeed but they brought to light the
cumulative effects of official neglect, wrong assumptions, mistaken policies
and lop-sided opportunities to the disadvantage of the Moros.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In Cotabato, the off-and-on armed skirmishes also during this period
were outright dismissed as "plain banditry." As in other cases,
these skirmishes were mainly in opposition to an imposed authority and the
frequent intrusions of government agents into mainly Moro communities. The
most wanted man tagged as "bandit" was Disumimba Rashid, the terror
of the upland areas of Dinaig and Datu Piang.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1961, a move to fight the government with the ultimate aim of
separating Mindanao and Sulu was winning adherents in Sulu. The leader,
Hadjal Uh, had a motivation similar to those of his predecessors, save for
the ideological undertone of his movement. He sought the resignation of the
Christian governor of Sulu and called upon the people to refuse to pay taxes.
But the movement was cut short when the leader was captured.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Also in 1961, Cong. Ombra Amilbangsa sponsored a bill in Congress
which sought to declare the independence of the Province of Sulu.` He was
disgusted by the chronic ills and inequalities' prevalent in society, which
mainly hit the Moros. As foreseen, the bill did not merit the attention of
his colleagues in Congress and his action was simply dismissed as
"attention-calling." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Integration of Envisioned</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There has not been an era of genuine peace in Mindanao and Sulu
since the Spaniards came. In all the American years, except perhaps for the
minority view among American policy-makers, the approach had always been to
integrate the Moros into the political life of the majority, that culminated
in the annexation of the Moro country into the new republic. But the American
colonial government unlike the Spaniards, never attempted to convert the
Moros to Christianity. On the contrary, they even recognized the
"distinctness" of the Moros when they set up special administrative
agencies to take charge of Moro affairs. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When the Filipinos took over the rein of government, they ignored
that distinct fact. Pres. Manuel Quezon never gave an inch of recognition to
the age-old sultanate system of the Moros. He denied the petition from Sulu
for the succession of Dayang- Dayang Piandao to the throne after the death of
Sultan Jamalul Kiram. In a forthright tone, he told them that the sultanate
ceased to exist with the death of the sultan."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After the war, sporadic armed clashes returned to the various
parts of Mindanao and Sulu. In a vicious cycle, the government sent troops to
quell these disturbance 'and, after a little while, trouble erupted again.
This approach had never been questioned until the Kamlon and Tawantawan
Affairs when it became the subject of intense assessment for possible
administrative and legal remedial measures. The government had practically
exhausted its military muscles to defeat Kamlon Hadji and his followers, only
to conclude in a negotiated surrender. Its necessary outcome was the sudden
national interest in the Moros who were pathetically bogged down in the
quagmire of neglect and isolation. Hastily, the government decided to
investigate the causes of the unrests. Consequently, a Special House
Committee was organized to inquire into the problem and named to this body
were Sen. Domocao Alonto of Lanao, Cong. Luminog Mangelen of Cotabato and
Cong. Ombra Amilbangsa of Sulu. After the investigation, the Committee's
findings were: the Moros must be made to feel that they were an integral part
of the Philippine nation and this aim must be achieved through a
comprehensive approach covering economic, social, moral, political and
educational developments. The direct result was the creation, in 1957, of the
Commission on National Integration (CNI) by virtue of Republic Act 1888. The
agency was charged with the task of "effecting in a more rapid and
complete manner the economic, social, moral and political advancement of
non-Christian Filipinos and to render real, complete and permanent the
integration of all said minorities into the body politic." The
Commission was given ten years, later extended to a few more years, to
operate and accomplish its task and, chiefly, it was through education
through which it must carry out this assignment. It had an annual
appropriation of P 5 million, but not more than half the amount was actually
released every year. In the words of one of its officials, the CNI, in spite
of its sparse funds and resources, was working "tooth and nail, hoping
for miracles to accomplish the rest."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In fairness to the government, it may have fully believed in the
effectiveness of the CNI in addressing the Moro Problem. But it little
realized what the implications were to the sensibilities of the Moros, who
were basically Muslims. The Moros believed that "integration," in
essence, would lead inevitably to the abandonment of their beliefs, mores,
racial or cultural traits, in favor of the system professed by the state that
is suffused with Christian ideology. The essential result would be a
situation where one could not distinguish Muslims from the Christians, and
vice versa. For a real Muslim, this was absolutely unacceptable. It would be
incompatible with Islam.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At least there were two objections to this integration scheme.
First, integration is just the beginning and not the end of the process. The
fullest outgrowth would be "assimilation" and this was what in the
minds of the great many Christians when they think of integration." In
this process, the religious and cultural identity of the Moros would be
absorbed by the belief and culture of the dominant group, the Christians.
Secondly, integration implied that the Christians were not only superior in
all spheres of life, but even in the matters of religion they were
spiritually or religiously correct. This perception, whether founded or
imagined, did not fit well with the Moros. To them, it was an act of
injustice to refer to, them as members of the "cultural minority"
for, beyond the Philippine territory, lived more than a billion Muslims, who
like them, are believers of Islam. This claim find more validity when right
after our doors are Muslim states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, which
are far more developed economically and as culturally-heterogeneous and yet
generally peaceful than the "only Christian nation in Asia,", the
Philippines.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The CNI could have succeeded in many of its programs, if only the
government extended to it all the funding mandated by law. If it had failed
in its goal of integration, its inefficacy in the other aspects (if its
mission was equally disheartening. Even in the granting of scholarships,
there were reports of anomalous awarding of scholarships favoring one ethnic
tribe over the rest. Even full-blooded Christians sneaked into the roster of
CNI scholars. The government did not only fail to release the full funding
provided for by law but, almost always, the releases were delayed.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CHAPTER VII – DIASPORA OF THE MOROS</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> <span style="color: red;">The Past</span> <span style="color: red;">Revisited</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before and during the
Spanish times, the Moros were under sovereign sultanates. Left to themselves,
they might have developed into unified and constitutional sultanates, or
evolved into a political system of the Malaysian pattern, where the different
princely states are federated and headed by a paramount ruler, although he is
not the repository of powers and functions. But the course of history changed
when powers changed in Spain. The Moors were defeated and Spain, eventually
becoming world power, grabbed land ' s overseas; thence, the
"rediscovery" of the new world and - in search for "tastes"
-the Philippines. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The task of the Moros during the Spanish era was simple and vet
bloody: defend, attack, negotiate, defend, attack, etc. This vicious cycle
lasted for over three centuries. In the end, the Moros survived, Islam
survived, and the Moro country survived.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the exit of the Toledo blade, the Krag rifle came in and
assumed the war with the Moros. There were still 34,000 armed Moros ready for
action. But the newcomers were not "Christ" they were ''Ceasar.''
Armed with no "crosses" but "carrots and sticks" or
"sticks and carrots," they tamed and disarmed the
"unsubdued." After years of agonizing tit-for-tat interactions, the
Moros learned to accept the Americans, not just as ordinary friends but as
endeared ones, so that when the grant of self-rule was underway they pleaded
to be retained under the American flag or be segregated from the Filipinos.
The Americans fully grasped this sentiment and they even predicted that the
Moros would rise Lip in arms against the Christians if U.S. rule ended. But
alas! they did not only ignore this premonition; they committed another
unconscionable act of handing the Moros, defenseless and disorganized to the
Filipinos.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This was the state of affairs when the Moros slipped into the
hands of the neo-colonial Filipino rulers when the Americans left. In the
previous discussion, we have dealt with the policies of the new state and how
these affected the twist and turn of events in Moro country. This time we
will probe how the situation of the Moros, instead of improving, had steadily
deteriorated into chaos, destructions and open warfare when the Filipinos
assumed power in the Philippines. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Back Against the Wall</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As soon as the last Japanese soldier had left the country,
independence was granted to the Philippines by the United States. The timing
was excellent for it perfectly coincided with the positive atmosphere created
by the invasion. Fighting side by side against a common foe somehow gave the
Moros and the Filipinos mutual approbation and satisfaction. The war also
created remarkable opportunities, such as material rewards for jobs well done
in the service of country and the United States. All these, however, were
transitory. Under Filipino neo-colonial rule, the condition of the Moros
became worse than when it was under the Americans. The regime was not only
proved apathetic and discriminatory; it "resorted" to an extreme
measure of systematic dispersal and destruction of the Moros.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the basis of the past and the stark realities of the present,
the Moros rightly or wrongly concluded that under the Filipino flag the
future was hopeless and not worth living. There were no genuine efforts
designed to set them free from the bondage of exploitation, oppression and
persecution. The few or insignificant positive steps taken by the government
were no more than palliatives to appease them momentarily.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Economically, a very large proportion of the Moro population sank
deeply into the morass of poverty and hunger. In every respect, they lagged
behind others. Moro communities remained stagnant and backward. The situation
was so depraved that many believed the Moros were better off during
pre-Spanish days than at present. One writer cited this pathetic situation in
the following lines:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The national census of 1948 placed 80
percent of the Moslems as having no definite source of income, no property.
This still holds today. An average Moslem is either a farmer or a
fisherman.-'</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In politics, there was steady loss of Moro-controlled areas in
Mindanao as one province after another slipped from the hands of the natives.
Newly created provinces went also to the newcomers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The brief supremacy of the Moros in the local politics in
Cotabato was cut short when the government arbitrarily made its proteges get
elected. Case in point was that of Lt. Col. Carlos B. Cajelo, who was made to
run and win in the 1971 gubernatorial race over Cotabato Gov. Datu Udtog
Matalam, who was then otherwise unbeatable. In Lanao del Norte, Colonel
Buenaventura, another congressional candidate, tried to contest the
governorship of Lanao del Norte. Again, the unseen hand of the state pushed
his candidacy vigorously to make him win. Only a last hour compromise,
leaving no losers, saved the day for the Moros.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhRgZdwdO1izeSOvpyLRwse_sbS7DoDH3yHzjoBaHzPDH3GppjPWNJmqh61FiFUdHx3l1kTzRjfCk2ppAG8uYC_HEPN-dK227uDBEbUfxg3vypFgHj2NtY-sDwSu8CLvVaMn2i2VqzHjH/s1600/Table+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhRgZdwdO1izeSOvpyLRwse_sbS7DoDH3yHzjoBaHzPDH3GppjPWNJmqh61FiFUdHx3l1kTzRjfCk2ppAG8uYC_HEPN-dK227uDBEbUfxg3vypFgHj2NtY-sDwSu8CLvVaMn2i2VqzHjH/s400/Table+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.2pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 15.2pt; padding: 0in; width: 0.3pt;" valign="top" width="0"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 15.2pt; padding: 0in; width: 468.45pt;" width="625"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As soon as the last Japanese soldier had left the country,
independence was granted to the Philippines by the United States. The
timing was excellent for it perfectly coincided with the positive
atmosphere created by the invasion. Fighting side by side against a common
foe somehow gave the Moros and the Filipinos mutual approbation and
satisfaction. The war also created remarkable opportunities, such as
material rewards for jobs well done in the service of country and the
United States. All these, however, were transitory. Under Filipino
neo-colonial rule, the condition of the Moros became worse than when it was
under the Americans. The regime was not only proved apathetic and
discriminatory; it "resorted" to an extreme measure of systematic
dispersal and destruction of the Moros.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the basis of the past and the stark realities of the
present, the Moros rightly or wrongly concluded that under the Filipino
flag the future was hopeless and not worth living. There were no genuine
efforts designed to set them free from the bondage of exploitation,
oppression and persecution. The few or insignificant positive steps taken
by the government were no more than palliatives to appease them
momentarily.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Economically, a very large proportion of the Moro population
sank deeply into the morass of poverty and hunger. In every respect, they lagged
behind others. Moro communities remained stagnant and backward. The
situation was so depraved that many believed the Moros were better off
during pre-Spanish days than at present. One writer cited this pathetic
situation in the following lines:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The national census of 1948 placed 80 percent of the Moslems as
having no definite source of income, no property. This still holds today.
An average Moslem is either a farmer or a fisherman.-'</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In politics, there was steady loss of Moro-controlled areas in
Mindanao as one province after another slipped from the hands of the
natives. Newly created provinces went also to the newcomers.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The brief supremacy of the Moros in the local politics in
Cotabato was cut short when the government arbitrarily made its proteges
get elected. Case in point was that of Lt. Col. Carlos B. Cajelo, who was
made to run and win in the 1971 gubernatorial race over Cotabato Gov. Datu
Udtog Matalam, who was then otherwise unbeatable. In Lanao del Norte,
Colonel Buenaventura, another congressional candidate, tried to contest the
governorship of Lanao del Norte. Again, the unseen hand of the state pushed
his candidacy vigorously to make him win. Only a last hour compromise,
leaving no losers, saved the day for the Moros.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TABLE – MINDANAO POPULATION</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the field of education, the Western system was prevalent in
the Philippines. Consequently a great many of those so-called educated
class, like their predecessors during the American colonial rule, started
looking to the West for inspiration and direction. What they learned,
instead, was that spiritualism gave way to materialism, hedonism and easy
life. Education, contrary to what Islam teaches, became the means to
actualize material and social gains.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This time hordes of new migrants, concessionaires, businessmen
and other gold- or power-seekers came in concentric waves. Methodically
they edged out the natives first from the plains, valleys and hills and
eventually out of the hinterlands. And in parallel precision, vast tracts
of land were requisitioned for military reservations or camps which, in
most cases. were owned by the Moros under the system of communal ownership.
At first, only the immediate families of soldiers were allowed to live
there but later their close and distant relatives and then their friends
were accommodated until they formed clusters of communities. Since these
groups wer c usually secured or armed, the* Moro neighbors nearby had to
choose one of two evils: either they move out at the first instance or stay
awhile, sell the lands if titled. and then leave. The third option was to
stay and fight. Said Aijaz Ahmad in his write-up:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pushed onto a mere 17 percent of their land, an agrarian people
with no alternative directions for development - such as the Moros - must
either perish or fight back. By the same token, the northern elite can make
further substantive gains only through a genocidal war of total
occupation.'</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
TABLE 7</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Massacre in the Rock</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If there was one Philippine president who was close to the hearts
of the Moros, he must have been Pres. Diosdado Macapagal. In saying so, the
author does not speak for other Moros, but only for himself. But he is quite
certain that many others share this view. When he first came to Manila, as a
student, barely less than a year was left of the term of President Macapagal.
But even in such a brief period of time, he could not fail to feel the warmth
and sincerity in the man,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">and even other Moro students, mostly shy and unassuming, had
little difficulty reaching him. Had such a moving personality stayed longer
in power, the violence that rocked Mindanao in the 1970s would have taken
place sometime much later. But he was defeated in the 1965 presidential
election and the man who beat and succeeded him was Ferdinand Marcos, who
like the other "Ferdinand," surnamed "Magellan," was
instrumental in sowing the seed of enmity that finally made an already
seething social volcano erupt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, in fairness to President Marcos, it was not he who first
initiated the Philippine claim to Sabah. It was President Macapagal, himself,
who formally put forth the Sabah Claim in 1962, based on the sovereignty once
exercised by the Sulu sultanate over the northern Borneo territory. By all
indications, however, President Macapagal was pressing the claim through
peaceful and diplomatic channels. In the case of President Marcos, it was an
open secret that, in addition to the normal procedure in international law
that disputes between and among states be resolved through pacific methods,
like negotiations and through the adjudication of the International Court of
Justice, he resorted to extra-legal actions in securing the claim. It was in
the light of this scenario and his obsession to stay in power beyond what the
law allowed that the massacre of sixty-four Moro trainees, popularly known as
"Jabidah Massacre," on March 17, 1968, on the rocky island of
Corregidor could be appreciated. The victims were part of the 180 trainees,
mostly Moros, who were undergoing training on jungle warfare, sabotage and
infiltration. The training was purportedly part of a wider clandestine
operation code-named "Operation Merdeka" for the invasion of Sabah,
to which the Philippines had a pending claim. The word <i>merdeka is </i>an
Indo-Malayan term meaning "to set free" or simply
"freedom".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The real story behind the cold-blooded massacre was never made
public by the government. There were explanations but at most those were
intended to mislead rather than to inform. The lone survivor, Jibin Arola,
however, made shocking and chilling revelations. He said that they were
ordered shot because they refused to follow orders to attack Sabah: "How
could we attack the Malaysians when they are our brothers and we do not have
any quarrel with them?"' That he, survived by swimming the
shark-infested waters of Corregidor and Cavite was in itself a miracle. Other
reasons given were the nonpayment of their monthly allowances and the
trainees' desires to resign.' Another version spoke of the mutiny of the
trainees which forced their military handlers to order the massacre of the
entire company, so that none could survive to tell the story of the
horrendous nightmare.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When the invasion story hit the international news headlines,
Malaysia, expectedly, reacted sharply to the point of going into a frenzy of
war preparation. Already having a strained diplomatic relation since 1962,
when the Sabah Claim was first filed, the two neighbors almost fell into a
shooting war. President Marcos vehemently denied the alleged plan of
invasion. But no one took his words seriously. Such a project of formidable
magnitude and full of diplomatic dangers could not have been undertaken
without his official go-signal. Besides the man in charge of this top-level
project, Maj. Eduardo Martelino, was, like him, an llocano by ethnic
affiliation. Moreover, the project was under the direct supervision of the
Civil Affairs Office of the Office of the President of the Philippines.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Who was Maj. Eduardo Martelino? As above stated, Major Martelino
was an llocano from the llocos Region. Once a Christian, he reportedly became
a Muslim and adopted "Abdulatif" as his new Muslim name, after
marrying a Moro lass by the name of Sofia or Safiyah. The wedding ceremony
took place in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, while he was posted there supervising
another batch of trainees, also under the same project. Simunul is the last
town before Sabah and, on a clear day, Sabah is visible from there. Whether
he really became a Muslim or his conversion was merely a propaganda tool to
win support or to cover up his real intention, nobody knew for sure. But
before his stint with Project Merdeka, while serving as military attache' in
Washington D.C., he proposed in a book for the federation of the states of
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines into a Pan-Malayan aggrupation; and
to realize this, he thought of organizing an expeditionary force code-named <i>jabidah
</i>to be based in Simunul Island.' Though his idea appeared fantastic, he
earned some prominence for it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This is the sketchy background of Maj. Eduardo Martelino who was
made to appear as the man behind the ill-fated project and on whose shoulders
all the blame, insult, curse and international ramifications were placed
squarely. Obviously, he was sacrificed or had himself sacrificed to conceal
and save the real brain behind the invasion plan. But the public perception
was quite clear: If Martelino was the lead actor of the project, Gen. Romeo
Espina, then AFP Chief of Staff, was the Director, and President Marcos, as
Commander-in-Chief, was the Producer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Had Project Merdeka succeeded and Sabah was invaded, the
consequence would have been disastrous. Besides, what benefits awaited the
Moros if Sabah became part of the Philippines? The fact of the matter was
that Sabah under Malaysia was very progressive. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Old Man is Angry</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The bloodbath at Corregidor did not only anger the Malaysians
including Sabah Chief Minister DatuTun Mustapha Haron, but jolted the Moros
and their leaders, particularly Cotabato Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam. Hardly two
months after the incident, Datu Udtog Matalam spearheaded the move to create
an Islamic Republic of Mindanao in answer to the alleged systematic policy of
genocide, discrimination, and dispossession of lands pursued vigorously by
the government.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On May 1, 1968, he organized the Muslim (and later Mindanao)
Independence Movement (MIM), which sought to form a state comprising of the
contiguous southern portion of the Philippine Archipelago. In the Manifesto
issued by the MIM, the following, among other matters, were declared:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. That it is a recognized principle underlying the Charter of
the United Nations and the Declaration of Human Rights of the rights of all
people consisting the minority in a given state for self-determination;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. That the Islamic World Congress has affirmed the above
principles, particularly on the rights of Muslims who are in the minority in
non-Muslim states for self-determination;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. That the systematic extermination of the Muslim youth like the
Corregidor Fiasco - and the policy of isolation and dispersal of the Muslim
communities have been pursued vigorously by the government to the detriment
of the Muslims; and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. That Islam, being a communal religion - an ideology and a way
of life, must have a definite territory for the exercise of its tenets and
teachings, and for the observance of its laws.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The text of the Manifesto was forwarded to the UN Sec. Gen. U
Thant and copies were also furnished to all heads of Muslim States and to
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In a flash, the Old Man and the MIM were in the headlines. But
nobody seemed to have known why he went on to such an extreme move. The
desire for power was quite remote. He was already the governor of the biggest
province in the entire country. Neither could his action be attributed to the
desire for more wealth, for revolution does not pay off. Whether or not he
was serious is not within our competence to pass judgment. But one thing is
certain. The MIM did not gain much momentum and few outside his home province
of Cotabato listened to him seriously enough. But the reaction of the
government was a different story. From all indications, it did not take the
MIM challenge lightly. Subsequently, one of his advisers, Atty. Hussain
Pangato, was killed sometime in 1970 by PC troopers at Tinidtiban, Pikit,
Cotabato. He also lost to Lt. Col. Carlos B. Cajelo in a very questionable
gubernatorial contest in 1971.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The MIM may not have endured long, but it contributed in no small
way to the revival of the spirit of independence among the Moros,
particularly the studentry and the professionals. In fact, the professionals
and students in Manila who later formed the Moro National Liberation Front
were also moved by the spirit of the MIM when they enlisted in the first
batch of trainees to undergo guerrilla training in a nearby state.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At this point in time, it was interesting to note that President
Marcos was about to run for his second term after which the Philippine
Constitution would disqualify him from seeking a third term. It was in this
setting that the threats caused by the Matalam's bugaboo and the political
ambition of Marcos could be tied together and on which basis also many loose
ends of contemporaneous events could be made to bind, in order to get a
clearer picture of the larger scenario which later unfolded to become what
this country had never experienced. President Marcos, on several occasions,
was overheard to say that "only fools get out of the Palace,"
meaning, as president of the Philippines. His declaration of Martial Law in
1972 and his stay in office for more than twenty years substantiated beyond
doubt the </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">allegations that he indeed had dictatorial ambitions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Rats Strike</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The emergence of the Ilagas was attributed to threats posed by
the MIM on the Christians in Cotabato. In the province at the time, there
were reports of Moro youths undergoing guerrilla warfare training n Malaysia
and several training camps in the province. As a result, Christians, who
chose to stay and fight for everything they held dear, reportedly became the
early pioneers of the Ilaga movement. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The word Ilaga is an llonggo or Visayan, term for
"rat," that highly voracious creature that infests on our crops.
How these "halfcrazed" or "mad killers," or what the
regime preferred to call "fanatics," acquired the name or chose to
be known by it is perhaps explained by the widespread proliferation of their
gory activities on Mindanao. Other sources went further to decipher the name
as an acronym for Ilonggo Land Grabbers Association. The final truth of the
matter still remains to be seen, but in the absence of more solid evidence to
the contrary the theory might as well stand. Initially, a simple folk leader,
Feliciano Luces, was tagged as the Ilaga chief. Those who knew him well in
Upi, Cotabato, could not help but wonder how a mild-mannered farmer of this
town could become an overnight leader of an ultra-rightist Christian
organization whose name brought fire and awe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Early references to the name theorized that it referred to the
voracious animals to exemplify the natural right of any man or community to
legitimate self-defense. There were rumors and wild stories about the
organization, all unsubstantiated at the time. But in July 1972, the
Associated Press, an American wire service, reported that the Ilaga
organization was the brainchild of seven Christian leaders of Cotabato. Later,
in 1973, a group of students commissioned by the government reported that the
llaga was founded in Cotabato City in September 1970 by Mayors Wenceslao de
la Cerna of Alamada, Nicolas Dequina of Midsayap, Pacifico de la Cerna of
Libungan, Bonifacio Tejada of Mlang, Conrado Lemana of Tulunan, Jose
Escribano of Tacurong, Esteban Doruelo of Pigkawayan and PC Capt. Manuel
Tronco of Upi, the overall commander. Being seven in all, they were thus
called the "Magnificent Seven." Though a later recruit, Lt. Col.
Carlos B. Cajelo, also an Ilonggo, who became Governor of Cotabato and later
the Deputy Defense Minister for Civil Relations, was popularly believed as
the real leader. He was perceived to have taken over the command discreetly
from Manuel Tronco, a candidate for Mayor of Upi in 1971, when the latter was
slain in an ambush in 1972 in Upi, Cotabato. Ex-Mayor Esteban Doruelo, then
an assemblyman of LTP-12., was also assassinated on February 4, 1984 in
Cotabato City for reasons believed linked to the founding of the Ilagas.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Ilaga rampage started in the middle of 1970 barely a
year-and-a-half before Pres. Ferdinand Marcos plunged the country into </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Martial law on September 23, 1972. The first killing field was
Upi, Cotabato the new home of Commander Feliciano Luces, alias
"Toothpick." There he led a band of Tiruray tribesmen, who readily
responded allegedly to settle an old score with the Maguindanaon Moros. 12 On
March 22, 1970, Commander Toothpick and his band of so-called
"fanatics," initiated, as their baptism of fire, an attack on an
isolated Moro village, killing six people and burning several houses. They
left behind their horrifying trademarks on the victims: cut ears, slashed
nipples, plucked out eyes, and cross markings on the body. Members of the gang,
mostly teenagers, were subjected to rigid initiation rituals and were
required to wear amulets and other charms believed to have magical powers to
ward off evil and harm. In the beginning, the Tirurays dominated the gang
but, later on as other Ilaga units sprouted in other areas of Cotabato,
Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and elsewhere, the movement was
dominated by llonggos. Later, the Ilaga gangs acted as "storm
troopers" for government troops when the Moros succeeded in putting up
an effective defense. A pertinent article in one of the front-running Manila
dailies had this to say this tie-up:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The list is long... but it can be compressed
into one single horrifying theme -- a near absolute lawlessness armed and
protected by... government officials and the military into remote corners of
Mindanao to look for and kill... Muslim rebels, and whoever they believe to
be their sympathizers.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The late Pres. Diosdado Macapagal had this to say in connection
with the llaga Organization:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> The political and short-sighted handling of
Muslim problems under the Marcos reign reached a zenith when the authorities
sanctioned and believably helped arm and Ilagas, an armed band of Christian
Filipinos, who have waged an operation to kill Muslims. Reports of massacres
both of Muslims and Christians in a mutual rampage of violence and killing as
a result have considerable truth in them. Seeing the hand of the government
in the organization and operations of the Ilagas, it is understandable that
the Muslim Filipinos have entertained the belief that the administration is
out to exterminate the Muslims.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Such belief no doubt has intensified Muslim
insurgency.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The number of victims continued to increase as the PC-Ilaga,
tandem mounted and widened its bloody sorties in the other provinces and
towns outside of its original base of operations. Hardest hit by these
depredations usually were isolated Moro villages.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So far, there is no formal research work conducted or made
available that shows data on these Ilaga-related massacres, including the
names of the victims, number of houses burned or destroyed, and other losses
or damages. The following listing is not presumed to be complete but somehow
efforts have been made to make the entries as detailed as possible."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5Uz9PQFgbyMwSt6S_bsQz9I44wSIfgVaUqSnM5sMk9q5iMCvmvd3m8tOEaT2ilxA5ZDmvrYPX8zVD1J0XllMDJthvM0MlpLuT0NnfmzsG4eWRszsWnFxoURt9TFYF8-s0SLHNN8lUp3T/s1600/listing+of+victims.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5Uz9PQFgbyMwSt6S_bsQz9I44wSIfgVaUqSnM5sMk9q5iMCvmvd3m8tOEaT2ilxA5ZDmvrYPX8zVD1J0XllMDJthvM0MlpLuT0NnfmzsG4eWRszsWnFxoURt9TFYF8-s0SLHNN8lUp3T/s640/listing+of+victims.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Question of Genocide</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The nightmarish killings did not only alarm the local Moro
population, but even the Islamic world was led to believe that there was
really a systematic genocide campaign waged by the state to annihilate the
Moros in Mindanao. According to the Marcos regime, more than 1,000 civilians
had died, about 2,000 armed Moros and Christians had been killed, and more
than half-a-million persons had been wounded, displaced, and rendered
homeless, not to speak of heavy casualties among government troops.",
According to another source, the number of Moro victims of the Army, PC and
Ilaga attacks reached as high as 10,000 killed." In addition, thousands
of Moro houses, mosques and Arabic schools were destroyed or razed to the ground
by these ruthless depredators </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In response to the issue of genocide, the Islamic world sent
missions to Mindanao to investigate the reported mass slaughter of Muslims.
In January 1972, eight Muslim ambassadors visited the various Moros areas,
particularly Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. Members of the mission were
ambassadors from Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Singapore, United
Arab Republic (Egypt), Pakistan and Iraq. Again in July 1972, another
mission, this time made up of Libya and the United Arab Republic, came to
Mindanao to monitor the situation of the Muslims. The delegation was headed
by Dr. Ali Abdulsalam Treki, the Libyan Foreign Minister, who spoke for the
group:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">... <i>We don't believe there is such a thing. But what is
important is not what we educated people believe in. What matters is what the
Muslims in Mindanao think. They think their war against Christians is a
religious one."'</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Both the second and first missions found no trace of genocide as
an official policy of the Philippine government, but the collusion of many
military and government officials in the series of Ilaga activities was not
only a matter of public knowledge; it was confirmed by no less than a ranking
member of the organization. One Ilaga commander, Carmelino Abagon, who
figured in many massacres in Mindanao, told newsmen that they never attacked
Muslims without the permission or order from the Philippine military."'
The least the government was guilty of was in tolerating, hence acting as <i>an
</i>accessory, in the bloody activities of these gangsters. One can only
imagine the wisdom or folly of the decision of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos to play
guest to the notorious llaga chieftain, Feliciano Luces, in late 1970 right
at the Presidential Palace in Manila. Instead of being punished, the Ilaga
kingpin, to borrow the words of the late Cong. Salipada Pendatun, was
"knighted" and "bade to go back to his kingdom to bear more
arms and commit further depredations</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the meantime, the displacement and dispersal of the Moros from
their ancestral lands continued unabated. The towns of Ampatuan, Bagumbayan,
Alamada, Columbio, Upi, Palembang, Tulunan, Carmen, Isulan, Esperanza, all in
Cotabato; of Wao, Lanao del Sur; of Magsaysay, Kauswagan, and all areas along
the National Highway from one end to another, in Lanao del Norte; of Siay,
Labangan, Dimataling, and other areas along the National Highway as well as
along the coastline, Zamboanga del Sur; of Kalilangan, Talakag, and nearby
places, Bukidnon; and of Tantangan and few other towns of South Cotabato,
were rendered "ghost areas" as evacuating Moros and Christians
moved about in opposite directions. However, in predominantly Muslim towns
like Dinaig, Parang, Buldon, Barira, Matanog, Maganoy, Datu Paglas, all in
Cotabato, and Balabagan, Lanao del Sur the evacuees were mostly Christians.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Up to the present, most of the people who were uprooted from
their ancestral dwellings have not returned. A few who dared to return had to
flee again from the incessant fear for their lives from their erstwhile
enemies who were usually clothed in authority and brandishing high-caliber
firearms after their integration into the paramilitary forces of the
government. Others failed to reoccupy their lands because other people were
already telling them. And it was not an uncommon instance that those who
managed to return became tenants to the lands they once owned. Survival, even
in sub-human standards, was really difficult. Not a few survived by
swallowing whatever remained of their dignity and pride by winnowing the
grains from the chaff of rice left over in Christian granaries and farmlands.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Terror Escalates</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The off-and-on and yet bloody confrontations remained towards the
last quarter of 1971. By this time, the Moros had been able to put up a more
organized resistance against the onslaught of the IlagaPC tandem with the
formation of the so-called "Blackshirts," said to be the army of
the Muslims or more precisely of the Mindanao Independence Movement (MIM) of
Ex-Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam. The Blackshirts, so-named because they wore black
khaki, chevrons, boots, and name tags, first tasted prominent combat
experience in the much-heralded "Battle of Buldon" in August 1971.
Buldon is a border town next to Lanao del Sur, thus an ideal place for
defence against the PC troops sent to blast the Blackshirts from the town. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The attacking PC troops, backed up by tanks and mortars,
confessed that they could hardly move 100 meters forward without being pinned
down by heavy enemy fire. After a few days of fighting, President Marcos sent
a group of emissaries to negotiate the surrender of Bangon Aratuc and to
forge a truce. First, the Mayor sent his son, Tomatic Aratuc, to Manila and
then he followed to meet President Marcos. He denied there were Blackshirts
in his municipality. "What I have are black teeth, 1121 he cracked. A
few aging rifles of World War II vintage were surrendered obviously to save
faces, especially for the government, which promised a consolation of P
75,000 to "rehabilitate" the town. Soon Buldon faded out of the
limelight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On August 20, 1971, news flashed that Ampatuan, Cotabato was
under siege. llaga gangsters had swooped on isolated Moro villager. The Moros
fought back to defend themselves. In Maneba, Ampatuan, a series of pitch
battles were fought involving the llagaPC on one hand and the villagers on
the other. Two of the "Malaysian trained" Moro students, Abdulmanan
Abas and Akmad Enampadan, saw action here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In September 1971, the escalation of hostilities switched to
Lanao del Norte between llagas and "Barracudas." Both Muslims and
Christians evacuated in large numbers: the former to Marawi City and the
towns around Lake Lanao, and the latter to Iligan City, Ozamis City, Cagayan
de Oro City and, across the sea, to Dumaguete City. Estimated to have swelled
to 50,000, the evacuees now became a major refugee problem, especially to the
government.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As in Cotabato, the hostilities in Lanao del Norte were inflamed
by local politics. A Christian governor, Gov. Arsenio Quibranza, was on one
side of the political divide, against Cong. Ali Dimaporo on the other side.
The Barracudas were labeled as the private army of the Dimaporos while the
Ilagas were said to be at the disposal of the Quibranzas. This conflict
peaked when a 40 unarmed Muslims were mercilessly mowed down at a checkpoint
in Tacub, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on November. The victims were returning
home after casting their votes in a special election set by the Commission on
Election.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The massacre shocked the entire nation and the Muslim world,
which denounced the carnage as another attempt of the Philippine government
to make true its genocide campaign against the Muslims Mindanao. Malaysia,
Libya and Kuwait adopted special efforts including calling upon the United
Nations to intervene in the crisis. Libya offered relief assistance to the
victims.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Towards the end of 1971 and up to April the following year, there
was a lull in the fighting. No major confrontations took place. But suddenly
in May renewed fighting raged in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur. The Ilagas were
reported to have come to the town to rally the local Christians against the
predominantly Muslim populace. The initial cause, in fact, was the bloody
feud between a local politician and a Christian logging company. After some
fighting, the result was the evacuation of some 5,000 Christians</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Almost simultaneously, Iligan City, a predominantly Christian
City, clamped a boycott of Marawi City, a city of Muslims. No food, fuel or
communication could reach the city. Even the price of salt had sky-rocketed from
P20.00 to P40.00 per sack. Sometimes, even if money was available, the stock
was not on hand. The boycott was lifted only after the government sent in
Marines and constabulary troops to replace the local police force and
dismantle all the roadblocks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After a while, the battles shifted to at least two towns in
Zamboanga del Sur. First to succumb was Siay Mayor Maulod Puasa, a
Subanon-Maguindanaon mestizo, who was cut to pieces right at the market place
by rampaging Ilagas. Next to be attacked was Hadji Van Jadjourie, a Tausog
trader; fortunately for him, he and his clan managed to beat off the 60-man
Ilaga attackers. Then there was the free-for-all fight involving Dimataling
Mayor Carmona and the Maguindanaon residents. In a hastily called peace
dialogue by Gov. Jose Pecson, the two warring groups were told to appear in
order to tresh out the roots of the problem. First to arrive were Governor
Pecson and the Muslim group, and while the Governor and the Muslims were
discussing some aspects of the conflict Mayor Carmona and his armed followers
barged in. Alarmed by their sudden and threatening appearance, the Muslims
opened fire and first to fall was Mayor Carmona himself. A firefight ensued.
The Governor barely survived, although the casualties on both sides were
heavy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Zamboanga incidents were not the end of the conflict. People
looked toward Basilan and Sulu, expecting them to be the next battleground.
Instead, the main event was the sudden declaration of Martial Law on
September 23, 1972. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;">CHAPTER VIII – THE QUEST FOR SURVIVAL</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Search for Alternatives</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The travails of the past and the chilling fear for the unknown
future had aroused the Moros to activity, especially the studentry,
professionals and even the political leaders at the time to look for alternatives
that could guarantee or at least provide a defense mechanism to secure the
survival of the Moros as a people. The Manila government was to them still a
"government of outsiders" and was not only indifferent but, even
more so, appeared to be the main force behind a move to "liquidate
them," as revealed in the Jabidah Massacre in late the 1960s and the
series of mass slaughters in Mindanao by the Ilaga-PC tandem in the early
1970s.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The old Moro leaders, nationalists or "collaborators,"
had tried to secure Mindanao and Sulu from the control of the outsiders but
failed miserably. One main reason for this failure was lip-service they
offered to what was generally perceived to be a real and serious problem
requiring immediate and concrete action. Evidently, they had bec9me too
preoccupied with the present, since most of them were either politicians or
high government officials, to recite the hard lessons of the past and
perceive the threats in the offing. Such lackluster mentality must have been
the consequence of having made too many compromises, which ultimately led to
surrender, or what we may be mildly termed as "subservience." In
addition, the lure of the world and the inability of these aristocratic
leaders - most of them belonged to the so-called royal class - to shed off
their privileges attached to this ancient tradition must have contributed a
lot to this unfortunate frame of mind. As virtual captives of this leadership
crisis, the Moro people apparently had become unproductive and uncreative, which
explained why they have been generally passive, if not indolent - almost like
the <i>indios </i>of the past Spanish regime.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As the conflict hardened and intensified - against the backdrop
of deepening Islamic consciousness - the Moros had to find ways to survive
and at the same time to make true their distinct national identity. This
necessity found expressions in the rise of numerous organizations. The
listing would be very long, but for the purpose of this section, it is enough
to make mention of three organizations, namely, the Muslim Association of the
Philippines (MAP), Ansar El Islam, and the Mindanao Independence Movement
(MIM). The Muslim Association of the Philippines, was founded <i>in </i>1926,
ironically by Indian Muslims,' but after a while local elite Moros began to
dominate it. Prominent among these local leaders were Ex-Sen. Salipada
Pendatun, Ex-Sen. Domocao Alonto, Cong. Rashid Lucman and Ex-Ambassador
Pullong Arpa. Under Ex-Sen. Domocao Alonto came the Ansar El Islam in
1969,'which later on branched out surprisingly to practically all corners of
Mindanao and Sulu where Muslims were domiciled. Its main objective was for
the complete establishment of Islam in all aspects of life.' However, many
eyebrows have been raised on why, during the hard conflict that followed in
Mindanao and Sulu, the Ansar El Islam failed to rise to the occasion when its
services were most needed by the people. If there was any organization that
had probably evoked much terror in the power circle in Manila, the Mindanao
Independence Movement under Cotabato Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam in 1968 must
have been that organization. But after much rumblings, the MIM itself may
have succumbed to the threats and enticements of the government. In December
1971, Pres Ferdinand Marcos and Datu Udtog Matalam met in Manila, after which
only the name was left of this organization.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There were other organizations earlier founded by Moro elders,
but most if not all were either regional or mainly religious or educational
in character. In 1934, the Sarrikatul Islam Association was formed in
Zamboanga but its objective was more of commercial venture. Trading during
this period had expanded and the people were accorded a greater chance to
dispose off their produce easily and to buy merchandise at reasonable price.
In 1936, the Kamilol Islam Society was established in Lanao del Sur. Its
purpose was mainly educational.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Rise of Moro Students’ Power</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The years from the early second half of the sixties to the early
seventies marked the height of student militant activism and unrest. There
was widespread unrest, violence and disturbances, both global and national,
which stirred student activism through the "parliamentary of the
streets," like demonstrations, rallies, pickets, teach-ins and other
forms of radicalism. The Moro students and even the professionals were not
remiss in facing the challenge of this world phenomenon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the case of the Moro students both in Manila and in Cairo, </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Egypt, there were seven eventful episodes, three global and four
national, which had the greatest impact upon their lives and the trend of
events in Mindanao and Sulu. The three global incidents were as follows: 1)
the June 5, 1967 Arab-Israeli War; 2) the 1968 aborted but bloody coup
attempt in Indonesia; and, in a lesser degree, 3) the rise of student
demonstrations in Indonesia and Malaysia in 1968. And in the national scene,
the 1968 Jabidah Massacre easily was the main "eye-opener," which
evoked much disgust that revived the old fears that under Filipino rule the
Moros were not safe. It was followed by the founding of the Mindanao
Independence Movement by Datu Udtog Matalam in 1968, the 1970-1971 series of
massacres of Muslims in Mindanao, and finally by the declaration of Martial
Law in 1972. All these incidents were highly exceptional circumstances that
no rational person, lest of all a Moro, could ignore and leave everything to
chance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Initially, the students, professionals and, to some extent, the
politicians were locked in debate over what course of action to pursue for
the Moros, as a whole, to survive. There -were three options before them: 1)
adopt a collaborationist line, as did most of the old nationalist leaders,
whose only weapon to freedom was lip-service; 2) assume a riskless
buj4ishonorable stance of acquiescence and leave the rest to
"fate;" and 3) subscribe to the view that man, as the "best of
creations," has the relative capability to make or unmake his own
destiny. All the three options had takers. Ironically, those who took No. 1
shone in the heyday of student activism, especially in Manila, but were
mostly nowhere to be found when the sailing got rough in Mindanao and Sulu.
Those who picked up option No. 3 generally assumed supporting roles in the
"parliamentary of the streets," but became the ones who personally
led the revolutionary war later. Takers of No. 2 were the slaves of the
insatiable self and remained in the cities; many married Christians and
raised their families outside the moral realm of Islam.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the language of the day, the "aroused" students or
professionals were branded "activists" or "radicals" and
were more likely declared "subversives." Despite the so-called
policy of maximum tolerance ordered to anti-riot policemen and Metrocom
soldiers, not a few Moro student activists were injured during rallies and
demonstrations. Cases in point were the violent demonstrations against the
visit of the Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban in 1967 and the coming of
Gen. Abdul Harris Nasution of Indonesia in 1968. The demonstrators protested
against the Israeli Foreign Minister and the pro-Israeli policy of the Marcos
regime. Some of the demonstrators managed to barge into the Israeli Embassy
in Makati and pulled the Israeli flag down. Actually the confrontation in
1968 was not preplanned. The Moro students were set to welcome Gen. Abdul
Harris Nasution, the man who was highly regarded as the successor to Pres.
Ahmad Soekarno. While the Moro students were at the Manila International
Airport (MIA) waiting for General Nasution to disembark, another group of
militant students identified with the Pro-Communist Kabataang Makabayan (KM)
protested his visit and started hurling invectives, such as "Nasution:
Butcher of Indonesia," "US puppet, go Home!" and other
stinging slogans. Consequently, the pro-Nasution and the anti-Nasution
demonstrators clashed with stones, bottles and Molotov bombs that resulted in
several injuries on both sides.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The study groups, mostly hastily formed, centered on alarming
issues of the hour. The members wanted to rationalize everything on the basis
of something. As their discussions prolonged and sometimes got heated, their
conclusions were not unanimous as to what must be the direction and the
guiding light of their activities. All were Moros, but although they were all
Muslims by upbringing, they were enrolled in secular universities and
colleges and not all followed a purely Islamic way of thinking. Others
adopted a nationalist line. This confusion remained even after the battle
scene was transferred from the streets to the frontlines of Mindanao and
Sulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the beginning, both Moro and Christian students jointly
denounced the prevalent evils of the day. They organized demonstrations
against the prevailing political and economic frustrations of the people, the
widespread graft and corruption, elitism in the social and political
structure, and so forth. Gradually, however, the Moro activists began to
realize, albeit quite later, that although there were common serious national
issues confronting the Moros and the Christians that they could both cry about,
the fact was that the Moros themselves had their particular tune to sing.
They, therefore, started to speak of the problems of the Moros, in
particular, how they would fare in a predominantly Christian state, what
would be their destiny under the Filipino flag, should they have to work for
reforms within the realm of national politic, etc.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It was not long after t hat many Moro student organizations began
to sprout in metropolitan Manila, the nerve-center of student activism. Some
of these organizations were the Union of Islamic Forces and Organizations
(UIFO) under student leader and later lawyer Macapanton Abbas Jr.; the Muslim
Progress Movement (MPM) led by Dr. Altman C. Glang; the Philippine Muslim
Nationalist League (PMNL) spearheaded by UP Instructor Nur Misuari; the
Students' Supreme, Council of the Philippines; the Muslim Students'
Association of the Philippines (MUSAPHIL); the Muslim Lawyers' League; the
Muslim Youth Assembly; the Bismillah Brotherhood; the Al Muslimin Fraternity,
and the Sulu Muslim League. Students in the provinces also formed
organizations, two of which were the Mambarul Islam based in Cotabato City
and the Sulu Islamic Congress in Jolo, Sulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Very soon the disillusionment of these activists came to surface
in early 1970. They were particularly cynical and disheartened by the
continued lip-service of their leaders, both traditional and political
stripes. In May 1970, the Moro youth activists convened the first Muslim
Youth Assembly in Zamboanga City, where they denounced the evils of the day.
They exhibited an anti-government posture and called on the Moro youths to
take the lead Overseas, the Moro students in Cairo, Egypt, despite being
detached from their homeland by thousands of miles, were in fact much ahead
in the need to form themselves into an organization, initially in response to
their basic requirements as students. This later developed into a vehicle to
bring forth to the international forum the sad plight of their people. In
1962, the Philippine Students' Union (PSU) was formed in Cairo, Egypt. The
leading personalities were Salamat Hashim of Cotabato, Abdulbaki Abubakar of
Sulu, Mahid Mutilan of Lanao, Ibrahim Abdulrahman and Khalifa Nando, also of
Cotabato. Other organizations also cropped up later in other Arab capitals,
but were not as politicalized and representative as the PSU. Either the
membership was limited to an ethnic group or was purely religious in
intention.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On several occasions, the PSU staged rallies to denounce the
persecution of the Moros back home. Their presence in what was considered the
most influential Arab capital under the able leadership of Pres. Gamal Abdul
Nasser, as well as their proximity to other Muslim capitals in the Middle
East and Africa, had ushered in contacts with other Muslims also working for
their emancipation. Such contacts, especially with the Palestinians,
buttressed in no small way their early revolutionary inclination and
motivation. It also facilitated the solicitation of help from many Muslim
states and leaders.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Formation of Liberation Fronts</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. Birth of the Moro National Liberation
Front </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- It was riot until early 1973 that the Moro National Liberation
Front (MNLF) was made public and started to claim credit for the series of
fighting in Mindanao and Sulu.' In Cotabato, the early statements or press
releases of the rebels were issued in the name of the High Command of the
Moro Fighters. Before that, the name and identity of the Front was even more
shrouded in mystery.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The founding of the MNLF5 was made in 1969 by young secular-minded
Moro students and professionals in Manila. The decision was consummate for
the stakes were high and laden with dangers. But it was not a carelessly
thought-out decision. In fact, under the prevailing circumstances, there was
no other recourse except to organize, mobilize and fight to survive. After a
while, a seven-man Provisional Central Committee was organized with Nur
Misuari as Chairman and Abulkhayr Alonto as Vice Chairman. The other major
portfolios were given to Otto Salahuddin of Basilan, Ali Alibon of Davao,
Lumet Hassan ("King Size") of Cotabato and Sali Wali of Zamboanga.
Salamat Hashim was tasked to head the undivided Empire Province of Cotabato
where a provincial committee was set up immediately.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In about the second half of 1972, a meeting was slated to take
place in Sabah to install, as the main agendum, a permanent Chairman of the
Central Committee. The meeting was facilitated by Chief Minister Datu Tun
Mustapha Haron. Unlike the previous meeting in 1969, the Cairo group was now
represented. Salamat Hashim, Dr. Saleh Loong, Daud Tayuan and Muntassir
Abdulrahman were there for the group. The names of Nur Misuari, Salamat
Hashim and Dr. Saleh Loong cropped up as front-runners for the chairmanship.
However, in a triumvirate meeting involving the above-named persons, Hashim
eventually gave in, in favor of Nur Misuari. He could have prolonged the
process and allowed the intramurals to protract and subtly make his way <i>up
</i>to take the post for himself. He knew Dr. Saleh Loong, who simply cannot see
eye-to-eye with Misuari, would side with him. But after an intense
soul-searching, Hashim opted for Misuari for the sake of unity and in
deference to what Islam teaches that a Muslim cannot vote for him to become
leader.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Early in 1973, Nur Misuari moved to Sabah, Malaysia, where he
established his headquarters and from there he directed much of the early
fighting in the war theater in Mindanao and Sulu, while </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Salamat Hashim remained in Cotabato where there was fulI-scale
fighting. However, in December 1973, upon the instruction of the MNLF
Chairman, Hashim proceeded to Tripoli, Libya via Sabah for consultations and
to assume a new assignment in the Foreign Service. Amelil "Ronnie"
Malaguiok succeeded him as Chairman of the Kutawato. Revolutionary Committee
(KRC). In 1975, Nur Misuari left Sabah and joined Salamat Hashim in Libya
where they, together with the other MNLF leaders, officially organized the
expanded MNLF Central Committee. Nur Misuari was reelected Chairman and
Abulkhayr Alonto was chosen, in absentia, as Vice Chairman. Salamat Hashim
became the Chairman of the foreign affairs, with Abdulbaki Abubakar as the
Deputy Chairman for foreign affairs, Abebakrin Lucman as Secretary General,
Abdurasad Asani as the Chairman of the committee on information, and the rest
of the offices went to other trusted lieutenants of Misuari.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In March 1978, Abulkhayr Alonto and his followers surrendered to
the government and, soon after, Salamat Hashim, in concurrent capacity,
became the Vice Chairman of the Central Committee.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Founding of the BMLO</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> -
Before the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, the Moro traditional or
aristocratic leaders, the likes of Cong. Rashid Lucman, Ex-Sen. Salipada
Pendatun and Ex-Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam, were still very powerful. As a matter
of fact, the first batch of ninety Moro trainees known as the "Top
90" who were sent to Sabah or, more precisely, to Palau Pangkor, State
of Perak, Malaysia, for intensive military training or guerrilla warfare was
made possible through the facilitation of these leaders." As may be
shown by the number of recruits from each ethno-linguistic grouping, Lucman,
who was a Maranao, had the greater say: 64 members were Maranaos, 15 were
from the Sulu region, and only 11 were from Cotabato. Sad to state, however,
most of the Maranaos surrendered to the government and the remaining few
returned to civilian life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1970, Cong. Rashid Lucman organized the Bangsa Moro Liberation
Front (BMLO). It was designed to function as an umbrella organization under
which all other liberation forces must radiate. In 1984, it was renamed
Bangsa Muslimin Islamic Liberation Organization.' It frowned upon the use of
the term <i>Moro, </i>which was given by the enemies of Islam, and in its
stead <i>Muslimin </i>was chosen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The first set of officers of the BMLO were the following: Rashid
Lucman was the head of the Supreme Executive Council; Macapanton Abbas Jr.,
Secretary; Udtog Matalam Jr., Chief for Cotabato Affairs; Abulkhayr Alonto
for Lanao Affairs; and Nur Misuari for the Sulu region. Obviously, Misuari
and Alonto were using the BMLO as cover in the meantime, while exerting
effort to strengthen the MNLF, which was still top secret. At this time the
first batch of trainees had already reached Sabah and it was believed that
the BMLO was to be a control design set up by the Lucman group in
anticipation of the return of these trainees and the forthcoming arm
shipments.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1971, Cong. Rashid Lucman, Ex-Sen. Salipada Pendatun and
Ex-Sen. Domocao Alonto, now overtly carrying the name of another but legal
organization, the Islamic Directorate of the Philippines, declared themselves
as the "representatives" of the Moro people and went to Libya to
seek assistance. Pres. Muammar Qhaddafi did not only meet them but promised
"all forms of help" to the Moro people. However, in an ironic twist
of circumstances, when the Libyan aid started to roll, only the initial
releases ware channeled to Lucman and his group. The rest went straight to
the MNLF. This marked the start of the BMLO-MNLF rift and later BMLO leaders started
to accuse the MNLF leadership of betrayal and counter-revolution.' Lucman
also charged Misuari and Hashim and other MNLF leaders of deliberately
withholding the letter of Libyan Minister Saleh Bouyasser bearing an
instruction to him (Lucman) to meet Dr. Ali Treki in Sabah and receive the
$3.5 million requested. The accusation was not substantiated, but
nevertheless it exacerbated the rift in the relations between the BMLO and
the MNLF.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1972, after the declaration of Martial Law, Macapanton Abbas Jr.
presented the case of the Moros before the Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The OIC Secretary General was erstwhile
Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdulrahman. The following year, Macapanton
Abbas Jr. returned to the Philippines and, along with several others, he
accepted a position in the Presidential Task Force for the Reconstruction and
Development of Mindanao (PTFRDM). The main task was to restore peace and
order in Mindanao and Sulu and to implement selective amnesty and
rehabilitation. On the other hand, Cong. Rashid Lucman worked his way to be
declared, with President Marcos' consent, as "Paramount Sultan of
Mindanao and Sulu." On June 4-6,1974, Sultan. Rashid Lucman and other
Moro aristocratic leaders conducted a conference, with government approval
and logistical support, at Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City,
with reportedly 20,000 participants. The main resolution adopted was the
demand to implement autonomy for the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Moro areas. The document was attached to the report of the
Quadripartite Ministerial Committee of the Organization of Islamic
Conference, which was to meet in Kuala Lumpur in the same month. The Kuala
Lumpur-OIC Foreign Ministers' Conference, to the displeasure of the
Philippine government, adopted a strongly-worded resolution urging the
Philippine government to undertake political and peaceful solution to the
Moro problem through negotiation with the Moro leaders, particularly the
MNLF. Feeling short-changed, President Marcos described Lucman and other Moro
leaders as his "opponents." In 1975, Sultan Rashid Lucman, Ex-Sen.
Salipada Pendatun and Macapanton Abbas Jr. left for Saudi Arabia to try once
again to reunite with the MNLF leaders. The effort failed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Dawning of the MILF </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- As
early as 1962, students in the Middle East, particularly in Cairo, Egypt
started to form organizations, initially along broad Islamic sentiments and
orientations. Gradually this paved the way for the formation of a nucleus
with the sole intention of freeing the Moro homeland from Manila rule. As
mentioned earlier, the leading personality in this group was Salamat Hashim.
The fact that these students, mostly taking up various Islamic-related
courses, antedated their counterparts in Manila for several years gives credence
to the assertion that they were the first to conceive the idea of organizing
a liberation organization, later to become as the Moro National Liberation
Front. Given the free choice, they may not have called it "MNLF,"
considering their religious background, but certainly they would put up an
organization along Islamic perspectives, which would undertake the historic
task of liberating the Moros.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the early years of the struggle, Nur Misuari and Salamat
Hashim were one and worked together as closely as possible. They were
comfortable with each other. Hashim even helped Misuari get the top post of
the MNLF. But as the struggle hardened and prolonged - often made more
serious by human error - the rift between the two leaders started to surface.
Hashim started to be left out in many major sessions of the Central
Committee. Soon they began to disagree on almost every major point and
finally even on political and ideological issues. Secular-educated, Misuari
was nationalistic and Hashim, Islamic-oriented, was Islamic. The breaking
point came on September 21, 1977, right after the collapse of the GRP-MNLF
talks in Manila, when 57 leading officers of the Kutawato Revolutionary
Committee (KRC) signed a petition addressed to the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Muslim World League (MWL) calling for. the
ouster of Nur Misuari as Chairman of the MNLF and,in his stead, recognizing
Salamat Hashim as the new Chair. Among the signatories were Al Haj Murad,
Ghazali Jaafar, Amelil Malaguiok, Mohagher Iqbal, Abukhalil Yahya, Khalifa
Nando; Moslemin Sema, Ibrahim Sema, Kabilan Sema, Boy Hashim, Adan Abdullah,
Nur Miranda, Daud Tayuan and Tani Malaguiok, all of Cotabato. Similar
petitions emanated from Lanao and among the signatories were Abowidad Mimbantas,
Saleh Rascal, Ansarie Mutia and Mohammad James Bond. In December 1977,
several follow-up petitions were forwarded to the OIC and MWL from Cotabato,
Lanao, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao and other areas. Consequently, on December
26,1977, Salamat Hashim, acquiescing to the popular clamor of the leaders in
the field, executed the "Instrument of Takeover." In his letter to
OIC Sec. Gen. Dr. Ahmadou Karim Gaye," Hashim enumerated the following
major points for the takeover:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1) The MNLF leadership was being manipulated
away from Islamic basis, methodologies and objectives and was fast evolving
towards a Marxist-Maoist orientation;</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2) Instead of evolving towards harmonized
and collective leadership, the Central Committee has evolved into a
mysterious, exclusive, secretive and monolithic body, whose policies, plans,
decisions and dispositions - political, financial and/or strategic -became an
exclusive preserve of Nur Misuari, vitiating all commitments previously
arrived at to submit for consultations all plans and strategies not only to
the MNLF members themselves but also to organizations, local and external,
sympathetic with the movement; and</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3) This mysterious, exclusive, and arrogant
nature of the MNLF leadership resulted in confusion, suspicion and
disappointments among members and mujahideens in the field, resulting in the
loss to the cause of a great number of freedom fighters.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As expected, Nur Misuari did not only refuse to recognize the
takeover but also accused Salamat Hashim of "treachery,"
"incompetence and insubordination." He was also stripped of all his
post and declared persona-non-grata.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The OIC and the MWL tried to tackle the MNLF leadership crisis
seriously. Sec. Gen. Ahmadou Karim Gaye, both on official and personal
capacities, exerted efforts to patch up the split but without success. The
attempt of the MWL was similar. Sometime in 1980, MWL Sec. Gen. Dr. Mohammad
Ali Harakan invited Nur Misuari and Salamat Hashim and their assistants to a
dialogue. He personally presided over the conference. The aims of the meeting
were threefold: 1) to forget and forgive all their differences; 2) to set up
a common platform and program; and 3) to form a collective leadership through
the formation of a high political committee with Nur Misuari as Chairman and
Salamat Hashim as Vice Chairman. Hashim acceded to this arrangement of the
MWL, while Misuari refused to accept some aspects of the deal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Several years after, reactions to the takeover were varied. Some
felt it was fully justified, timely and the only way to save the struggle
from collapse. Others said this amounted to serving the devils and
collaboration with the enemy. Still others branded this as the handiwork of
the enemy or its agents. 13 In the absence of a common basis of judgment,
nay, a common frame of mind, there would always be wranglings. But in the
end, the final arbiter will always be history - and this is forthcoming.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In March 1984, after due and exhaustive consultation and in-depth
analyses, the Central Committee of the New MNLF Leadership in a plenary
session, officially declared itself a separate organization called the
"Moro Islamic Liberation Front." While there were other. important
reasons, the main one was the need to emphasize the Islamic orientation of
the group as contrasted to the secular-national list line pursued by the
MNLF. Islam thus became the official ideology of the MILF, which would guide
all its affairs and activities.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Entry and Exit of the MNLF-Reformist</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- After
the exit of Salamat Hashim from the MNLF in 1977, Dimasangkay Pundato was
groomed to succeed him and, later, was officially installed as Deputy to
Chairman Nur Misuari. However, in March 1982, after barely six months in the
fold of the MNLF, Dimas Pundato, Jibril Ridha, Napis Bidin and 42 others
signed and submitted a nine-point reform proposals to MNLF Chair Nur Misuari
to strengthen or to reform the organization. The proposals included the
creation of: 1) a real, functional and representative Central Committee; 2)
the creation of an Executive Committee; 3) the sincere forging of unity with
other organizations such as the BMLO, MNLF Salamat faction, and 4) the
localization of the leaders and commands in the province."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Misuari rejected the proposals outrightly and all the petitioners
were summarily dismissed from the MNLF. Immediately in June 1982, Dimas
Pundato and associates formed the "MNLF-Reformist" faction.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Earlier in 1981, during a pilgrimage to Mecca, the Pundato group,
after an extended preliminary, sought a unity meeting with the New MNLF
leadership of Salamat Hashim. When appraised by Dimas Pundato of the MNLF
leadership "excesses," Hashim retorted: "What you cannot bear
for only six months, I swallowed for six long years." The meeting
succeeded in effecting a cordial working relations between the two groups. But
for some unknown reason, the fruitful prospect of this meeting was
short-lived, for in 1985 Dimas Pundato and practically all his associates in
the MNLF-Reformist surrendered and accepted positions in the government. This
was the death of the MNLF-Reformist as a revolutionary organization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Countdown Begins</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The deaths and destructions brought forth by the turbulent years
1968-1971 and the climate of fear created by the declaration of Martial Law
had both its negative and positive effects upon the Moros and the students in
particular. On one hand, it had clamped down the cold-footed and the
unprincipled, but, on the other, it motivated the God-fearing and the
dedicated to initiate a struggle.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That struggle was inevitable. As long as a man was aware of his
obligation to the Almighty, to his people and to himself, he would never be
at peace even with himself. Men of this persuasion first made a declaration
to fight for their people, homeland and Islam. Then, they went abroad to
train in military warfare. Third, after returning home, they effected an
alliance with the broad spectrum of society and formed the MNLF. And fourth,
they set the timetable to fight back and start the war.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;">CHAPTER IX – MINDANAO AND SULU IN FLAMES</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Suddenly in October</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At first, nothing special seemed to have happened immediately
after the declaration of Martial Law. Everything seemed to remain normal and
in status quo. It turned out, however, to the dismay of many that suddenly on
October 21, 1972, exactly one month after the declaration, things turned out
for the worse. On this day, Marawi City, in Lanao del Sur, was attacked by
several hundred MNLF rebels, who succeeded in pinning down troopers at the
Philippine Constabulary (PC) headquarters at Camp Amai Pakpak and capturing
the detachment at Pantar Bridge which divided the two Lanao provinces. They
took complete control of the Mindanao State University (MSU) Compound where
the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Toshio Urbano, was almost
captured. The rebels also grabbed the PBS Radio Station inside the MSU
Compound and started playing martial music and broadcast appeals calling the
people to arms and to support the MNLF cause.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One of the leaders of the attackers was Abulkhayr Alonto, scion
of a popular clan but whose family collaboration with the American and
Filipino leaders during pre-independence days was never a secret. He was then
Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Moro National Liberation Front.
But instead of calling themselves or their group the "MNLF," they
used the name "Mindanao Revolutionary Council for Independence."
One probable reason for this concealment was that the MNLF, as matter of
policy, was yet a secret from the public and the government. The other
compelling explanation was that the attack did not have the official
go-signal of the Central Committee.' As a matter of fact, this unilateral
decision, nay grabbing of authority, of Alonto was one of the main reasons
for his disgrace from office and finally of his demotion in rank.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After two days of fighting, on October 24, the number of deaths -
soldiers, rebels and civilians - was put at 75. By this time, however, the
beleaguered government troops received reinforcement from Iligan City. And
consequently, the rebels withdrew away from the city.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">MNLF Spearheads Struggle</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The attack of Marawi City, as noted earlier, was not the
handiwork of the MNLF. As a matter of fact, the brain behind the attack
turned out to be a man with a personal grudge, who was then the Chief of
Police of Marawi City.' It was only on November 14, 1972 that the guns of the
MNLF started to speak. The first to be assaulted was the island of Jolo, the
capital of Sulu. Simultaneously, the firefights rapidly spread to various
islands.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For the seizing of Jolo, the MNLF guerrillas first attacked the
countrysides. They captured many firearms and guns including a cannon, a
mortar, machineguns, and ammunition. Another group of fighters attacked
another adjacent town, Parang, Southwest of Jolo, and in no time had it under
control. Hardly two weeks passed when fighting erupted in the Empire Province
of Cotabato on February 27, 1973. This fighting was considered the most
serious threat to the security of the state. 3 More than any other previous
engagement, this offensive attracted world wide , attention because the
Cotabato rebels displayed exceptional striking power and logistical
capability. Government positions were overran everyday and 12 towns, firmly
came under rebel control. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Initially, the fighting centered on the coastal town of Lebak,
now in Sultan Kudarat Province. Within a span of less than one month, it
engulfed practically all of what are now the provinces of Maguindanao, North
Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">By and large, the fighting in Cotabato were positional and
sometimes they lasted for weeks or months before an area was won or lost. The
one at Tran, Lebak, was fierce and bloody. The ferocity of the fight was what
perhaps compelled Brig. Gen. Fortunato Abat, Commanding General of the
hastily-formed Central Mindanao Command (CEMCOM), to declare the place, as
"Hell's Little Acre."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The government practically committed its entire firepower,
including jet planes, tanks, helicopter gunships, navy boats, howitzers and
even the prohibited incendiary bombs in the battle over Tran. Inspite of this
massive display of military power, it suffered one of its serious beatings in
the war. The government lost, at least, one plane and two helicopters, three
tanks and one mortar, not to mention the small arms. After the official
termination of this offensive on August 6, 1973, the government listed the
following losses on both sides: 46 army soldiers, and six CHDFs slain; 167
soldiers, 13 CHDFs wounded; and on the MNLF side: 137 killed .4 Although the
government could only admit this number, in deference to standard military
procedure of minimizing losses in war, its casualties could have been much
higher. Among the wounded was Lt. Gregorio Honasan, who later figured
prominently in the series of coup attempts since 1986 to topple Pres. Corazon
C. Aquino from office and is now a Senator. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As early as April 25, the town of Tarragona, Davao Oriental, was
attacked and captured. MNLF rebels took over the town until May 7 when they
decided to abandon it in the face of a massive counterattack by the
government troops. On September 25, MNLF forces struck in another direction
towards Mati, an adjacent town, and succeeded in wiping out a joint PC-Police
patrol. By government account, six PC troopers and three policemen were lost
in this firefight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Meanwhile, the Provinces of Zamboanga, Tawi Tawi, and parts of
Bukidnon and Misamis were also burning. Not a few of the early victories of
the MNLF were fought in these areas. As a matter of fact, the one in
Zamboanga on March 1973 was dubbed, though clearly a case of
intelligence-gathering failure on the part of the government, as the biggest
battle. It was asserted that "200 'Maoist-led rebels" were slain in
the firefight. There might have been some cadres in the MNLF who were taking
cues from the teachings of Mao Tse Tung, considering their exposure to
left-leaning individuals or groups during their college days in Metropolitan
Manila, but to brand them as Maoist was ludicrous.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the early morning of February 7, 1974, a massive assault was
let loose on Jolo. First government positions were bombed with 81mm and 60mm
mortars and with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and then, af ter sensing
that the enemy defence had collapsed, the MNLF forces massed forward into the
town. After some heavy fighting, one strategic area after another fell into
the hands of the attackers. Camp Asturias, the airport, the harbor, the Notre
Dame College campus, and the entire downtown area were in the hands of the
MNLF forces. Jolo thus became a rebel country. The MNLF casualties numbered
only fourteen killed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On June 20, the Awang airport came under mortar attack.
Simultaneously, several villages of Midsayap, some 46 kilometers northeast of
Cotabato City, came under siege. The MNLF used mortars to pound the
defenders. Hand-to-hand fighting ensued. The government reported losing two
army officers, 14 enlisted men, and one CHDF. Twenty four others were
wounded. Cotabato City was also threatened. The CEMCOM headquarters was
subjected to occasional mortar attack. In fact, one of the casualties was
Col. Emilio Luga Jr., the Deputy Commander of the 2/3rd Brigade. However, he
was lucky to survive his wounds. Many outlying areas of the city like
Biniruan, Kakar, Pagalamatan, Bubong, and even the Notre Dame University
campus were scenes of bloody combat actions. The fiercest was fought in
Biniruan on July 14, where at one time the CEMCOM troopers suffered over 100
casualties, mostly from the 15th Infantry Battalion, including one army major
and the capture of 86 high caliber firearms.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The MNLF forces were also active in some areas in Lanao del Norte
particularly in the Tangkal-Munai area. As early as January 1975 MNLF forces
launched operations against joint army-Findlay security forces. They first
burned bridges towards the town, burned heavy equipment of the Findlay Miller
Logging Company, and then laid ambuscades along the roads.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Cost of War</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Up to the early part of 1975, the MNLF was wresting many areas
from the government. Several towns or islets in Sulu, TawiTawi, Basilan, and
the Zamboanga Peninsula were under MNLF control. The same was also true in
the Empire Province of Cotabato. Committees, as a parallel apparatus of
governance, sprung up in the villages, towns and provinces. A central
committee, the highest governing and policy-making organ of the front, was
organized. Everyone, especially Muslims, came forward to offer his or her
life, service and property. On the other hand, the government political
machinery virtually ceased to function in these areas. Similarly, its military
arm, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), had a difficult time picking
up troops for assignment in Mindanao. And the Philippine Constabulary (PC)
was replaced by army troopers, many of whom had a taste of battle in Vietnam.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So massive and bloody was the war that practically the whole of
Mindanao and Sulu was a virtual inferno. This was confirmed by the late
Deputy Minister for Defense, Carmelo Barbero (in an interview with a Mindanao
weekly), who revealed that the government was spending about 15 million pesos
and playing with 5,000 lives a day in military operations. This disclosure
could have appeared a little exaggerated if it came from someone other than
the Deputy Minister for Defense.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This revelation was not only corroborated later on, but an even
more ruthless picture of the conflict was presented, when Cong. Eduardo
Ermita, a member of the GRP Panel that negotiated with the MNLF in 1993-1996,
disclosed:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Over a period of 26 years since 1970, more
than 100,000 persons were killed in the conflict in southern Philippines....</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The AFP has spent about P73 billion in
connection with the Mindanao conflict since 1970.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"></span></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">... Sixty one percent of our Army and Marine
battalions ... more than 40 percent of our artillery capability and 50
percent of our armor assets ... 63 percent of our tactical aircraft....</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Casualties of Time</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the meantime, a ceasefire was declared in the 13 provinces and
ten cities covered by the proposed area of autonomy stated in the Tripoli
Agreement signed in Tripoli, Libya on December 26, 1976. The lull in the
fighting gave the government tactical advantage in deploying troops in
strategic areas and gain vital intelligence on MNLF forces and mass bases.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">By this time, the wounds inflicted by the constabulary-Ilaga
depredations in the 60s and 70s were already healing considerably. Those who
had joined the fighting chiefly to take revenge had lost interest after their
thirst for vengeance had been quenched. The same was true of those who merely
wanted a taste of !he thrills of adventure, or those who went into battle for
personal glory and gain. It was also no less true for those who only loved
banditry. The coming of the war gave them chance to be fighting side by side
with a multitude of men and women against the same enemy that they had been
occasionally confronting. In any case, all these people had joined the MNLF
to fight the government. They saw the MNLF as the only ray of hope for
protection in the face of the "genocidal campaign" being waged by
the regime of Marcos.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Inevitably, the time of reckoning for the "dogs of war"
to lay bare what was truly in their hearts would have to come. These
"dogs" were the hypocrites, the opportunists, the waverers, the
pseudo revolutionaries, the unbelievers and the dregs of society, who finally
realized that a revolution was not the place for pleasure or for any
self-serving end. That time came after 1977, when everybody became free to do
everything he liked and be himself again. Singly or in droves, they crossed
over to the side of the enemy, where there was licentiousness in everything,
from sex to material satisfaction.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At the outset, they were most welcome by the regime and the
military. They were hailed with all grandeur and glory and extended with all
necessary amenities. Their past misdeeds were easily forgiven. A Manila-based
columnist of the <i>Manila Bulletin </i>made this glaring comment:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Messrs. Lucman and Malaguiok are among the
most privileged citizens in the country nowadays. They got government awards
practically for a song to import sardines, cut logs and export bangus fry or
fingerlings, among others.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial;"></span></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Recently, Lucman was granted authority to
export 10 million bangus fry and fingerlings. We don't know anybody who was
given such a privilege before.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Perhaps, Lucman and Malaguiok want to show
the government their gratitude for the bounty. Or perhaps it was their way of
the government to grant them more concessions. You know, soft -scaping.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But later on, all these privileges and wealth that they, except
for a rare few, enjoyed with impunity vanished forever. Their true color and
odor in the community began to surface.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, not all who left the cause chose this route to
self-serving ends. Some just left the revolution without formally
surrendering. They simply sought different lines of trade, careful not to
offend the MNLF cause.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This was the catastrophe that rocked the MNLF. But it was not an
isolated phenomenon among revolutionaries all over the world. Oftenly, they
would be hit by the same internal tornado that only the hardcore members
could withstand. It is a phenomenon that is part of the cleansing process
that every revolutionary struggle has to undergo. Many inadequate persons
would join the revolutionary ranks, only to become casualties of time, either
from their own making or as a result of the hard conflict.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Almighty Allah clearly warned the believers of this rectification
process when He said in the Holy Qur'an:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">God will not leave the believers in the
state in which ye are now, until He separates what is evil from what is good.
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the field of combat, positional warfare characterizing initial
MNLF strategy contributed a great deal to the early exit of the vacillators
and pseudo-revolutionaries. The weakness of the strategy in a clearly
guerrilla stage of the struggle began to be felt in the years following the
MNLF general offensive in 1972-1975. While this form of warfare once again
displayed the gallantry and determination of the MNLF fighters and the Moro
people in general even against formidable foes, it also brought home to the
MNLF military strategists and tacticians the need to reassess the strategy in
the light of prevailing conditions. Finally, they were convinced that
commanders could not and should not adopt a war plan calling for greater
strength and resources than what actually were available in a given
condition, in which the final outcome would be determined by various decisive
factors which are not within the control of said commanders.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The years of conventional warfare, of pitting the entire armed
forces of the government in conjunction with the active combat support of
paramilitary forces, mostly former Ilaga members, against the MNLF was
distinctly a one-side affair to the disadvantage of the latter. It was only
the strength of the faith and motivation of the Moros that gave them
steadfastness and determination to succeed, in spite of the imbalance in
physical and material resources. Under the circumstances, however, prolonged
and bitter confrontations, sometimes for weeks or months of see-saw fighting,
would tend to erode the stamina, efficiency and morale of the fighters. Many
of the MNLF forces, as a result, became sluggish in initiative and direction.
Some even began to evince hopelessness that finally led to their abandoning
the cause, either by lying low, outright betrayal, or surrender.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The War Stalemates</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After having faced the worst scare of its life in the MNLF
1972-1975 offensive, (perhaps, second only to the horror of the Japanese
invasion in 1941), the government began to launch a massive counter offensive
to arrest the secessionist threat. Two unified commands, the Southern Command
(SOUTHCOM) and the Central Mindanao Command (CEMCOM), were hastily formed.
The SOUTHCOM area of responsibility (AOR) covered South-Western Mindanao,
including principally Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan. The CEMCOM had
jurisdiction over the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Lanao del
Sur, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and parts of Davao area. Both the CEMCOM and
the SOUTHCOM, as above-stated, were unified commands; meaning, they took
operational control and supervision over all major service elements except
for some outfits of the Philippine Constabulary (PC). Control and supervision
emanated from the General Headquarters, AFP in Camp Aguinaldo, which in turn
provided all necessary support, such as combat troops, service, equipment and
other resources.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The government was so ill-prepared at the start of the offensive,
especially in matters of logistical capabilities, that it practically dropped
to its knees, begging from friendly non-Muslim neighbors, to sell it what the
United States under the terms of the Mutual Assistance Program (MAP) was
obliged to provide the AFP in terms of ammunition and weapons." As a
matter of fact, it even sought the aid of home-made gun factories in Mandaue City
to help produce direly-needed parts for Garand (M-1) rifles.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After the first quarter of 1975, the MNLF offensive was greatly
blunted by the massive counter-offensive of the government. The government
was able to bring in enough troops, equipment and other war materials to
sustain the fight and, later, to consolidate positions, especially in the
most strategic or critical areas. Both sides, as a, consequence, changed
battle tactics. Though the MNLF's main fighting force and will to resist were
largely intact, its logistical capabilities were not limitless to carry on
indefinitely a massive conventional warfare. The MNLF, therefore, had to
resort to guerrilla warfare in order to maintain a share of combat
initiative. On the other hand, the government, after concluding that the-
MNLF threat was checked, abandoned widescale campaigns for small-unit
operations. Thus, in a sense, a strategic stalemate between the forces of the
MNLF and the government was in place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This stand-off was further reinforced when a formal ceasefire was
signed between the MNLF and the government in the closing days of 1976. The
ground rules of the ceasefire, though clearly favoring the AFP, particularly
on the subject of police powers, helped to hold the peace. For the first time
since 1972 the forces of both sides met each other without their fingers on
the trigger.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Hostilities Resume</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The days of peace, as the cynical or the Doubting Thomases would
have it, were doomed from the outset. The government, using every pretext to
evade the terms of the ceasefire, had violated the truce to the last letter
as early as the first quarter of 1977. Under the guise of "police
action," the regime unleashed military operations against the so-called
lawless elements, although in most cases the real targets were MNLF forces.
MNLF areas or those occupied by their supporters or sympathizers were not
spared. When confronted about the flagrant violations, the regime's reply or
alibi was that it was just exercising its police prerogative sanctioned by
the ceasefire agreement. It turned out that the victims of these operations
were not criminals but, at times, organic members of the MNLF.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But this shallow pretext did not last long. As early as May 1977,
barely five months since the forging of the truce, a full-fledged
"searchand-destroy" operation was conducted in Basilan. Rear
Admiral Romulo Espaldon, Chief of the Southern Command, ordered this allout
military offensive against the MNLF and mass bases. The operation continued
for 45 days. Three battalions of infantry troops and 2,000 paramilitary
forces were thrown into action. But before pushing inland, the target areas
were subjected to intensive bombardments and the flow of foodstuff and other
basic human supplies was restricted. This was intended to starve off the
rebels and their mass supporters.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As soon as the bombardment was over and the government troops
began to close in on the target, fighting commenced. After ten days of
combat, the final account revealed that the MNLF suffered five martyred and
24 wounded, and on the side of the attackers, one tank was destroyed and more
than 90 were slain or wounded. 13</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, a more dramatic disregard of the ceasefire agreement
took place in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and South
Cotabato. In these provinces, there were mutually recognized bivouac areas
where representatives of the Manila government, the MNLF and the
Quadripartite Ministerial Committee of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) met and discussed ways to carry out the ceasefire
effectively. As early as January 1977, these areas were used by the MNLF in
good faith as camps to facilitate effective cooperation in the peace process
then going on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In spite of this mutual recognition, the bivouac areas were
treacherously attacked by government forces under the very eyes of the
representatives of the Quadripartite Ministerial Committee. The base in
Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao had been under siege for the whole of
September 1977; and on the last day, the whole range of the base was under
veritable hail of artillery shelling and machinegun fire. Enemy forces
occupied every strategic hill overlooking the base. They also closed all
routes and stopped the flow of food supplies to the camp. Consequently, the
MNLF failed to bring in war materials for much of the days of fighting
despite continuous skirmishes in the immediate fringes of the camp. Under
such condition, the only alternative was a breakthrough. Involved were about
a thousand officers, men, and few civilians. Among the key officers of the
Kutawato Revolutionary Committee (KRC), who were inside the camp at that
time, were Amelil Malaguiok, KRC Chairman; Al Haj Murad, Military Chairman;
Ghazali Jaafar, Head of the Political Bureau; and Mohagher Iqbal, Chief of
the Information Committee.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Until almost midnight, there was no final decision which route to
follow. All the reconnoitering parties, except one, reported back negative
findings on a better way out. The last to arrive said that the only choice
was a route traversing rocky cliffs, steep slopes and wooded areas to escape
detection by the enemy blocking forces. Hurriedly the group called for a
caucus and soon a decision was clinched to break through at all cost,
following that designated route.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All the MNLF forces were arrayed in battle formation for
effective firepower and maneuverability. Anti-tank Weapons, 60mm mortars, and
grenade launchers were located in the forward positions to ensure piercing
effectiveness of the formation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The expected did not take place. There was no encounter. The
40-man ambush party was obviously scared and ran away when it saw such a
mammoth group heading towards its blockade. Despite this good forture, the
MNLF suffered untold difficulties. What would have been a two-hour walk took
them almost the whole night to negotiate. Much of the slowdown was caused by
the number of fighters who had to be carried out on stretchers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Almost at the same tirne the bivouac areas in Bagoinged, Dinaig,
Maguindanao, in Rajamuda, Pikit, North Cotabato, and in Wato,
Sultan-sa-Barongis, Maguindanao were similarly attacked, all in flagrant
violation of the canon of civilized nations after the Philippine government
had agreed to abide by the terms of the Tripoli Agreement and the ceasefire.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the meantime, new flashpoints appeared in Western Mindanao,
particularly in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Zamboanga, when the regime
started to mount new fighting. In Sulu, it culminated with the death of Brig.
Gen. Teodulfo Bautista and 34 of his men in the town of Patikul on October
10, 1977. An MNLF contingent of 200 forces led by Commander Usman Sali, an
ex-Vice Mayor of the town, was responsible for the bloodbath. Only one
sergeant lived to tell the story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What precipitated the massacre of Bautista and his men was the
various atrocities and killings penetrated by the army in violation of the
truce. Many of the victims were close relatives of Usman Sali and his men.
Being the commanding officer of the Tabak Division that had operational
jurisdiction over the Sulu area., General Bautista was held responsible. At
the time of his death, he was engaged in a surrender campaign urging the MNLF
forces to come out and join the government. This actuation of the General
greatly offended Commander Sali, who also had to avenge the death of a son
and the rape of his daughter by army soldiers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It was a shocking incident to the regime and brought in much
infamy for its shabbiness in security matters. In retaliation, Marcos ordered
the mass slaughter of no fewer than 600 men, women and children of the
municipality. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">By middle November, five army battalions and an unspecified
number of paramilitary forces attacked the MNLF base in Sapu-aMasla,
Malapatan, South Cotabato. The attackers used mortars and howitzers and the
aid of naval bombardment to pound the entrenched MNLF forces. let planes and
gunships were also thrown into action. But when the attackers tried to
advance they came up against strong resistance from the defenders. Five MNLF
forces were martyred, while the government lost 12 men in this confrontation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On November 27-30, three army battalions led by Col. Jose Magno
Jr. and an undetermined number of policemen and paramilitary forces assaulted
an island bastion of the MNLF in Lake Lanao.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Earlier, the island was shelled for many hours. Jet planes also
took several flying sorties on a strafing and bombing mission killing or
wounding scores of fighters and civilians. The island was named the
"Martyrs' Island" in honor of the fighters and civilians who who
perished during the bombardment. On the final day, government forces
approached the island, using water launches or pumpboats. They disembarked
immediately, apparently believing that all the defenders had perished or at
least that the island's defence system had already collapsed due to the intensive
bombardment made earlier. But the attackers were cut down by bursts of
automatic rifles and grenade launchers. They scurried for safety and to fight
back, if possible, but were too late. The MNLF defenders were safely under
cover in foxholes and canals and had a commanding view of the enemy landing
point. The result was conclusive: 100 army soldiers slain, 40 paramilitary
forces and policemen killed or wounded and 38 captured.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The resumption of hostilities spread to various parts of Mindanao
and Sulu, and were at times even deadlier than that those preceding the
ceasefire. The boiling point came when even those who have already
surrendered to the government were not spared from abuses and barbarities.
The glaring example was the incident in Pata Island, Sulu on February 12,
1981 where a bloody shootout between a renegade armed group and army soldiers
took place. Army men were sent by higher military command to collect the
firearms owned or issued to the surrenderees. The moment they landed on the
island, they started to commit savagery against the residents, who included
relatives of the surrenderees. They manhandled many civilians, raped women,
raked dwellings with gunfire and butchered dogs inside mosques."
Subsequently, they were "lured" to a festival in the town proper
where they were finished off by the enraged former rebels and the aggrieved
families.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The result, again, was a bloodbath. Of the 124 soldiers, only
three survived. Among the slain were Lt. Col. Jacinto Sardual and three other
officers. What made the task easier, according to a wellplaced source, was
that some MNLF forces participated in the final touches.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Immediately, the regime sent naval gunboats, surrounded the
island and started shelling it. Then several battalions of Marines disembarked.
They moved <i>inland and </i>started to kill the inhabitants. Village after
village were reduced to ruins. No one was allowed to evacuate. Troops
destroyed all boats on the island and the flow of food was halted. In the
final count, the civilian casualties numbered 2,000. They were killed either
by the shelling or in the massacre that followed. The government, however,
admitted only 750 deaths.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">On Negotiation</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If war uses the force of arms to achieve both military and
political objectives, negotiation pursues the same goals through the skillful
use of language and diplomacy. If war, as once aptly put, is an extension of
politics, and negotiation is an aspect of war, then negotiation is war in
another form.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What are its objectives when a regime agrees to resolve the
conflict through the round table? Is negotiation the only form of struggle to
achieve a just and lasting peace? Or is it merely used as a weapon to gain
time, accumulate resources and consolidate power for the next round of
battles?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Negotiation does not always happen between the two warring
parties. Its occurrence is contingent on the concrete realities recognized by
both sides and their willingness to undertake it. The government can refuse a
peace deal if it can beat the other side on the battlefield. However, it can
be overeager to negotiate, if the other party indicates a weakness that can
be exploited over the negotiation table, or tricked into capitulation. The
government can also use negotiation as a weapon to misrepresent itself as the
just and reasonable side, intrigue the ranks of the rebels and fool the
people.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">War is always costly, while negotiation is cheap. A day in war is
usually costlier than a month of talking. In negotiation, there are no lives
lost, properties destroyed or people rendered homeless. And as the
negotiation drags on, the status quo of disengagement or non-engagement is
given more and more a sense of reality and hope to become permanent.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In many instances, it is true that talking is better than not
talking at all. But talking and talking as if the whole peace process
revolves around it only validates the charge that negotiation is mere
exercise in futility. It is not meant to reach anything lofty. It is an end
in itself.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, a sincere quest for peace - a just and lasting one
through negotiation is a different story. It is a slow process and has no or
few shortcuts. Its soul is the identification of the root causes of conflict
and its primary objective is to carry out an urgent agenda of change by the
agreeing parties that would resolve the problems underlying the conflict.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, there is little reason to doubt that when the government
agreed to sit down with the MNLF to talk, it was assenting to the time-tested
tactic: when hard-pressed, negotiate. The grand design of the MNLF to curve
an empire known as the <i>Bangsa Moro Republik </i>was high on its agenda.
Fighting was raging everywhere and a sizable portion of Mindanao and Sulu was
in rebel hands. The government also knew that peace achieved by violence will
not last and represented only a part of the solution to the rebellion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Foreign Connections</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">International support for the Moro cause started as early as the
late 1960s when reports of massacres of Moros hit world headlines. The first
to react openly was Col. Muammar Qhaddafi, President of Libya, who said that
his government will come to the rescue of the Moros in Mindanao and Sulu if
the mass killing of his brethren did not stop. He was not alone to express
such serious concern. Many other Muslim leaders in Asia and Africa shared the
same sentiments. These world-wide reactions placed the Philippines and the
Marcos regime at a precarious position, since many of these states did not
need the Philippines as much as it needed them. Many of these states were
producers of oil, which the Philippines needed very much. Consequently,
Marcos began to look for scapegoats. He accused foreign agents of blowing up
the conflict out of proportion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The first foreign leader, though at the state level, to extent
concrete help to the Moros was Tun Datu Mustapha Haron, Chief Minister of
Sabah. There were many reasons why he came to the rescue of the Moros. One of
these was his biological, emotional and historical connection with the Moros
of Mindanao and Sulu. His mother was a Tausog and, therefore, he was as much
a Moro as the rest of his brethren. He allowed Sabah to be used as training
camp, supply depot, communication center, and sanctuary.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The implication of Tun Datu Mustapha Haron's stance and later
also of Kuala Lumpur - Sabah is part of the Federation of Malaysia, -was a
major irritant between the two neighbors. The Philippines had a long-standing
claim over Sabah that at one time almost led to open warfare. Sabah had began
to be regarded by the Philippines as part of her territory on the strength of
ownership claim by the ancient Sulu sultanate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Kuala Lumpur had never admitted aiding the Moros. The official
position of Malaysia regarding the Mindanao crisis had been confined only to
actively supporting resolutions passed by the Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1971, Libyan Pres. Muammar Qhaddafi openly declared his
support for the Moros, who were apparently the object of a genocide campaign.
In the same year, Libyan Foreign Minister Saleh Bouyasser came to the
Philippines with a US$1 million pledge of his government to bankroll the
on-going guerrilla training of 300 Moro recruits in Malaysia. A year later,
when Martial Law was declared, Libyan money, weapons and other materials
started to flow into the frontlines in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In May 1971, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) was
founded. One of its aims, as set clearly in its Charter, is to strengthen the
struggle of all Muslim peoples with a view to safeguard their dignity,
independence and national rights. It so happened that Tunku Abdul Rahman, the
founding father and first Prime Minister of Malaya (later, Malaysia), was the
first Secretary General of this powerful Pan-Islamic body. As head of the
OIC, he was instrumental in the support extended to the Moros by the OIC
member-states, especially Libya and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">From February 29 to March 4,1972, the Third Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, passed a resolution
calling for the review of the plight of the Muslims living in the
Philippines, especially in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On March 24-26, 1973, the Fourth Islamic Conference of Foreign
Ministers meeting in Benghazi, Libya, expressed deep concern over the
reported repression and mass extermination of Muslims in South Philippines
and decided to send a delegation of Foreign Ministers of Libya, Senegal,
Somalia and Saudi Arabia. The Conference also created a voluntary fund from
member-states to help the Muslims in South Philippines. It further passed a resolution
requesting Indonesia and Malaysia to exert their good offices, within the
framework of ASEAN, to help find a solution to the problem.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In August of the same year, the four-nation delegation visited
Mindanao and Sulu. Members of the delegation were Saudi Arabian Foreign
Minister Omar Al-Shakaff, Libyan Foreign Minister Abdulati Al-Obeidi,
Somalian Foreign Minister Arteh Ghalib, and Senegal Ambassador to Egypt
Moustapha Cisse. The fact-finding mission took note of the steps taken by the
Philippines to improve the condition of the Muslims. These steps, however,
were considered insufficient to solve the whole problem, as reflected in the
resolution of the succeeding meeting of the Islamic Conference of Foreign
Ministers in Kuala Lumpur the following year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On March 9-13, 1974, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Omar
Al-Shakaff again visited the Philippines in a bid to follow up earlier
efforts to monitor the condition of the Moros. President Marcos told him that
the government was doing everything to attend to the needs of the Moro
communities, which included the setting aside of wide tracts of land for
resettlement.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On May 29, 1974, President Marcos and President Suharto met at
Menado, North Sulawesi, <i>Indonesia to </i>discuss, among other vital ASEAN
concerns, the Moro rebellion. But unlike Malaysia and Libya, Indonesia was
more concerned with regional unity, as expressed in the ASEAN, of which both
Malaysia and the Philippines were members.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On June 21-25, 1974, the Fifth Islamic Conference of Foreign
Ministers was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The conference called upon the
Philippine government to desist from all measures which resulted in the
killing of Muslims and the destruction of their properties and places of
worship in Southern Philippines. It urged the government to find a political
and peaceful solution through negotiation with Muslim leaders, particularly
with the representatives of the Moro National Liberation Front in order to
arrive at a just solution to the plight of the Filipino Muslims within the
framework of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the
Philippines. It also created a welfare agency, known as Filipino Muslim
Welfare and Relief Agency, for the purpose of extending welfare and relief
aid direct to Muslims in the Southern Philippines.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;">CHAPTER X – WAR BY OTHER MEANS</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Initial Talks</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the basis of Resolution No. 18 approved in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, follow up efforts to bring the two warring parties to the
negotiating table were high on the OIC agenda. At the invitation of the
Philippine government, Dr. Mohammad Hassan Al-Tohamy, the new OIC Secretary
General, visited the Philippines to discuss matters in connection with the
resolution. He succeeded in bringing the MNLF and the Philippine government
to the negotiating table in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on January
18-19,1975. The MNLF formally abandoned independence in favor of a strong
autonomous region with internal security forces.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The two panels met in the presence of the OIC Secretary General.
The talks, however, did not materialize because both sides presented demands
that could not be met by either side. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The MNLF panel was composed of Nur Misuari, MNLF Chair; Salamat
Hashim, MNLF Deputy Chair; Abdulbaki Abubakar, Hamid Lukman, and Abdulrasad
Asani. Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor headed the government panel. The
members were Admiral Romulo Espaldon, Ambassador Lininding Pangandamen, Col.
Jose Almonte, and four others.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The aborted talks, after further consultations, were rescheduled
to take place on April 7. It did not take place, because President Marcos
instead called for a dialogue in Zamboanga City from April 17- June 30. Those
invited to this dialogue were Marcos handpicked Muslim leaders, government
officials and the "rebels," who rejected the nine-point agenda
proposed by the OIC Quadripartite Ministerial Committee for the resumption of
the stalled negotiation. The Sixth Islamic Foreign Ministers Conference
convened in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on July 12-15, 1975. The
conference approved the nine-point proposal for the resumption of talks and
urged both the MNLF and the Philippine government to resume the negotiation,
as early as possible.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On May 6 1976, Dr. Karim Gaye of Senegal, the new OIC Secretary
General, met President Marcos in Nairobi, Kenya. The OIC Chief told the
President of the need for the resumption of the talks immediately. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A week later, an May 13-16, the Seventh Islamic Foreign Ministers
Conference held session in Istanbul, Turkey. As usual, the conference
reiterated its call for the immediate resumption of the talks between the
MNLF and the Philippine government. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On October 1, the Islamic Solidarity Fund donated US$1 million to
the Agency for Development and Welfare of the Muslim in the Philippines.
However, this fund was coursed though the Philippine government which had the
discretion over the manner of disbursement and programming.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Signing of the Covenant</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the meantime, Mrs. Imelda Marcos, the First Lady and wife of
President Marcos, was designated Special Envoy of her husband. This brought
her to Egypt, Algeria, New York, Saudi Arabia, and then to Libya. At the
United Nations, she had an occasion to meet and discuss the Mindanao crisis
with the Algerian Foreign Minister Abdul Aziz Bouteflika, then President of
the UN General Assembly, and through him with the Arab delegates to the world
body. From there, she proceeded to Tripoli, Libya where she had a lengthy
dialogue with Pres. Muammar Qhaddafi on the Mindanao crisis.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On December 15-23, 1976, the second round of negotiation between
the MNLF and the Philippine government took place in Tripoli, Libya. The
talks were conducted in the presence of the Quadripartite Ministerial
Committee. Dr. Ali Treki, the Libyan Foreign Minister, presided over the
series of meeting between the two panels, which culminated in the signing of
the covenant now known as the <i><a href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i> of December 23,
1976. The agreement provided for the establishment of an autonomy for the
thirteen provinces and nine cities in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The government panel was chaired by Undersecretary Carmelo
Barbero, with the following as members: Lininding Pangandamen, Simeon
Datumanong, Karim Sidri, Pacifico Castro, and Col. Eduardo Ermita. The MNLF
panel again was composed of Nur Misuari, Salamat Hashim, Abdul Baki Abubakar
and Abdurasad Asani. Also with the group, as legal counsels, were Atty.
Zacaria Candao and Atty. Pangalian Balindong of Lanao del Sur.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Subsequently a formal ceasefire agreement between the two warring
parties was signed on January 20, 1977. A committee was organized, composed
of the MNLF, the Philippine government, and the Quadripartite Committee to
oversee the implementation of the ceasefire. Provincial ceasefire committees
were also set up in the thirteen provinces to help monitor and maintain the
observance of the accord.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The philosophy behind the declaration of a ceasefire is simple.
Heads must cool off, shooting must stop before the talking can proceed. It is
only in an atmosphere of understanding and serenity that the search for real
peace can proceed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The ceasefire agreement was generally holding during the early
months of 1977, but it collapsed completely towards the end of the year when
the government troops mounted massive offensives against all known MNLF
strongholds. Even the mutually-agreed bivouac areas in Mindanao, as earlier
stated, were also attacked almost simultaneously.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Day of the Clown</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The <i><a href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i>was lacking in
sufficient detail and, therefore, the two panels agreed to meet first in
Libya, from February 9 to March 3, and then in Manila, from April 21 to 30,
1977 to finalize it. However, on both occasions, they bogged down owing to
the overemphasis on the sideshows, rather than on substance, by
representatives of the Philippine government.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The meeting in Libya first stalemated and then bogged down. The
two panels simply could not agree on the degree of autonomy to be handed to
the Moros and the definitive role the MNLF had to play in it. Much time had
been wasted on the side issues than on the substance. National Defence
Undersecretary Carmelo Barbero, head of the GRP panel, even brought up the
issue of plebiscite which was nowhere to be located in the entire text of the
agreement.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Again the First Lady was sent to Libya to thresh out matters with
President Qhaddafi. The result was the exchange of cables between President
Marcos and President Qhaddafi on March 17-18. The communique contained
consensus on the declaration of autonomy, a provisional government, and the
holding of a referendum or "consultation."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The meeting in Manila, like the first, was tense. There was a
heated discussion between the Philippine panel and representatives of the
Quadripartite Committee, particularly Dr. Ali Treki.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The talks failed, as had been predicted right at the outset.
Firstly, President Marcos hastily went to Japan in an obvious attempt to
escape any role in a negotiation he may have maneuvered to collapse.
Secondly, the Philippine delegation was engaging in too many questions of
technicalities, virtually reducing the talks into grammar class. Even a
single article like "the" or "of" sent the Philippine
side, composed mostly of ministers like Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo and
Defence Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, to gang up on and lock horns with the OIC
representatives. And thirdly, like in the first negotiation in Tripoli,
Libya, the Philippine panel showed its bad faith and sinister attempt to
obstruct the path to peace in Mindanao.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">High-Handed Hypocrisy</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Capitalizing on the stalled negotiations which later degenerated
into a "no-peace no-war" situation, President Marcos unleashed a
multi-faceted, multi-pronged counterinsurgency program which was implemented
at an exceptionally rapid paces. Militarization continued to increase and
identified MNLF' areas were flooded with bloodthirsty military regulars and
irregulars. Under the veneer of socio-economic and infrastructure agenda, he
built roads, bridges, dikes and ports, dredged rivers and canals, reclaimed
marshes, etc. With his land reform program, he further dispossessed the Moros
of their remaining landholdings. New waves of emigrants from the North kept
pouring in which resulted in the creation of fresh settlements and colonies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One may not wonder that all these programs were executed in the
names of peace, security and progress. But in reality they were in the nature
of "sugarcoated" bullets. All were intended to defeat the MNLF,
deny it of its favorable natural sanctuaries and to penetrate into the
"hearts and minds" of the people.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The government's unusual interests in "promoting" Islam
and the study of the Arabic language did not fail to intrigue inquisitive
minds. This culminated in the creation of the so-called Ministry Of Muslim
Affairs. A similar approach was instituted during the American colonial
regime in the Philippines. The study of the Qur'an was introduced, obviously,
as part of their pacification campaign. Soon, thousands of Moro kids, as a
result, filled schoolhouses.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The hypocritical bid to promote Islam cannot be appreciated
unless one viewed this as part of the wide-ranging counterinsurgency scheme
of the government. This country is strictly secular. The church and state are
separated. Both the 1935 and 1973 Philippine Constitutions - also the 1987
Charter explicitly prohibited the government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities to promote, assist or uplift any one religion in the
Philippines, directly or indirectly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The appointment of erstwhile Navy Admiral Romulo Espaldon as head
of this office exposed something unsightly for the Muslims of this country.
During his stint with the SOUTHCOM, the Admiral's hands had dripped with much
Moro blood. He -renounced Catholicism- or made to renounce it - in order to
qualify for the job, as being a Muslim was obviously its first criterion. Was
there no full-blooded Muslim at the time who could fit the job squarely?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">A New Kiram-Bates Treaty</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The air of optimism that greeted the diplomatic breakthrough in
Tripoli, Libya, at the signing of the agreement was but art analgesic. Even
after the lapse of almost a decade since the signing on December 23, 1976 and
the subsequent ouster of Marcos on February 25, 1986, many eyebrows were
still being raised in wonder whether Marcos was really sincere or merely
playing a cat-and-mouse game. However, those who had a full grasp of
Philippine history, especially that which is focused on the interludes of
peace negotiations and truce agreements, simply viewed the <i><a href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i> as another
Kiram-Bates Treaty of 1899. That treaty was signed between Sultan Jamalul
Kiram 11 of the Sulu Sultanate and Brig. Gen. John C. Bates, representing the
United States. The Sultan signed the treaty on the firm belief that it
signaled the safety of the homeland and the expulsion of the American
colonialists. The Americans had a different motive" in mind. They made
use of the treaty to usher in eventual occupation of the Moro country.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A close scrutiny of the circumstances leading to the conclusion
of both agreements would reveal striking similarities. As pointed out
earlier, the Kiram-Bates Treaty was chiefly used by the Americans to prevent
the opening up of another front in Mindanao and Sulu, while they were
battling the forces of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Luzon. It was indeed a matter
of temporary exigency that this treaty was conceived. Eight decades later,
history seemed to have repeated itself for the Moros. The pre-1977 period was
really dangerous to the Marcos regime. Metropolitan Manila, the state
nerve-center, was becoming vulnerable to Communist forces because most of the
AFP combat forces were deployed in Mindanao and Sulu. The years of
confrontations in the South allowed the Communist New People's Army (NPA) to
grow in size and strength. In fact, NPA forces were already scoring many
remarkable victories in many areas in the North. And for some time the island
of Samar in the Visayas had been practically a liberated area. This was why
some army contingents were shipped back to Luzon and the Visayas immediately
after the signing of the <i><a href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Until the very last moment of the American regime in the
Philippines, the Kiram-Bates Treaty was no more than a scrap of paper. It was
not observed or recognized faithfully by the Americans. ','he case of the <i><a href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i> is not far
away. Up to the disgrace of President Marcos in early 1986, the agreement was
just "scrap of paper." One Mindanao leader, Reuben Canoy, who
figured prominently in the move to secede the island in later years had this
to say on the subject:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">... The <a href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a> was soon reduced to
a mere scrap of paper. Perhaps this was bound to, fir like most diplomatic
documents the pact was couched in imprecise language liable to all sorts of
misinterpretation by the signatories.-</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Waging Peace
Protracts</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Eighth Foreign Ministers Conference convened in Tripoli,
Libya on May 16-22, 1977. A historic decision was passed granting special
observer status to the MNLF, an action clearly conveying additional political
clout in dealing with the Philippine government. The conference also held the
government solely responsible for the failure of the negotiations in Tripoli,
Libya in February 1977 and in Manila in April 1977.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Republic of Senegal hosted the Ninth Foreign Ministers
Conference at its capital, Dhakar, on April 24-28, 1978. Here the OIC
denounced the Philippines for the massacres committed against the Muslims and
for reneging on her international obligations to honor the <i><a href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a></i>. The conference also
called upon both parties to come to a ceasefire and resume negotiations.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After a year, on May 8-12, 1979, the Tenth Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers assembled in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco. Again the OIC called
on the government to implement the agreement.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In February 1980, the new OIC Secretary General, Habib Chatti,
paid a visit to Manila to bring up the issue once again. Again only cold
response was forthcoming.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sometime in 1981, Indonesia, the most populous Muslim state,
offered her good offices as an "honest broker" to arbitrate the
conflict or at least to restart the stalled negotiations. There was no
concrete reply.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On March 21-23, 1982, Saudi Arabia tried to give the precarious
peace another lease in life. The late King Khaled Ibn Saud personally brought
up the case with President Marcos during his visit to the kingdom. But smart
as ever, the latter placated his host by assuring him that autonomy is
already in place in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Then came the big bang of 1983. Former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
was shot dead on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport on August 21.
The "conjugal dictatorship" of Marcos and Imelda was the prime
suspect. Aquino was their bitterest political rival. No one person or group
had a greater motive to execute the assassination.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Thenceforth the Moro issue was relegated to the sideline. The
Marcoses were busy shielding themselves against the effects of the
assassination.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The years 1984 and 1985 neared and passed. They glided away
almost unnoticed as far as the problem was concerned. President Marcos was
not only holding on to power by a hairline; he was also very ill, extremely
ill.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Enter the Widow</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Then another big bang occurred. The dynasty came to an end.
President Marcos was ousted from power on February 26, 1986. The widow of the
slain Senator, Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino, was installed President of the
Philippines, not by the 1935 or 1973 Constitutions, but by the EDSA People
Power Revolution. As a revolutionary government, at least of the right,
center, center right, it functioned without constitution for about a year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the meantime, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and
the Muslim World League (MWL), both based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
were undertaking efforts to merge the MNLF and the MILF into one expanded
negotiating panel once talks resumed with the new administration of President
Aquino. MNLF Chair Nur Misuari and MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim had already
agreed before officials of both world Islamic organizations to unite and
close ranks as a prelude to new negotiations to resolve the Mindanao crisis.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The OIC and MWL emphasized that they would only host this
proposed renewed peace negotiations if both the MNLF and MILF were
represented. The Aquino administration had already been informed of this
stand.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But in a surprise move, President Aquino, setting aside protocol
and security concerns, met with MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari in Jolo, Sulu, on
September 5,1986. This so-called historic meeting resulted in an agreement to
cease hostilities and lay the groundwork for formal negotiations. One writer
had these comments about this meeting:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> All of a sudden, after the EDSA revolution </span></i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">in <i>1986,
the </i>new <i>Administration, deliriously overjoyed by its victory, brought
back Nur Misuari like a hero. Nur Misuari came back with him </i>full <i>with
rising expectations </i>of <i>triumph. He brought back with him a more
complicated package of the problems in Mindanao to ensure that victory would
be theirs."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em></em></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Meeting in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the GRP and MNLF
Panels forged an agreement, now known as the Jeddah Accord on January 3, 1986.
The two sides agreed to continue discussion of the proposal for the grant of
full autonomy to Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan. It was
further agreed that substantive talks would be held in the Philippines.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Oil February 9 and 20, the GRP-MNLF peace talks proceeded in
Manila and in Zamboanga City, respectively. It became apparent, even at the
outset, that the talks would collapse due to fundamental differences in the
proposals submitted by both panels. The MNLF wanted full autonomy for the 23
provinces in Mindanao on the ground that the government had already agreed to
it as mentioned in the Jeddah Accord. The government, on the other hand,
refused to toe this line because the <i><a href="http://www.maranao.com/bangsamoro/tripoli_agrment.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;">Tripoli Agreement </span></a> </i>only speaks of
13 provinces and nine cities.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After the breakdown of the talks, the government proceeded to
devise the necessary processes to implement the so-called mandate in the 1987
Constitution to grant autonomy to Muslim Mindanao. Accordingly, in October
1987, President Aquino started to set the groundwork for the creation of the
Mindanao Regional Consultative Commission (MRCC), which was tasked by
Congress to assist it in enacting an organic act.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the other hand, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari, bitterly
criticizing the creation of the MRCC, once again renewed his bid for full
MNLF membership with the OIC. An observer status has been conferred to the
MNLF since May 1977.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Similarly, MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim denounced the government
action as an obstacle to peace. He accused it of being not really sincere
about the early and genuine resolution of the conflict in Mindanao and Sulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Interlude: MILF 5-Day War</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The MILF did not only denounce the Jeddah Accord as a "cheap
drama" but it launched a fulIscale five- day tactical offensive in
Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del
Norte on January 13-17, 1987. Military installations, equipment and personnel
were attacked and suffered heavy losses and damage.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">An MILF spokesman, however, clarified that the <i>offensive was </i>not
meant to attract national or international attention, in order to be included
in the so-called negotiations between the MNLF and the' government. Fighting
was simply one of the two weapons a revolutionary organization could use
against the enemy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The MILF also wanted to convey the message that it was not a
pushover organization, but a power to reckon with. It could always rise to
the occasion in full force, if the situation warrants. However, this message
was never made known through official channel."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Afterwards, an informal truce was forged between Had</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">ji Murad
Ibrahim and National Affairs Minister Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on January 17 at
Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. With Murad during the signing
was Mohagher Iqbal, also a senior officer of the MILF.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The strength of the MILF was not only seen in matters of its
military organization and hardware. The magnitude of people's support was
another important yardstick. This was showcased during an earlier military
consultative assembly on October 5-7, 1986 at Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat,
Maguindanao. The convenors' group listed more than one million people from
all over Mindanao and 75,574 armed components, including highlanders or <i>Lumads
</i>with their bows and arrows, who attended the assembly. So far this was
the biggest number of Moros ever assembled at one time and in one place by
any group, organization, political party or even by the government in the
entire history of the region.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Many high government officials graced the occasion, including
Quezon City Mayor Brigido Simon Jr., Gov. Rosario Diaz of Cotabato, Gov.
Zacaria Candao of Maguindanao, and the late Gov. Francisco Abalos of Lanao
del Norte. Ms. Margarita "Ting-Ting" Cojuangco, sister-in-law of
President Aquino, also attended. (Cojuangco is now the Governor of Tarlac).
Even AFP top brass in Central Mindanao were on hand to witness the historic
consultation. Among them were Brig. Gen. Jesus Hermosa and Brig. Gen. Cesar
Capa.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Meanwhile, the MILF, after years of traumatic experience in the
twirls and turns of the so-called peace parleys, continued to strengthen
itself in all aspects of the struggle. The MILF believed that only a strong
revolutionary organization could assure victory and liberate the people from
the bondage of oppression and exploitation. A 10-year four-point program was
launched which covered the four priority fields of concerns, namely,
Islamization, organizational buildup, military buildup and self-reliance. The
plan formally started in 1985, but was pursued more vigorously after having
ascertained beyond reasonable doubt that the government was using the peace
process as a "dilatory tactic."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Who are the Tyrants</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We have described the Moros as a nation living under an endless
tyranny. But who are the tyrants and why are the Moros tyrannized?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If there was one Filipino president close to becoming a tyrant or
was one already, he could easily be Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. He was dubbed,
perhaps rightly, as a "dictator" or a "tyrant." But it
would be somewhat inexact if one considers him- thoroughly a
"tyrant." A tyrant is one who rules with absolute power,
unrestrained by law or constitution. At least, Marcos had his cabinet, a
National Assembly, a Constitution and a Supreme Court - though all were
rubber-stamps.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Tyranny does not come only from men. There is tyranny of time,
there is tyranny of ideas, there is tyranny of number. Pres. Thomas Jefferson
of the United States once described it as an oppressive power exerted over
the minds of people. And any severe condition with an oppressive effect is
tyranny.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All the above tyrannies somehow ganged up on the Moros. Every
form of tyranny had already worked on the physical and mental existence of
the Moros, individually and collectively. The Spanish colonial regime in
Manila was tyrannical in character. Spanish governor-generals were more or
less independent in running the affairs of the colony. Spain was very far and
mostly the Spanish Crown ruled the Philippines through Mexico. Similarly,
American generals in Mindanao and Sulu almost had a free hand "in
cutting the Moro foot to suit the American shoe." Military commanders
were good at cutting corners in making decisions. Is the tyranny of 400 years
too short for a people to suffer the nightmare of time? The Moros are not
only the minority, but since the American regime the majority has always
decided for them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The King Could Do No Wrong</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Early Christians believed that God imposed the state upon man as
punishment for Adam's fall from grace in the Garden of Eden. This divine
origin of the state presupposes that the king, who derived his authority from
God, could do no wrong and therefore must be obeyed at all times. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This theory is similarly upheld in the Philippines. The Constitution,
no matter how imperfect it is -and how many loopholes it has, must be obeyed
at all times, because it is the supreme law of the land. This follows that
any arrangement that is found unconstitutional, no matter how good and
beneficial, is still bad and unacceptable, because the Constitution does not
permit it. Of course, the rationale behind this is the preservation of the
sovereignty, stability and personality of the state. While this view is
understandable, because it is identifiable with - and cannot be detached from
- national interests and survival, in fact the implications and consequences
are not always good. As history has shown, the state, which is perceived as
the ultimate epitome of <i>Summum</i> <i>Bonum </i>or the "highest good
for the highest number," would sometimes prefer to do what is morally
bad or undesirable to what is good and beneficial.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The tyranny of ideas is best exemplified w hen the government
rationalizes that any agreement with any of the revolutionary groups must not
be violative of the Constitution. But the hard fact is that this Constitution
does not epitomize the dreams and aspirations of the minority with whom the
government is negotiating and, on the contrary, it is solely designed to suit
the majority's concept of right or wrong and standard of interests.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The truth of the situation is that as far as the resolution of
the Moro issue is concerned or any given argument for that matter, there
cannot be a monolithic view, not even three views - yours, mine and the
correct one, as other proponents would put it. The truth is that there are as
many views as there are individuals, groups or organizations in this part of
the world, who are directly concerned or have great stakes in the conflict
under settlement and negotiation. Different peoples, different groups
different organizations have different points of view. It is human nature to
disagree.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Which side or view is correct depends much on the eye of the
beholder, or on which part of the political, social or religious divide one
is identified with. If the MNLF or the government is asked, certainly their
reply would be to affirm the validity or rightness of their final agreement
as the ultimate solution to this problem.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On this score, President Ramos had made assertion during the
signing of the GRP-MNLF Final Agreement;</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Today we not only witness history: We make</span></i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <i>it.
Today, with the formal signing of final peace agreement between the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF), we bring to a close almost 30 years of conflict, at
the cost of more titan 120,000 Filipino lives.'</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em></em></span><o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari corroborated this statement by saying:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> We have agreed to end the war and restore
peace ... This is a very momentous, very historic occasion. This will be
written in the golden pages of history.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Following this line of argument, all other views towards the
final solution to the Mindanao problem are rendered outright wrong,
fallacious or simply untenable or utopian. But who sets the standards of evaluation?
Who gives this authority to evaluate or pass judgment? For what Is it
mutually or commonly agreed by whom and for whom. and for whom is this
prescription intended? Who knows this problem better, the government, the
MNLF, the MILF, the OIC, or the people themselves?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Colonialism: Mother of al Cuprits</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Before us is a problem that has stayed in our midst for over 400
years. The changing times and the changing leaders, from colonial period up
to the present, have miserably failed to solve the problem once and for all.
And chances are that even with the signing of this final agreement and their
mutual declaration for the termination of the 30-year war, the problem will
continue to plague this country.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Philippines is a unitary and highly centralized state which,
historically, was an arbitrary creation of the succession of colonial powers
that invaded this country. The Moros, as discussed earlier, valiantly stood
their ground and succeeded to preserve their distinct way of life and
consolidated their own national political life separately from the colonized
natives. However, when the Filipinos, as neo-colonial administrators,
succeeded, they followed the footsteps of their masters. This neo-colonialism
or, for the purpose of this section, this "internal colonialism" is
clearly manifested in the so-called rule of the majority, the Filipinos, over
the minority like the Moros .3 The neo-colonial power imposes policies that
are invariably and solely based on the standard of the majority people's
interests. The GRPMNLF Final Agreement speaks well of this policy. It has
very few substantial provisions, especially on the use of the natural
resources and the power of the local governance to police and cleanse
themselves that could enhance and strengthen the present ARMM. SPCPD and
ARNIM Governor Nur Misuari, this early, is already complaining about many
things: the defective system, lack of funds, lack of police powers and the
untimely GRP-MILF talks,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Up to now and maybe even after three years, this agreement will
still be a dead accord. Nobody knows whether Congress will enact an
amendatory law to or repeal Republic Act 6734 or the Organic Act of the ARMM,
exactly congruent to the provisions of this agreement; or whether the people
in the 14 provinces and ten cities covered by the Tripoli Agreement or the
Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) will approve
it in the plebiscite called for the purpose; or whether the next president
after President 'Ramos (unless he succeeds himself) honor this agreement and
make concrete steps towards its realization.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Granting that a congressional act is enacted into law to
implement this agreement to the satisfaction of the government, the MNLF and
the OIC, there are still potent groups that can make or unmake this
agreement. These groups are simply not dispensable, namely, the
"people," the MILF, the Moro Islamic Liberation Organization
(MILO), the Abu Sayyaf, the Islamic Command Council (ICC), and the National
Islamic Command Council (NICC). Each group has its own peculiar way of seeing
and resolving this problem but, clearly, each pushes for a solution or change
based on the teachings of Islam. They differ only in strategy and tactics in
pursuing their goals.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, the use of the word "people" needs clarification.
This word refers to the Bangsamoro people who are mostly Muslims. If there is
one word that has been overused, if not "exploited," it is this.
Every group, including the government, alleges to be representing or acting
for and in behalf of the people. In fact democracy, as claimed also by the
Filipinos, is defined as a "government of the people, for the people,
and by the people." The MNLF and the MILF also assert that they are
mass-based organizations, hence, people's organizations or struggles. And if
this argument is logically sound, then the people must not be a homogeneous
body, but are splintered or divided, with each subgroup belonging or loyal
either to the state, a distinct group, or an organization. And again if that
is the case, then no organization, not even the state, can legitimately
represent the people.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now if the state or every organization claims to be speaking for
the people, how can we determine which one is telling the truth?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The answer lies on which group epitomizes the true sentiments.
and aspirations of the people it represents. That group would have the
genuine support of the people - and hence, is truly the people's
organization.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Foreign Interference: Age-Old Evil</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The state of affairs in Mindanao is also greatly influenced by
external pressures or foreign interference. Foreign interference, whether
expressed directly or indirectly, does not only affect the formulation of
government policies, but also the turn of events in the area, particularly in
terms of internal conflict and the economic life of the people. These
external political forces, to enumerate the lead actors, count the OIC, the
United States, Japan, West Germany, Great Britain, Canada, France, Taiwan,
and most of the ASEAN states.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today, it is a fact in global power-play politics that one state
or group of states interferes with or intervenes in the affairs of another
state or states by request, imposition or outright invasion. Classical cases
of intervention included those in Korea, Palestine, Israel, Vietnam, Afghanistan,
Iraq, Kuwait, Yugoslavia, Argentina, and Ethiopia.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Intervention, per se, is bad and against the Charter of the
United Nations. This is the general rule. The exception applies in special
cases. But today this exception smackingly and slowly becomes the general
rule. In the name - or under the guise - of humanitarian or global security
reasons, intervention is committed everywhere, especially by big and powerful
nations.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Towards what direction and what gain does interference bring to
people and the termination of conflict? Would it promote. genuine peace and
development, say, in Mindanao?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Invariably, the state formulates foreign policy and conducts
diplomatic relations solely on the basis of national interest. "My
country, right or wrong" is still the foundation of all foreign policies
of nations today. It has not changed with the passing of time and the coming
of state-of-the-art technology.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Be this as it may, the fact is that using the good offices of a
third party in the settlement of a state's internal dispute is a widely
accepted practice. It is gaining acceptance among states world-wide, either
as a matter of expediency or an addition to the practice of diplomacy. The
OIC's role in the Mindanao conflict was in line with this usage. Its
participation was deemed beneficial to all the parties in the conflict. The
OIC was merely helping the peace initiatives to move forward and succeed.
Except in 1979 and 1980, the OIC nor any member state had tried directly to
arbitrarily pressure the government. By and large, OIC efforts have been
exceptionally within the ambit of diplomatic etiquette and procedure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The case of the United States is a different story. For the U.S.,
the stakes in the Philippines are high and varied. The three most important
considerations are political, economic and military, all strategically
related to her global prime standing as the world No. 1 superpower and the
world's policeman. In all three, she needs the Philippines, which she finds
to be a steady and willing partner. The Philippines has consistently shown
her loyalty and the United States simply does not want to lose that loyalty,
or is willing to write this off. It is a valued prize, not much from
friendship but because American national and global interests demand it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But unlike its past practice, the U.S. <i>exerts pressure </i>today
through her huge investment here. American multinational companies operating
in Mindanao have earned huge profits from lands that used to belong to many
indigenous tribes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In some covert ways, the United States is also helping the
government in its counterinsurgency campaigns, especially against the
Communist New People's Army and, expectedly, including the so-called Islamic
extremists. The victory of either one of these perceived enemies, or just a
serious military setback from them suffered by the "client state"
such as the Philippines, could send a wrong signal to allies and foes alike
and to her business partners abroad.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For instance, the psychological-military doctrine of Low
Intensity Conflict (LIC), though generally applied as an instrument of US
military aggression in Central America in the early 1980s, had its roots
traceable to the anti-communist campaigns in the Philippines.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Militarization: The Main Punch</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What is the reason for the continued military buildup in Mindanao
amidst the successes of the government peace initiatives? If the civilian
government is talking peace or reaping the fruits of peace, why is the
military preparing for war? Is the government already abandoning the
political approach in favor of a military option?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As a background, let us have a flashback of the status of
Militarization in Mindanao more than two decades ago. In 1972, the AFP was
barely 70,000 in strength and its annual budget was only P500 million. At the
height of the rebellion in 1973-1975, the number swelled to more than 300
percent or 250,000 with a yearly expenditure of P 3.5 billion, or an increase
of 700 percent. In 1982, AFP regulars reached 275,000 and military spending
skyrocketed from 1"1 7.1 billion in 1981 to P8.3 billion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sixty percent of the army, half of the Marines, one-third of the
Coast Guard, and 6,080 Air Force personnel and 200 pilots were deployed in
Mindanao. In addition, there were 7,500 constables, 11,900 policemen, 64,000
ICHDFs and 35,000 paramilitary forces.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today, more than half of the AFP total strength is now deployed
in strategic areas in Mindanao, estimated at 40 to 45 battalions with 60,000
to 70,000 men. Also stationed here are 40 percent of AFP artillery
capability, 50 percent of armor assets, and 63 percent of tactical aircraft. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The massive troop buildup heavily saturated the provinces of
Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Sulu, followed by
Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and South Cotabato. The dangers inherent in this
kind of situation always hangs onminously in the air. The perpetuation of the
previous widespread violations of human rights through summary executions,
warrantless arrests, disappearances, seizures, and tortures, forced
dislocation, hamletting, raids and bombings will most likely stay.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As a Matter of fact, even after the signing of the GRP-NINLF
Peace Agreement heavy fighting is still taking place in many parts of
Mindanao. The Abu Sayyaf<i> </i>after having stepped into the vacuum left by
the MNLF, started to step up its attacks on government troops and
installations in Basilan and Sulu. Moreover, the MILF massed troops to fight
off naked AFP aggressions in Cotabato, Maguindanao, Basilan and Davao del
Sur. And the highland tribes are now fighting back in Davao del Sur, South
Cotabato, Surigao and Sarangani after they have been systematically pushed to
the wall by settlers, loggers, and miners, and multinational investors. These
confrontations are expected to increase and aggravate in the coming months or
years as the forces of vested interest groups are getting more and more
favorable treatment from the government.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Severe Deprivation: In Continuum</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. Socio-Economic Marginalization </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- The
areas occupied by the Moros are generally one of the most depressed in the Philippines
today. Life is so miserable that people could hardly make both ends meet -
they are already at the edge of the socio-economic survival. It is often said
that the Moros 400 years ago were better off then than their descendants
today, despite the blessings of modernism, science and technology.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, poverty is not the monopoly of the Moros alone. In fact
it is besieging almost every home in the Philippines. On the eve of the
imposition of Martial Law, one out of every two families was poor. In 1986,
three out of every five families were poor.' Statistics showed that the
poorest of the poor depended only on rice, corn, sugar and coconut
production. Most of the poverty-stricken families are found in the rural
communities.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Moros are overwhelmingly rural dwellers, although many are
finding the cities as their new-found havens due to the raging conflict on
the countrysides. Based on the 1991 Family Income and Expenditure Survey,
average household incomes among the Moros were generally low. At least 83
percent of Moro families lived below the poverty line." Majority of
Moros get their income from agriculture, mainly subsistence farming and
fishing. Crop farming, aqua-farm cultivation and orchard farming are among
the priority occupations. Poultry raising, mat-weaving, and vegetable
gardening are also practiced.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The usual reason given for this abject poverty is indolence of
the Moros. The same accusation was hurled against the now industrious
Filipinos (formerly <i>Indios) </i>by the Spaniards. The truth is: when any
member of the human race, including a Moro, is motivated, as the Filipino now
proves to be, he will become hard-working and productive.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Landlessness</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - The
Moros are landless. The 1991 Census of Agriculture put the average farm size
of 2.7 hectares for every family. Communal system of land ownership still
persists. Several Moros still own a piece of land that is inherited from
generation to generation. Most of their lands are untitled or titled in other
people's names.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, the crux of the land issue is the contradiction between
the state's legal system and the communal system prevalent among the Moros.
This conflict of legal perception about land ownership had given rise to many
related problems, such as landgrabbing by the moneyed and powerful and the
expropriation of vast tract of land by the state to giant transnational
companies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Poor Basic Services</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - The
Moros are also deprived of basic services, such as electricity, potable
water, sanitary toilet facilities, etc. The 1990 Census of Population and
Housing indicated that, in Sulu, only 9.4 percent of the households had
electricity, in Tawi-Tawi, 10.0 percent, in Maguindanao, 25.8 percent, in
Lanao del Sur, 34.9 percent, and in Basilan, 19.4 percent."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Low Literacy</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - In
the field of education, more than onefourth of the population has neither
entered school nor finished elementary schooling. Primary education is the
highest educational attainment enjoyed by two-fifths of the population. For
every 20 elementary graduates, only seven finish high school and only one
survives to finish a college diploma."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Infant mortality among the Moros is higher due to unhealthy
environmental conditions. There is inadequate access to medical services,
poor health education and malnutrition.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Enemy Within: Harder to Crack</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There is wisdom - no matter how it hurts - in the statement of
Atty. Patricio Diaz, former Editor of the <i>Mindanao Kris, </i>when he
addressed the following statement to the Muslims in general and to their
leaders in particular. Let us comment on it later in this section.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Here are his words:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Apparently, the leaders and the people in
the Muslim Provinces have different outlook, foresight and priorities from
those of the leaders and people in Christian provinces. This difference makes
a big different achievements.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All leaders in the Christian provinces tell
their people to look forward to the year 2000 and beyond. Many Muslim leaders
tell their people to look back to 1900 and farther back highlighting their
lost glory, the oppressions they have suffered and are suffering, and their
being a different nation. Different motivations make different
achievements."</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The tyranny of the self over self is what we refer to here as the</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <span style="color: navy;">enemy within. Let us remember that when we point two
accusing fingers at someone, our other three fingers are pointing back at us.
While it is pointless to argue that the mother of all the culprits in the
whole mess in Mindanao and Sulu is the colonization of this region, this does
not mean that the Moros, particularly the leaders, have not been party to the
aggravation of the situation. Dulawan (Buayan or Buhayen) is as old as or
older than Manila, but see what is there in Dulawan that is good for the eyes
to see. There may have been improvements lately, but rarely have they interested
even the local population. There is really a sad lack - many, many things
wanting in the leaders who have generally failed to discharge their duties to
their people. While many or most of them have kept on enriching themselves,
the people have continued to wallow in poverty and other deprivation.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: navy;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">By the same token, the individual Moro or the entire population,
with many exceptions, can be faulted also. They appear to have learned
nothing and, by their misdeeds or omissions, they have excluded themselves
from among what the Almighty has described as "the best of
creations." What our forefathers used to do many centuries ago, they
have continued to hold on to, despite the passing of time and the coming of
the 21st century. Take for instance, the matter of building a house. A great
many if not most of our forefathers would consult a
"fortune-teller" before erecting a house in a particular spot. Many
of us are still. doing the same thing and look what has happened in most Moro
communities, in the Supermarket, Cotabato City, in Taluksangay, Zamboanga
City, in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, etc. Although there may be other reasons
for-their pathetic situation, certainly this superstition, which is contrary
to Islamic teachings, has been primarily responsible and is still prevalent.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This traditional disposition and outlook that generally makes up
the Moro psyche' or frame of mind has stunted development and brought
negative consequences. Its acceptance seems so widespread that its beholders
appear powerless to change in conformity with the demand of the modern age.
These Moro should heed the injunction in the Holy Qur'an, which says:
"God does not change the condition of a people unless they change what
is in their hearts."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Atty. Patricio Diaz was right when he practicaIly charged many
Muslim leaders of leading their people back in time; to fantasize on the
glory of the past and blame others for their present condition as if
admitting indirectly that they have failed and have not been men enough to
put up a square fight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the other hand, Mr. Diaz seemed to have failed to understand
that the Muslims and their leaders are just human beings and, as such it is
natural for them to prefer what is good or desirable from what is bad or
undesirable. If the Muslims are looking back to the past, it is because that
past represents the best of their lives, while the Christians may not be too
eager to remember it because, then, they were considered no more than
"slaves," "pintados," "indios," "indolent,"
etc. Their best world is now, in the present and in the future because, as
successors of the colonizers, they now run the whole show. They control
everything, have the power, access to state funds and resources, and greater
opportunities; and above all, they decide and predetermine the destiny of the
Moros. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It is history that the Moros fought for more than three centuries
against the superpowers of the time and they were not utterly routed. If they
are what they are now, it is because of circumstances, of which they have no
control. It is now up to the "only Christian nation in Asia" to
show what Christian justice and morality are all about in addressing an
"historic injustice" committed to the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu!
No amount of moralizing argument could justify the colonization of the Moros.
The Moros do not demand the whole moon; they are just seeking for a rightful
share of the political pie!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">MUSLIMS VIEW THEIR HISTORY</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Muslims throughout the world generally have tended to look at
their history as a process tending towards justice, provided men make the
effort to work for it. But more than this, there is the widespread belief
that the historical process is not solely the result of Man’s intentions and
actions but there is also the Merciful and Compassionate Deity who is
involved in the direction of such a process. Thus, concomitant with the
belief that life on earth is a severe moral test, there is always the hope
that living the Islamic way of life makes it more purposive and tends to
bring about a social situation where justice and good life become operative. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because of all this, it becomes understandable why Muslims in the
Philippines believe that the coming of Islam to the Philippines, and hence
their being Muslims, constitutes an instance of Allah’s mercy and
graciousness. Also understandable is the belief that their bitter wars
against the Spaniards and Americans, their resistance to any form of European
colonial design or foreign economic exploitation, and even their internecine
quarrels and the chronic epidemics that have visited them have served to
maintain their integrity as an Islamic Community. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In so far as they are aware of belonging to a definite religious
community, Muslims in the Philippines have always made an effort to
understand their past and have never ceased to recall those men who, on
account of personal traits, character, and leadership, have helped to
guarantee the preservation of Islam in the Philippines in spite of the
determined efforts of their antagonists to deprive them of their religion,
land, and knowledge of their ancient past. A careful analysis of the history
of the Muslims in the Philippines will reveal that the character and
attitudes of present-day Muslims are not only the result of what they have
made out of themselves but also of what others have forced them to become.
Thus it is important to know how Islam was introduced and how it expanded in
the Philippines. We need to know also those forces, which came into conflict
with Islam, forces which helped to shape the character of the present day
Muslim Filipino. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">_</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Historical Photos of Bangsamoro region</div>
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A Sultan from Mindanao</div>
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Jolo Sulu - 1891</div>
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Brig. Gen. John Bates</div>
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Jolo Sulu</div>
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Jolo, Sulu</div>
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Bud Dajo Mountain</div>
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The soldier that fought at Bud Dajo</div>
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Bud Bagsak Massacre</div>
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Gen. Bates with Tausogs</div>
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Mindanao Dato</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-56090859681950769722013-09-25T05:53:00.000+08:002016-05-22T11:40:00.868+08:00Million People March - 26th August 2013<h2 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">The Million People March is a protest in the Philippines to abolish the Priority Development Assistance Fund (also known as the "Pork Barrel") due to the PDAF scam. Calls for the protest circulated through social media, mainly on Facebook and Twitter, to conduct a protest on August 26, 2013 in Luneta Park in Manila and other cities around the Philippines and the world. A Fccebook page entitled "Abolish Pork Barrel" was created to invite participants to the protest.</span><br />
<b style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: blue;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Million_People_March</span></i></b><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">26th August at Luneta Park</span></h2>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Photos from Princess Jacel H. Kiram-Hasan of the Sultanate of Sulu</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Youtube videos</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Isang Milyon Nagmartsa Luneta - August 26, 2013</b></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">At the Provinces</span></strong></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Zamboanga City</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Tuguegarao City</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Camarines Sur</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Gensan City</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Legaspi City</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Negros Province</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Negros Province</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Negros Province</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Negros Province</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Davao City</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Cebu City</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">26th August at the USA</span></b></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From Switzerland to Saudi Arabia, Filipinos protest pork barrel, too.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: blue;">All systems go for Million People March</span></h2>
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<span style="color: blue;">MANILA, Philippines - Plans are all set for the Million People March intended to scrap the pork barrel on August 26, National Heroes Day, at Luneta Park, Manila.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Organizers, consisting of concerned citizens and various advocacy and political groups, met with the Manila Police District on Saturday to finalize plans for what they dub a "picnic rally" against the Priority Development Assistance Fund.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">The main event will start at 9 am and end at 2 pm. Participants will converge in front of a large LED screen or video wall to be installed at the Quirino Grand Stand side of Luneta Park facing the Rizal Monument.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Upon entering, participants will be asked to register their attendance in a petition tent near the video wall.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">The center of the rally area will be designated for individuals not affiliated with any groups and who are attending as concerned citizens. The right and left sides will be reserved for participating advocacy and political groups.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">A command center with a public announcement system will be placed near the video wall. Command center head Vincent Lazatin of coalition Transparency and Accountability Network who volunteered as a concerned taxpayer maintained that no political speeches will be made through the main PA system. Only announcements related to security and coordination will be relayed.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">However, advocacy and political groups who will be given their own areas in the venue will have their own pocket stages where they can make speeches and display their banners.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Around 50 portalets, donated by various participants and private companies, will be installed around the park. Ambulances from Red Cross, Department of Health and Rock Ed Philippines will be on standby on all sides of the park to attend to health concerns of participants.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Security concerns</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></strong>
<span style="color: blue;">On the MPD's end, Senior Supt Joel Coronel assured the Million People March organizers that "the MPD will be your partner for this activity."</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">He said they will deploy 2,000 police officers to protect participants from criminal elements and "ensure peace and order is maintained."</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">But it was agreed upon during the meeting that marshals–composed of around 800 private individuals who volunteered with the Million People March organizers–will be the first to deal with possible conflicts between groups or individuals in the rally and maintain crowd control.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">The MPD promised to step in only when the marshals cannot handle conflicts or when a crime is being committed.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">As much as possible, Coronel said, "we do not want to appear aggressive or hostile."</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">The rally organizers meanwhile, vowed to keep the event peaceful wit no harm to people or property.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<strong><span style="color: blue;">The organizers</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></strong>
<span style="color: blue;">A movement that began from <a href="http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/36715-anti-pork-barrel-protest-social-media" target="_blank">"call to action" posts</a> on Facebook by various individuals, many unaffiliated with political groups, the event took shape after the creation of a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/406846762761075/" target="_blank">Facebook event page.</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">With no actual names of individuals or groups identified as the organizers (even the FB event is by "Power ng Pinoy"), many were at first suspicious of the movement, said Nica Dumlao, part of the Million People March team who attended the meeting with the MPD.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">That was why it was crucial that the social-media-powered movement cross over to the physical world. An "eyeball" meeting was organized on August 21 to allow people serious about holding the rally to collaborate in person.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">The meeting was attended by around 40 people composed of private citizens, group representatives and social media influencers like Jim Paredes, Carlos Celdran, and Mae Paner of "Juana Change" fame. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Two days before the event, the groups involved in organizing the rally can now be identified. They include Philippine Internet Freedom Alliance, Rock-Ed, BlogWatch Philippines, Filipino Free Thinkers, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Sanlakas, Akbayan, UP Samasa Alumni, and many individuals unaffiliated with political groups who volunteered simply as concerned taxpayers.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">But Lazatin emphasized during the meeting with MPD that no single individual or group claims ownership or leadership of the event. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Heeding the call</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></strong>
<span style="color: blue;">Various groups and institutions have thrown their support behind the movement including De La Salle University, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, St Scholastica's College in Manila and more. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">"A lot of artists and artist groups said they're attending," said Kenneth Keng of Filipino Freethinkers who attended the Saturday ocular for the rally.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Among those who confirmed are Silly People's Improve Theater (SPIT), Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and actor Audie Gemora.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">The Manila event has inspired Filipinos in Naga to stage a similar protest in Plaza Rizal, Naga City. Entitled "Halion na an Pork Barrel Naga March" (Abolish Pork Barrel Now Naga March), it will also be held on Monday, 9 am.</span><br />
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<div class="p1">
<strong>Keep Luneta clean</strong></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Environmental activists also taking their stand against pork barrel lost no time in urging rally-goers to keep Luneta Park clean.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">"Our righteous demand to end corruption is not an acceptable alibi to turn the park into a dumpsite for cigarette butts, food leftovers and wrappers, plastic bags and even for political leaflets. It's our collective duty to keep Luneta, a common heritage, tidy and safe," said Aileen Lucero, the acting national coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition in an <a href="http://www.interaksyon.com/article/69248/environmentalists-to-join-anti-pork-barrel-protest-but-remind-huwag-babuyin-ang-luneta" target="_blank">Interaksyon</a> article. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">How can participants minimize their trash? EcoWaste Coalition suggests:</span></div>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1"><span style="color: blue;">Carry a personal litter bag or hold on to your rubbish until you find a bin.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="color: blue;">Bring your own water in a refillable container to avoid buying bottled water.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="color: blue;">Avoid disposable packages. Place food in recyclable containers that should be brought home.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="color: blue;">Use reusable bags instead of disposable plastic bags.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="color: blue;">Don't spit, throw chewing gum or toss cigarette filters on the ground.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="color: blue;">Remind friends, family, and strangers to observe all the above.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: blue;">The social-media-sparked rally will not be complete without social media mobilization. Organizers encourage participants to tweet using the hashtags #ScrapPork and #MillionPeopleMarch.</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">- Rappler.com</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong><br /></strong>
<strong>http://www.rappler.com/nation/37183-million-people-march</strong></span>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>The Napoles Story - So the whole world will know.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">August 21, 2013 | </span><a href="http://globalbalita.com/category/opinion/" rel="category tag" style="font-size: small;" title="View all posts in Opinion">Opinion</a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">By Alfredo Masigan</span></div>
<div class="entry">
<strong><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></strong>
<span style="color: blue;">Janet Lim Napoles has strong ties before with the late Emilia Boncodin, DBM Secretary. Emilia is the one that keep Janet in the loop whenever a budget or SARO is approved and to which senator or congressman.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Gringo Honasan is a dear friend of Janet’s husband, Jimmy Napoles. I was surprised when I read somewhere online when Honasan was interviewed and he said that he doesn’t know the Napoles family.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">During the coup in Cory’s time, Jimmy Napoles was driving a tank on the way to Camp Crame when his tank was hit by a mortar. Jimmy was operating the .50 caliber machine gun and the soldier driving the tank died during the blast. Jimmy survived and was jailed along with Honasan. If you can get clear photos of Jimmy Napoles online, you will see that part of his face and his arms show burn marks.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Their wealth started to build up during the late 90’s when they engaged themselves with mayors based in Zamboanga to use them as a front for a Foundation that will implement projects or deliver farm materials. With connections at COA, they were able to arrange completed projects without delivering anything. They established JLN group of companies sometime in 2000 and they moved to their new office from AFPOVAI to Discovery Suites on the 25th floor.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Soon enough, they were able to develop deep connections with more legislators in Congress and numerous senators. What JLN Group Of Companies do and their sub-companie, Jo-Chris Trading (named after their eldest child, Jo-Christine “Neneng” Napoles) – they use their foundations as the implementing agency for the funds of congressmen or senators. You see, congressmen and senators have budget, PDAF or the pork barrel , but these politicians do not have direct access to their funds and they can never touch it. So what they do is the politicians will create a project (common one is fertilizer distribution to farmers) and will ask DBM to set the budget. Then, there will be a public bidding to be held by DAR. The outcome of the bidding is already fixed and it’s Napoles foundation wins. The fund or SARO will be released through Janet’s foundation and the congressmen/senators will ask 70% of the whole amount. So if the project is P10 million, Janet will give 70% of that. Usually Janet’s nephew, John Francisco Lim is the courier of the money, they will meet at Podium or at a parking lot. The money are stored in plastic bags or paper bags.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">So, whatever is left from the budget, 30% goes to Janet. They usually cash-in the check they get from DBM at Landbank in Greenhills and the manager there is part of Janet’s payroll. Janet also need to pay the inspectors from COA and whoever is involved in DAR.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">This is their workflow. This is what they do for more than a decade. This is how the senators and congressmen make money. This is why theses politicians have so much and working class Filipinos almost have nothing. This is not only Janet’s fault. The greediness of the senators and congressmen are the driving point that keeps this system operating. It is also amazing that if Janet’s family and her company goes into trial, the people who will try them judges, senators, congressmen, are also part of this. I fear for the life of Benhur and Merlina as whistleblowers. Soon enough they will die. The people of the Philippines should protect them. NBI or the witness protection program cannot do anything about it. Because they are keeping the whistleblowers alive for their own use only. Once Janet gives payments to the NBI and once Revilla, Honasan, Arroyo, Pichay, Ducut, Pineda, Lim, Estrada, Soto, Lapid, and almost all the congressmen who were in post for the past decade, step in – there’s nothing Benhur or Merlina can do. They are as good as dead by now.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Please post this on your social media and share it to the world. It is time to stop this madness and remove the pork barrel and protect Benhur and Merlina.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">http://globalbalita.com/2013/08/21/the-napoles-story-so-the-entire-philippines-will-know/</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">J<b><span style="color: blue;">eane Napoles Lavish Party Scandal. lifestyle of napolis alleged from pork barrel </span></b></span><br />
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<b style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Million people marches on </span></b><b style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/473253/million-people-march-marches-on</span></b></h1>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>A Million People’s March to Luneta”, tuloy</b></span></div>
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<span class="postinfo"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><span class="author">by <b>Rene Crisostomo Gabrielle Binaday </b></span><span class="date">Aug 24, 2013 2:14pm </span><span class="clear"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><strong>TULOY</strong> na tuloy pa rin ang “A Million People’s March to Luneta” matapos ang isinagawang paghahanda ng iba’t ibang civic-oriented groups sa Manila Police District (MPD), kamakalawa sa Ermita, Manila.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Ito ay sa kabila ng pahayag ni Pang. Benigno Aquino III na pabor na umano siya sa pagbasura ng Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) o pork barrel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Dinaluhan ang nasabing pagpupulong ng mga lider ng civic groups tulad ng US Pinoys For Good Governance, Bulacan Guardians, Team Hyundai Philippines, Land Rovers Club Phils, Akbayan Youth, Grain, New Wine & Oil Ministries, Juana Change Movement Inc., SAMASA UP Alumni, Bayan at mga sibilyan tulad nina Vince Lasatin, Noemi Dado at kilalang kritiko ng simbahan na si Carlos Celdran.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">http://www.remate.ph/2013/08/a-million-peoples-march-to-luneta-tuloy/#.Uhkj6duwq00</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">A Gathering Storm: Million People March</span></h1>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://skinnyjello.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/2013_08_19_14_38_28.jpg"></a>I feel so thrilled and upbeat about the coming anti-pork barrel march in Luneta on Monday, Aug. 26.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">For one, this would be the very first social media-driven nationwide movement. I can’t help but be curious whether the initiative would succeed in mustering a critical mass of people, large enough to shake the walls of our institutions and the knees of the rotten politicians that man them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>http://skinnyjello.wordpress.com/2013/08/24/a-gathering-storm-million-people-march/</b></span><br />
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<span class="entity _586o" data-fulltext="Jeane Napoles "Ang Sosyalerang Palaka ng Pilipinas"" data-group="all" data-icon="null" data-select="group" data-si="true" data-text="Jeane Napoles "Ang Sosyalerang Palaka ng Pilipinas"" data-type="ent:page" data-uid="134487380095499"><span style="color: blue;"><b>From the Pagebook page of Jeane Napoles "Ang Sosyalerang Palaka ng Pilipinas"</b></span></span><span data-si="true"> </span></div>
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<span data-si="true"><b><span style="color: blue;">(the daughter of Janet Lim Napoles)</span></b></span></div>
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<span data-si="true"><b><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeane-Napoles-Ang-Sosyalerang-Palaka-ng-Pilipinas/134487380095499</span></b></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-72609387909053092322013-04-30T03:40:00.005+08:002016-05-19T06:47:15.820+08:00The Terror of the Unheard Voice<br />
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Yesterday, April 28, marked the 6th year that farmer-activist Jonas Burgos disappeared.</div>
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The Burgos family observed the day with renewed hope after new
information surfaced early this month which strengthen the accusation
that the military was behind the abduction of Jonas.</div>
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The information, which apparently came from the files of the
military, included a picture of Jonas looking dazed with a large
bandana around his neck, which was probably used to blindfold him.</div>
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Other materials that surfaced were confidential military reports
consisting of the “After Apprehension Report,” the “Psycho Social
Processing Report,” and the “Autobiography of Jonas Burgos.” </div>
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How these documents got to the Burgos family is proof that truth
cannot be kept hidden forever. Based on those new information, the
Supreme Court ordered the re-investigation of Jonas’ disappearance
case.</div>
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This is what sustains the hopes of the Burgos family. Jonas, son of press freedom fighter Jose Burgos Jr., was abducted by
identified men at the Ever Gotesco mall in Quezon City on April 8, 2007.</div>
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Despite repeated denials by the military, a military officer, Maj
Major Harry Baliaga, is under investigation for his alleged abduction of
Burgos. His superiors, however, have remained untouched. One of them,
Brig. Gen. Eduardo Año, is now chief of the AFP Intelligence
Service.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7sSe2j1ZHroqe4CrkhO1mLvzCyGiNAa46pySd7-r3pZ037n2oAxoTcje9MN9Q_W5GxXCQoR0rk2stei10H8aTP8sct1so-kUDC0zRWd0KZ60a_o4CqH-Q2P_O62joTvbL8lET9ldolM7/s1600/The-unheard-voice1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7sSe2j1ZHroqe4CrkhO1mLvzCyGiNAa46pySd7-r3pZ037n2oAxoTcje9MN9Q_W5GxXCQoR0rk2stei10H8aTP8sct1so-kUDC0zRWd0KZ60a_o4CqH-Q2P_O62joTvbL8lET9ldolM7/s640/The-unheard-voice1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yesterday, the Burgos family released an eight-minute video of the
wife of Jonas, Me-Ann, sharing her thoughts, pains and hopes about
Jonas.</div>
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In the video she recalled her feelings when Jonas failed to call her for several hours. <i>“Parang sasabog ang dibdib ko. Kasi alam ko may problema</i>…(My heart felt like bursting. Because I knew there was a problem.) “</div>
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She said the feeling was difficult to explain.<i>”Hindi mo maintidihan ang pakiramdam kasi para kang mababaliw.</i>(You can’t understand the feeling because it’s like you are going crazy.)””</div>
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She said she had tried to protect her daughter (who was two years old
in 2007)from the trauma of her father’s disapperance all these years
but when the picture of Jonas was flashed on TV two weeks ago, the girl
knew it was bad.</div>
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Me-Ann said she is still hoping Jonas is alive. <i>“Mahirap paniwalaan ang pakiramdam na un. Pero sigurado ako sa pakiramdam.</i>(It’s hard to believe that feeling. But I’m sure of that feeling.)”</div>
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Edith Burgos, mother of Jonas, who has become the spokesperson for the families of Philippine <i>desaparecidos,</i> said she is encouraged by the recent order of President Aquino to intensify the investigation on the Jonas Burgos abduction.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf8LRtYtB1kqRWfeBYs166mv3f4HDthWTvvco7WhZdnBhfGhIXbMSKiX-2_6w1d2N4VghXj5-ka05R_L4hf8Ljt6piD3Ls153l00mxOoT5lE-BXg_rlxs4OUP1O943w2PLQExlgEsNA8s/s1600/Photo-that-surfaced-April-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf8LRtYtB1kqRWfeBYs166mv3f4HDthWTvvco7WhZdnBhfGhIXbMSKiX-2_6w1d2N4VghXj5-ka05R_L4hf8Ljt6piD3Ls153l00mxOoT5lE-BXg_rlxs4OUP1O943w2PLQExlgEsNA8s/s400/Photo-that-surfaced-April-2013.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Apparently treading lightly on the involvement of the members of the
military, Aquino said, “Our system of justice is based on the
presumption of innocence, but also guarantees that culpability derived
from hard evidence will exact accountability.” </div>
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“Our system of justice is based on the presumption of innocence, but
also guarantees that culpability derived from hard evidence will exact
accountability,” Aquino added.</div>
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The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances continues to put pressure on the Aquino government.</div>
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In its statement yesterday, AFAD said after six years of the Jonas
Burgos disappearance, “no one has yet been put on trial despite the
government’s repeated pledges of making Jonas’ disappearance case its
top priority. So far, the Aquino government has done nothing concrete
to shed light on the number of enforced disappearance cases and other
forms of human rights violations committed during the Arroyo
administration. Far worse is that enforced disappearance continue,
albeit in lesser number compared to the previous administration. Under
the present political dispensation, 18 cases have been documented by the
Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance.”</div>
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But AFAD also took note that “The Philippines has recently made
history being the first in Asia to criminalize and penalize enforced
disappearances with the enactment of Republic Act No. 10353 or the
Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012 on 21 December
2012 and the promulgation of the law’s Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) on 12 February 2012.”</div>
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The group said, “ But a law is as good as its implementation. It
requires strong will on the part of the Aquino government to ensure its
implementation. The disappearance case of Jonas Burgos is a litmus test
of the government’s commitment not only to ensure accountability but to
combat impunity and guarantee that it will never happen again.”</div>
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28. April 2013 by Ellen</div>
<br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Copied from Ellen Tordesillas Bl</b>og.</span></i><br />
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<b>Related story </b>:<br />
<span style="color: #333332; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.0625;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333332; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.0625;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Why would the Army abduct Jonas Burgos ?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333332; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><b>http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/4466-why-would-the-army-abduct-jonas-burgos</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Family marks 8th year of Jonas Burgo\s disappearanced</b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/688061/family-marks-8th-year-of-jonas-burgos-disappearance</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hmUpBQBVxys/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hmUpBQBVxys?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-align: start;"><b><i>The Unheard Voice</i></b></span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XecxSFsulHc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XecxSFsulHc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<h1 class="yt watch-title-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; display: table-cell; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 13px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 824px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Mrs. Burgos, 5 years after"><span style="font-size: small;">Mrs. Burgos, 5 years after</span></span></h1>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QRMXAARMesg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QRMXAARMesg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<h1 class="yt watch-title-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; display: table-cell; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 13px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 824px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="watch-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="The disappearance of Jonas Burgos"><span style="font-size: small;">The disappearance of Jonas Burgos<br /></span></span></h1>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-24573914877717746032011-02-18T18:51:00.000+08:002016-05-19T07:06:13.004+08:00Victims of Martial Law<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018636625132726488.post-20287151294858123892010-06-23T07:28:00.033+08:002010-08-22T04:27:13.545+08:00The Adventures of Piang the Moro Jungle Boy. <br />
The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Piang the Moro Jungle Boy, <br />
by Florence Partello Stuart <br />
<br />
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org<br />
<br />
Title: The Adventures of Piang the Moro Jungle Boy<br />
<br />
A Book for Young and Old<br />
Author: Florence Partello Stuart<br />
Release Date: August 26, 2007 [EBook #22407]<br />
Language: English<br />
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1<br />
<br />
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES OF PIANG ***<br />
<br />
Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed<br />
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ from scans made<br />
available by Google Books.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Adventures of </span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Piang </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Moro Jungle Boy</span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd9ou6lqitIUuomtQf9iO3ZBr2BJDCjdIqwG2jUtnKBIpbaED0NiZsm7h0Wl0UgRJ6o1q-3gbrX8yw3yunJ2nVAW2x8DD6GxU8mE1usEbnuqmubzTfF98_2ex3xMVYc08dXiDv0FxFCKi/s1600/p000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd9ou6lqitIUuomtQf9iO3ZBr2BJDCjdIqwG2jUtnKBIpbaED0NiZsm7h0Wl0UgRJ6o1q-3gbrX8yw3yunJ2nVAW2x8DD6GxU8mE1usEbnuqmubzTfF98_2ex3xMVYc08dXiDv0FxFCKi/s400/p000.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Slowly he swam downward, conscious of a large body moving near him.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>“Do you know the fragrant stillness of the orchid scented glade, </em></div><em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Where the blazoned, bird-winged butterflies flap through?”</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Piang is a real boy. Dato Kali Pandapatan is a real Moro chief. </div><br />
When I returned from my life among the natives of the lower Philippines, I was appalled to find that America was not only ignorant of, but entirely indifferent to our colonies across the seas. The general impression seemed to be that Manila was a delightful Spanish city, and that Manila was the Philippines. That there are several thousand little islands in the Philippine group, each harboring its distinct tribe, each with its own dialect and religion, was entirely unknown. Impressed by the nobility of the Moro in contrast to the other tribes of the archipelago, by his unfortunate treatment and his possibilities for development, I found myself taking up his cause, and was repaid by intense interest wherever I launched forth on my pet subject. I was so successful that gradually I began to idealize the Moro, weaving around him, not the “might have beens,” but the “might be’s.” Hence, “The Adventures of Piang.” <br />
<br />
Many of our military heros of other days share the honors with Piang; their exploits and privations are a romance in themselves, and among these pages the army and navy will recognize stories that have long since become history. I am indebted to Dean Worcester for statistics and a great deal of information on the origin and development of the Moro. Indeed some of Piang’s adventures are actual incidents of Dean Worcester’s travels. Robinson and Foreman have given me much material, and I find their books authentic and true chronicles of the Malay people. But most of all I am indebted to that great and wise man, Colonel John P. Finley, United States Army, who during his term as civil governor of the Moro provinces, did more to help a down-trodden people than any Christian who has ever attempted to bring them to the true light. <br />
<br />
Anticipating carping criticisms from geographic purists, the author is ready to admit taking liberties with longitudes and latitudes, juggling lakes and mountains to the envy of Atlas, in order to serve the picturesque and romantic purposes of Piang. <br />
<br />
Some of the stories in this volume appeared in the juvenile magazines, “St. Nicholas,” “What To Do,” and “Boys’ World,” and are reprinted through the courtesy of the editors. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">First Adventure</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Charm Boy</span></strong><br />
<br />
In the warm Celebes Sea, four hundred miles south of Manila, lies the romantic, semi-mysterious island of Mindanao, home of the Moro. For three centuries Spain struggled to subjugate this fierce people, with little or no success, and she turned them over to America with a sigh of relief. Perpetual warfare is the pastime of the Moro; it is his sport, his vocation; and the Mother Jungle hurls a livelihood at his feet. Food, clothing, shelter are his birthright. <br />
<br />
One of the most powerful tribes of Moroland is ruled by Dato (chief) Kali Pandapatan. Far up in the hills dwells this powerful clan, arrogant and superior in its power. Piang, the chosen of Allah, dwells among them; haughtily the boy accepts their homage as his due, for he is destined to become their ruler some day. His prowess and bravery are the boast of his people, and the name of Piang is known from one end of Mindanao to the other. <br />
<br />
The tribe was assembled for the ceremony. Within the hollow square stood Dato (chief) Kali Pandapatan and old Pandita (priest) Asin. There was a rustle of expectancy among the onlookers; their interest was divided between the two solitary figures, silently waiting, and a hut, much bedecked with gaudy trappings and greens. On all sides the silent jungle closed in around the brilliant throng, seeming to bear witness against mankind; men might force a tiny clearing in its very heart after years of struggle and work, but the virgin forest sang on, undisturbed, watchful. <br />
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The grass flaps, forming the door of the hut, moved. Like a soft wind caressing the palm-trees, a murmur rustled through the crowd: <br />
<br />
“It is he!” <br />
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Children scrambled away from restraining parents to get a better view; dogs, filled with uneasiness by this strange silence, whined. The stillness was unnatural. Distant cries of a mina-bird floated to this strained audience; the river, muttering its plaints to the listening rushes, sounded like a cataract in their ears. <br />
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Into the midst of this crowd walked a stately, graceful youth. The dusky goldenness of his skin was enhanced by his rainbow-hued garments. From waist to ankle he was encased in breeches as tight as any gymnast’s pantaloons; they were striped in greens and scarlets and had small gold filigree buttons down the sides. A tight jacket, buttoned to the throat, was fastened with another row of buttons, and around his waist was gracefully tied a crimson sash, the fringed ends heavy with glass beads and seed-pearls. A campilan (two-handled knife, double-edged), and a pearl-handled creese (dagger) were thrust into the sash. With arrogant tread he advanced, the ranks dividing like a wave before an aggressive war-prau. His piercing black eyes expressed utter indifference, and he ignored those gathered to witness his triumph. Only once he seemed to smile when the little slave girl, Papita, timidly touched his arm. The rebuke that fell upon her from the others, brought a frown to the boy’s face, but he continued to advance until he stood beside Dato Kali Pandapatan and Pandita Asin. Here, like a sentinel giant, bereft of his nearest kin, one monster tree remained standing. It seemed to whisper to its distant mates, who nodded answer from their ranks at the edge of the clearing. Under this tree Piang paused, gazing fixedly at his beloved chief. <br />
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“Piang,” said Kali, “the time has come for you to prove that you are the chosen of Allah.” <br />
<br />
A perceptible rustle followed this. <br />
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“On the night of your birth, the panditas announced that the charm boy, who was to lead the tribe to victory, would be born before the stars dimmed. Your cry came first, but there was another, also, fated to come to us that night. The mestizo (half-breed) boy, Sicto, opened his eyes before that same dawn, and you are destined to prove which is the chosen Allah.” Anxiously the Moro men and women gazed at their idol, Piang. His manly little head was held high, and the powerful shoulders squared as he listened. <br />
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The sun, but lately risen, bathed the multitude in its early light and chased the light filigree of moisture from the foliage. Through the branches of the solitary tree, wavy sunbeams made their way to flicker and play around Piang, and one bold dart seemed to hesitate and caress the mass of glossy, black hair. <br />
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“Sicto!” called Kali. There was another murmur, but very different from the one that had preceded Piang’s coming. From the same hut came forth another boy. A little taller than Piang, was Sicto, lean and lank of limb. His skin was a dirty cream color, more like that of the Mongolian than the warm tinted Mohammedan. His costume was much like Piang’s, but it was not carried with the royal dignity of the other boy’s. Sicto’s head was held a little down; the murky eyes avoided meeting those of his tribesmen, and his whole attitude gave the impression of slinking. The high cheek-bones and slightly tilted eyes bore evidence of the Chinese blood that flowed in his veins, and the tribe shuddered at the thought of Sicto as charm boy. He advanced with a shambling gait. <br />
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“Sicto, it is given that you shall have your chance.” Kali Pandapatan spoke loudly, a frown on his brow. “Piang is of our own blood, and we, one and all, wish him to be our charm boy, but there shall be no injustice done. Born under the same star, within the same hour, it is not for me to decide whether you or Piang is the Heaven-sent.” Turning to the pandita, Kali whispered something. The old man nodded and advanced a few steps, saying: <br />
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“My people, I shall leave it to you, whether or not I have made a wise decision. There is no way for us to prove the claim of either of these boys, so I am sending them to seek the answer for themselves.” Asin paused, and the crowd moved. “On yonder mountain dwells the wise hermit, Ganassi. He has lived there for many years, apart from man, alone in the jungle with beast and reptile. <br />
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There are no trails to his haunt; no man has seen Ganassi for a generation, but that he still lives we know, for he answers our signal fires each year and replies to our questions.” Turning to the two boys, he addressed them directly: “The mountain where he dwells has been named after him, Ganassi Peak, and friends through the hills will direct you toward it. You shall both start at the same time, but by different routes. One leads through the jungle, over the hills; the other follows the river to its head-water, the lake. Old Ganassi will guide the real charm boy to him; he is great; he is ubiquitous. Have no fear of the jungle or its creatures, for he will be with you.” <br />
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Amazement and joy were written on Piang’s face. He was to penetrate the jungle at last, alone! His heart thrilled at the thought of the adventures waiting for him there, and with radiant face he turned toward the inviting forest. <br />
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“Piang! Piang!” resounded through the stillness, as the excited Moros watched him. <br />
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Sicto stood, head down, wriggling his toes in the sand. He did not like the idea of the lonely jungle, or the thought of the long hard days between him and Ganassi Peak, but he did not speak. <br />
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With solemn ceremony the pandita prepared to anoint the boys according to the rites of the tribe. A slave boy ran lightly forward and sank on his knees before the pandita. On his head he bore a basket covered with cool, green leaves. Praying and chanting, the priest uncovered the basket, revealing two beautiful dazzlingly white flowers. <br />
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“The champakas!” cried Papita in amazement as the rare flowers were exposed. An admonishing hand was placed over her lips. Slowly Asin raised the flowers, heavy with dew, above the two boys, and the clear, crystal drops fell upon their heads. Across the sky trailed a flock of white rice-birds; as they flitted across the clearing, their shadows leaped from one picturesque Moro to another; a twig snapped, startling a baby, who cried out. The spell was broken. <br />
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The chant was taken up by the entire tribe, and slowly at first, they began to revolve around the central figures. As their excitement grew, the pace quickened, until they were whirling and gyrating at a reckless rate. Like a pistol-shot came the command to cease, and quietly all returned to their original places. Kali Pandapatan raised his hand for silence. <br />
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“I shall throw my creese into the air. Sicto, you may have first choice. Do you choose the point, or the flat fall?” <br />
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Sicto considered: <br />
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“If the creese falls without sticking into the ground, I shall choose my route first.” <br />
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The crowd instinctively pushed a little closer as Kali tossed the shining blade into the air. A gasp, forced from between some anxious lip, broke the stillness. Every eye followed the course described by the knife, and when it fell, clean as an arrow, the blade piercing the earth, there was a sigh of relief. Piang was to have first choice. <br />
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“Piang, it is given that you shall choose. Will you proceed by the river or take your chances with the jungle? One route is as safe as another, and only the real charm boy can reach Ganassi.” <br />
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“I will go by the river,” Piang answered quietly, with great dignity. <br />
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It was a beautiful day. To us, the heat would have been stifling, the humidity distressing, but Piang loved it all and joyfully looked forward to the trip up the river. <br />
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The trying ceremony over, the two candidates had hurried off to prepare for the long journey. Cumbersome garments were discarded, and Piang was clothed in the easy costume of the jungle traveler; breech-clout, head-cloth, a sarong, flung carelessly over one shoulder, and a pañuelo (handkerchief) with a few necessary articles tied securely in it. His weapons were a bolo, a creese, and a bow and arrow. Piang’s bare limbs, bronze and powerful, glistened in the brilliant sunshine, and he was very picturesque as he paddled along the stream, dipping his slim hands into the current, arresting objects that floated by. He had made his banco (canoe) himself; had even felled the palma brava alone, and had spent days burning and chopping the center away, until at last he was the proud possessor of one of the swiftest canoes on the river. As on ice-boats, long outriggers of slender poles extended across the banco, and the ends were joined by other bamboo poles, so that the canoe looked like a giant dragon-fly as it skimmed lightly over the water. <br />
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Piang stopped at a lily-pad to gather some of the inviting blossoms, but regretted it instantly, as a swarm of mosquitos rose and enveloped him. He thought to escape their vicious attacks by paddling faster, but it was no use; they had come to stay. Trailing after him a long uneven stream, they seemed to take turns in tormenting him, and as the leaders became satiated, they fell back, allowing the rear rankers to buzz forward and renew the attack. Piang longed for a certain kind of moss that grows at the roots of trees, but his keen eyes could not discover any.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY19TmgVrP-18V7pG9RDgdFHn1bQmWQDEWlBUPhftK8MvZgFU5l1KRIcHHg9Yqz21LjyJj7mX-FEs_Nkzwmzew0R7ZdsFJVWhyphenhyphencG-u4YHsozUV2IGxVbI1i11DQBEZEE08mtKFIvgj0-A/s1600/p017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY19TmgVrP-18V7pG9RDgdFHn1bQmWQDEWlBUPhftK8MvZgFU5l1KRIcHHg9Yqz21LjyJj7mX-FEs_Nkzwmzew0R7ZdsFJVWhyphenhyphencG-u4YHsozUV2IGxVbI1i11DQBEZEE08mtKFIvgj0-A/s400/p017.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">Rising to his feet, spear poised, he waited.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was almost all he could do, to paddle his banco and fight the pests; his sarong was wrapped tightly around him, but it was no protection against the savage mosquitos, and he was about to drop in the water despite the crocodiles, when he spied some of the moss. With a cry of relief, he headed toward the bank and managed to pull some into the boat. Taking from his bundle a queerly shaped, wooden object, he spun it like a top, rapidly, backward and forward in a pan until smoke appeared at the point of the rod. Powdering some bark, he threw it into the pan, and when it began to blaze, he added some of the damp moss. Gradually a thick, pungent smoke arose. It curled upward, enveloping him and almost choking him with its overwhelming aroma, but it dispelled the mosquitos immediately, and Piang continued his journey unmolested. </div><br />
He was very happy that morning, for was he not free, honored by his tribe, and engaged in the dearest of pastimes, adventure? The poor little girls have no choice in their occupations, for as soon as they are large enough, their tasks are allotted to them; they must sit all day and weave, or wear out their little backs pounding rice in the big wooden bowls. But the man child is free. The jungle is his task. He must learn to trap game, to find where the fruits abound, and to avoid the many dangers that wait for him. Piang broke into a native chant: <br />
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“Ee-ung pee-ang, unk ah-wang!” As it resounded through the forest in his high-pitched, nasal tones, he was answered from the trees, and little, gray monkeys came swinging along to see who their visitor might be. Piang mischievously tossed a piece of the smoking moss to the bank and paused to see the fun. Their almost human coughs, as the smoke was wafted their way, made him laugh. They scampered down, tumbling over each other in their anxiety to be first, and one little fellow, who succeeded in out-distancing the others, stuck its hand into the smoldering embers. Astonished, at first, it nursed the injured member, but gradually becoming infuriated, it finally shrieked and jumped up and down. It began to pelt the smudge madly with stones, chattering excitedly to its companions, as if describing the tragedy. The others had climbed back into the trees, paying no attention to Piang, but keeping a watchful eye on the danger that had been hurled among them. <br />
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Piang lazily plied his paddle, laughing to himself at the foolishness of monkeys. He tried to peer through the dense trees that crowded toward the river, hiding the secrets of the jungle. He wanted to know those secrets, wanted to match his strength against the numberless dangers that are always veiled by that twilight, which the sun strives in vain to penetrate, year after year, turning away discouraged. Piang listlessly examined the river, little knowing the perilous adventure that waited for him just beyond the bend. <br />
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One lone log, majestic in its solitude, floated down the river, resisting the efforts of tenacious creepers to bind and hold it prisoner. Piang poked it with his paddle. Another was floating in its wake, and he idly tapped this, also. It stirred, turned over, and disappeared under the boat. <br />
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“Boia!” (“Crocodile!”) breathed the startled boy. He had disturbed one of the sleeping monsters! Piang’s heart beat very fast, and a shudder passed through him as he felt something bump the bottom of the boat. The crocodile was just beneath him and if it rose suddenly, it would upset him. One, two, three seconds he waited, but they were the longest seconds Piang had ever known. There was a slight movement astern; the boat tipped forward, swerved, and before Piang could right himself, a vicious snort startled him. The crocodile was lashing the water with its tail, and the light shell was pitching and rolling dangerously. Piang scrambled to his knees. <br />
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There are only two vulnerable spots on a full-grown crocodile; under the left fore leg, where the heart can be pierced, and the jugular vein, easily reached through the opened jaws. Piang, in the bow of the boat, paused, arm raised, waiting for a favorable opportunity. The canoe was being swept backward, stern first, and the crocodile swam close, nosing it, making it careen perilously. Any moment the merciless jaws might close over the brittle wood, crushing it to splinters. The small, bleary eyes seemed to devour Piang as they tortured him with suspense, but he patiently waited for his chance, knowing that he would only have one. The banco gave a jerk as it bumped into an obstruction, and the impact forced it outward a few feet. The moment had come. As the crocodile plunged forward, Piang thrust his spear into its breast. There was a gurgling sound, a swishing of the water, and the Ugly thing rolled over on its back. <br />
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Piang never could remember just how he escaped. From every sheltered cove, from behind innocent-looking snags, appeared the heads of hungry crocodiles, awakened by the fight. Luckily they were attracted by the blood of Piang’s victim, and he skilfully avoided the clumsy animals as they rushed after the fast disappearing meal. One powerful monster succeeded in dragging the body into the rushes, and the noise of the dispute, as they fought over their unfortunate mate, nauseated the boy. His arms were tired and stiff and his head was reeling, but he bravely worked at the paddle until he reached a bend of the river. It had been a narrow escape, and Piang had learned a lesson. Never again would he idly thump logs in a stream! <br />
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The boat suddenly came to a standstill. It was turning as if on a pivot. It had been caught in one of the numerous eddies at the mouth of a small tributary stream. Vigorously he strove to gain the channel. He hugged the bank, hoping to free himself from the whirlpool, but his outrigger became entangled in some weeds, and the boat slowly began to tip. Frantically he reached toward the tall nipa-palms, nodding over his head, but their flimsy stalks gave easily, and he was almost thrown out of the boat. The sparkling water, as if laughing at his predicament, caressed the helpless craft, drawing it closer and closer to its bosom. The banco gave a lurch; it was tipping; it shipped a quantity of water. All Piang’s weight thrown against the upturned outrigger had no effect. Helplessly, he looked into the green, whirling depths. <br />
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There was only one thing to be done. Taking a long breath, he grabbed his creese and dived. Down, down; the current pulled and tugged at him; the rush of sand and mud blinded him, and he was almost swept out into the river. But he managed to catch hold of the roots that were twined about the boat and finally cut the banco free. With a bound it started down the river. The empty shell, at the mercy of the waves, danced and frolicked like a crazy thing, and Piang was almost stunned by a blow from the outrigger as it passed him. <br />
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The boat was rushing right back into the midst of the crocodiles, but he bravely struck out after it. There was no chance for him if he failed to reach it. The whispering rushes and feathery palms at the water’s edge hid evil-smelling mud, festering with fever, the home of reptiles and crocodiles. Desperately the boy strove to overtake the boat, and just as he was giving up hope, a friendly snag tempted the runaway to pause, and Piang’s strong, young hand closed over the outrigger. Then began the task of climbing back. A sudden movement might release the banco, and it would continue its mad flight, which he would be powerless to stop. Keeping his eye on the frail-looking snag, he threw himself on his back in the water and worked his way along the outrigger as he would climb a tree. Finally his hand touched the body of the boat, and, cautiously turning over, he sat straddling the bamboo frame. It was all he could do to keep from jumping into the boat, but he restrained his impatience and started worming over the side. <br />
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Half-way in his heart gave a leap! He could hear the swish-swish of the water on the other side of the banco as something made its way toward him. The eddy was the only thing that saved him, for he could see the dread thing twirling round and round as it tried to reach him. The boy was almost paralyzed with fear. As long as the crocodile was on the other side of the boat, he was safe, but now—the snag creaked, stirred. <br />
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Piang made one heroic effort, lifted himself clear of the water, and fell exhausted into the boat. He was not a moment too soon. The crunching sound, as the support began to give under the strain, was a fit accompaniment to the snarling and snapping of the crocodile, which, deprived of its prey, was lashing the water, trying to reach the frail outriggers. Piang thought he had never been swept through the water so rapidly, and that he would never gain control of his boat. Louder and clearer came the sounds of the fighting monsters beyond the bend, and there between him and safety lurked his latest enemy. <br />
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An impertinent, ridiculous twitter came from a tiny scarlet-crowned songster, as if it were trying to advise and direct the hard-pressed boy. Its solemn, round eyes stared at him, reproving and admonishing him for his foolhardiness. Piang, on his knees, struggling with the current, was unaware of his audience. Gradually he worked the boat around and headed up-stream, straight for the crocodile. Surprised by this sudden change in tactics, it snorted and opened its repulsive jaws. Piang had hoped to catch it in this position, so, pressing forward as rapidly as possible, he took careful aim and hurled his knife into its mouth. Rising to his feet, spear poised, he waited to see if the knife would be effective. The creature floundered and slashed the water, gave a blood-curdling bellow, and rolled over on its back, dead. A crocodile fights with its last breath to remain on its belly, for if not dead, it drowns as soon as it turns over. <br />
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Piang wanted his weapon. The body of the animal was caught by the current and shot rapidly past him down-stream, but the boy, warned by the commotion further down, hesitated to follow it. He realized, however, that his knife was very valuable to him, and that he was sure to have urgent need of it again, so he started after the ugly body. The sparkling wavelets sported and capered with their grewsome burden, sometimes dashing it against some stray log, again bearing it far across the river as if purposely assisting it to elude its pursuer. <br />
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Piang skilfully guided his banco in its wake, and finally succeeded in thrusting his spear into its side, and pulled it toward the bank. The knife was embedded far down in the terrible jaws, and Piang wondered if he dared reach into them. He looked at the tusk-like teeth, the first he had ever seen at close quarters, but he remembered with a shudder the wounds that he had helped care for—wounds made by such poisonous tusks. <br />
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Mustering his courage, he slowly extended his hand into its mouth. The big, wet tongue flopped against his hand; the powerful jaws quivered spasmodically, and the hot, fetid steam from the throat sickened him. His knife! He must get it! Desperately he tugged at the handle; it would not loosen its hold. Cold sweat broke out all over Piang. A new sound arrested him. The crocodiles below had already smelled the blood of the second victim and were plunging up-stream to find it. The boy thought the knife would never come out. He worked and twisted, and finally it gave so suddenly, that he lost his balance, and by a quick turn of his body just saved himself from another ducking. It was lucky for Piang that he finished when he did, for around the curve in the river, headed directly toward him, came the crowding, vicious scavengers. <br />
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Gathering his wits quickly, he pushed forward. The snorting and fighting grew more and more distant; the peaceful river stretched out before him like a silver road beckoning him to safety, and he offered a prayer of thanksgiving to Allah, the Merciful, that he had been spared that awful death. <br />
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It was nearly evening when Piang beached his banco and took up the trail to the village where he was to spend his first night. Confidently he trotted through the jungle, picking his way easily among the gathering shadows. Soon voices became distinguishable, and he heard tom-toms beating the evening serenade. Dogs howled in response, women chattered, boys quarreled. To Piang this represented the usual day’s peaceful ending. <br />
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As he trotted into the clearing and paused before the hut of the dato, the curious crowded around him: mothers to see if the stranger’s muscles could compare with their lads’; girls to flaunt their charms; boys to measure him with their eyes. Piang had no interest in anything but the boys, and as soon as the dato condescended to greet him with the customary salutation for guests, he was left in peace to join them at their interrupted game of pelota. <br />
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Twilight comes quickly in the tropics. When darkness had fallen, each family was squatting beside its rice pot, and as the night silence deepened, the village slept. Piang had asked for no shelter, and no invitation had been extended, but he silently accepted the hospitality, according to the strange Moro codes. <br />
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Slumber claimed the inhabitants of the barrio, but all around the jungle woke to the night. Noxious blooms raised their heads to drink in the deadly moisture; hungry pythons took up their silent vigil at water holes; night prowlers slunk in the gloom to spring on the more defenseless creatures, and over it all the inscrutable jungle kept watch, passing silent judgment on man and beast, in this great scheme of life. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Second Adventure</span></strong> <br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Floating Island</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Like a mirror framed in soft velvet green, the lake broke upon Piang. In the still noon heat the motionless water scintillated and sparkled and the powerful rays of the sun seemed to penetrate to the very bottom. Dragon-flies and spiders skated merrily about, eluding the ever-watchful fishes lying in wait amid forests of lacy seaweeds and coral. Tall, stately palms, towering above their mates, scorned to seek their reflections in the clear depths, but frivolous bamboo and nipa-palms swayed gently out over the water, rustling and chattering with delight at their mirrored images. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Piang slipped through the mouth of the creek and gazed in amazement at the vast sheet of water. Stories of the lake and its wonderful floating islands had lured him from the more direct route to Ganassi Peak, and he eagerly searched for one of the curiosities. His eyes focused on a dot of green far in the distance. It was moving, turning, and suddenly a whole fleet of dancing, playful islands became distinct. Joyfully Piang started in pursuit. He wanted to see one, to touch it. Swiftly he flew through the water. As if detecting his purpose, the nomad islands eluded him. As soon as he chose one to pursue, it flaunted its charms the more and capered and dodged behind its fellows. Like a giant may-pole, the largest island held several smaller ones in leash, permitting them to revolve around it, interlacing vines and creepers that were rooted on the mother isle. Monkeys and jungle creatures crept fearlessly along these natural ropes, sporting from one island to another. Hablar-birds and aigrets squabbled over bits of rice and wild fruits. Piang caught sight of a civet-cat crouching in a tree on one island. It had probably gone to sleep in that tree while the island was nosing the mainland and had awakened to find itself adrift. Sometimes these floating islands would be held to the shore for years, intertwining liana (climbing plants of tropical forests) and bajuca (jungle rope), but sooner or later some wild storm is sure to set them wandering again. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">There were weird tales of early Dyak settlers. These Borneo pirates had fled to Mindanao to escape justice, bringing many cruel and terrible customs that were to take root and bear fruit among the tribes of the sultan. A favorite pastime of the Dyaks had been to bind captives to a stray island and lead it slowly and tantalizingly to the mammoth waterfalls, shouting and dancing with glee as it plunged into the abyss.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw42H2pxWf4o3qcFQb9yCMazDU-FGZtAIhP3-gZXUf_xIswWyYTsaVydJm45FFK-n6DoE-5cCZAgK1FZLwlM75JTLrrAFcsXlfQiAg5JYpHoslIJefFtta2K5oUWVAfXzanGmXEmYDJpFv/s1600/p037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw42H2pxWf4o3qcFQb9yCMazDU-FGZtAIhP3-gZXUf_xIswWyYTsaVydJm45FFK-n6DoE-5cCZAgK1FZLwlM75JTLrrAFcsXlfQiAg5JYpHoslIJefFtta2K5oUWVAfXzanGmXEmYDJpFv/s400/p037.jpg" width="295" /></strong></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><em>His hands closed over something</em></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The lake was like a fairy-land. Purple lotus flowers surrounded the boat. Piang dipped his hands into the cool water, and pulled them up by long slender roots; lily-pads offered their beauties and soon the banco was a bower of fragrant and brilliant flowers. Playfully Piang caught at a vine, floating in the wake of an island. The natural boat led him gently about, twisting and circling back and forth. He laughed merrily. The islands were too funny! They seemed almost human in their antics. Some had regular routes, and, like mail boats touched the same spot again and again, only to be hurried on as the current caught them. Others with malicious intent strayed in the path of their more systematic brothers, bumping and jarring them with obstinate regularity.</span> </span><strong><span style="font-size: small;"></span></strong></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><br />
The joy of freedom thrilled Piang; the intimacy with nature and its mysteries stirred within him a desire to know more, feel more, and he gazed at the distant peak where his fortune awaited him, wondering if the old hermit, Ganassi, was in reality watching for his coming. <br />
<br />
Toward afternoon Piang became conscious of a heavy steam-like vapor rising from the undergrowth at the edge of the jungle; the atmosphere grew suddenly sticky and sultry. Almost within a moment the brilliant sunshine was blotted out, and a gray twilight settled over the lake. Frightened birds, squawking and screaming, hurried by; a fawn, drinking at the water’s edge, darted off through the jungle. A slight frown rippled across the water; the breeze chilled Piang. Trees in the distance seemed to bend nearly double with no apparent cause, but the rush of wind finally swept the whole valley, and the jungle shuddered and swayed before it. The storm seemed an animate thing, seemed to come upon the peacefulness of the lake like an evil genius, hurling its fury upon nature and her creatures. <br />
<br />
Piang had never been alone in a typhoon. In bewilderment he looked about, wondering where he could find shelter. He watched the birds, the animals; his boat brought up against something with a thud. An island had bumped into him, and he realized in dismay what a menace the pretty toys might become in a typhoon. Struggling with the tempest, Piang fought past the islands, reached the shore, turned his banco bottom side up, and crept underneath. <br />
<br />
The violent wind began to dash loose objects about, tearing limbs off trees and hurling them aloft as if they were mere splinters. A cocoanut crashed down, striking the ground near Piang; another fell, and yet another. Then the rain came in torrents. It fell unevenly as if poured by mighty giants from huge buckets. The ground beneath Piang was swaying, undulating. A tree crashed to the ground, tearing away vines and ferns. As he began to experience the motion of a boat, Piang became thoroughly alarmed and, dashing aside the banco, sprang to his feet. <br />
<br />
Terror flashed into his heart. What was happening? He had landed on the mainland and put his banco under a big tree, and now this tree was pitching and swaying, its branches sweeping the ground. The tree was being uprooted, and the earth at Piang’s feet was plowed up as roots tore through the surface. The next tree was being felled in the same manner, and as his eyes darted about, he beheld everywhere the same terrifying picture. These mighty monuments of time, trees older than man, were being torn from their beds and thrown to the ground or left standing against each other for support. It seemed to be only the trees in Piang’s vicinity that were doomed to destruction, and, although it was a dangerous thing to attempt, Piang decided to seek another shelter. He took a few difficult steps forward and was almost stunned by the immense fall of water. It dashed into his face, beat upon his head in a stinging, hissing mass; it ran in streams down his arms and legs, making him heavy and clumsy. As he caught at a tree for support, it groaned under his weight and crashed to earth; the ground was giving way, and he felt himself sinking. With a scream, he freed himself, and, jumping to a fallen tree, clung desperately, hoping to escape flying missiles. Just as he gathered himself for another advance his heart gave a jump. Through the mad rage of the typhoon, he could hear quick breathing! The ground tipped and swayed alarmingly, tossing trees about like masts on a ship in distress. <br />
<br />
“Linug!” (“Earthquake!”) moaned Piang. Bravely the boy crept forward, knife in hand. Whatever it was, hiding under that log, Piang must take his chances; if he remained where he was he would certainly be killed by falling trees. His feet made a sucking sound; a vivid flash of lightning blinded him, and it was all he could do to force his way through the wall of water that was pounding down upon him. With a desperate effort, he pulled himself along by vines, hoping to pass the unknown animal before it could leap; but the branches stirred, and he sprang back with a cry. <br />
<br />
“Babui!” (“Wild boar!”) he gasped. The creature’s head shook with fury; its teeth were bared, and the tiny red eyes flamed with anger. The babui had the largest tusks Piang had ever seen, and he grasped his bolo firmly to meet the rush. One second, two seconds—the suspense was fearful, and Piang wondered why the boar did not attack. Strained almost beyond his endurance, he stood, rigid and cold, waiting. The wind sucked at his breath; the torrents of water, dashing in his face, kept him blinking and gasping, and still that wild thing pawed and snorted. Fascinated, Piang gazed into the vicious, bleary eyes, and finally he realized that they were losing some of their fury; the tusks sank into the spongy earth; the head fell lower. The babui was a prisoner, pinioned to the ground by a fallen tree! Relief was Piang’s first sensation, but pity for the animal and fear for himself, roused him to the realization of new dangers yet to be faced. He must plunge into the dense jungle; it was only a short distance now. He glanced back to be sure that the babui could not free itself; it was swaying and moaning, unable to move. <br />
<br />
As Piang paused to get his directions, the earth gave a tremendous jerk, which threw him on his face. He lay stunned for a few minutes and when he rose to his knees, he had the sensation of floating gently, softly. The jerking and trembling had ceased, and the ground swayed soothingly. Piang turned toward the jungle, to the spot where he had been about to step. Could he believe his eyes? Almost numb with terror, he gazed stupidly into the receding jungle. He was on land, but he was floating. He was sailing away from the jungle! Piang had taken refuge on a floating island. <br />
<br />
In despair he gazed about him, trying to penetrate the thickly driving rain. He was on the very edge of the island and he wondered why he had not been swept into the lake. The mass of vegetation, wrenched from its bed, trailed along in the water as the nomad island whirled and danced on the angry waves. A tree, the branches of which were hanging in the water, was pulled from its bed, dragging part of the island with it. One long vine struggled to right itself against the current, to gain the shelter of the island again. It seemed most lifelike, and suddenly Piang realized with a shudder that it was alive. A python had been knocked from the falling tree and was being dragged along. Only the end of its tail was twined about a log; desperately it strove to work its way back, and Piang watched with dread. Its struggles grew weaker and weaker, and finally its head sank below the waves, and it joined the unresisting creepers that were being dragged along to destruction. <br />
<br />
Piang leaned wearily against the only tree that remained standing; the fall of water, tearing down the trunk, cascaded over the jungle boy, and he raised his hand to shield his eyes. What had saved the solitary tree, Piang could not imagine, until he discovered a small diamond-shaped cut in the bark. He drew back with a shudder. Two crossed arrows were carved within the diamond. This was another Dyak custom so hateful to the Mohammedan; the tree was the sarcophagus of some Borneo chief. A century must have passed since the burial, for the incision was almost obliterated, but Piang knew that the mummy of his enemy reposed in savage dignity within the heart of the tree, and that the Dyak belief was that the tree could not fall or decay. He fought his way to the other side of the island. On it sped. Cries of frightened animals came faintly from the mainland; screams of birds, beaten to earth, pierced the din. <br />
<br />
A tremor ran through the island. There was a tearing sound as if strong timbers were being forced apart; the whole mass stood still, then came a tremendous crash. It had collided with the fleet that Piang had been sporting with only an hour before. Surely the stray bits of jungle would crush each other to bits. A gray streak flew past Piang, and a frightened monkey, thinking to save itself from the other derelict, nearly landed on the babui. Paying no attention to either the boy or the babui, the monkey shrank against a log and hid its head, whining piteously. <br />
<br />
A pale light broke through the gloom, and the rain ceased as suddenly as it had come. Piang’s heart gave a bound as he watched the tempest abate. Suddenly he straightened himself and strained his ears to catch a new sound. What was that deep, distant rumbling? A cry so piteous broke from him, that even the dying babui started. The falls! He could hear them distinctly and realized that he was rushing toward them at a mad pace. Louder and clearer grew the thunder of those falls, and Piang’s staunch little heart rebelled. He would not stand there like a Dyak prisoner! He would do something. He would save himself! A blazing flash rent the heavens and Piang caught sight of Ganassi Peak frowning and lowering in the clouds. Ganassi! If he only knew! No, it was too late. The falls roared hungrily, and nothing could keep the island from plunging to destruction. <br />
Slowly Piang rose to his full height, and, folding his arms, determined to die bravely. He could see the upper falls now, high above his head, and he pictured the greater falls below him—the falls that were waiting to swallow his island. He tried to remember the prayer for such an occasion, but none came to him. <br />
<br />
“There is no God but Allah!” muttered the terrified boy. <br />
<br />
The island was pitching again as obstacles caught at it, spinning it around and around. Each thing that it struck on its reckless journey tore portions from it; gradually it became smaller. The light grew steadily clearer, and Piang could see what awaited him. Massive rocks loomed up at the head of the falls, and he calmly wondered if he would be killed before the plunge. The side of the island where he stood began to give way, and, although he was to die in a few minutes, instinct made him move to the other side. He tried to walk, but the ground gave at each step. He crawled along the trunk of a tree and unexpectedly came upon the monkey. The little creature was still huddled against the log and showed no fear of Piang; it whined louder, seeming to sense the rapidly approaching danger. <br />
<br />
Suddenly the monkey jumped into the tree, and Piang followed it with his eyes. It seemed to be gathering itself for a greater leap. As Bruce watched the spider, so Piang, fascinated, kept his eyes on the little wild thing. Gradually it dawned on him that the monkey had discovered an avenue of escape! The island had veered off and was fast approaching a monster boulder that would surely break it in two. Growing on it were vines and trees hanging far out over the water. <br />
<br />
Piang stumbled along and somehow made his way to the burial tree. A moment he paused, awed by a superstitious fear of the dead, but a violent clap of thunder terrified him into forgetting all but his immediate danger. There were only a few moments left; if he could reach the top of the tree before the island dashed past the vines, he might save himself. His hands tremblingly sought the notches sacred to the dead; he scrambled upward. Thorns pierced his tired limbs; vines and creepers took vicious delight in fastening themselves upon him. The tree shook as the monkey jumped farther out on a limb, and the movement seemed to put new strength in Piang. As he struggled up, a calmness came to him. He carefully watched the monkey, and when it crouched for the spring, Piang searched the approaching vines for one strong enough to hold him. <br />
<br />
In a moment it would all be over. What if he jumped too soon or too late? What if the vine proved too frail? The monkey was crouching for the leap. The branch that Piang was clinging to bent under his weight. The monkey flashed through the air, made a desperate grab, and swung out of sight. In a daze, Piang prepared to follow; breathlessly he watched for his chance. With a prayer on his lips and with a mighty effort, he sprang straight out into space. His hands closed over something small and round. A dizziness came over him. <br />
<br />
In dismay he felt the vine give, as if uncoiling itself from a windlass. Down, down he fell until his feet touched the soggy earth of the island. Still the vine uncoiled; the island crashed into the boulder. Desperately Piang tried to climb the vine, but its slackness offered no resistance. Slowly the island began to tip, to slide over the falls, and Piang made one more effort to save himself. As he grasped the vine more firmly, it brought up with a quick jerk, almost breaking his hold. <br />
<br />
He felt the vine tighten, heard it creak and groan under his weight, and finally it lifted him clear of the island, swinging him far out over the abyss like a weight at the end of a pendulum. <br />
<br />
His island slid from under him, leaving him suspended in mid air; in the second that he hung there, he could see the cruel rocks below, the seething, steaming water. The stately funeral tree gently inclined to the fall, and, with stern dignity, took the plunge. The dying babui, flung far out into space, added its diminutive death-wail to the din. The vine trembled over the chasm. Piang felt a quick rush of air, a sickening feeling, as if he were rapidly falling; with a tremendous impetus the vine swung back, crashed into a tree, and, with the agility of the monkey, Piang climbed to safety. <br />
<br />
“There is no God but Allah!” came from the strained lips, and the boy turned his eyes toward the setting sun as it struggled to pierce the gloom. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
“Bulutu!” (“Rainbow!”) he cried, and a faint smile flitted across his bruised and bleeding face. <br />
<br />
Startled by a movement at his side, Piang found the frightened monkey trying to thrust its head under his arm. Taking the trembling little creature up, Piang pillowed it against his breast. And so these strange companions, the timid, wild monkey and the gentle, savage boy crouched in the tree together, watching the typhoon beat out its fury on the helpless things of nature, and ever clearer grew the bulutu as it wreathed and crowned Piang’s goal, Ganassi Peak. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Third Adventure</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br />
</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Hermit of Ganassi Peak</span></strong><br />
<br />
The silence was oppressive. Piang stumbled along through the tangle of vines and weeds, tired and foot-sore. Would he never find the path to the peak? And was there really a mysterious old man who had lived up there for over a hundred years? Sicto was somewhere on that mountain, striving to reach the summit too, and the pandita had said that the boy who arrived first, was the real charm boy. They had both started from the barrio (village) the same day; Sicto had plunged into the jungle, while Piang had chosen the river and lake. He shuddered at the recollection of his many narrow escapes during the journey. Where was his enemy, Sicto, now? Had he found an easier route, and was he already with old Ganassi, receiving the rites of charm boy? <br />
<br />
Unfamiliar with the vegetation on the mountain, Piang was afraid to touch the many strange fruits, so he contented himself with bananas and cocoanuts, and for water he drank dew from the enormous pitcher-plants. The jungle was thick, and it was difficult to decide in what direction to go, so Piang had to climb trees to get his bearings. One day just as he was starting up a tall tree, he was startled by a sound. Something was crashing through the bushes below him. Visions of terrible mountain animals flashed through his head, and he hastily scrambled up the tree. On came the creature, now pausing a moment, now plunging into the mesh of vines, tearing them asunder, always following the path Piang had made. Preparing himself for some strange beast, the boy drew bow and waited. Suddenly he started. A cold chill gripped him. That sound! It was a voice—Sicto’s! Crouching against the tree, Piang hoped to escape detection, but just as Sicto passed beneath the tree, Piang’s bow slipped and fell to the ground. Sicto jumped aside and looked up: <br />
<br />
“Oh, ho, my pretty Piang! So I’ve got you, have I?” The bully started up the tree. <br />
<br />
Like a flash Piang was away. As easily as any monkey he swung himself into the next tree, and before Sicto realized it, Piang was taunting him from the very top of a far-off tree. More agile and much smaller than Sicto, Piang could easily travel in this way, and after a few unsuccessful attempts to follow, Sicto jumped to the ground. Slyly making his way along on foot, Sicto watched his rival. When Piang thought he had outdistanced his pursuer, he slipped to the ground and started off. <br />
<br />
“Lēēēēēē lèlèlèlè ouiiiit!” The war-cry rang through the jungle, and Piang knew that his life depended on his fleet-footedness. Over fallen tree trunks, through dense cogon grass, Piang fled. His feet were pierced by wicked thorns, and everything he touched seemed to throw out a defense against him. Bamboo caught at his clothing and held him prisoner; bajuca vines clutched his weapons, hurling him to the ground. Sicto was gaining on him. After poor Piang had made the path through the jungle, it was easy enough for Sicto to follow. <br />
<br />
On, up, fled the boy. He came to a clearing through which a mountain stream was bubbling. The sun beat down; the stifling heat rising from rotting vegetation took his breath away, but Piang ran on. What was that black hole yawning in the mountain side? With a gasp, Piang realized he was at the mouth of the haunted cave. <br />
<br />
The brook, flowing swiftly down the mountain, plunged into the cave and disappeared, to come to the surface about two miles away. It was the home of the most terrible reptiles and animals, and the souls of wicked people waited there for Judgment Day. <br />
<br />
Piang scanned the precipitous cliffs, the impenetrable jungle, in search of an avenue of escape. He was trapped. A gloating cry from Sicto decided him. Sicto was a coward and would be afraid to follow him, so Piang ran toward the cave. Had not the pandita said that Ganassi would be with the real charm boy, and was not Piang sure of that protection? Who but Piang was the charm boy? <br />
<br />
Piang’s courage began to flag, however, as he caught the cold, damp odor from the cave, but he bravely plunged into the forbidding-looking cavern. Man had probably never set foot in that place before. Creeping along, he peered into the increasing darkness, but could see nothing. A shriek startled him, and the sight that met his eyes made his blood run cold. Sicto had started to follow Piang, but just as he came to the opening, a huge python slipped across the mouth of the cave, waving its enormous head from side to side. Sicto, trembling with fear, retreated into the jungle, and as Piang saw him disappear, he longed to be out again, fighting Sicto, anything, rather than penned up in the cave with that frightful snake and the unknown horrors. There was no turning back, however, for that sentinel continued to slip and slide across the opening, and Piang bravely faced the two miles that lay between him and the other end of the underground passage. <br />
<br />
The air was heavy and moldy; the sides of the cave wet and slippery. Once his hand touched something that moved, and he almost fainted. <br />
<br />
“I am the real charm boy,” he whispered, “and nothing will hurt me. Ganassi, the wonder man, is with me. Forward!” <br />
<br />
Courageous and determined, the boy pressed on. A muffled cry resounded through the passage. Flattening himself against the slimy wall, Piang listened. He could not imagine what had made the sound, and he unsheathed his knife. At times he followed the bed of the stream, wading ankle-deep in the water, but the slippery stones turned or tripped him, and when he stepped on something that moved, he groaned and jumped to the narrow shelf-like ledge that overhung the water. <br />
<br />
A faint light stole through the gloom. Was it the end? But surely not, he had not gone more than a few hundred yards. He hurried forward. Brighter, clearer, it grew. Suddenly the brook made a sharp turn, and he found himself in a high, vaulted chamber, sparkling and shimmering in the light from above. Piang was so glad to see daylight again, faint as it was, that he did not stop to consider new dangers, and eagerly ran forward. He searched the sides for support on which to climb to the crevices, but the rotting vines and moss that lined the walls gave at his touch, and he fell back discouraged. Something crumbled under his body, and he discovered to his horror that he had fallen on a skeleton. A man had been here before him, then? But closer examination proved the bones to be those of a packda (ape). Snakes and worms wriggled out of the skeleton, and Piang shrank back in fear. The dread hamadryad leered at him; poisonous toads and lizards scurried for cover. How many more of these creatures would he encounter before escaping from this dungeon? Would Ganassi protect him and lead him safely through? Something seemed to tell the boy that he was safe and with renewed faith, he prepared to continue the journey. <br />
<br />
Everywhere the beauty of nature asserted itself. Pale green ferns seemed to hold out beseeching arms toward the light; moss crept upward hopefully, softening the rough ledges with its velvet touch. Great stalagmites and stalactites, smothered in the embrace of lichen and creepers, accepted the homage of the plant life indifferently. Piang was blind to the sublimity of his surroundings, as he hurried on. Carefully he stepped on the ledge; warily he held out his bolo to ward off surprises. A sudden hiss made him leap into the stream, and shuddering, he plunged on, down the black path. Would the stream lead him to the sunlight again? Or was he burrowing into the depths of the earth, never again to breathe the air of life? <br />
<br />
Finally, after almost giving up hope, he heard the distant call of a mina-bird. The jungle! Frantically he worked his way forward, wondering if the mate to the sentinel at the other opening would bar his passage. Daylight! Faintly, at the end of the long tunnel, he could see the blessed green of the forest, but his cry of joy was stilled; his hope of safety vanished. Again that mournful cry echoed through the cavern, and he gave himself up for lost. The souls of the wicked were pursuing him, would capture him, and make him pay for intruding upon them! Piang reeled as he heard a splash in the water behind him; he caught at something for support; it writhed out of his hand. Paralyzed with fear, the boy scarcely breathed. On came the pursuer, stealthily, warily. Reaching the end of his endurance, Piang wheeled, and faced the cave. Something paused, whined, and a streak flew past him. The fetid odor of a living creature brought him to his senses, and his anxious eyes discerned the outline of a civet-cat making its way to the opening. <br />
<br />
As he struggled through those last few rods, Piang thought he had never worked so hard in his life, but finally he lay in the sunshine, safe, free, and unafraid. <br />
<br />
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<br />
For two days Piang struggled upward. Everything was strange to him; the growths and trees were different from those of the lowlands. Scrub palms, covered with small buds, on which the dread packda feeds, began to appear, and Piang anxiously scanned the trees. There is no creature in the jungle that has the strength of the packda. Only the crocodile and the python are foolish enough to attack it, but the crocodile’s jaws are torn asunder, and the python is clawed to pieces. <br />
<br />
“Piang!” The name echoed and vibrated through the forest. Who had called him? Trembling with fear, filled with apprehension, Piang took refuge in a tree. From the branches he scanned the surrounding forest. Was a spirit following him from the haunted cave, or was it the hated Sicto? <br />
<br />
“Piang!” It came softly this time, as if from a greater distance. The underbrush moved, and Piang prayed that it might not be a spirit come to destroy him. The bush rustled, cracked, and parted as a dazzling white head made its appearance. Piang shut his eyes, dreading what was to come. Almost swooning, he slipped, lost his hold, and went crashing through the branches. Stunned by the fall, it was sometime before he regained consciousness, but the first thing he was aware of, was a hot breath on his face. Slowly he opened his eyes, wondering if he was dreaming. There, bending over him, was a marvelous white fawn. <br />
<br />
Startled and ashamed, Piang looked at the lovely thing. He put out his hand and the animal laid her soft muzzle in his palm, allowing him to caress her. What did she want? Were some of her babies in trouble? With his arm about the fawn’s neck, Piang allowed himself to be led along a well defined path, trodden by many feet. <br />
<br />
“Piang!” Again his name was called, but for some reason fear had been banished from his heart, and he advanced without a qualm. Presently they came to one of the numerous jungle clearings. The sun did not burn at this altitude, and Piang took a deep breath of the fresh, crisp air. A flapping of wings startled him, and before he could prevent, a brilliant mina-bird circled his head and gently lighted on his shoulder. A soft white mist was floating around and below him. The clouds! He was in them, “the breath of the wind,” and he thought that this must be fairyland. <br />
<br />
“Piang!” This time the voice was near at hand. Both creatures responded to the call, and Piang suffered himself to be led onward. The fawn stopped near a gigantic banian-tree. It was the only tree in the clearing and spread over more than an acre of ground, enticing the surrounding creepers and orchids to its shelter. Piang had seen these trees before, but never such a large one. The banian is like a huge tent; each branch sends shoots to the ground, which take root and become additional trunks, and year after year the tree increases its acreage; hundreds of men can find shelter under these jungle temples. <br />
<br />
“Piang!” The voice came from within the tree. Astonished, Piang watched the mina-bird flit through the sunlight and disappear into the banya. The fawn paused, looked gravely into the boy’s eyes, and with stately mien, walked into the tree. <br />
<br />
“Thank you, my little friends, for bringing Piang to Ganassi,” said the voice from within. <br />
<br />
Ganassi! So this was the haunt! This lovely natural dwelling, the dread Ganassi’s home! Expectantly, Piang waited. Was Ganassi a man, or was he only a voice, the heart of this banian-tree? While he stood gazing at the tree, waiting for the spirit to address him, or the man to appear, he was startled by a black, shiny head, and the loathsome coils of a python, writhing in the branches. The serpent! Piang had heard that it could fascinate animals, keeping them prisoner by its mystic powers, until ready to devour them. Ganassi was, then, an evil spirit in the form of a serpent! Piang uttered a low cry. <br />
<br />
“So, my little pet, you have frightened Piang, the charm boy! You must not do that.” <br />
<br />
The snake, responding to the voice, stuck its head through the foliage and slipped from sight. <br />
<br />
The voice! The voice! It had called him the charm boy! Piang’s fear abated, and he said tremblingly: <br />
<br />
“O great Ganassi, will you not show yourself to me, Piang?” Breathlessly the boy listened. The branches swayed, parted, and the mina-bird floated through. The python, head erect, followed, and next came the graceful white form of his first friend. On its neck it supported a weird creature. Bent and wrinkled, was the little old man; a few strands of white hair flowed from his chin, and his eyebrows and lashes had almost disappeared. Toothless, almost hairless as he was, there was that about Ganassi that precluded horror, for his sparkling eyes were kind, and his mouth gently curved into a smile. Piang fell on his knees. The hermit surrounded by his pets, advanced and raised the boy. <br />
<br />
“My little Piang! So you have come to Ganassi at last. He has known for many years that you would come. Long before you were born he knew, and his heart is glad to welcome you.” <br />
<br />
“Is it true, O wise man, that I am the real charm boy, and that I shall lead Kali Pandapatan’s tribe to victory?” <br />
<br />
“You have spoken, my son. It was over you, not the impostor, Sicto, that the mystic star hovered on the night of your birth.” <br />
<br />
At the mention of his enemy’s name, Piang quickly scanned the surrounding jungle, but Ganassi’s soft chuckle reassured him. <br />
<br />
“Have no fear, child. Sicto can never harm you, nor will he ever reach Ganassi. The python would smother him; the mina-bird would peck out his eyes; the gentle fawn would lead him astray.” <br />
<br />
“How do you know all this, O Ganassi?” <br />
<br />
“The question shall be answered, Piang, because you are charm boy, but should other lips utter it, they should never speak again. Enter.” <br />
<br />
Ganassi held back the slender trunk-roots of the banian. Curiously, the boy looked about. All the wonder of the jungle seemed centered in this sacred spot. A forest of stems and aerial roots greeted his eyes; from overhead the graceful and rare Vanda lowii sent inquisitive blooms to caress his cheek; they mingled with his dark hair, scenting the air with their strange fragrance. From tree-ferns, nestling in the branches, tiny heads peeped out, and little feathered creatures chirruped a welcome. A civet-cat was lazily stroking its face with one paw. Something large and hairy stirred on a nest of dried grass, and sleepily a full-grown packda stretched himself and gazed at Piang. The python approached it, and a hairy paw was extended; his snakeship coiled up beside the ape, and the mina-bird flew to the ape’s shoulder. <br />
<br />
Piang could scarcely believe his eyes. Here all was at peace, and natural enemies forgot to fight and kill. <br />
<br />
“Piang, all these creatures are going to be your friends.” <br />
<br />
Piang seated himself on the soft turf opposite Ganassi; the fawn nosed her head under Piang’s arm and sank by his side. <br />
<br />
“The charm that I am about to give you will protect you from tempest, danger, and deceit: no storm can destroy you; no animal can creep upon you unaware, and no man can lie to you. You will become the wise man of Mindanao, the guide of your people, the heart of the island.” <br />
<br />
Solemnly the boy followed the words of the old man. <br />
<br />
“You shall be taught all the truths of the nation, and you shall pass them along to the generations.” <br />
<br />
Piang’s face brightened. At last he was to know the answers to many puzzling questions. <br />
<br />
“Ask what you will, boy. I will answer you truthfully and justly, telling you the things as they are, as they have been since the day of creation.” <br />
<br />
“Why, O Ganassi, must Mohammedans never eat the flesh of the wild boar? It is forbidden that we touch pork, yet the Christians find it good.” Ganassi’s brow clouded: <br />
<br />
“Have you never heard of the Christian’s God? Do you not know that we hate Christians because they believe a Son of God could be killed by man? They call him Christ, but we know that the Almighty is Toohan, omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. Their prophet Isa [Jesus] once visited the great Mahomet, and when Mahomet demanded that he divine what was in the room beyond, Isa refused, saying that he had no wish to show power. <br />
<br />
“‘Answer correctly, or you pay for it with your life!’ thundered Mahomet. Isa then replied that he had two strange animals in the room. <br />
<br />
“‘Wrong!’ cried Mahomet. ‘You shall now be killed. My two beloved grandchildren are behind those doors!’ but when they were flung open, two filthy boars ran out; Isa had changed the children into pigs! And so, Piang, no true Mohammedan will eat the flesh of the wild boar. Beware, lest you ever let a Christian hear this story; it is not for us to acknowledge that Isa is greater than Mahomet.” <br />
<br />
Piang was shocked. No wonder his people abstained from the flesh of the boar. <br />
<br />
“Can you tell me what makes the sea rise and fall, and why the tides rush in and flow out again?” asked Piang. <br />
<br />
A smile broke over Ganassi’s leathery features. <br />
<br />
“In a far distant sea lives a giant crab; when he goes into his hole, the water is pushed out, and when he comes forth for food, the water rushes in.” It was so simple that Piang laughed heartily. The mina-bird, startled, squawked an admonition and fluttered to Piang’s lap. <br />
<br />
“Where do we go when we die,” asked the inquisitive boy. <br />
<br />
Ganassi scouted the Christian’s belief that heaven is in the clouds. Were they not in the clouds now? <br />
“When a child is born, the soul enters the body through the opening left in the skull. This hole soon closes, confining the spirit within. When death comes to a household in Moroland, have you not seen the master of the house mount to the roof and remain there through the night? Well, that is to prevent the evil spirit, Bal-Bal, from entering. This dread creature sails through the air like a flying Lemur (monkey), tears the thatch from the roof with his terrible curved nails, scatters the defenders, and licks up the body with his forked tongue of fire. The soul of this deceased never reaches heaven. Your charm, Piang, will ward him off.” The boy sat, mouth open, eyes staring. “A soul is guided to a cave that leads deep down in the earth, and there, between two gigantic trees, stands Taliakoo, a giant, who tends the eternal fires. Taliakoo inquires of the newcomer what he has to say for himself, and to the surprise of the soul, something within it answers. Conscience, the witness, replies, and according to the decree of this strange arbiter, the fate of the soul is decided. If nothing but ill can be said for it, it is pitched into the fire; if it has been good, it is allowed to pass on to the abode of the blessed. The soul that meets with neither fate, is punished according to its sins: if it has lied, its mouth pains; if it has been a thief, its hands itch and burn, and eventually, after the period of punishment is over, it precedes to heaven, cleansed of its sins.” <br />
<br />
<br />
The big ape, sleeping soundly, emitted a snore so human, that Piang laughed. <br />
<br />
“Why does the packda look so like a man, Ganassi?” <br />
<br />
“Because he once was a man,” was the startling reply. “He was lazy and, instead of working, climbed trees and hunted minas (monkey-nuts). A companion, becoming vexed, uttered a curse on him and threw a stick at him. These things clung to the lazy man: the stick became a tail, and the curse deprived him of speech. Ashamed of himself, he and his family took to the trees, never to return.” <br />
<br />
Many questions were put to the wise old hermit, and his ready answers astonished, but satisfied, Piang. Night came on, and the strange company lay down together under the shelter of the banian and slept. <br />
<br />
Piang was very happy. He had reached Ganassi, was proclaimed the real charm boy, and was at last to receive the glorious charm. Some said it was a star tossed to Moroland by the Creator, that it was the emblem of power, and that he who wore it would be filled with a divine understanding. Others believed it to be the great diamond of Borneo, captured many years before from the pirates of that fierce land. Piang did not care which it proved to be, as long as it shone and sparkled with beauty. All agreed that its brilliance dazzled the eye, that its magnificence was unrivaled. Ganassi had waited a hundred years for the charm boy who was destined to wear it, and at last the star had proclaimed Piang to be the lucky boy. Through Piang’s dreams flitted the visions of shimmering jewels of gold, and the happy smile on the boy’s lips made old Ganassi’s heart glad. <br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
“Up, up with you, sleepyhead!” called Ganassi. “The sun will catch you napping if you do not hurry.” <br />
<br />
Piang sleepily rubbed his eyes and sat up. Horror and fright seized him as he beheld the body of the python curled up beside him and the packda contemplating him with indifference. From the doorway Ganassi smilingly watched him. <br />
<br />
“Come, my subjects are assembling; they will all assist in the ceremony of the sacred charm.” The charm! Piang remembered and jumped to his feet. Creatures from all over the mountain were answering Ganassi’s weird call; the air was full of fluttering birds, and monkeys came swinging toward them. Ganassi gave to each a sweet or a fruit. <br />
<br />
“Piang, no dato can boast of a grander court than Ganassi, eh?” chuckled the old man. <br />
<br />
It was indeed marvelous. Ganassi seemed to reign among the jungle folk as royally as any king. He chastised, praised, petted, and scolded; and one and all the beasts loved their wizened little master. Solemnly Ganassi went about his task. From his bosom he took a small object, smoothed, and caressed it. Piang trembled with excitement. Ganassi called each animal, and they responded to the beloved voice. <br />
<br />
“Piang, my creatures approve my action. This is the sacred charm. One and all the animals have blessed it, and through your life, if you have faith, nothing will harm you.” Piang’s eyes darted around the strange circle, and, indeed, the animals accepted him as naturally as they did Ganassi. <br />
<br />
“The time has come, Piang. The heavens have watched over you from babyhood, and you have proved your worth and bravery many times. I am ready to reward you. Come!” <br />
<br />
Trembling, the boy advanced. Kneeling before the hermit, Piang clasped his hands and prayed that he might be worthy of the great honor about to be bestowed upon him. Gently the wise man laid his hands on Piang’s head; softly he muttered a few words; then something dropped around the boy’s neck. <br />
<br />
“You may rise, Piang. You are now invincible!” <br />
<br />
Bounding to his feet, Piang clasped the charm. <br />
<br />
“I cannot see it, Ganassi. May I unclasp it to behold its beauty and splendor?” Keenly the old man looked into the face of the boy, measuring him, studying him. <br />
<br />
“And if it is not beautiful, shiny, and bright, boy, what then?” <br />
<br />
“Oh, but it must be, Ganassi! It is the most valuable thing in the world!” <br />
<br />
“You may unclasp it, Piang.” <br />
<br />
Clumsily the boy fumbled with the fastenings; eagerly his eyes sought the charm. His face went blank; tears sprang to his eyes. He was holding a tiny gourd, no larger than a monkey-nut, suspended from a necklace of polished crocodile teeth. His disappointed eyes met Ganassi’s, still studying him. <br />
<br />
“Are you not satisfied, Piang? Are you then unworthy of the great honor bestowed upon you? Do you think that to be of value a thing must sparkle and shine?” Piang gathered himself, hid his disappointment, and bravely answered: <br />
<br />
“I am satisfied.” <br />
“Shake the gourd, Piang.” <br />
<br />
A hollow rattle came from the immature growth, and Piang’s face brightened. <br />
<br />
“Its worth may be inside. Who knows? Only Ganassi, the wonder man, and he will tell [77]no one.” The keen old eyes twinkled as they watched Piang’s face. <br />
<br />
The mystery! It was again established, and Piang was happy. Maybe the precious stones were inside and some day would be revealed to him! As if reading his thoughts, Ganassi said: <br />
<br />
“The charm must remain intact to wield its spell; if the gourd should ever be broken or stolen, both you and the charm lose the mystic power lately bestowed upon it. Piang, the source of power is faith! Believe, be honest, be true, and the world holds naught but joy for you and Kala Pandapatan’s people.” <br />
<br />
A silence fell upon them all. The solemn words had sobered Piang, and he gazed into the eyes of the wise man. <br />
<br />
“Begone, boy. The sun rises, and you have many miles to go. To-night I will light the signal fires and tell your tribe that you have come and gone, that Piang is charm boy of Kali Pandapatan’s people forever.” <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Fourth Adventure</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Fire Tree</span></strong><br />
<br />
The velvety dusk of the jungle was pierced here and there by the brilliant, crimson buds of the fire-tree. For weeks all Moroland had waited for their coming, the heralds of the combat season. During the harvest time there is a truce in these turbulent islands, but when the crops have been gathered, the natives become restless and long to sally forth to conquer. The myth that victory comes only to the tribe whose fire-tree has bloomed is implicitly believed, and impatiently the Moros await this announcement of the combat season. Paying no heed to their capital city, Manila, these merry little isles revel in intrigue, and there is no sport in Moroland that can compare with the combat. Tribes go forth to conquer and enslave others; the men look forward to it as an opportunity to prove their prowess; the women thrill at the possibility of capture. True, they may become the slaves of some unscrupulous dato, but there is always the romantic chance that they may fall into the hands of the hero of their dreams and become the favorite of his seraglio. <br />
<br />
“Where is Piang?” Dato Kali Pandapatan addressed a copper-colored slave who salaamed and replied: <br />
<br />
“In the jungle, O most high one, searching for the blooming fire branch.” <br />
<br />
“It is well.” Kali Pandapatan, with folded arms, paused in the doorway of his hut, watching expectantly the only opening into the frowning jungle. <br />
<br />
“He comes! He comes!” rippled through the barrio. <br />
<br />
The eager inhabitants gathered to learn if the time was yet ripe. Into their midst ran a slim, bronze lad, waving above his head a branch, almost bare of green, but aflame with crimson blossoms. There was a hush. Women gathered their children to them; men grasped their weapons more firmly, and the young boys looked with longing eyes at the fortunate Piang. <br />
<br />
“Ooola!” exclaimed Piang. Every lip repeated the word; every knee was bent, and the tribe lay prostrate at his feet; only old Kali Pandapatan remained standing, eyeing Piang with satisfaction. For a full two minutes the crowd remained motionless. The palm-trees whispered and crackled above them, and the river sent a soft accompaniment to the jungle music. To and fro above their heads Piang majestically waved the branch, until finally one bold voice demanded: <br />
<br />
“Anting-anting!” (“The charm, the charm!”) Piang defiantly bared his breast, exposing the sacred charm suspended from his necklace of crocodile teeth. There was moaning in the crowd, sobs of excitement, and protests of impatience, but every head remained lowered until the august relic was again covered. Piang began to chant in a high, nasal voice, and the others rose and joined in creating a weird, monotonous drawl. Like a statue stood the boy, holding the branch high above his head while they circled round and round him. Faster, faster they whirled; in a frenzy they shrieked; some fell and others tramped them in their excitement. Suddenly the boy stamped his feet, uttering a sharp cry. Every eye turned toward him. <br />
<br />
“To the river!” he cried and lead the way. Two boys hurried forward and were on their knees in a twinkling, hollowing out a place in the sand, dog fashion. With many incantations and prayers, the branch was planted in the hole, the damp sand laid carefully around the base, and the two proud boys left to watch. If the flowers of the fire tree faded before the scorching sun set, it was destined that the tribe would be unsuccessful in its ventures for the season; should the blooms defy the rays of the sun until the dews of evening rested on its petals, old Kali Pandapatan could sally forth unafraid to meet his fierce brothers of the jungle. <br />
<br />
Patiently they waited through the long, hot day; many eyes were anxiously turned toward the sacred emblem, but none dared approach. The little Moro boys, in whose care the branch had been left, squatted in silent patience. No butterfly was suffered to light on the delicate petals, no droning bee allowed to gather the honey of its cups. On dragged the sweltering afternoon. Piang and the dato were the only ones allowed to know that the branch was still fresh, but only Piang knew that its flowers had been dipped into a cool stream before it came to the tribe to foretell its victories or defeats. <br />
<br />
“Allah, il Allah!” the call rang through the village. Sunset, the hour of prayer! Now, now they would know. Solemnly old Pandita Asin led the chant while the Moros prostrated themselves in supplication, and the dying sun slipped over the mountains, touching every tree and flower with its gold. <br />
<br />
There was great feasting and celebration in the barrio that night. Women donned their most brilliant sarongs, tinted their silver-tipped finger nails with henna, and streaked their brows with splotches of white rice paste. The men twisted their hair up in gorgeous head-cloths, and the knot bristled with creeses. Suspended from their many-colored sashes were barongs, campilans or bolos, and tiny bells were fastened into the lobes of their ears. The brilliantly striped breeches seemed likely to burst, so tightly were they drawn over shapely limbs. <br />
<br />
The branch had not withered. It had withstood the scorching rays of the sun. Kali Pandapatan was invincible. <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
“Piang!” called Kali Pandapatan. <br />
<br />
The noises of the barrio were hushed. Their dato had spoken. The name was repeated, and gradually the call reached the charm boy, idly dangling his feet in a clear brook, attracting and scattering the curious fish. He sprang to his feet, listened, and darted off. His sleek, well fashioned limbs glistened in the sunlight, and the sarong that was gracefully flung over one shoulder floated out behind like a flame fanned by the wind. Twined in his long black hair was a wreath of scarlet fire flowers; every face brightened as he fled past. <br />
<br />
“You have again brought the sign, Piang. When do we fight?” asked Kali Pandapatan. <br />
<br />
“Not until we have delivered the siwaka (tribute) to the sultan at Cotabato. The fire-tree has not yet bloomed in the enemy’s country, and we may yet pass through safely,” Piang replied. <br />
<br />
“You have spoken,” said the dato and laid his palms on the youth’s head. <br />
<br />
Though the latent passion of battle stirred in the Moros’ breasts, they were compelled to heed. Piang had proved a wise charm boy, and the tribe must obey him. Each season the siwaka must be carried over the steep, treacherous trail down to the coast, and those detailed to accompany the slaves who carried the bags of rice and comoties (sweet-potatoes), dreaded the trip. Added to the pitfalls of the obscure trail, were hostile territories to be traversed, and if the enemies’ fire-tree had bloomed, they would surely be attacked and probably despoiled of their cargo. <br />
<br />
“We will need warriors to guard the siwaka, chief,” Piang reminded Kali, and the chief nodded and gave a quiet order. Every man disappeared from the streets. When they returned, in place of the gaudy, tight trousers, they were wearing loose, black pantaloons, the garb of battle. The women, true to the feminine nature, wailed and cried aloud, but in their hearts they, too, were glad that the quiet, monotonous days were over, and that before nightfall they might sleep in some strange cota (fort), slave or wife of the victorious dato. <br />
<br />
“Piang,” murmured a soft voice at the charm boy’s elbow, and he turned to find the little slave girl, Papita, timidly looking up at him. <br />
<br />
“Chiquita?” (“Little one?”) he questioned. <br />
<br />
Sicto goes with you. Beware of him, for he would kill you!” <br />
<br />
“I am not afraid,” proudly answered Piang, “but why would Sicto kill me?” <br />
<br />
Solemnly the little girl touched Piang’s breast where lay hidden the sacred charm. <br />
<br />
“He would kill you so that he might be charm boy of the tribe,” whispered the girl. Piang laughed gaily, patted his little friend on the arm, and bounded to the head of the forming column. Nevertheless he noticed Sicto’s sly, surly glance as the slaves and warriors bent before him. <br />
<br />
Amid beating of tom-toms, wails of women, and howls of dogs, the column, single file, dipped into the jungle and was lost to sight. Anxiously Piang watched for signs of the fire-tree as they slipped along through the enemies’ country, but as yet the buds had not stirred, and he was thankful that the warm rains had not come to coax them into glow. That whole day the party toiled silently through the dense cogon grass that covered the mesa. High above their heads waved the wiry, straw-colored spines. Its sharp edges cut into the flesh, tore through cloths, stinging and paining old wounds. Not a breath of air reached them through the impenetrable mass, and the sun beat down on them mercilessly. For long stretches the path tunneled through the grass, boring deeper into the tangle, and they were almost suffocated by the choking dust that stung their nostrils. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGEV9CXA0lUHNsHb_MC5tCZu9-F8iv1U7MMnyLKXkn9wuvasvbE5l2DU-RJozvzuSrl6SS76tIuZWyo4w2uRUYcX5hHkUxDXz05T1Nxyye4fYFG3fSm990Di02NHtFLjjCXroJ5MwcQ2S/s1600/p087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGEV9CXA0lUHNsHb_MC5tCZu9-F8iv1U7MMnyLKXkn9wuvasvbE5l2DU-RJozvzuSrl6SS76tIuZWyo4w2uRUYcX5hHkUxDXz05T1Nxyye4fYFG3fSm990Di02NHtFLjjCXroJ5MwcQ2S/s400/p087.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">“The boom! We must cut it!”</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Iki!” (“Beware!”) called Sicto. Every bolo was out, every savage ready, but the word was passed along the line that the leader, Sicto, had stepped on a snake. Entirely surrounded by the cruel grass the column paused. The heat, increased by the oven-like tunnel grew steadily worse, and those in the rear gasped and fought for breath. They could hear the scuffle as the [89]leaders fought the reptile, and the fetid odor of the dread creature added to their discomfort. Sicto had been swinging along ahead, stepping lightly on the mattress-like turf, when he felt something move under his foot. It was well under the matted grass, but it was wise to despatch the creature if possible. Piang came to his assistance, and the snake, probably gorged with rotting meat, exuded a terrible odor as it was stabbed to death. Kicking the wriggling remains out of the path the column pushed on, wondering if they would ever come to the end of the stifling tunnel. </div><br />
<br />
“Will it rain soon, Piang?” panted Tooloowee, as he toiled along behind the charm boy. <br />
<br />
“I cannot tell yet, but by sunset we shall know.” <br />
<br />
Toward evening the grass thinned perceptibly, and the steaming, aching bodies felt the cool air rustling through the stalks. <br />
<br />
“We are near the jungle; soon we shall be cool,” sighed Kali Pandapatan. Yes, it was growing cooler; they could breathe again, but Piang knew that before morning they would be shivering with cold, that the rain would come in the night. He smelled it, the rain that would not come to help them through the arduous day. <br />
<br />
When it came, there was a shout of joy. Kali looked anxiously at his sweating tribesmen. After the terrific heat of the day, this rain would chill them, and fever would surely follow; he must keep them on the move. There was a murmur of protest as the order was given to move; they had rested a scant two hours. By nine o’clock they were under way again, struggling with the jungle as they had fought the mesa. The downpour was straight and steady. It burrowed through the thick foliage and ran down the tree trunks in torrents. The footing became uncertain, and Piang warned Kali to look out for broken limbs. For many yards the path lay along fallen tree trunks, slippery with moss and mold. The footing became so treacherous that the order was given to crawl on all fours, and the progress was painfully slow and tedious. Frequently they strayed from the path and were forced to halt. The torches at the head of the column twinkled and flickered fitfully, but they only seemed to make the darkness more visible; they sputtered and flared, but the flames resisted the rain, and to the weary Moros they seemed like good spirits sent to guide them through the terrible jungle night. <br />
<br />
Palm leaves, strewn in the path, had long clusters of needle-like spines at their bases that pierced their feet, and the cry “tinick!” (“thorns!”) rang out frequently through the night. Finally it became necessary to march close up, in solid line, each man with his hand on the shoulder of the man in front. When the leader warned “Cajui!” (“Log!”), each repeated it as he stumbled over the obstacle, and if one fell, half the line would be bowled over. <br />
<br />
“Tubig Malakee!” cried Piang. (“The big water!”) Yes, the dull murmur of the river was plainly heard through the dripping rain, and they all quickened their pace in the desire to rid themselves of the jungle. Piang attempted to guide them across, but he walked into the water and sank from sight, and there was a cry of horror, for it seemed that one of the many crocodiles had dragged him under. When he came up sputtering and splashing, none the worse for his dip, he chided them for their little faith and pointed significantly to his charm. He had miscalculated in the blackness of the night and could not locate the ford. A drizzling rain was still falling; great hairy-legged spiders skated over the water, making things grewsome; the large lily-pad leaves moved suspiciously, so Kali gave the orders to camp for the rest of the night. <br />
<br />
Silently the Moros prepared their camp. Deftly the ends of low-lying branches were pinioned to the ground with forked sticks; over these supports hemp and banana leaves were strewn to shield the sleepers from the heavy dew and rain. After many attempts a fire was coaxed into life, much to the dismay of the jungle folk. A beautiful golden fly-catcher, probably mistaking the glare of the fire for dawn, awoke and began to sing at the top of its tiny voice; a parrot screamed lustily. A venerable old monkey, sleepily rubbing its eyes, shook its fist, muttering profanely. Sicto, exasperated at the persistent maledictions, raised his bow. <br />
<br />
“Do not kill the monkey, Sicto,” warned Piang. “It is not good to kill in the jungle except for food or self-protection!” <br />
<br />
A scowl was the only reply, but the big mestizo lowered his bow and turned over on his bed of leaves. <br />
<br />
“Kali, we are no longer safe,” Piang whispered as he crouched over the improvised bed of his chief. <br />
<br />
“Sssshhhh,” he warned, finger on lip. “Do not wake the others.” Then he pointed toward a spot where hoards of fireflies clustered around one tree, twinkling and swerving to and fro. It was a beautiful sight, but far from a novel one to these two. <br />
<br />
“The fire-tree!” muttered Kali. <br />
<br />
“Yes,” answered Piang. “The rain has brought the blooms to the valley, and we will be attacked to-morrow!” Silently they gazed at the strange tree. Fireflies abandon every tree and shrub for the fire-tree the moment it puts forth its buds, and nothing can coax them away until the ominous scarlet blossoms have drooped and fallen to the ground. <br />
<br />
“We dare not cross the river now, Kali,” said Piang, “but we can build rafts and float down to Cotabato.” <br />
<br />
And so it was decided. Early in the muggy dawn the warriors set to work constructing rafts out of bamboo and ratan (palm), and soon the siwaka was loaded and the journey continued by water. <br />
<br />
Arrogantly Piang rode at the head of the procession, his proud little head crowned with a wreath of fire-tree blooms, the corners of his raft decorated with sprigs of the flaming buds. Cautiously they poled down the swift stream, avoiding treacherous logs and snapping crocodiles. Piang chuckled with delight as they stole along, for the enemy would not discover the ruse until they were far away. <br />
<br />
It was some time before Sicto was missed. His name was passed from raft to raft, but none had seen him that morning. At first it was feared that one of the crocodiles had pulled him from a raft, but something seemed to tell Piang that the wily half-breed had stolen away to warn the enemy of Kali’s strategy. Once the news of the rich booty to be captured and the prisoners to be taken had reached the valley people, nothing could keep them from pursuing, now that their fire-tree had bloomed. A solemn conclave was held. <br />
<br />
The river is almost inaccessible from the jungle except at one point, the Big Bend. This is a favorite camping-ground of the valley people during the combat season; here their sacrifices are offered, their victims thrown to the crocodiles; they exercise full control of the river. If Sicto succeeded in warning the enemy before Kali reached that point there would be little hope of escape. Another force would surely be posted where he had embarked, cutting Kali off from his reinforcements at home. It was too late to attempt a retreat, however, hampered as they were with the cumbersome siwaka. Reach that bend first, they must. <br />
<br />
“The charm, Piang,” whispered Kali. Springing to his feet, the boy uttered a fierce “Oola.” Every head bowed, and the sacred talisman was exposed. <br />
<br />
“Forward, brothers!” he cried. “Forward with all your strength!” <br />
<br />
The sun came out, and the dripping jungle began to steam. Palm leaves were constructed into hats to guard against sunstroke. Toward sunset they drew near the danger point. What was that monotonous sound dully vibrating through the jungle? Anxiously all eyes turned toward Piang. <br />
<br />
“It is well, brothers,” bravely comforted the boy. “Yes, that is the tom-tom of your enemy. Sicto has betrayed us, but have no fear. Piang, the charm boy leads you; take courage, and Allah, the Merciful, will give you victory.” Piang commenced a murmur of prayer, and the Moros, joining in, filled the fast-settling night with whispered invocations which drifted off through the jungle. <br />
<br />
Another council of war was held. <br />
<br />
“Piang, if they have had time to lay the boom, what shall we do?” <br />
<br />
“Go forward, Kali. Fight your way through the blockade,” answered the charm boy. “I will remain here with a few men to guard to siwaka. Do you hide at the first bend until the moon gives you light, then strike!” <br />
<br />
The astonished warriors looked with misgiving from one to the other, but Kali answered firmly: <br />
<br />
“It shall be so, Piang.” <br />
<br />
The Moros were quickly assembled for the advance, and Kali paused by the side of Piang’s raft: <br />
<br />
“If we are driven back, Piang, I will give three calls of the mina-bird. Answer likewise and retreat as quickly as possible.” <br />
<br />
“Forward, Kali Pandapatan,” answered Piang with great dignity. “We will not retreat.” <br />
<br />
Like ghosts in the night the little handful of men parted from their fellows and courageously faced the river and its dangers. The stream, swerving to the left, flows on to the apex of the Big Bend. As if regretting its departure from the true course, it doubles back and returns to take up its original direction at a point separated from its first departure by only a few rods. Between the two points is a waste of murky soil and sand, covered by dense growths of the jungle’s choicest variety of obstacles. Gloomily [98]Piang contemplated the morass that lay between him and freedom. Long he sat, looking into the distance where he could almost see the river as it completed the curve and swept on to the ocean. What would he not give to be safely on the other side? Suddenly he sat up very straight. Why not? The sand was soft, the current swift. If he could only make a narrow ditch across the flats. Pulling his raft up to the right side of the river, he jumped to the bank, but when he sank ankle-deep in the soft, sticky earth, he climbed hastily back. Poling along he searched for a solid footing, but everywhere the marshy soil gave, and he abandoned his attempts to land. The night grew deeper, blacker. <br />
<br />
“Why not, why not?” he whispered again. The others came scurrying up in response to his excited call. <br />
<br />
“My brothers, Allah has sent me wisdom,” he announced. “It is your duty to obey me!” Eagerly they listened, glad of any distraction, but when Piang explained that he wanted them to abandon their safe bamboo floats for the treacherous flats, home of crocodiles and vermin, there was a murmuring protest. Anger blazed in Piang’s eyes. <br />
<br />
“Am I not charm boy?” he demanded. “Any one who refuses to obey me will be thrown to the crocodiles!” Gradually the dominant nature overruled their timidities, and the protests subsided. Following Piang’s directions, strips of bamboo were cut, and the charm boy constructed light frames for his feet. They looked like snow-shoes, and when he bound one securely to each foot and jumped lightly to the bank, there was a cry of surprise. Piang, the wonderful, was indeed sent by Allah to guide them! <br />
<br />
In a twinkling each Moro was supplied with similar mud-shoes, and like giant land-crabs, they flitted off across the marsh. Too wise to begin before reconnoitering, Piang led his men to the banks of the stream below to Big Bend. After hasty calculations he set them to work digging toward the head waters, following a line of ratan which he stretched to guide them. <br />
<br />
Faster, faster flew the scoops and broad knives; deeper, wider grew the ditch that was to form a new river-bed. Piang was everywhere. He flew about on his light frames as lightly as a faun, directing the construction of new tools, calculating and measuring for the ditch. <br />
<br />
Once he heard a call from the man guarding the rafts. A troop of wild hogs, attracted by the comoties, was trying to reach the rafts. Piang lighted a torch and hurled it among them. Crocodiles lurked near, and he ordered torches kept burning to frighten them also. <br />
<br />
New difficulties confronted Piang. Would the water not at first rush through the ditch with such force that the rafts would be dashed to pieces? He held a branch in the current; it was torn from his grasp. With great foresight, he ordered all the floats to be taken up the river and securely moored. Back to the ditch he flew. Yes, yes, it was going to be successful! Before the attack was made by Kali Pandapatan, Piang would have the rafts through the cut-off, safely on their journey to the estuary. How surprised the dato would be when Piang advanced against the enemy from the other side of the Big Bend! He laughed softly, hugging himself in boyish delight. <br />
<br />
Away he pattered toward some men who were apparently in difficulty. <br />
<br />
“Halamantek!” (“Leeches!”) they called. They were pulling the slothful creatures off each other, but as soon as they freed themselves from the pests, more fell from above or crept up from the mud. Piang had foreseen this difficulty and had supplied himself with a small gourd filled with cocoanut oil, strongly saturated with cinchona (quinine). Offering some of his small store to the men, they gratefully rubbed the mixture into their flesh and bent to their task again. Piang exhorted them to work, warning them if the ditch was not completed before moonrise, all would be lost, and off he danced blending in with the night and its secrets like a picturesque pampahilep (jungle imp). <br />
<br />
Only Moros could have accomplished so difficult a task in the dark. With a will they sturdily plied the crude tools and before the blackness of the night had been lifted by the rising moon, the excited little party was crowding around Piang as he examined the few remaining feet to be accomplished. Like a general meeting a crisis, Piang sharply gave his orders: <br />
<br />
“Tooloowee, take your pole and stand on the far side of the ditch. When I give the signal, push the dyke with all your might.” He stationed another powerful Moro opposite Tooloowee. <br />
<br />
“Bungao, do you hasten to the rafts and prepare to resist the first flood that will sweep through the ditch.” <br />
<br />
When all was ready Piang raised his hand and the struggle began. Little by little the soft mud was worked away, and the current, feeling the banks weaken, seemed to lose interest in its natural bed. At first the stream only caressed its new-found outlet, but gradually it concentrated its forces, and, with a mighty rush, attacked the slight remaining resistance and went thundering off into the ditch. A smothered cry went up from the Moros: <br />
<br />
“Piang! Piang!” How they loved their wise little charm boy! <br />
<br />
But the work was not yet completed. Piang let go his anchorage and headed for the mouth of the ditch. The water was rapidly widening the work of their hands, but in places the cut-off was barely wide enough to let the long slender floats by, and the water was rushing through with terrific force. The moon trembled on the brink of the jungle. Would they reach the other side in time to aid Kali? Suppose he was driven back before Piang and his men could attack from the other side? <br />
<br />
“Ala! ala!” (“Quickly! quickly!”) Piang called softly. His raft came up with a sudden jerk, almost throwing him into the seething, muddy torrent. Other rafts bumped into his, and soon a blockade was forming as the swift current bore them down upon him. Piang cut and slashed at the banks, tearing away protruding vines and accumulating driftwood. The moon, the moon, would it wait? Frantically he toiled while Tooloowee held off the other rafts with his long pole. When Piang’s float was finally released, it bounded joyously along, nosing first one bank, then the other. The river! He could see it! Only a few rods more! <br />
<br />
At the mouth of the ditch there was more trouble. Mud and debris had collected along the sides, but these were quickly worked through and they passed into the main river. Little short of a miracle had been performed. The ditch was growing wider and deeper every moment and judging from the enormous flow of water, it would not be long before the river deserted its circuitous route in favor of this direct one. <br />
<br />
“Quick! quick!” whispered Piang. “Bungao, bind the siwaka rafts together and head for Cotabato. We will overtake you before sunrise.” A faint cry reached them. Kali had begun the attack. In an agony of suspense the brave Moros worked their way up toward the Big Bend. Suddenly Piang grasped Tooloowee’s arm and pointed toward a streak that ran across the river. <br />
<br />
“The boom! We must cut it!” They made a dash toward the obstacle that stood in Kali’s path, but an arrow whizzed by their heads. <br />
<br />
“Tooloowee, we have been discovered. I go to cut the way!” and before the astonished Tooloowee could prevent, Piang had dived into the water and disappeared. <br />
<br />
“Piang, the crocodiles, the crocodiles!” wailed Tooloowee, but the charm boy could not hear as he slipped up the muddy river, swimming easily under water. Just as Kali was preparing to retreat, driven back by the fierce storm of arrows, he gave the signal that had been agreed upon. Three loud calls in imitation of the mina-bird went wailing through the night. What was Kali’s surprise to hear the answer a few yards in front of him! And what was that dark shape bobbing up and down on the boom? <br />
<br />
While he watched, amazed, the big clumsy logs divided, and swung slowly out, leaving the channel clear. Piang had severed the ratan thongs. <br />
<br />
“Lééééé lelele ouiiiiii!” crashed through the night, and Kali recognized his tribal war-cry. <br />
<br />
“Piang! Piang!” he cried. The dark shape, clinging to the drifting boom answered, and Kali rushed toward it. Before the enemy could gather their scattered wits, the whole party was sweeping by, on toward freedom. As Kali bore down on Piang, the boy raised himself to meet the raft. It was coming at a terrific rate, and he feared it would knock him off the boom; measuring the distance, he prepared to leap. On came the raft, Kali leaning far over the side, arms extended to grab the boy. When Kali was only a few yards off, Piang screamed: <br />
<br />
“Boia! boia!” (“Crocodile! crocodile!”) The men on the raft saw the water stir and hurled spear and arrow, but they glanced off the scaly hide. It was a race with death, and what a miserable death for Piang, their idol! The boy grew cold and sick as he waited. Suddenly the raft paused, held in check by Kali’s pole. Piang almost fainted. What was his chief doing? In a moment he realized that the quick action had saved his life. The raft swerved, bumped against the crocodile, and came between it and Piang. The next moment Piang was in Kali’s arms. <br />
<br />
In the light of the gray dawn, Sicto watched these two as they gazed into each other’s eyes; they swept triumphantly by, heedless of flying arrows. The radiant fire-tree blooms still clustered around Piang’s head, and his sacred charm gleamed in the early light. Firmly believing that spirits had aided Piang in his remarkable feat, Sicto trembled with fear, and, with a last glance at the victorious charm boy, he turned and fled into the jungle. <br />
<br />
Wonderingly, Kali Pandapatan and his followers viewed the new cut-off as they floated by. Amazed, they listened to the marvelous tale. Old Dato Kali Pandapatan laid his hands once again on his favorite’s head: <br />
<br />
“Little brother,” he said, “this shall be known as Piang’s Cut-off. Some day you will be the greatest dato in Mindanao.” <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Fifth Adventure</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Riding the Cataract</span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
News that a strange craft had put into Cotabato reached Piang in his mountain home. Hurriedly he gathered his few weapons together and started down the trail. He passed many traders and venders, who had also heard of the boat, and he hastened his steps in his desire to be there early. <br />
“Un-di?” (“Whither?”) called Sicto as Piang trotted past him. <br />
<br />
“To the barrio,” replied Piang. Sicto hurried to keep up with him, but Piang had no wish to be in company with the ne’er-do-well Moro boy, and he did not try to conceal his feelings. The natural dignity of the Oriental kept Sicto from displaying his anger at the repulse, but he sullenly slackened his pace and registered a black mark against this haughty Piang. <br />
<br />
Piang loved to be alone; his playmates were too noisy, too talkative; he, too, loved to chatter and play games at times, but now in the jungle, as the morning light slowly broke through the damp foliage, he wished to be alone and watch nature unfold to the coming day. It seemed to him that the huge elephant ears lifted their dew-weighted leaves and shook themselves in the gentle wind. The monkeys peeped out at him and continued to make their toilet undisturbed. Other travelers startled the little creatures into watchfulness, but Piang came upon them so silently, so peacefully, that they scarcely noticed him. <br />
<br />
There was one spot, half-way down the trail which he wanted to reach alone; there the jungle seemed to part, as if to grant a glimpse of the harbor below. He quickened his stride, and as he passed a party of men one of them called to him, “You will be first to-day, little fleet one.” So there was none before him. He was glad, and when he came within sight of the clearing, he rejoiced in his solitude. He wondered if the boat was a vinta from Borneo, or if it was loaded with copra for Japan. There now, when that mist lifted, he would know. <br />
<br />
As the beautiful harbor broke upon his sight, Piang paused, holding his breath, for out of the boat, the only one in view, smoke was pouring. It was on fire! But why were the people not trying to save the cargo? A huge black stick standing in the middle of the hull was belching smoke. While he was regretting that he would be too late to assist at the rescue, he was startled by a thin white stream spurting out of the mast-head. Gradually he connected it with the shrill whistle that pierced his ears. <br />
<br />
Piang wanted to run back, to warn the others that some strange monster had sailed into their midst; but he saw that his brothers in the barrio were calmly watching the thing, and as it did not seem to hurt them, he took courage and dashed on down the trail into the jungle. All the rest of the journey he strained his ears to catch that shrill voice, which he was now sure came from the boat. As he flew through the silent forest he recalled the tales of the demons that the wise men talked about, and he decided to approach the thing with caution. Finally he stood on the shore, and there before his eyes was a boat that seemed to be alive. It was breathing. But where were its sails? How did it move? Clusters of natives, their fear stilled by curiosity, watched the approach. Breathlessly they waited. It was coming toward the tiny wharf, and just as it settled alongside, a piercing screech from it sent them tumbling over each other in a mad attempt to get away. From the safety of trees and huts they waited. Big men, pale and straight, walked from the boat and beckoned them to descend. Cautiously the more daring ones responded, and soon the whole population was gathered around the visitors. <br />
<br />
Curious to see what the strangers were showing the dato, Piang slipped quietly up behind and caught sight of the most beautiful colored cloth he had ever seen. “Bandana,” the pale man called it. Piang longed to possess it for his mother; how she would love to wear it for her gala head-dress! The sailor then produced a tiny object that glistened and sparkled in the sun; it was about as large as the palm of Piang’s hand and very thin. The Moros were very much excited over it, and when Piang reached up on tip-toes to peer through the crowd, he cried aloud, for there, staring back at him was a boy he had seen somewhere. The little brown face and the piercing black eyes, the long hair twisted in a knot with the ends flying loose, were all strangely familiar. It was—Piang! “Mir-ro,” he repeated after the white man when his scattered wits permitted, and the crowd had ceased its merriment at his expense. The Moros were more interested in the knives, tobacco, and strange food that the strangers had brought than in the red bandana handkerchief and the toy mirror; but Piang longed to carry the two things that had caught his eye back to his mother, and he was silently gazing at them when Sicto, attracted by Piang’s admiration, picked the mirror up to look at it. <br />
<br />
Before Piang realized it, Sicto was negotiating with the owner, offering in trade his brass buyo, or betel-box, used for containing a preparation of the betel pepper, extensively chewed in the East. Why had Piang not brought his brass? He would run and fetch it; but the man would not wait. Just as he saw the things about to pass into the hands of his rival, he remembered his ring. Attracting the attention of the trader, he quickly unscrewed the tiny center and proudly displayed a few glittering flakes; Piang did not know that they were gold dust; but the trader whistled a low note of surprise and called one of his shipmates aside. The Moro boy had seen the Japanese trade whole shiploads of copra for the shiny stuff, so, when he had found some in the sand one day, he had gathered it. <br />
<br />
When the trader made it clear to Piang that he could have the treasures for more of the flakes, he was delighted, and without a moment’s delay started off up the trail, not deigning to glance at the disappointed Sicto. <br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Up, up, he climbed. Heat, thirst, nothing slackened his pace. Arriving at his home, he flew to the lake, and, without a word to any one, jumped into his banco and pushed out into the water. Sweat poured down his face; mosquitos buzzed around his head: but he had no time to build a smudge. He must hurry, or the strange boat would leave the island and take forever the treasures Piang so coveted. <br />
<br />
Soon he struck the current, and when he felt the boat settle into it he dropped over the side, holding on to the outriggers, and let the boat pull him through the cool water. He noticed another banco in the distance and wondered what brought another person out on the lake in the heat, but the mosquitos occupied all his attention, and he dived and swam under the water to avoid them, soon forgetting the other boatman. <br />
<br />
Which stream had he paddled up before, when he had found the bright sand? He examined the shore carefully as he climbed into the boat. It must be there. Yes, he remembered the orchids in that tree. Cautiously he guided the banco to the mouth of the creek, and he shuddered as he caught sight of a shiny black object slipping into the water. It was a harmless snake, but Piang did not like snakes and he hurried past the spot. Gradually he lost sight of the lake and the sun; overhanging vegetation and fallen trees engulfed him. At times he could not use his paddle, and cautiously avoiding the thorns and poisoned things, he pulled the boat along from above. Soon this little stream would take him into the big river where he had found the pretty sand. <br />
<br />
Piang was startled by a sound behind him. Surely he had heard a paddle. But all was silence when he paused to listen. When he came to the river he shouted with delight, for his journey was half over, and there in the sun sparkled his treasure. Taking his gourd from the boat, he filled it with sand and then started the long process of washing it away. Always in the bottom would be left a few of the bright grains. These he poured on a leaf, but he discovered in dismay that they stuck there, and when he tried to brush them off, they sank into the leaf. <br />
<br />
While he was pondering on his predicament he heard the chatter of a hablar-bird, and he chuckled to himself. He searched his banco for his bow and arrows, but was astonished to find only the bow. What a misfortune! He must have lost the arrows on the trail. Nothing daunted, little Piang set about his task in another manner. Scattering a handful of parched corn in a clearing, he laid the noose of his rope around it, and taking the end of it in his hand, silently withdrew into the thicket and waited. <br />
<br />
Soon the big bird discovered the handy meal and, loudly proclaiming its rights to possession, flapped its way to the earth and lighted right in Piang’s noose. The hablar-bird fluttered and chattered as it settled to the task of filling its craw with the good food. Cautiously Piang watched his chance and, with a deft twitch of the rope, secured the noose around the bird’s foot. Such screaming and flapping! “Now you be good bird, and I no hurt you,” Piang admonished. Catching hold of the creature behind the head, Piang held it firmly and quickly plucked three large feathers from its brilliant plumage. He then set it free and laughed to see it searching for its lost glories. <br />
<br />
Piang would have enjoyed watching it, as it scolded him from a high limb, but he could not delay and he set about his task quickly. Cutting off the end of each quill, he scraped it clean inside and washed the pithy part out. He had seen his father prepare a quill in this way for packing tobacco-powder. <br />
<br />
When these receptacles were ready to receive the gold-dust, he began washing the sand again; and when he had secured enough to fill all three quills he stuck a piece of green banana on the ends for a stopper. Now he would have the treasures for his mother—that beautiful cloth and the funny, thin thing that played pranks on you when you looked into it. <br />
<br />
What was that sound? Surely some one was spying on him. In a flash he remembered the banco on the lake, the other sounds he had heard. Also he remembered that Sicto wanted the same treasures that he coveted. He had been followed by the bully, and now, without his bow and arrows, he was helpless. To gain the lake again, he must pass through that treacherous creek, and he knew that Sicto would think nothing of robbing him and hastening to the village to buy the treasures with Piang’s hard-earned bright sand. Somewhere those wicked eyes were watching him from the foliage, but Piang bravely covered his misgivings. <br />
<br />
There were two trails to the village; one lay to the west through the lake that he had crossed; the other was straight ahead, down the river. But there were cataracts on this river, and Piang wondered if he could make his way on foot from the head of the first one to the right trail. He decided to take the risk and quickly headed his banco in that direction. As he started down the river, he heard a howl of rage, and glancing back, saw Sicto preparing to follow. <br />
<br />
So! It was to be a race! Piang had foiled the bully, and his little heart beat faster as he realized the consequences if Sicto should catch him. Piang had a good start, but the river was so treacherous, the eddies so powerful, that sometimes his boat seemed to stand still or almost turn around when it was caught by the counter-current. How he loved his slim little craft! Whenever possible, it obeyed his wish, and he chuckled to see Sicto struggling with his heavy boat. If he could only reach the first head-water and land on the opposite shore, he would not fear defeat. For who was more fleet-footed than Piang, who more able to ferret his way through the almost impenetrable jungle? <br />
<br />
Cautiously he watched the shore; he had been this way only once before, and wondered if he could remember where the trail began at the water’s edge. The current was so swift here that it was hardly necessary to paddle at all; so he rested to examine the shore. <br />
<br />
But what was the matter with Sicto? Why had he stopped paddling? In a flash it came over Piang that the cataract was near, and he started to back water with all his might. To his horror he found that he could not control the boat; fight as he would, it paid no heed to his struggle, but dashed on toward the waterfall. At first Piang thought he would swim, but realized that he would be swept over just the same. There was only one thing to be done—he must ride the cataract. Sicto was left far behind, clinging to the bank, watching with a sneer the boy going as he thought, to his death. He wondered why Piang was standing up in the banco; surely it would be best to lie flat in the boat and cling to the bottom. <br />
<br />
Gracefully Piang poised his body for the dive. The feathers were safely thrust into his long hair, and his bolo secured in his belt. With hands outstretched above his head, he waited for the great moment. He knew that if he was skilful he could clear the dangerous waters below the falls and either swim to the shore or reach his banco. Faster, faster went the boat, and his little heart thumped so that he feared it would burst. He tried to remember that this was not such a dangerous feat; others had accomplished it, and he could, if he was careful. The drop was only a few yards, but the danger lay in the shoals at the foot of the falls. What a beautiful sight Piang was, poised on the brink of that foaming cataract, the black jungle for a background! As he felt the banco quiver and twist he prepared for the dive. Finally the boat reached the crest and, with a lurch, shot from under the boy as he sprang far out into space. It seemed an eternity to Piang before he plunged into the waters below; then he sank down, down. The roaring and thundering deafened him, and he wondered if he should ever stop tumbling over in the water. It tossed him, tore from his hands any support he was able to grasp, and finally, after almost depriving him of breath, left him floating on the surface of a calm pool. How delicious the rest seemed! How tired he was! As he lay there on his back, he watched the water pour over the rocks above his head, and marveled that he had accomplished it all so easily.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEihlyWSmrYBaGV_-SCBUkDp9YupULGKSJ2ef9QMKuA4K35Knw0UbBf3qbd-TjGOD8_dczi8GX1Bfb50p5X49ZCRlPjhHvWJuDsrBuUIQ5dM9KZ86n71CnKo0zH9J3Kxhsc3TPxYR2w4f/s1600/p122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEihlyWSmrYBaGV_-SCBUkDp9YupULGKSJ2ef9QMKuA4K35Knw0UbBf3qbd-TjGOD8_dczi8GX1Bfb50p5X49ZCRlPjhHvWJuDsrBuUIQ5dM9KZ86n71CnKo0zH9J3Kxhsc3TPxYR2w4f/s400/p122.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">With hands outstretched above his head, he waited for the great moment</span>.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gradually Piang regained his composure, and his first thought was for the quills. Yes, they were still safe, and he must hurry. Not fearing Sicto’s interference any more, he began to wonder how he should find the trail. Searching the river for his banco, he discovered it caught by some reeds near the shore. It was easy to swim on that side of the river; so he slowly made his way to the overturned canoe, deftly righting it, and in a moment was over the side, searching for the extra paddle he always kept tied in the bottom. Fortunately it had not been torn away, and avoiding the rapids, he hugged the shore and finally resumed his journey down the river. </div><br />
<br />
What a wonderful experience Piang had had! How he would boast of his bravery, Moro fashion, and maybe the wise men would praise him. As he paddled down the river he kept his eyes open for trails; and when he heard the next cataract thundering its menace in the distance, he decided to land and search the jungle for a path. Beaching his banco, he hid it in the undergrowth, and, carefully avoiding the stinging vines, crept into the shadow of the jungle. <br />
<br />
The great silence was everywhere, and Piang wondered if he could trust his instinct to lead him aright. The heavy vines obstructed his passage, and he was forced to cut and hew his way through the edge of the forest. Nature does her best to protect the jungle, for always, on the edges, bamboo, and bajuca (pronounced bah-hoo-kah) vie with each other in forming an impenetrable wall; but after the first few yards the obstinacy of the vines seems to relax, their sentinel duty over. <br />
<br />
Luckily for Piang, the jungle was well supplied with paths here, and he soon found the one leading down to the barrio. His heart was light, now, and he threw back his head and shouted with glee as he remembered Sicto, pale with terror, lest he too be swept over the cataract. Very quickly his exultation subsided, however, when he realized that Sicto could easily be on this same trail, and he redoubled his efforts as he imagined he heard twigs snapping behind him. What if the boat had already gone. What if its coveted treasures were lost forever? <br />
<br />
From his customary trot Piang broke into a run, and, panting and sweating, pushed forward. Soon the trail joined the one he had taken that morning, and in a moment he would come to the clearing where he had first seen the strange boat. Yes, there it was; ugly, cross-looking, without one of those bright-patched sails that decorated all the boats Piang had ever seen. But—was it moving? With a cry, Piang started forward as the white smoke appeared, and the shriek echoed and reëchoed through the jungle. Fury, resentment, and determination flashed across his face; with a howl he darted down the trail. There was only a little way to go now, and he would run like the wind. Friends and strangers tried to speak to him as he approached them on the trail, but he brushed them aside impatiently and rushed onward. <br />
<br />
With his last bit of breath he stumbled through the barrio, but the boat was steadily moving out to sea. He threw himself on his face and beat the wharf with his clenched fists. All was lost—the beautiful “ban-da-na” for his mother, the “mir-ro,” too! An exclamation from one of the men arrested his attention, and he sprang to his feet in an instant. The boat had stopped; and—could he believe his eyes?—the man with the treasures was getting into a small skiff and was beckoning to Piang! <br />
<br />
Quickly the boy responded. Making sure that the precious quills were safe, he dived into the sea and struck out toward the approaching boat. When they pulled him over the side, a cheer went up from the Moros on the bank and was answered by another from the strange boat. Eagerly Piang searched the boat for the two objects so dear to his heart, but the trader silently tapped the ring and waited. Slyly the boy considered. Finally he drew forth one quill and offered it to the man. He handed Piang the red calico handkerchief, saying “ban-da-na.” Eagerly the boy grabbed it. Guardedly the two contemplated each other. The trader reached into his pocket and produced the toy mirror, surrounded by colored pins; Piang offered to trade for another quill, but the man shook his head. Piang resolutely shook his, and the owner intimated that the trade was over by slipping the mirror back into his pocket. Piang could not stand the suspense, despite his passion for making a good trade, so he thrust the other quill into the stranger’s hand, grasped the treasure, and, saluting them in his dignified fashion, slipped over the side and was off. <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
When Sicto slunk into the hill barrio that night he was anxious to avoid Piang, but our hero was not concerned about him at all. Around the great fire in the center of the village were seated all the important members of the tribe, and Sicto’s envy was complete when he saw that Piang’s mother was the object of adoration. There she sat, the coveted “ban-da-na” crowning her stately head, and around her neck was suspended the funny thing that laughed back at you. Silently she offered each member of the circle one of the colored pins, and when all were supplied, they fell to the task of picking their teeth, at intervals reverently examining the instrument. When the allotted period had elapsed, Piang’s mother again extended the mirror, and when each one had gazed into the depth, the pin was replaced, later to be handed on to a new comer. <br />
<br />
Sicto had joined the less fortunate persons who were watching the ceremony from a distance. Only the elect were permitted to approach the circle. From his place of honor Piang glanced loftily in their direction, and as his eyes met Sicto’s, his triumph was complete. Under Piang’s steady gaze, the bully quailed and, dropping his eyes, shambled off into the darkness. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Sixth Adventure</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Jungle Menace</span></strong> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dato Kali Pandapatan had declared a three days’ holiday in honor of Piang’s safe return from his long journey to the haunt of Ganassi, the wonder man. That one so young had accomplished the difficult task proved to the tribe conclusively that Piang was indeed the chosen of Allah, the charm boy by divine right. Kali was glad of the opportunity to plunge his people into gaieties, for a mysterious shadow had hovered over the barrio for a week, and he hoped to dispel the effects of a recent disaster by merriment and fiesta. In the night an infant had disappeared from its hammock under the mango-tree and no trace of it had ever been found. The mother, who had been sleeping on the ground near her babe, told a strange story of being awakened by a suffocating pressure on her chest; as she stretched out her hand in the dark, she encountered a cold, clammy mass that moved under her touch. She must have fainted, for when she was able to scream for assistance, her baby was gone, and there were no tracks in the sand. The river was searched, but the crocodile pickets were intact; no monster from the river had broken through the barriers. </div><br />
<br />
The ominous whisper, “Bal-Bal,” passed from lip to lip. Only that supernatural jinn could have whisked the infant from their midst; only Bal-Bal, with his demon body, sailing through the air on enormous wings, could have descended upon them so silently, so stealthily. Fearfully the wise men kept watch for the return of Bal-Bal, whose fateful visits were believed to come in pairs. <br />
<br />
At first the news of the fiesta failed to rouse the people from the lethargy into which they had sunk, but gradually their pleasure-loving natures responded, and preparations were begun for the three days’ play. <br />
<br />
“Goody-goody!” exclaimed Papita, the little slave girl, dancing about, clapping her hands. “We are to have the macasla fiesta, Piang. Just think, we are to go to the ocean to-morrow!” Piang’s newly acquired dignity would not permit him to respond to Papita’s levity, but he secretly rejoiced, too, over the prospects of fun and excitement at the macasla. <br />
<br />
Runners were sent into the jungle to procure the all-important macasla herb, and that night the mixture was prepared. Macasla, chilli-peppers, carot, and tobah shrub were pounded together in an old dug-out canoe. Wood-ashes, earth, alcohol, and water were added, and the mixture was allowed to ferment. Early the next morning nearly all the inhabitants embarked upon the short journey to Parang-Parang, their seaport barrio. Every available boat was filled with the merry throng, and the river sang a soft accompaniment to their chatter; pet monkeys, parrots, and mongoosen joined in the hubbub, and the din echoed through the forest, to be taken up by nature’s wild children. Bal-Bal was forgotten, for the moment, by all except the bereaved parents, who had remained behind with the aged, to mourn their loss. <br />
<br />
“I see the ocean! Oh, I saw it first!” cried Papita, nearly upsetting the banco in her glee. “Piang, do stop being so solemn and look—over there—through the trees!” <br />
<br />
“I saw the ocean long ago, Papita,” answered the boy with exaggerated dignity. <br />
<br />
With a sigh the girl turned away, despairing of drawing him into sociability. Piang, the playfellow, had vanished, and Piang, the charm boy, was so superior, so awe-inspiring. Out of the corner of his eye Piang watched her. He longed to frolic and play, as of old, but the weight of the tribe was on his young shoulders, and he must put aside childish things. With folded arms he watched the revelers; his heart beat violently, but, to the envy and admiration of all, he retained his dignity and rigidity. <br />
<br />
The travelers gave a shout as they rounded a bend and came upon the sea. The curving coast line seemed to be ever smiling as the waves wooed it with cajoling and caressing whispers. <br />
<br />
The tide was on the turn; not a moment was to be lost. Men, women, and children assembled about the dug-out, carrying wicker baskets which they filled with the macasla mixture. Scattering quickly along the extensive shoals, they ran into the water, waist deep, immersing the baskets, jerking them about until the macasla was all washed out; slowly they retreated to the shore. Impatiently they waited five, ten minutes; then things began to happen. Crabs abandoned their holes and scurried about aimlessly; children, wild with delight, pursued and captured the bewildered creatures, tossing them into a brass pot of water over the fire. Small fish came gasping to the top; finally large ones began to show signs of distress. Screaming and laughing at the top of their voices, the Moros pursued; the men harpooning the largest fish, the women skilfully dipping up the smaller ones with nets. Helplessly the beautiful, rainbow-tinted creatures floated about, their opalescent hues fading soon after the Moros took them from the water. Monsters over a yard long fought for their freedom; giant crabs and shrimp struggled in the nets. A liendoeng (water-snake), brilliantly striped with red and black, made the women scream with fright. Dashing among them, laughing and yelling as merrily as the other boys, Piang pursued the offending reptile, here, there, and finally grabbed the wriggling creature and ran to the beach. <br />
<br />
“Ah là là là lélé!” he cried, dancing and jumping about, waving the snake above his head. <br />
<br />
“Oh, goody! Piang has come back to us,” cried the delighted Papita. “You will not frown and scowl again, will you, Piang?” <br />
<br />
A shadow fell upon the manly young brow of Piang. He had transgressed; he had forgotten his responsibility for the moment and had allowed his glee to banish the dignity of his calling: Throwing the snake into the basket, he quietly walked away from the merry-makers. <br />
<br />
Crowds of friendly natives swarmed along the beach, hoping the kill would be great enough to supply food for all. At other times the Moros would have preserved any surplus fish, but those caught under the influence of macasla cannot be cured or dried, as they soon putrify. The macasla only blinds them temporarily, however, and those fortunate enough to escape soon recover, suffering no ill effects. Ten canoes, full of splendid fish, were the reward of the macasla fiesta. A huge fire was built on the beach, and the small fish, stuffed into green bamboo joints, were thrown in the ashes; larger ones were sprinkled with lombak dust (seasoning) and wrapped in pisang leaves. Weird instruments made their appearance: drums of bell-metal, jew’s-harps of bamboo. The gansas, a flute that the performer plays from one nostril, would have distracted an American’s attention from the music, holding him in suspense, anticipating the dire consequences of a sneeze. <br />
<br />
Gradually the monotonous music stirred the savages to action. Solemnly they formed a circle around the fire, arms extended, lightly touching each other’s finger-tips. To and fro they swayed in time to the crude music, and when the drums thundered out a sonorous crescendo, they crouched to the earth, springing up in unison, uttering fearful yells. When the individual dancing commenced, exhausted members began to fall out, leaving the youth and vigor of the tribe to compete for the honors. A maiden must prevent a youth from confronting her; the youth, [136]while attempting to gain his position, must beware lest the maiden present her back to him. Fast and furiously they whirled and dodged, and a shout went up from the bystanders as each unfortunate dancer was compelled to retire. Finally there were only three contestants left; Papita, Piang, and Sicto. Gracefully the little slave girl eluded the boys; slyly she circumvented their attacks. Her little bare feet twinkled daintily about on the sand; her brass anklets jingled merrily; and the fireflies, confined in her hair, glowed contentedly. <br />
<br />
Now the hands must be held behind the back at all times during the dance, and when Sicto, exasperated at the girl’s nimbleness, attempted to grab her, Piang protested loudly. A surly growl was Sicto’s response, and during the hot dispute that followed, as the dancers swayed and dodged, Papita caught Sicto off his guard, and to his mortification he found himself contemplating the comely back of the girl. Over her shoulder she taunted the astonished boy, and thunderous applause greeted his defeat. Sicto slunk off into the shadow, muttering maledictions against Piang, whom he blamed primarily for his downfall. Papita, Piang, which would win? Breathlessly the audience followed the agile movements of the two; eagerly they claimed the honors for their favorite. <br />
<br />
The music ceased abruptly. With fear in their hearts and bated breath, the tribe waited again for the sound that had disturbed their revelry: <br />
<br />
“Le le, li li.” The tribal call rang through the forest faintly. <br />
<br />
“Blako ampoen, Allah,” (“I beg for mercy, Allah,”) whispered Kali Pandapatan, supplicatingly. <br />
<br />
The call was repeated, came steadily nearer. Finally from the gloom of the river shot a banco, a very old man working at the paddle. It was Pandita Asin from the barrio. <br />
<br />
“Un-di?” (“Whither?”) called Kali Pandapatan. <br />
<br />
“The barrio—Bal-Bal!” gasped the exhausted old man. <br />
<br />
The night pressed upon them. Up the river darted Asin’s slender banco with Kali Pandapatan and a few picked warriors. <br />
<br />
“Asin, we shall need you, and you, Piang,” the chief had said, and the boy jumped into the boat. Far behind they left the terrified, confused throng, preparing to embark, and soon the night swallowed up the little advance party, as it hurried toward the stricken barrio. <br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLkhUZXoOiQgVii8QRiol5gVBtBoXXXs2dKt9MyW-PtueWb8BX3icjUGJ212FNAsUbrPtQgADpOpWN3f2PndGtEUvSrsSyb4gUso63ZZkK2bCdwKzxYoS5-44jWzYXi08logIEHWPtFEh/s1600/p139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLkhUZXoOiQgVii8QRiol5gVBtBoXXXs2dKt9MyW-PtueWb8BX3icjUGJ212FNAsUbrPtQgADpOpWN3f2PndGtEUvSrsSyb4gUso63ZZkK2bCdwKzxYoS5-44jWzYXi08logIEHWPtFEh/s400/p139.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Piang reached up on tiptoe to pluck a ripe mango.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A white mist rose from the water, obscuring the view; a damp breeze chilled the travelers, and they anxiously scanned the heavens for Bal-Bal, the terrible. Obstructions in the river were numerous and dangerous. Once they grazed the side of a floating log; it immediately turned upon them, emitting blood-curdling bellows through gaping jaws. Piang’s spear silenced the menacing crocodile, and the party hurried on. A taloetook (owl) wailed his melancholy koekh-koekh, and the mournful sound seemed to draw the handful of men closer together. Through the jungle the river wound its serpentine way; dense growths crowded the bank and leaned far out over the stream. Trailing vines and hanging ferns brushed the occupants of the canoe, and in fear they avoided contact with them, so often did their velvety green conceal wicked thorns and poisonous spines. Fiery eyes dotted the jungle, stealthily watching for a chance to pounce upon the intruders; rustling of the rushes warned them of invisible dangers. </div><br />
<br />
“Karangan!” (“Sand-bar!”) cried Piang, and just in time the banco swerved, avoiding the slimy mud that might have held them prisoners, at the mercy of prowling night terrors. <br />
<br />
A light twinkled in the distance; confused sounds reached the rescuers, and they pushed forward with renewed energy. <br />
<br />
“Ooooh, Mihing!” called Asin, in his cracked, wavering voice. <br />
<br />
“Ooooh!” came the answer from the barrio. <br />
<br />
“Piang, we look to you to protect us from Bal-Bal, to you and your sacred anting-anting.” Solemnly Kali Pandapatan made this announcement. <br />
<br />
The boy was the first to land. The lame and the halt crowded around him, imploring him to save them. Confused, Piang wondered what was expected of him but suddenly he remembered what the great Ganassi had said: <br />
<br />
“The source of power is faith!” <br />
<br />
His proud little head went up; his brave eyes smiled: <br />
<br />
“Have no fear, my people. Piang, the charm boy, will protect you.” <br />
<br />
A startling phenomenon had terrified the barrio. Just at dusk, old Asin had been squatting in the doorway of his hut, dreamily watching Papita’s little white fawn munching mangos under the fatal tree, when suddenly he saw it rise, struggle, suspended in the air, then disappear. Its pathetic cry was heard once, high above their heads. Then there was silence. The aged populace had been too frightened to investigate and had hovered around the fire, afraid to venture beyond its circle of light. Asin had been despatched to notify the head of the tribe that Bal-Bal was hovering near. <br />
All eyes turned toward the charm boy. <br />
<br />
“La ilaha illa llahoe,” softly prayed Piang, scrutinizing the frowning jungle, as it closed in on all sides. <br />
<br />
“Kali Pandapatan,” finally announced the boy, “it is given that we act as brave men. If it is Bal-Bal who has been swooping upon us, have no fear; he can come no more with Piang, the charm boy, prepared to meet him. If it is something else that is hovering near, we must go boldly forth and slay our enemy.” <br />
<br />
A relieved sigh from the listeners greeted this speech. <br />
<br />
“Bravely spoken, little brother,” said Kali Pandapatan. <br />
<br />
Another boat load arrived from the sea, and when the nature of the calamity had been explained, all volunteered to aid in the search. Each man bearing a torch, they went in pairs, scattering through the jungle. At given intervals, Piang who remained in the barrio at the entreaty of the aged, was to respond to the clan call. <br />
<br />
“Lē lē li li!” echoed through the somber night, giving courage to the faint of heart and keeping the searching party’s spirits up. Stealthily the charm boy crept around the edge of the clearing, examining every possible opening; cautiously he peered into nooks and crannies. <br />
<br />
The mango-tree! What was there about that old jungle veteran that drew the boy toward it? The babe had disappeared from under its shelter; the fawn had been whisked from its protection. A cry from the circle around the fire arrested him as he approached the tree, but he reassured them, exposing the charm, and bravely went forward. Dew on the heavy, dark foliage glistened in the firelight, and the golden fruit peeped forth temptingly. Piang reached up on tiptoe to pluck a ripe mango, supporting his body against a large vine that hung from the tree. The vine stirred, trembled, and disappeared. With a low cry the boy recoiled. The tree was bewitched, was alive. Would its huge limbs enfold him in its embrace as it had done the other two victims? Piang was unable to move. Fascinated, he stared wide-eyed at the tree with its wealth of parasite life sapping its vitality. Trailing orchids and tree-ferns festooned its limbs; liana and bajuca vines smothered it in death-like embrace. Coil upon coil of these serpent-like jungle creepers, ignoring or circumventing the smudge platform halfway up the trunk, ascended to the tree’s very crest, only to return, dangling and swinging like the ragged draperies of a slattern, reaching out tenacious arms in search of new support. <br />
<br />
At any moment Piang expected to be seized by this supernatural monster, and yet he could not cry out or move. Where did it hide its victims? Did it inhale life or suck it into its trunk? Scarcely realizing what he was doing, the boy focused his gaze upon two dazzling points of light that gradually came nearer, nearer. A peacefulness came over him, and he wondered why he had been so terrified a moment before. Slowly a numbness crept up his limbs; a giddiness attacked him. On came the hypnotic, icy lights, until they were within a few feet of his face. <br />
<br />
“Lē lē li li!” crashed through the stillness. With the dim past Piang connected the disturbing sounds. The gleaming lights were beautiful, compelling. <br />
<br />
“Lē lē li li!” A memory of some duty faintly stirred Piang’s subconsciousness, and his senses tried to respond to the call. Bright and intense grew the twin fires. One instant they seemed as minute as fireflies, the next as large as moons. Yes, the tree was alive; it was moving. A giant creeper was swaying toward him, would grasp him in its toils. <br />
<br />
“Lē lē li li!” persistently the call was repeated. “Lē lē li li!” A duty! What was it? Charm boy? Who was charm boy? Involuntarily Piang’s hand sought the charm on his breast and grasped it. He was saved! With a shriek he darted back just in time. The vine lunged out, quivered, and recoiled. <br />
<br />
Asin, who had been curiously watching Piang for some time, rushed toward him and caught the fainting boy in his arms. <br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Quietly Piang gave his orders; unquestioningly he was obeyed. After his mishap he had not regained consciousness for two days, and during his illness he had prated senselessly about trees that were alive and vines that had eyes, much to the disturbance of Kali Pandapatan and Asin. But when he whispered his suspicions to his chief, Kali gave a low whistle. <br />
<br />
Asin and Tooloowee were taken into the secret, and they set to work to develop Piang’s plan. A wild boar, which had been captured for crocodile bait, was fastened to a pole in the middle of the campong (clearing). Around it was built a bamboo pen, opened at one end, from which extended a low, fenced-in lane about forty feet long. Arranged in this lane, at intervals, were slip nooses of ratan, which, rising above the structure, looked like skeleton arches. <br />
<br />
Impatiently the Moros waited for night; fearfully they watched the mango-tree. There was no tom-to serenade such as usually heralds the coming of night; no fires were lighted; the evening meal was forgotten. An ominous silence pervaded the barrio. <br />
<br />
Night came—soft, fragrant night, with its thousand wonders. The inquisitive moon peeped over the palm fronds, peeped again, and decided to remain. Papita, her anklets and bangles clinking dully, moved listlessly about, sorrowing for her lost pet; Sicto followed her persistently, annoying her with his attentions. The sulky mestizo took pleasure in provoking the little girl, for was she not Piang’s favorite, and was not Piang his enemy? He moodily contemplated the charm boy at work on the silly-looking structure that he was not allowed to approach. <br />
<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn_Qvi0GoF9kZeKwLSWjJrFYaktvEsvA407_uBr5Mj7wPk1Vfh-NanZf57P9hbXMe0sNPJl7KQ-TNFE5viO3OJoI4mA1orftQz4jeOGkfLaQJ7iw7up1rGhnb9p6zbMf_1N59gRIs18_2/s1600/p149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn_Qvi0GoF9kZeKwLSWjJrFYaktvEsvA407_uBr5Mj7wPk1Vfh-NanZf57P9hbXMe0sNPJl7KQ-TNFE5viO3OJoI4mA1orftQz4jeOGkfLaQJ7iw7up1rGhnb9p6zbMf_1N59gRIs18_2/s400/p149.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Gracefully the little slave-girl eluded Piang and Sicto</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it was finished, Kali Pandapatan ordered every one to go to their homes, to lock and bar the doors, and, under pain of his displeasure, to make no sound. The death-like stillness was fraught with tension. From the window in the nearest house, Piang kept watch with Kali, Asin, and Tooloowee; in his hand he held the ratan cable that controlled the nooses in the narrow lane. Minutes, hours trailed by, and still the barrio watched. A gentle wind awakened the forest whispers and gathered its freight of seed and pollen to scatter abroad. The prisoner in the deserted campong protested and struggled, its ugly grunts disturbing the jungle peace. Dull clouds obscured the moon, and for a long time the barrio was in darkness. When the light burst suddenly upon them, the Moros started from their drowsiness and gazed with awe on the swaying, shuddering mango-tree. Not a leaf was stirring on the surrounding trees, but the mango rustled and trembled ominously. </div><br />
<br />
“See, Kali! I was right!” whispered Piang. No superstitious horror pervaded the hut where the four men watched, but in every other house Moros fell upon their faces, beseeching Allah to protect them from Bal-Bal. The capricious moon plunged into a shadowy cloud again. The next flood of light disclosed a vision so horrible that even Kali and his brave followers stiffened with fear. Out of the mango-tree a black, writhing mass crept toward the terrified squealing boar. Unfolding length after length, the thing advanced, until nearly thirty feet of sinuous, undulating life stretched between the mango tree and the boar’s cage. Papita, sickened with fear, buried her face in her mother’s bosom, weeping hysterically; Sicto, pale and trembling, grasped the window for support. <br />
<br />
“Ular-Sawa!” (“Giant python!”) he gasped, hastily closing the window. A little captive monkey whined pitifully. <br />
<br />
The massive creature, distracted by the sound, paused, head up, forked tongue darting in and out of the open jaws, for the Regal Python has no ears, but hears with its tongue. That delicate nerve center registers sounds by vibration, and when a python is eager to listen, it extends its black, forked tongue. <br />
<br />
“Oh, will it go into the trap?” breathed Piang. The boar, watching its fate, squealed, and the python advanced. Missing the easy lane, it approached the cage from the side, and tried to batter it down with its powerful head. Failing in this, it attempted to slip over the fence, but the pickets had been sharpened to prevent this, and finally it discovered the opening. <br />
<br />
Seeming to disapprove of the symmetrical structure, it hesitated to thrust its enormous length into the strange-looking thing. The Moros were fearful lest the creature escape and continue to overshadow their barrio. Once the python seemed about to retreat, but at that moment the boar struggled so desperately that the python’s natural instinct prevailed, and without a moment’s hesitation, it writhed into the lane, past the first loop, past the second, until it reached the cage. <br />
<br />
“Now, Piang, now!” softly whispered Kali. Calculating the distance, Piang jerked the ratan cable, and the noose tightened around the snake’s throat. <br />
<br />
In a moment the fence was lashed to pieces, and the pickets were flying about like so many chips, as the serpent fought and struggled. Piang and his helpers secured the cable to a post and rushed into the campong. Catching hold of the other cables, they pulled them tighter and tighter until the snake was unable to move. <br />
<br />
The clouds were heavy and the moon shone fitfully. <br />
<br />
“Torches!” yelled Kali, and the women scurried about in search of them. Piang and Tooloowee cautiously approached the monster’s head, holding on a stick some cotton soaked with poison. Savagely the python bit at the extended stick, and the cotton caught on the long recurved teeth. Try as it would, it could not get rid of its mouthful. The Moros congratulated themselves, thinking the danger past, little knowing what the fatal consequences would be. Under the stimulus of the poison the python began to expand, until the loops of ratan creaked and snapped. The snake did not plunge or struggle, but quietly, steadily pulled. That python broke green ratan thongs half an inch in diameter, and soon twisted out of all its fastenings except the one about its neck. Catching hold of the mango-tree with its tail, it pulled until its eyes bulged from the sockets, but the ratan held. Releasing its hold on the tree, it flopped about the campong, pulling and straining at the cable. <br />
<br />
Finally it lay perfectly still, its dull, lidless eyes rolling upward. Without any warning, its lithe tail shot outward, swept the crowd of bystanders, and those fatal, living rings closed around Sicto, compressing the unfortunate boy with such force that he gasped for breath. Without a thought for the helpless boy, the women dropped the torches and fled screaming through the night, leaving the campong in darkness. <br />
<br />
Only Piang came to the none too popular mestizo’s assistance. He hurled himself at the reptile’s head, campilan raised to strike, but instead of falling upon the mark, his knife severed the one remaining cable and set the monster free. Perceiving its new antagonist, and feeling its freedom, the snake rapidly unwound its tail from Sicto, who fell to the ground with a dull thud. Darting forward with lightening rapidity, it caught Piang in its circular embrace, and, coiling its tail around the tree, flattened the boy against it, as if in a mill. Tighter, closer hugged those massive, chilling rings, but Piang fought bravely. <br />
<br />
“A light! a light!” screamed Tooloowee, as he dragged the insensible Sicto away, and, out of a nearby hut dashed a slender, graceful figure in response to the call, a fresh torch streaming its smoke and sparks around her head. <br />
<br />
“Quick, Papita,” urged Tooloowee, and the girl came fearlessly to the aid of Piang. <br />
<br />
“Piang!” she wailed. “Why didn’t you let it have Sicto!” Her voice seemed to put new life into the suffocating boy. With one supreme effort Piang managed to loosen his arm and struck once, twice. The python, now bleeding profusely, hissed and writhed, still tightening around the boy. Once again Piang thrust, at last reaching the creature’s heart. The rings loosened, relaxed, and Tooloowee’s well-aimed blow severed the awful head, which bounced and rolled to Papita’s feet. <br />
<br />
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<br />
When they carried the limp, lacerated body of Piang to his hut, there was lamenting and weeping in the barrio. Piang, their beloved charm boy was dead. A mournful tilick (death signal) was sounded on the tom-toms, and the wail soon gathered volume until the jungle and river seemed to take up the plaint. <br />
<br />
Dead? Could Piang, the invincible, be killed? Papita crouched in the doorway. Kali Pandapatan bent over the still little form. Anxiously he watched the eyelids quiver, the lips part. A sigh of relief broke from the chief, and he murmured softly: <br />
<br />
“Little brother, you have the strength of a packda; the cunning of the civet-cat, and the wisdom of the mina-bird. May your days be long.” <br />
<br />
A knowing smile flitted across Kali’s face as he caught the irrelevant reply: <br />
<br />
“Papita—is she safe?” <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Seventh Adventure</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Secret of the Source</span></strong><br />
<br />
There had been a great drought. Plague was sure to follow such weather, and the Moros were already dying of starvation. “Rice, rice!” was the cry, but everywhere the crop had failed, and the natives were desperate. <br />
<br />
<br />
Piang had been more successful in foraging than the other lads had, and his mother was safe for a time, but there seemed to be no hope, and he sorrowed as he pictured her dying for want of the food that it was his business to provide for her. <br />
<br />
In the stifling heat of midday, the village was startled by the appearance of several white men on the biggest animals they had ever seen. Tiny ponies, straying about the village, fled to cover at sight of the strange creatures, and most of the women hid themselves in fright. The Moro men sullenly watched the strangers advance, making no attempt to stop them, but there was no mistaking their hostile attitude. <br />
<br />
“Where is the dato?” asked the interpreter, who rode in ahead of the men. There was no answer. <br />
<br />
“Come, where is the chief? The white men bring good news; they bring food.” <br />
<br />
Instantly there was a change. Kali Pandapatan stepped in front of the others and said in his musical patois: <br />
<br />
“I am Dato Kali Pandapatan. Speak. Do not deceive us.” <br />
<br />
A lengthy conversation followed, and while the two men were arguing and gesticulating, the strangers gradually coaxed some of the children toward them. Finally the women sidled nearer, and soon the entire population had hedged the little company in, and were gazing with awe at the huge American horses with their odd trappings. One mare stamped her foot and neighed loudly, scattering the spectators in every direction, greatly to the amusement of the white men. <br />
<br />
It was all very hard for the dato to understand. He explained to his people that some great power had sent the white men to save them from starvation. The interpreter had told him that the Moros all belonged now to some nation called the United States. A fierce murmur rippled through the crowd at this piece of news. The dato raised his hand for quiet. <br />
<br />
“Let us hear them through. We are hungry; let them feed us. We will fight for our freedom later, if necessary.” <br />
<br />
Haughtily Dato Kali Pandapatan faced the newcomers and bade them speak. The interpreter explained that the men were United States soldiers, and that their chief had commanded them to search the islands for starving Moros and to relieve their suffering. The crafty dato pondered long before he accepted their offer, all the while watching for an attack. It was impossible for him to believe their generosity could be genuine, so used was he to the treachery of Spanish strangers. When the pack-train loaded with supplies appeared at the head of the steep mountain pass, a cry went up from the hungry people, and a rush was made toward it. When the supplies had been portioned out to each family, and suspicion banished from the minds of the natives, the “Americanos” were hailed as their saviors. Lieutenant Lewis, in charge of the expedition, was offered every courtesy, and the soldiers were showered with gifts of brass and trinkets. Dato Kali Pandapatan vowed his allegiance to the soldiers and offered the services of his tribe. <br />
<br />
“Ask the dato if he has heard of the mysterious rice that has been found on Lake Lanao, Ricardo,” said Lieutenant Lewis. <br />
<br />
The interpreter addressed the dato and learned that it was a well known fact that rice had appeared on the surface of the lake from no apparent source. As it had never been grown in that district, the authorities were puzzled over the persistent rumors. If it could be cultivated there, it might be possible to supply the tribes with enough to avoid these frequent famines. <br />
<br />
“He says he is not sure, sir, but travelers from that section all bring the same tales of gathering rice in an eddy at one corner of the lake. The tribes are very fierce around there, and as they will not tolerate interference from strangers, no one has dared to investigate.” <br />
<br />
“I can easily believe it. General Bushing’s expedition through that country met with fearful opposition. It’s a wonder to me that so many of them came out alive.” The lieutenant was silent for a time, then said: <br />
<br />
“Ask him if he has a swift runner, some one that he can trust.” <br />
<br />
Ricardo questioned the chief. <br />
<br />
“Yes, sir, he says there is a boy named Piang, who is fleeter than the wind, surer than the sun.” <br />
<br />
“Ask him if he will send this boy for me to the lake to search out the truth about this rice. Offer him fifty bushels of corn for the lad’s family and tell him I will send him twenty-five bushels whether he is successful or not.” <br />
<br />
“Piang! Piang!” the name was on every one’s lips. From out the crowd stepped a slender faun of a youth, slim and supple as a reed. The gaily-colored breech-cloth wound about his loins supported his bolo and small knives, and in his tightly knotted long hair, glistened a creese. With silent dignity he awaited his orders. No curiosity manifested itself in his face; no question was on his lips; he simply waited. Lieutenant Lewis marveled at the boy’s indifference, but when the mission was explained to Piang, the light that sparkled in his eyes and the expressions of excitement and joy that chased each other across his face removed all doubt from the lieutenant’s mind. <br />
<br />
Piang was chosen! Piang was to ferret out the secret of the lake! Piang was to bring honor to his tribe! When it was explained to him that his mother would be provided for, he abruptly turned from the dato and dashed off to his hut to procure weapons and scanty provisions. A silence held the natives as they waited for Piang to reappear. They all seemed to sense the dangers that were confronting the boy so eager to undertake the task. Hardly ten minutes had elapsed before he was in their midst again. He salaamed before the dato and, without a glance at the others, bounded up the trail, away into the jungle. <br />
<br />
“But,” protested the lieutenant, “no one has given him any orders, any directions.” The interpreter conveyed the American’s misgivings to the dato. A smile broke over his face. <br />
<br />
“Piang needs no directions, no advice. No jungle is too thick for him to penetrate, no water deep enough to hide its secrets from him. Piang will bring you news of the rice. I have spoken.” <br />
<br />
“And to think of the fuss it takes to get a few dough-boys ready for a hike!” exclaimed the amazed lieutenant. <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
The jungle was terrible. Everywhere Piang came across victims of the drought. Little monkeys, huddled together, cried like babies; big birds, perched on the sun-scorched trees, were motionless. He stumbled over something soft. Always on the alert, his bolo was ready in an instant, but there was no need for it. He looked down into the dying eyes of a little musk-deer. Pity and misgiving filled his heart, and he wondered if he would be able to reach the Big Pass before he starved. Surely, up there it would be different; they always had rain, and if he could only hold out.... A snuff-like dust constantly rose from the decayed vegetation; it pained his nostrils, and he muffled his face in his head-cloth as he penetrated deeper into the jungle. He must reach a clearing before night; it would mean almost certain death to sleep in the jungle’s poisonous atmosphere. There was a good spot further up, and he worked his way toward it, determined to reach it for his first night. The liana-vine that he cut for water was dry. He listened for the trickle of a brook. The jungle is usually full of little streams, but no sound rewarded his vigilance. Stumbling along, he began to think his journey would end there, when he was startled by loud chattering. A monkey settlement was evidently near, and he knew by their liveliness that they were not famishing for water. Spurred on by hope, he redoubled his efforts and was rewarded by the sight of a cocoanut grove in a clearing. <br />
There was a general protest from the inhabitants as he made his appearance, but he paid no attention to the monkey insults hurled at him and gratefully picked up the cocoanuts with which they bombarded him. Shaking each one, he tossed it from him. They were all dry. The monkeys were too clever to waste any nuts that had milk in them. Piang tied his feet together loosely with his head-cloth, and, using it as a brace, hopped up one of the trees as easily as a monkey. Sitting in the branches, he drained one cocoanut after another, and when his thirst was slaked, he amused himself by returning the bombardment. He was surrounded by monkey snipers and he laughingly rubbed his head where one of their shots had struck home. With careful aim he showered the trees, and gradually the monkeys began to disperse. He had won; the fun was over. He watched them scold and fuss as they retreated into the jungle, regretting that he had not kept them with him a little longer for company. <br />
<br />
The big sun was dipping into the trees now, and he descended to gather material for his bed. High up in the cocoanut-tree Piang built his couch. He selected two trees that were close together, and, cutting strips of ratan, bound stalks of bamboo together making a platform which he lashed to the trees, far out of reach of night prowlers. He dipped into his scanty provisions, and then, scrambling to his nest, covered himself with palm branches, which afford warmth as well as protection from the unhealthy dew. Quickly Piang sank into an untroubled slumber. All night long creatures fought below him for the few remaining drops of moisture in the discarded shells, but he knew that he was safe, and their snarls and bickerings did not alarm him. <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Piang started guiltily. He must have overslept. The sun was high, but for some reason the heat had not awakened him. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes, sniffed the air, and uttered a shout of joy. A gentle rain was trickling through the foliage; the spell was broken; the jungle would live again. After hastily gathering a few nuts he climbed down the tree and prepared for his journey, thankful that the drought was to be broken by the gentle “liquid sunshine,” as it is called, instead of by a violent typhoon. Eating what he wanted of the soft, green cocoanut meat, he tied two nuts to the ends of a ratan strip, and, slinging them across his shoulder, was off again, darting here and there to avoid the stinging vines and treacherous pitfalls. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xuu-lf0jIE3Gl2vX-1J4zsug46Z-6br79XhKHwMWA8W9x92Ez4ltojV5P8WcZqRr2V2PhkxFIGHsyX2Z0UmG5Y3nGNvEKCvDrqqS4ZF3VsihiUjS2KBJvF4_soBI8ilTvcxYoRFJg952/s1600/p167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xuu-lf0jIE3Gl2vX-1J4zsug46Z-6br79XhKHwMWA8W9x92Ez4ltojV5P8WcZqRr2V2PhkxFIGHsyX2Z0UmG5Y3nGNvEKCvDrqqS4ZF3VsihiUjS2KBJvF4_soBI8ilTvcxYoRFJg952/s400/p167.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">Over and over they rolled, splashing and fighting</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How many days was he from Lake Lanao? He counted the suns that must rise and set before he should arrive. There were four, if he should be fortunate enough to find the Ganassi trail. Piang had not lost time by returning to the coast to pick up the trail, but had trusted to his instinct to lead him aright. Surely, if he followed the sun by day, and the big bright evening star by night, he would come upon the trail the second day. He must avoid the lake people at all costs; they were not to be trusted, and his life would pay the penalty if they caught him spying. Silently the jungle child sped along. Nothing escaped his watchful eye; no sound eluded his trained ear. Once he darted aside just in time to escape the toils of the dread python as it swooped from above to claim its victim. Another time his bolo saved him, and a wild civet-cat lay at his feet. Chuckling at his prowess, Piang drew his knife across the animal’s belly, and slipped off the skin, almost whole. It would be useful to him, and maybe he could find the herb that is used to cure pelts. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div align="left"><br />
</div>It was very difficult traveling. The sun was not visible during the afternoon, and Piang lost his direction. Blundering here and there, he often came back to the same place. It was no use; he could not find the trail without the assistance of sun or stars. Sometimes it was days before either could penetrate the dense mist that accompanies the tropical rains. Discouraged, he threw himself on the ground. <br />
<br />
An unusual sound made him jerk his head up to listen. It came again, and the boy rose quietly to his feet, focusing his senses on the sound. Cautiously he advanced toward it. In the jungle it is always wiser to be the one to attack. The sound was repeated, and Piang breathed easier. It was made by an animal, not by his dread lake enemies. Gradually he crept nearer and when he parted the bushes and peeped through, he almost shouted in his excitement. He had reached the Big Pass. A broad river swept rapidly by, and along the banks wild carabao rolled and splashed, making queer diminutive sounds, not in keeping with their ungainly size. Piang was careful to keep out of sight, as they are apt to be dangerous when their very uncertain nerves are startled. <br />
<br />
For more than two days Piang fought his way through the entanglement of cogon grass and vicious vines, cutting and hewing his way, afraid to cross the river and follow the Ganassi trail. Finally, one rosy dawn, he came upon the lake as it sparkled and shimmered in the early light. The boy held his breath, delighted with the beauty of the view. Far in the distance mountains rose in a blue and purple haze. The lake was nestled in the heart of them, fed by many clear brooks and springs. Its bed had once been the crater of an active volcano, but Piang did not know this. <br />
<br />
From his retreat, built high among the dense trees, Piang watched the lake people ply their way to and fro across the water. Somewhere on that lake was the secret of the floating rice, and the boy was determined to discover the truth. He hid before dawn at the water’s edge near a spot that he had noticed was much frequented. As usual, a swarm of natives visited it about noon. Piang watched them dip up gourds and cocoanut-shell cups full of water. They strained it through cloths, repeating and repeating the action. He was sure it was the coveted rice that they were gathering and he impatiently waited for them to go; no sooner had they departed, however, than others arrived to take up the task. There was nothing to do, but wait again for dawn, and Piang wriggled himself back to his grove and mounted his platform home. <br />
<br />
He was very restless all night and hardly slept at all, so anxious was he for the first streaks of light. As he lay with eyes upturned, he watched the stars grow dim: before they had entirely disappeared, Piang was standing by the water ready for the dive. His bolo was slung at his side, and in his mouth he carried a smaller knife. One never knows what one may meet at the bottom of an unknown lake, and Piang was prepared for any emergency. <br />
<br />
At last it was light, at last he could see into the clear lake. Climbing out on the rocks as far as he could, he let himself down into the cool water. How he rejoiced at the feel of it and how easily he slipped along toward the spot where he had watched the natives the day before! <br />
<br />
He looked for signs of rice. Seaweed tricked him; bubbles vanished and he reached to grasp them. Round and round he swam, and finally his hands closed over something small and slippery. Breathlessly he fingered it, and opening his hand as he trod water, he beheld the mushy rice grains. <br />
<br />
Taking a long survey, he assured himself that there was no one in sight. Yesterday the Moros had not come before noon; and if he worked quickly, he might discover the secret to-day. Taking a long breath, Piang dived straight down and, swimming along the bottom, examined the rocks carefully; but he came back to the surface none the wiser for his plunge. A puzzled look puckered his face. Tilting his head to one side, he considered. That was surely rice; it did not grow here, so it must come from under the water. Again he dived, but this time he swam nearer the surface and he saw that there was more rice floating by than he had imagined. It was not coming from the bottom, it was drifting from the center of the lake! <br />
<br />
Excitedly he headed in that direction, swimming under water whenever he lost the trail of the rice. It was not strange that it only came to the top in that one spot. There was a strong current that bore it upward, whirling it in an eddy before it sank to the bottom. Farther, farther he went, always swimming toward the center of the lake; and as he went, the rice grew thicker. Eagerly he plunged forward, keeping his eyes open, watching the rice. <br />
<br />
He stopped. What was that dark object resting on the bottom? He did not know how exhausted he was until he paused for breath; then, knowing that his next dive would take him far down, he rolled over on his back and floated quietly. Burning with curiosity, he could hardly wait to see what was there. Slowly he swam downward. Something warned him to be more careful, and afterward he was grateful for his caution, for had he plunged recklessly to the bottom, in all probability in would have been his last dive. <br />
<br />
He was aware of a large body moving near him and he dodged just in time to avoid a collision, striking out for the surface. Lying flat on the water, he peered into the depth and discovered several dark things swimming about. Frightened at first, he remembered that sharks and crocodiles do not live in mountain lakes. Bravely he descended, but this time he swam with his bolo in his hand. Down, down, and again he saw the queer, square things flopping about. They were huge tortoises, clustered around a darker object at the very bottom of the lake. Once more Piang came to the top. He was not afraid now; tortoises do not fight unless attacked, and the boy could easily outswim any of the clumsy creatures. But what were they doing out there in the middle of the lake? Tortoises live near shoals and feed on fungi and roots. As he plunged down once more, he was met by a strong up-current and had to fight his way through. Tiny particles stung him as they rushed by, and it seemed to him that millions of fish were darting here and there, snapping at something. It was rice. Gradually it dawned on Piang that he had reached his goal; the tortoise had reached it first, and the secret lay hidden in that dark thing at the bottom. <br />
<br />
Frantically, but steadily, he worked his way down, avoiding weeds and driftwood. The water grew calmer as he neared the bottom, the rush of the current less. His breath was almost gone; he could hardly stand it a few seconds longer, but he must see what it was there. With one supreme effort, he struggled and reached the hard sand of the lake floor. A trifle dazed, he looked about, and there, towering above him, was a ship. <br />
<br />
Piang was almost unconscious when he reached the air. Had he been dreaming? How could a ship be resting on the bottom of Lake Lanao? Restraining his curiosity, he forced himself to rest. Lying on his back again, he took long regular breaths until he was entirely rested. Slowly he descended and, avoiding contact with the loggy tortoise, circled around the dark thing. Yes, it was a boat. Piang had seen only one other boat like it in his life. It was only about thirty-five feet long, but to the boy it seemed to rise above him like a mountain. Fascinated, he sank lower until he was standing on the deck. The tortoises and fish paid no attention to him, and he examined it carefully. The big tube, sticking up in its middle Piang recognized as the thing that belches smoke, and along the sides, covered with slime and weeds, were small black objects. He had heard that these boats hurl “hot-spit” into the jungle when they are angry, and he supposed it must come from these ugly things. All this occupied only a few seconds, but to Piang it seemed like years. Making a hasty ascent, he again filled his lungs and prepared to explore farther. As he worked his way back, he crossed the current that was bearing the rice to the surface and remembered his mission. Following the milky trail, he arrived at the stern of the boat and shuddered to see the mass of animal life clustered there. Worming his way alongside, he frightened the swarming creatures, and they scattered, leaving him a clear view of the boat. Only one old tortoise refused to be disturbed, and Piang watched it pull and bite at something. He was very close to it, when suddenly something blinded him. He put out his hands to ward it off, but the rush increased, and when he found his way to the top his hands were full of soggy rice. The old tortoise had torn the end of a rice-sack, and the contents were being whirled upward. <br />
<br />
As the boy lay on the water, reviewing his remarkable discovery, his strength almost exhausted, he was startled into the realization of a new danger. Quickly he dived, but not before a man in a vinta, headed that way, had seen him. Piang was caught. In his excitement he had failed to watch for the coming of his enemies, and now he must fight. Swiftly the vinta approached. Piang could see it through the water and he watched until it was over his head. With a lunge, he struck at it with all his might, upsetting it and throwing the occupant out. With a yell the man grabbed Piang, and the startled boy recognized his old enemy, Sicto, the outcast, who drifted from tribe to tribe, a parasite on all who would tolerate him. He was making his home with the lake people just now and had discovered Piang’s hiding-place. Guessing that the boy was after the secret of the rice, he had watched his chance and had pounced on him when he was least able to protect himself. <br />
<br />
Over and over they rolled, splashing and fighting. Piang was struggling for breath, but luckily he still had his bolo in his hand. The big bully was sure to win the fight unless Piang could escape soon, as he was already winded and exhausted. A happy thought flashed through Piang’s mind. He watched for one of the tortoises to swim near the surface, and then shrieking “Crocodile,” he pointed toward it. When the frightened Sicto shrank from the tortoise, Piang struck with all his might, but he was so weak and his knife was so heavy that he only stunned his adversary. <br />
<br />
Then he was away like a flash. Before the bully could recover, Piang had righted the vinta and was paddling off in the direction of the river. Sicto tried to follow him, but Piang only laughed and paddled faster. He was free again; he had a boat, and knew the secret of the rice. Allah was indeed good to little Piang. <br />
<br />
Rapidly he plied his paddle. The current was against him as he headed for the mouth of the river, but he worked steadily and soon lost sight of the infuriated Sicto. <br />
<br />
He paused. Coming out of the river was a flotilla of boats. They were the usual rice-fishers, and he must pass them to gain the outlet. What if they called to him? He could not speak their dialect, and they would surely recognize Sicto’s boat. He did not think they had seen him, so he changed his course to the east-ward and slowly paddled in that direction. They soon passed behind him, paying no attention to the solitary boatman, and he thankfully headed toward the river. As soon as the men reached Sicto, he would tell them of the fight, and they would give chase. Piang’s chances of escape were indeed slim, but he had a little start. <br />
<br />
Stubbornly he fought the current; patiently he worked against the swift water. At last he was in the river, but he knew that by this time the Moros were in pursuit. That they did not appear in the river behind him was no reason to feel safe. He was sure they would try to head him off by land, as the river wound round and round through the valleys. The odds were certainly against Piang. He was in a strange country, unfamiliar with the trails and hunted by the swiftest tribe of Moros. The Ganassi trail was out of the question. It would be lined with the lake people watching for him. The jungle, which he had worked his way through, would be searched, and his recent camping site discovered. Every passable trail to his home would be watched. <br />
<br />
Suddenly Piang remembered the “Americano” soldiers. They lived somewhere off in the other direction, beyond the terrible marshlands. Without a moment’s hesitation, he headed toward the shore, pulled up the vinta, and secured it. He then plunged into the stream and swam to the opposite shore. When the lake people found the vinta, they would search that side of the jungle. Piang was pleased at his ruse. <br />
<br />
Bravely the boy faced his only avenue of escape. The journey through the marshlands and over the mountains was considered impossible, but Piang was not discouraged. Searching the surrounding jungle, he made sure that he had not been discovered, and, turning his back on his home as well as on his enemies, headed toward the distant peaks, the Dos Hermanas. <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
“Halt!” The sentry on Post No. 4 wheeled and took aim. There was another rustle in the bushes. “Halt!” came the second warning. Luckily the man was an old soldier, whose nerves were well seasoned. There would be only one more warning; the bullet would come then. Tensely the sentry listened. In the jungle one does not wait long out of curiosity. Just as he was about to utter his ultimatum and emphasize it with lead, a slender form tottered through the bushes and fell to the ground. <br />
<br />
“Sure, an’ he ’s a-playin’ dead. None of that game for yer Uncle Dudley.” The Irishman, coming to port arms, sang out: <br />
<br />
“Corporal of the guard. Number Four!” Never taking his eyes off the still form, he waited. <br />
<br />
“What’s up?” called the corporal, as he came running up the trail with his squad. <br />
<br />
“Suspicious greaser!” The sentry pointed at the prostrate form. Cautiously they approached it. Too many times their humane sympathy had been rewarded by treachery. The native did not stir. One of the guard poked him with his foot. There was no resistance. <br />
<br />
“Guess he’s all in, all right,” announced the corporal. “Heave him up. Never mind the leeches; they won’t hurt you.” The boy was lifted to the top of a woodpile. He bore the marks of the jungle. His hands and feet were scratched and torn by thorns, some of which still showed in the flesh. His ribs showed plainly through the tightly pulled skin, and leeches clung to him, sucking the blood from his tired body. The long hair had been jerked from its customary chignon, and was hanging loose around his head. His thin arms hung listlessly at his side. <br />
<br />
“Gosh, he needs a wash bad enough. Must have been starving, too.” With his bayonet the corporal removed the black hair from the face. Uttering an exclamation, he bent over the boy. <br />
<br />
“Well, I’ll be dinged! This is the kid Lieutenant Lewis sent up to the lake! How in tarnation did he get to us from this direction?” The men silently exchanged glances, all remembering their fruitless attempts to make a trail over the Dos Hermanas. Forcing water between the parched lips, the corporal gently shook Piang. The boy opened his eyes and shuddered. <br />
<br />
“You’re all right now, little ’un,” the corporal said, and although Piang did not understand the language, he responded to the kind tone with a weak smile. Slowly getting to his elbow, he motioned toward the garrison: <br />
<br />
“Hombre!” (“Man!”) he muttered. It was the only Spanish word he knew, and the soldiers guessed that he wanted Lieutenant Lewis. <br />
<br />
“Give him a lift, boys,” said the corporal and set the example by helping Piang to stand. <br />
------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
“Why, the boy’s story is incredible, Lewis. It is simply impossible that a gunboat could be at the bottom of Lake Lanao,” General Beech protested as he walked to and fro in front of his desk in the administration building. <br />
<br />
“If you will search the records at headquarters, sir, I think you will find mention of three gunboats that were shipped to this island by the Spanish government and disappeared mysteriously on the eve of our occupancy.” <br />
<br />
And so it turned out. Inquiries among the older natives of the barrio brought confirmation of the report, and weird tales of transporting the diminutive gunboats in sections over the mountain passes began to float about. Finally General Beech was convinced and gave the necessary orders to equip and send an investigating party to the lake. Piang was to be the guide. <br />
<br />
The transport Seward carried the troops around to Iligan, and the struggle up the mountain trail to Lake Lanao began. <br />
<br />
Sicto was the first to give warning of the approach. He came upon the party one morning as they were breaking camp near the Marie Christina falls and immediately dashed off to Marahui. <br />
<br />
“The white devils are coming,” he shrieked. “Piang, the traitor, is leading them to us!” <br />
<br />
Dato Grande assembled his council, and they awaited the coming of the soldiers with misgivings. They had good reason to fear the Americans. General Bushing had swept that district in his marvelous campaign, and there was many a cripple among the lake people to testify to the accuracy of his marksmen. But they were relieved by the appearance of Ricardo, the interpreter, who explained to the dato that the troops were not hostile, but had come to make friends with the Moros. <br />
<br />
Proudly Piang swung along at the head of the column, guiding them to his recent platform home. Camp was pitched on the shore, and the engineers commenced work at once. The boy impatiently waited for the divers to fix their cumbersome suits, and when all was ready, he plunged into the water and disappeared from view. The grotesque figures floating down with him made Piang want to laugh. They looked like huge devil-fish, and he wondered how they could stand the clumsy dress. After he had led the men to the boat he came to the top and swam with eyes down. If there were more boats, he wanted to find them first. The men on the bank were watching his agile movements with interest. With a shout he disappeared again. Yes, yes, there was a second boat. And as he circled the sunken craft he spied another near it. Striking out for the shore, he swam to where the general and the lieutenant were waiting. <br />
<br />
“What is he chattering about, Ricardo?” asked the general. <br />
<br />
“He says he has seen the other two boats, sir.” <br />
<br />
“This is certainly a fortunate discovery, Lewis. I shall make a report to Washington on the matter, and you shall be commended for your sagacity.” <br />
<br />
The young officer flushed with pleasure, but replied: <br />
<br />
“Thank you, sir, but I think the boy Piang deserves all the credit.” <br />
<br />
It was many days before the task was completed. The rice had remained a mystery to the last, and the officers puzzled over the fact that it had not rotted entirely. The first report from the divers confirmed the rumor that the boats had been scuttled, presumably to prevent the Americans from capturing them. They had all been loaded with rice packed in sacks, and secured in tin-lined boxes. Until recently it had been protected from the water, but something heavy from above had fallen on them, crushing the outside coverings. The tortoise had done the rest. <br />
<br />
Another surprise awaited the troops. A diver brought up a handful of Krag cartridges. <br />
<br />
“This is a mystery,” said Lieutenant Lewis. “The Spanish never used Krags; we were the first to bring them to this part of the world, weren’t we?” <br />
<br />
A shadow crossed General Beech’s face. Quietly he ordered the divers to search for more ammunition. Silently they waited, and Lewis wondered what had brought the sad expression to his chief’s face. When the divers brought up a wooden box half filled with cartridges, the two officers bent over it; on one side, branded in the wood, was plainly visible: <br />
<br />
“Depot Quartermaster, San Francisco, Cal.” <br />
<br />
“I thought so,” murmured the general. <br />
<br />
“Well, what do you know about that!” exclaimed Lewis. “The public has been wondering for years what became of the thousands of rounds of ammunition General Bushing took with him [189]on his spectacular march through Mindanao. Murder will out. It is here!” He rubbed his hands together in glee, laughing softly. <br />
<br />
“How do you suppose this ammunition got here, Lewis?” General Beech asked gravely. <br />
<br />
“Why, dumped here, of course. Don’t you remember the Sunday editions at home proclaiming Bushing a hero because he had used more ammunition and apparently done more fighting, than any one on record? Why didn’t he come out with the truth?” <br />
<br />
General Beech colored at this injustice to his colleague. <br />
<br />
“The usual hasty conclusion characteristic of Young America!” said the General, sharply. “Do you know, young man, that General Bushing is not only one of our ablest soldiers, but one of the most finished diplomats in the service?” Lewis had never seen General Beech so agitated. <br />
“This discovery will be no news to the war department; they are in possession of the detailed account of the accident.” He paused, his eyes sweeping the lake. “Lewis, this lake is the site of a most unfortunate accident. Out there,” General Beech pointed toward the center of the lake, “dozens of our soldiers were lost, and the public will never know the tragic story of their fall. General Bushing was trying to transport six rafts of ammunition across the lake to the troops stranded at Camp Vicars. During a wild night storm, the handful of men set out on improvised rafts, but half-way across they were attacked from all sides and nearly annihilated. Only the wisdom and bravery of General Bushing saved the entire detachment from death; he ordered the ammunition thrown overboard and rescued his remaining men after a hard fight. That the survivors, one and all, have kept faith, and never divulged the story of the lost Krags, proves the remarkable influence General Bushing had over his command, for had the Moros got wind of this handy arsenal—!” <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
The day finally came when the tiny flotilla was at last raised, and, gay in its paint and polished metal, gallantly rode at anchor. All the lake tribes were assembled to witness the celebration, and they gazed with wonder at the strange craft. Many Americans had been attracted to the lake by news of the discovery, and the camp had grown to almost twice its original size. Some of the officers’ wives had endured the hardships of the journey to witness the novel sight. <br />
<br />
The boats were pronounced seaworthy and were to be tested. The largest boat, the flagship, was decorated from one end to the other with its faded pennants, but in the stern, proudly proclaiming its present nationality, flew the Stars and Stripes. Under the flag at the bow stood a sturdy, nonchalant figure, arms folded, head erect. Condescendingly Piang swept the crowd of wondering natives with his haughty eye. He paid no more attention to Sicto than to the others. In his supreme self-confidence Piang scorned to report Sicto to the authorities. He was clothed in a new dignity that put him far above considering such an unworthy opponent as Sicto and he silently cherished the hope that other opportunities to outwit the mestizo would be granted him. <br />
<br />
An order was given. A shrill whistle startled the jungle folk. The engines throbbed, and one after another the boats responded. A cheer went up from the banks. <br />
<br />
Piang had been given the honor of renaming the boats. The smallest one bore the name of his mother, Minka. The next was dedicated to the memory of his tribe’s greatest hero, Dato Ali, and characteristically, on the bow of the flagship, beneath the boy’s feet, glittered the bright gold letters, “P-I-A-N-G.” <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Eight Adventure</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Bichara1</span></strong><br />
<br />
Piang was about to land for the first time at Zamboanga. His tribe had looked with distrust upon the overtures made by Governor Findy, and although they obeyed his command to appear at the bichara, they were prepared to fight if necessary. Pagans, Mohammedans, Catholics, and Protestants were ordered to assemble at Zamboanga to establish peaceful trading relations, a thing that had never been dreamed of in the belligerent Sulu Isles, and Americans as well as natives were fearful of the outcome. The governor was severely criticized for his experiment, but he had made a deep study of the Moros, and was willing to run the risks of the present in his desire to bring the light of freedom and peace to the misguided savages. After centuries of oppression and outrages against them, the Moros had of necessity become suspicious and cautious. Preyed upon by Jesuits, Filipinos, and Spaniards, they had long ago found a ready bolo the safest argument. Governor Findy had sent them word that they were to be protected from their enemies, and that Americans were their friends, but disturbing whispers of traps and bondage made the wild folk hesitate to obey the summons. <br />
Thus, a strange scene was being enacted at the Zamboanga wharf. From all directions weird crafts made their way hesitatingly toward it. The sentries were distrustfully scrutinized, but not a soldier was armed. <br />
<br />
“See, Kali Pandapatan, I told you the new governor was good. He trusts us and permits us to enter his barrio as friends.” Proudly the tribe’s charm boy sprang from the war-prau, and, to the astonishment of the soldiers, as well as the Moros, strutted up to the sergeant in charge and offered his hand, American fashion. <br />
<br />
“I’ll be dinged, if it ain’t Piang!” exclaimed Sergeant Greer. “Is this your old man, Piang?” he asked genially, pointing to Kali Pandapatan. The old chief stiffened at the apparent familiarity. <br />
<br />
“Him big chief! Him Kali Pandapatan,” hastily corrected Piang. <br />
<br />
“Excuse me, sor; no hard feelings, I hope. Had a rough trip over, I hear; how did you leave the missus?” <br />
<br />
When the remark had been interpreted, a murmur rippled through Kali’s ranks, and hands flew to hips. No Moro permits his women to be spoken of. <br />
<br />
“What’s all the fuss, kid?” asked the sergeant, innocently. <br />
<br />
With an impish grin, Piang replied: <br />
<br />
“Him no like talk about missus; him got twenty.” <br />
<br />
“The deuce he has!” laughed the sergeant. “Some old scout!” <br />
<br />
The good-natured Irishman finally gained the confidence of the ruffled potentate, and when Piang explained that he and the soldier were old friends, Kali solemnly acknowledged the union with a stiff handshake. <br />
<br />
“Ver’ good,” said the savage with a grin. Piang glowed with pride at Kali’s display of English. <br />
<br />
“Now what do you know ’bout that?” commented Greer. <br />
<br />
The savages were for all the world like packs of wild animals brought to bay. Gaudy Bogobos from Davao brushed shoulders for the first time with Sabanas and Kalibugans, and their snarls and bickerings boded ill for the success of the bichara; but finally the natives huddled together, linked by the common suspicion of their Christian enemy. <br />
<br />
Before entering the town, every visitor was required to place his weapons in the lanceria. Now a weaponless Moro is the most embarrassed of men, with the possible exception of the dreamer who finds himself at a party in pajamas. A Moro’s idea of his costume, arranged in order of its importance is: first, weapons; second, hat; third, shirt, and, incidentally, trousers. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPwThoT388f8w-sUr8eEiFuhJeVoUbvMzVvC5nrOGIUaQhGGnbRcl1AUV4sIt55jj1WdIYOvbWGM_YQc2KFx_7YFo6HNDK61zlweZ52Hk_cObCFLx190FxcDG4rAhPtYSuskEFA2QqVgZ/s1600/p227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPwThoT388f8w-sUr8eEiFuhJeVoUbvMzVvC5nrOGIUaQhGGnbRcl1AUV4sIt55jj1WdIYOvbWGM_YQc2KFx_7YFo6HNDK61zlweZ52Hk_cObCFLx190FxcDG4rAhPtYSuskEFA2QqVgZ/s400/p227.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">“Juramentado! Gobernado!” faintly whispered Piang.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The timid creatures slunk along, looking suspiciously behind them, but as the soldiers paid no attention to them, they gradually forgot their enmity toward civilization and became engrossed in the new delights: pink lemonade, pop-corn, toy balloons. They were beside themselves with joy. When ice-cream was introduced, and they had been assured that it would not burn them, their admiration was unbounded. Piang surreptitiously slipped some of the heavenly sweet into his wallet for future consumption and was dismayed a little later to find a thin stream trickling down his leg and an empty wallet. </div><br />
<br />
Governor Findy watched with interest the mingling of the many alien people. Wily Chinamen behind their bamboo street-stalls ministered to the wants of the throng, taking in trade bits of gold-dust and trinkets of brass; Filipinos offered their wares, cooling drinks and sweets. The Filipino’s costume is very different from that of the Moro. He wears stiff, white trousers, carefully creased and immaculate shirts which hang outside the trousers. He wears no shoes, and his short black hair is oiled and brushed very carefully. <br />
<br />
“Now, it’s many times I’ve been wonderin’ what the advantage is in wearin’ your shirt outside your trousers,” said Sergeant Greer to a sentry. “That’s what I call practical,” and he pointed to an ice-cream vender, industriously wiping a spoon on the tail of his shirt, before offering it to a new customer. <br />
<br />
There was great excitement over the coming baile (ball). That night savages and Christians were to enjoy the festivities side by side, and marvelous tales of preparation were being circulated. Piang and Kali Pandapatan wandered about the village, pausing here and there, filled with awe at the novel sights. The value of garters as necklaces had been discovered, and a brilliant crimson pair decorated the chief’s neck (he had gladly parted with five dollars’ worth of gold-dust for the treasure). Gilt collar buttons were forced into the holes in his ears. Safety-pins and their surprises had to be investigated, and an admiring throng crowded around, marveling at Kali’s daring. <br />
<br />
“Kali!” Piang exclaimed suddenly. “Look!” <br />
<br />
Seated at a table in front of a Chino café, were three men in earnest conversation: Alverez, a Filipino mestizo, who had acquired by deception the Moro title, Dato Tamangung; his cousin Vincente; and the Moro malcontent, Sicto. The two Filipinos were disloyal employees of the government, already suspected of being the instigators of unrest among the Moros. Sicto was a deserter from Kali’s ranks and was wanted by that august chief for many serious offenses. Dato Kali Pandapatan scorned to report Sicto to the authorities. A Moro dato is supreme and has the right to punish his subjects according to his own lights. A woman, mingling with the gala bichara throng had a mere stump for an arm; she was a thief and her hand had been severed to prevent it from offending again. A man with face half covered showed the savage justice dealt a liar; his mouth had been split from ear to ear to permit easier passage of the truth. Sicto would be handled according to Moro law, but not here. <br />
<br />
Kali and Piang exchanged a knowing look, and Piang wandered off, apparently seeking new pleasures, but furtively watching the three men. He wormed his way through the crowd intent on a game of chess, played by two venerable old Chinamen. A sudden “Sssshhh” from Sicto interrupted Alverez’s excited whisper, but not before Piang had caught a few significant words: <br />
<br />
“The baile—juramentado—Findy.” <br />
<br />
The little charm boy’s heart beat violently, but his face never changed expression. Juramentado! So some poor misguided fanatic had been persuaded to assassinate the governor. He and Kali must prevent the outrage, for had they not sworn allegiance to this new chief? Piang feared that Sicto suspected the words had been overheard, so he carefully avoided Kali and strolled on among the people. A glance at his chief had warned Kali that trouble was in the air. <br />
<br />
Sicto, Alverez, and Vincente moved off toward the dock. <br />
<br />
“Sicto, did Piang hear what I said?” asked Alverez. <br />
<br />
“Does the jungle hear the trumpeting of the elephant?” angrily retorted Sicto. <br />
<br />
“He hasn’t spoken to any one yet,” said Vincente, significantly. “We had better get rid of him before—” <br />
<br />
A whispered conversation followed, and Alverez finally exclaimed: <br />
“I’ll do it! Wait here. Watch Piang.” Then he hurried off. <br />
<br />
Without approaching Kali, or divulging the secret to any one, Piang followed the men to the dock, and Sicto laughed softly as he watched the unsuspecting boy walk into the trap. The little gunboat Sabah was bobbing at her moorings, and Piang joined the crowd that was gazing in wonder at the strange craft. A shrill whistle, signifying the Sabah’s intention of immediate departure, so terrified the Moros that some took to their heels while others sought the safety of tall lamp-posts. Piang was laughing merrily when he was startled by a noise, and turning, he saw Alverez and a soldier running toward him. <br />
<br />
Instantly everything was confusion, and Piang realized that he was the center of the excitement. <br />
<br />
“Are you Piang?” asked the soldier, cautiously approaching him. <br />
<br />
“Sure, me Piang.” <br />
<br />
“Hike! Beat it!” said the man, pointing to the Sabah. <br />
<br />
What did he mean? Was Piang to be allowed to go aboard the boat? <br />
<br />
The soldier made it very plain, finally, that such was the case, but Piang insisted that he could not depart on a pleasure ride without getting his chief’s permission. <br />
<br />
“Sigi, beat it, I tell you, pronto!” said the soldier impatiently, emphasizing the command with a push. Almost before Piang realized it, he found himself on the gunboat, which was slowly moving out toward the channel. In his hand was a crumpled piece of paper which the soldier had gingerly thrust into it. <br />
<br />
“Here’s your passport, kid,” he had said with a grin. Piang carefully unrolled the paper and stared at the queer American characters. A sailor offered to translate it for him, but when he glanced over the paper, he uttered a low whistle. <br />
<br />
“Say, you go away back and sit down! Don’t you come near me or any one else, sabe?” <br />
<br />
Piang recoiled before the look of disgust on the sailor’s face. What was the matter with every one? Why were they all afraid to come near him, and where were they taking him? He summoned up enough courage to ask who had written the letter, and when he was told that it was signed by Governor Findy, he felt reassured. Surely if the good governor was sending him somewhere, it would be all right. Disconsolately, Piang crouched in a corner, watching sharks and dolphins sporting in the foaming wake. He wondered how long the boat was going to be out, if it would return in time for him to save the governor. When he started toward a group of men to ask for information he was met with a shout. <br />
<br />
“Get out of here, you!” they yelled, and poor Piang hurriedly retreated to the stern. Much talk of the coming baile seemed to indicate that the sailors expected to return before evening, so Piang patiently squatted on a coil of rope, wondering when the mysteries of his errand would be revealed to him. <br />
<br />
The ocean is dotted with many lovely islands off Zamboanga. Somber, lowering Basilan guards its secrets to this day; Sacol, home of Dato Mandi, invites and then repels the intruder; tiny clumps of vivid green rise out of the channel in the most unexpected places, as if timidly wishing to investigate before adding their emerald mite to crown the Celebes. The island toward which the Sabah was making her way seemed blacker and denser than its more frivolous neighbors. Two staccato whistles warned the islanders of the Sabah’s approach, and the beach was soon the scene of lively commotion. The engines stopped, and the gunboat slid along easily. A boat was lowered. The sailors were speaking in low voices; one looked toward Piang and shook his head sadly. <br />
<br />
“My task is not to be an easy one,” thought the charm boy, but his head went up proudly. These sailor men should see how a brave Moro executed the commands of his superiors. <br />
<br />
“Come on, kid,” called a jacky, and just as Piang stepped over the side a kindly sailor slipped a quarter in his hand. It was evidently a gift, and the boy grinned appreciatively. <br />
<br />
“Wastin’ your coin, man,” remarked another sailor with a harsh laugh. “He’s not likely to need dinero (a silver coin) soon.” Piang wondered again at the pitying looks that were cast at him, but he only held his head higher and climbed into the boat. The men seemed in a great hurry; they landed far up the beach, and bags and provisions were hastily dumped on the sand. <br />
<br />
“Here you are, young ’un,” said a sailor, and Piang looked up eagerly. <br />
<br />
“Me, here?” <br />
<br />
“Yep, this is your place,” replied the man, looking away quickly from the soft brown eyes. <br />
<br />
Obediently the jungle boy jumped out, awaiting instructions. The sailor in charge pointed to the paper in Piang’s hand and waved toward the barrio. <br />
<br />
“For dato?” Piang asked, with a puzzled look. <br />
<br />
“Sure, the dato,” replied the man evasively, and Piang turned and started off through the jungle, following a well defined path. <br />
<br />
“Plucky kid, that,” said the sailor who pushed off. “Wonder if he knows what’s up? Half the time they don’t tell the poor devils. Row over toward the patrol-boat, and I’ll warn them to watch carefully to-night in case he tries to escape. When they first land here they kick up a terrible row and usually try to make a get-away or commit their particular brand of hari-kari [suicide].” <br />
Piang was in a great hurry. There was no time to be lost and whatever the business in hand might be, it must be finished quickly. He wondered why some of the sailors had not come with him. Americans are always so curious and never lose an opportunity to visit a strange barrio. He ran on swiftly. <br />
<br />
Two sounds broke simultaneously on his ears. What was there in them to strike a chill to his heart, to fill him with forebodings? That shrill whistle! It was surely the Sabah’s, and as Piang came to a small clearing, he caught a glimpse of the harbor. A cry broke from him. The Sabah was sailing away. Before he could fully realize the calamity, that other sound, ominous and terrible, came again from the barrio. A low rumbling, punctuated with shrieks and screams, came nearer, nearer. Suddenly from out the dense undergrowth protruded a face, shoulders, and finally a woman, old and bent, crept through. Spell-bound, Piang watched her. Wisps of unkempt gray hair straggled around her head; filthy rags hung from her lean, stooping shoulders; sunken eyes, sly and vicious, glared at Piang. Tremblingly the boy watched her creep toward him. There was something about the old hag that turned his blood cold. The distant rumble became individual howls, and Piang suddenly realized that he was being hunted. But why, and by whom? The innocent paper in his hand crackled. The old hag was very near, was about to touch him. With a shriek, Piang jumped back. Her hands were festered; her face and neck were covered with white splotches. <br />
<br />
“A leper!” cried the boy and suddenly he realized that he had been trapped by that villain, Sicto. Not Sicto, but Alverez had filched the order for the confinement of a leper, had erased the name, and substituted Piang’s. He flung the damning paper from him. <br />
<br />
As the boy darted off through the jungle, the old woman yelled. The cry brought the others, and when Piang caught sight of them, he almost lost hope. Would he be able to escape the contamination of this island? With mad shrieks, the lepers gave chase, eager to lay hands on one so lately relegated to their colony. Was he not a leper too? What right had he to scorn them, his brothers? Hotter, fiercer grew the chase. The island was so small that it afforded little refuge for the hunted boy. Sounds from all sides indicated that the chase was almost over; it was only a matter of minutes now, and never again could he leave the dread colony. <br />
<br />
A rustle at his feet startled him, and some animal scurried off into the bush. A dark hole from which it had evidently crawled attracted Piang’s attention, and without an instant’s hesitation, he flung himself on the ground and wormed his body into the welcoming shelter. Pulling a fallen branch in front of the opening, he shrank farther back into the cave. Cave? No, he had taken refuge in a fallen tree trunk, hollowed out by the persistent ferreting of termites (ants). <br />
<br />
“He was here, here,” screamed the old woman. The pursuers flocked to the spot, and Piang listened as they beat the bush, clamoring for their victim. They were so infuriated at the new arrival’s unsociability that they would probably kill him if they found him. <br />
<br />
Piang crouched back in his cramped quarters. The tiny white ants announced their disapproval of the intrusion by vicious stings, but Piang did not move. A sudden jolt made his heart beat wildly. Some one had jumped on the other end of the log, and the rotting wood had caved in. He expected each moment to be his last. Over his head the pattering of bare feet, running along the trunk, sounded like thunder. <br />
<br />
When the lepers moved off into the jungle, Piang was not deceived. They would lie in wait, and their revenge would be the more terrible for the delay. Sweat poured down Piang’s face; his body ached where the ants had stung him. He tried to plan some means of escape, but none came to his tired brain. <br />
<br />
“There is no God but Allah,” whispered the charm boy, and a peace seemed to fall upon him. <br />
<br />
Many weary hours went by before a squawk penetrated the death-like stillness. Fruit-bats! It must be night. Very slowly he made his way toward the opening. Unfortunately for Piang the full moon was rising, making the soft, tropical night a wonder of beauty and loveliness. Cautiously he thrust his head through the branches that shielded his retreat. He was very near the ocean; the other end of the fallen tree, in which he had found refuge, was lying in the water, and the rising tide was gradually creeping up over it. The gentle swish of the sea comforted Piang. It was his friend, the only friend that could help him escape from this island of decay. His practised eyes discerned the shadowy forms of watchers squatting along the beach; beyond, the patrol-boat moved about restlessly, and in the distance twinkled the lights of Zamboanga. <br />
<br />
“If I could only get past the lepers and the boat, I could swim back,” thought Piang, and he looked with longing at the oily smoothness of the water. Nothing could slip past the boat on that sea of glass in the bright moonlight. He remembered the schools of sharks he had seen in the Sabah’s wake and shuddered; but even that was better than being doomed to die here. He pillowed his head on his arms and leaned against the trunk; his hand closed over a piece of dry bamboo. Lifting it to his eye, he idly squinted through it; it was smooth and clean. <br />
<br />
Piang fell to soliloquizing. How many times, surrounded by his friends, he had swum in the moonlight. He remembered one night in particular. How they had sported with bamboo sticks, blowing the spray high in the air, laughing as it fell upon each other! Piang could swim miles with arms folded, pushing through the water like a fish, rolling over on his back or sides, when tired. He had fooled the tribe by staying under water for three minutes, breathing easily through his hollow, bamboo tube. Kali had given him a prize. <br />
<br />
Piang’s eyes widened, brightened. With the bamboo stick—could he? He blew through it softly and laughed. But how to get into the water without being detected? The approaching tide, lapping the other end of the fallen log, seemed to be caressing it in pity. Piang examined it closely. Dared he crawl along the trunk? His eyes fell upon the hole just above the water where one of his pursuers had broken through. <br />
<br />
“Allah, I thank Thee,” breathed the excited boy. He had found his chance, had discovered a possible means of escape. <br />
<br />
Crawling back into the log, he tested the heart of the tree and to his joy, it crumbled under his touch. With a smothered cry, he began to cut his way through the pithy, dust-like wood, and as he gradually worked quantities of the soft fiber loose, he tossed it behind him. If he could work his way through the rotted trunk before the tide turned, it would be an easy matter to slip through the hole into the water. <br />
<br />
It was suffocating in the damp inclosure, as the discarded pith began to fill the opening. Tiny apertures let in just enough air, but Piang was panting and dripping with sweat. As he struggled on toward the hole, he could feel the water under him, as it swayed the log gently. Only a little further! <br />
<br />
The moonlight bathed Piang in its soft light; a cool breeze blew across his face. One of the watching lepers stood up suddenly. <br />
<br />
“There are many crocodiles to-night,” he finally said, pointing toward the log where a slight ripple, widening into vanishing rings, closed over a dark form. <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
“That’s a queer kind of fish!” <br />
<br />
The sailors on the patrol-boat crowded around the speaker, glad of any excitement to break the monotony of their vigil. A thin stream of water had spurted up, disturbing the perfect calm of the surface, and a small black object could plainly be seen, hurrying through the water. <br />
<br />
“Now what the deuce?” said the captain. Two bells were loudly sounded, and the boat bounded forward. <br />
<br />
“Look out, don’t run it down. Steer to one side.” <br />
<br />
The search-light, turned full upon the strange object, revealed to the puzzled sailors a slim bamboo tube, sticking upright, propelled by a strong force from below. <br />
<br />
“Now, why don’t that stick float, instead of sailing along like a periscope?” pondered the captain. <br />
<br />
As suddenly as the phenomenon had appeared, it sank from sight and the chase ended abruptly. <br />
<br />
“Look at our visitors,” said a sailor, pointing over the side. Long streaks of phosphorescence darted back and forth in the shadow of the boat. <br />
<br />
“That’s a pretty bunch of shovel-nosed man-eaters, for you,” remarked the mate. “Gosh, wouldn’t you hate to give the hungry devils a chance at you, though?” <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
The baile was in full swing. The bichara was proving a great success. Governor Findy graciously accepted the savages’ allegiance to the new government and their promises to make the trading system a success. The small park in the center of the garrison was teeming with life. On one side the American band gave the first notes of civilized music that the Moros had ever heard; opposite, rows of brass tom-toms responded mournfully. Gaudy lanterns festooned the tall trees and swung between, describing graceful curves. Flickering moonlight and fireflies added their bit. At one end of the park a platform had been erected for the officers and their families. The savages crowded around as the Americans swayed to the waltz, and their surprise was no less than that of the Americans, when the tom-toms stirred the Moros to the dance and they whirled and crouched in native fashion. <br />
<br />
Governor Findy was surrounded by his personal guard; burly Irishmen shared this honor with stalwart Moros, thus proving the governor’s trust in the wild people. <br />
<br />
Dato Mandi, Dato Kali Pandapatan, and Governor Findy were conversing on the steps of the dancing platform. <br />
<br />
“Kali says that Piang mysteriously disappeared about noon to-day,” explained Mandi in excellent English. <br />
<br />
Who is this Piang, Mandi?” asked the governor. <br />
<br />
“Piang is the idol of the Buldoon tribe. He is Kali Pandapatan’s famous charm boy, friend of General Beech and Lieutenant Lewis,” replied Mandi. <br />
<br />
“Strange that one so well known should disappear. Yes, I have heard much of this boy’s loyalty and sagacity.” The two Moros turned quickly, warned by a startled look on the governor’s face. Far down the smooth shell road a figure was staggering, wavering toward them. <br />
<br />
“Trouble, trouble,” muttered Findy. <br />
<br />
The music ceased with a discordant jar, there was a slight stir among the spectators as Sicto and his companions attempted to retire, but to their surprise, Kali’s faithful men closed about them significantly. On came the figure, lithe, slim, and brown. <br />
<br />
“Piang!” cried Kali Pandapatan, and instantly his eyes sought out the cowering Sicto. <br />
<br />
The heavy, labored breathing became audible as the exhausted boy stumbled through the crowd. A sentry started forward to seize him, but the governor waved him aside. Dripping and panting, Piang staggered toward his chief. <br />
<br />
“Juramentado—gobernador!” faintly whispered Piang. <br />
<br />
A wild shriek crashed through the intense stillness; a green sarong was torn off, and the white-clad figure of a juramentado rushed at the governor. But Kali Pandapatan was quicker, and just as the assassin raised his barong, a slender kriss glistened in the moonlight and descended. The juramentado lay bathed in his own blood. <br />
<br />
Jumping up to the platform, Kali Pandapatan raised his hands. <br />
<br />
“My brother chiefs,” he cried, “did any of you know of this foul plot?” <br />
<br />
“No, no!” came the quick response from every Moro, and although the Americans could not understand his words, they began to realize that Kali was exhorting his people to disclaim knowledge of the outrage. <br />
<br />
“Viviz Gobernador!” came from the full, savage throats, and the cry was taken up by the multitude. <br />
The dazed governor looked down at the prostrate figure at his feet, looked long, and sorrowed. <br />
<br />
“But for the brave Piang I should have been lying there,” he murmured. <br />
<br />
Piang supported by Kali watched this new chief. <br />
<br />
“Come here, Piang,” said the governor. Fumbling with the collar of his white uniform, he loosened something. <br />
<br />
“My lad, I thank you for your bravery,” he said, his voice shaking slightly. “For your timely arrival, and your courage. Your name shall be sent to the great chief at Washington.” <br />
<br />
The words were repeated to the jungle boy, and his manly little chest swelled with pride. <br />
<br />
“Piang, I am about to decorate you with the emblem of our government; these infantry cross-guns I shall pin on your breast.” The dignified governor reached forward to make good his words, but he paused in embarrassment, the noble speech dying on his lips. He gazed in dismay at the naked little savage, standing straight and expectantly before him. <br />
<br />
“I shall place this emblem.” The officer began again. There was a titter among the spectators. <br />
<br />
Piang, eagerly eyeing the treasure, wondered why the governor delayed. Suddenly a gleam of understanding broke over him, and he grinned, broadly. With the tip of his finger he touched the shining cross-guns, then his necklace of crocodile teeth. The situation was saved. <br />
<br />
Amid thunderous applause the smiling governor fastened the guns to the indicated article of dress, and loud and clear rose the shout: <br />
<br />
“Piang! Piang!” <br />
<br />
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1 Bichara means meeting and corresponds to the East Indian word, durbar. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Ninth Adventure</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Piang’s Triumph</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
Two years had passed since the bichara. Prosperity and honor had come to Dato Kali Pandapatan and his people under the rule of General Beech and Governor Findy, and Piang had been raised to the post of official interpreter. Sicto, the disturber, had been seized in Zamboanga on the charge of complicity in the plot on Governor Findy’s life; he had attempted to escape, and there were varying reports as to the results. Some said that he had been killed by a crocodile, others that he had escaped and swum to Basilan; but the tribe had not heard of him since the bichara, and they were relieved to be rid of his bullying presence. Especially the little slave girl, Papita, whom Sicto had annoyed since infancy, was glad that he was gone. Sicto’s father had captured the little maid in a raid on the Bogobo country, and the boy seemed to think it his special privilege to abuse and torment her. <br />
<br />
<br />
Along the steep mountain trail, dividing the jungle as a river might, crept a slow procession. A lumbering carabao swayed lazily forward, and on each side walked four stalwart Moros, ever heedful of the dignified figure astride the beast. Dato Kali Pandapatan rode in silence. Occasionally he gazed down into the deep valleys or off in the direction of Ganassi Peak, but the sorrowful, patient expression never left his face. <br />
<br />
Where was Piang? For three days the boy had been missing, and Kali guessed only too easily what had taken him away in such haste. A few days before little Papita had mysteriously disappeared. It was whispered that the notorious Dato Ynoch (Ee-nock) had kidnapped her, and Kali was already preparing an expedition against the marauder. He felt the strain of civilization for the first time, for he had given his word never to assemble his warriors without the permission of the white chiefs at Zamboanga. But Piang, the impatient, the valiant, could not brook the delay, and had in all probability started after his little friend alone. Kali’s messengers should return to-day, and he had ridden far out to watch for their coming. <br />
<br />
The procession reached the clearing that gave a full view of the sea. In the distance the eye could discern the curving coast of tiny Bongao; Kali was impervious to the summer beauty and youth of the sparkling ocean, to the charm of the dainty island so gaily chatting with the garrulous waves. He did not see the graceful, white rice-birds or the regal aigrets flitting about among the trees; he saw only the vast, restless ocean. There were no boats in sight. <br />
<br />
Slowly the willing carabao was turned homeward, and the aged monarch sorrowfully gave up hope of sending succor to Piang that night. The recent storm had probably delayed his envoys, and he must wait the Sabah’s monthly visit, which would come the next day. <br />
<br />
At the door of his hut Kali Pandapatan was helped from the royal beast’s back and up the steep ladder entrance into the cool dusk of the interior where industrious women squatted at their several tasks. <br />
<br />
“I miss the child’s lively chatter,” Aioi was saying sadly. <br />
<br />
“She was a trying pupil, I can tell you,” remarked the woman at the loom, “but a winning child.” She leaned closer to Aioi and whispered: <br />
<br />
“Did you know that Papita had been asked in marriage?” The surprised look on Aioi’s face made an answer unnecessary. <br />
<br />
“Our chief is said to have spurned the offer. You know he has always hoped to prove Papita’s noble birth; he wanted Piang to have her, so when the terrible Dato Ynoch’s offer came—” <br />
<br />
“Who speaks the name of our enemy in my house?” thundered Kali, glowering at the chattering women. “Bend to your tasks and have done with idle gossip.” <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
What difference did it make to Piang if he was alone, if he had only the barest clue to Papita’s whereabouts? He was going to follow up that clue, and something seemed to tell him that he was on the right track. The jungle was dripping and steaming after a three days’ downpour; monkeys and birds were huddled in the trees, melancholy, but patient, knowing that their friend, the burning tropic sun, would come to them again, some day. Piang trudged on through the sticky, slippery jungle. An occasional fresh track or recent camping site made him push forward eagerly. What he should do when he did overtake the kidnappers, he had no idea, but something always happened to help Piang. He reverently touched his sacred charm. <br />
<br />
The deluge through this lower jungle must have been terrific. Piang was glad that he had been in his mountain barrio during the tempest. Strewn everywhere were branches and enormous tree-ferns; a dead hablar-bird lay in his path. Leeches, hiding on the backs of leaves and twigs, caught at Piang as he brushed by, clinging and sucking their fill, before he could discover them. He raised one foot quickly and yelled: <br />
<br />
“Tinick!” (“Thorn!”) While he was searching for the thorn his other foot began to ache and pain. Piang was too wise to hesitate a moment, so he swung up to a low branch and sat there nursing his feet. He was puzzled; there was no thorns in them, and he could find no cuts. Gradually the soles of the feet began to swell and take on a purplish hue. Piang gave a low whistle and bent to examine the ground. <br />
<br />
“Badjanji!” (“Bees!”) he exclaimed. The ground was yellow with the little bedraggled, stupified creatures. They had been beaten down by the storm and would remain there until the sun came to coax them into industry again. Swinging lightly from one tree to another, Piang reached one of the numberless brooks that ramble aimlessly about through the jungle, and, dropping to its banks, buried his feet in the healing clay. After a short time the pain grew better, and he continued his journey. <br />
<br />
He was nearing Dato Ynoch’s domain on the banks of Lake Liguasan. The outlaw had chosen his lair well, for it was one of the most inaccessible spots in Mindanao. On all sides treacherous marsh lands reached out from the lake, and it was almost impossible to tell when one might step from the solid jungle into a dangerous morass. A few hidden trails led to the barrio, and by great good luck Piang discovered one. Quietly he crept along into the ever-increasing twilight, for the trail led deep into the jungle’s very heart where daylight and sunshine never penetrate. Sounds came faintly from the barrio; tom-toms and many drums beat a monotonous serenade. A fiesta must be in progress. A fiesta? Piang’s face grew hot, and his black eyes flamed. Could it be that the fiesta was poor Papita’s wedding? He broke into a run and, panting and sweating, pushed farther into the darkening jungle; but the trail was evidently an abandoned one, for it brought up suddenly against a wall of thorns and closely woven vines. Throwing himself on the ground, Piang wriggled through the offensive marsh weeds, and finally found himself almost on the edge of Lake Liguasan. From his retreat he could plainly see the village streets. The barrio was certainly preparing for a fiesta and no ordinary one, either, for elaborate and barbaric decorations shrouded huts and street. Raised on two posts at the entrance of the village, was a carcass of a mammoth crocodile, in its opened jaws a human skull. Piang shuddered. He had heard that Dato Ynoch’s followers were gathered from among the renegade Dyak pirate head-hunters, who fled to Mindanao from Borneo justice. The human skull confirmed the rumor, for there are no cannibal tribes among the Moros. <br />
<br />
It was certainly a marriage feast that the women were preparing. A raised platform in the middle of the campong (common), tastefully decorated with skulls small, skulls large, and skulls medium, formed the altar, and a large black bullock was already tied to the sapoendoes (sacrifice post). Piang flushed with excitement at an unusually loud beating of tom-toms; the chief was coming. Piang had long wished to see this terrible Ynoch. Weird stories of his terrible personality, his disfigured countenance were widespread. That so powerful a dato could have sprung up so suddenly puzzled the Moros, and Ynoch’s identity still remained a mystery. <br />
<br />
Down the center of the street advanced a gaudy procession headed by a barbaric priestess. From her head protruded massive horns decorated with flaming red flowers. Around her loins was strapped a crimson sarong; her body swayed and twisted to the savage rhythm of the tom-toms. A tall, amazingly fat man stepped to the platform. His back seemed oddly familiar to Piang, as well as the slinking gait, the shambling step. Straining his eyes, Piang waited. Dato Ynoch raised his hand for silence and turned toward the waiting populace. Piang nearly cried out as he caught sight of the face. <br />
<br />
Oily of hair, oily of eye was this Dato out-law. His shifting glance wandered restlessly over the heads of the people, meeting no man’s eye. Beneath the pomp of his trappings, the fat, overfed body protruded grotesquely, and his movements were slow and clumsy. One almond-shaped eye had been partly torn from its socket, leaving a hideous, red scar. An ear, which appeared to have slipped from the side of the oily head and lodged on a fold of the fat neck, had in reality been neatly carved from its proper place by an enraged slave and poorly replaced by a crude surgeon. A bamboo tube had been inserted in the original ear-drum. <br />
<br />
“Sicto!” gasped Piang. The mysterious Dato Ynoch, was Sicto, the mestizo. <br />
<br />
That Papita had been dragged to the barrio, Piang now had no doubt, and his nimble wits began to look about for a way of escape. He was near the banks of a creek that led to the Cotabato River and thinking that the most likely escape, he wormed his way toward it. Along the bank were canoes of every description. The swift ones seemed to be all four-oared, and he knew that he must have a fleet, light vinta to elude the Dyaks. He spied a tiny white boat tied to a gilded post, and his heart nearly stopped beating when he read the name “Papita” on the bow. <br />
<br />
“Papita!” Piang scornfully whispered. “Papita, indeed!” His lip curled, and he glared through the rushes at the hideous Sicto. <br />
<br />
“Well, it shall be Papita’s after all!” Piang said and he smiled. He crept toward the little craft to see if there were paddles in it. There were two, and Piang suddenly remembered that part of the Dyak betrothal ceremony takes place upon the water. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGMfUqR8aPfxFLXJBH2COjeFRNfofG1Pid5Ung1m6lUKYa0rtLheXd90xz6nkW_KhbfcQdvsCUAb6S1D7ByyCLo6tiKo5enhOWXtPU4v0it7qSwcQWHcjG3DmsbbHBpNlRmYQGyPrQYTw/s1600/p261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGMfUqR8aPfxFLXJBH2COjeFRNfofG1Pid5Ung1m6lUKYa0rtLheXd90xz6nkW_KhbfcQdvsCUAb6S1D7ByyCLo6tiKo5enhOWXtPU4v0it7qSwcQWHcjG3DmsbbHBpNlRmYQGyPrQYTw/s400/p261.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">The waterspout caught the eggshell praus in its toils.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Long Piang pondered as he watched the preparations for Papita’s betrothal. He examined the cotta, counted the praus, and his keen eyes followed the creek to its sharp turn. He crawled past the bend to make sure that the stream was navigable. Satisfied that he could escape through its waters, Piang began to cut rushes, and, squatting in the protecting undergrowth, busily worked while he indignantly listened to the loquacious Sicto telling his followers that Papita was no slave, but a maiden of royal Bogobo birth. He and his father had kept it secret because they intended her for his wife, and at last he had captured the girl from Kali Pandapatan. Faster and faster flew Piang’s fingers, and finally a basket began to shape itself out of the rushes. Soon Piang had two perfect baskets, and he slung them over his shoulder. While Sicto and his villains were celebrating the coming wedding, Piang quietly slipped back through the jungle, back to the brook where the medicinal clay had cured the bee stings. When he returned later, he handled the baskets with great care and chuckled softly to himself. </div><br />
<br />
A second beating of tom-toms thundered through the barrio. The bride was coming. Down an avenue made for her by hostile looking women, crept a tiny, terrified figure. It was draped in the softest Eastern stuffs; jeweled anklets and bangles tinkled merrily. A gauzy veil of wondrous workmanship swathed the figure, but through it all Piang recognized his beloved Papita. Slowly she approached the altar; fearfully she raised her eyes to the man who awaited her there. Her little feet faltered, and the priestess supported her. Papita leaned heavily against the woman. Three soft notes of a mina-bird floated over the barrio, and Papita became suddenly alive. Again the notes stole through the jungle. The bride threw back her veil. <br />
<br />
“The unwilling maid seems to have forgot her woe,” said one scornful woman to another. “Now that she is about to become our chief’s first wife, she does not weep and cry to be taken home.” <br />
<br />
The priestess commenced the ceremony that was to last all night. Chants, prayers, admonitions, all, Papita responded to with renewed vigor, and her eyes furtively glanced toward a spot near the curve of the creek where a slender reed swayed unceasingly. After many hours the priestess led the way to the water and Ynoch placed Papita in her gala vinta and pushed her out into the stream. He got into another, and the two boats nosed each other while the crowd showered them with oils and perfumes. When the command came to part, each boat shot off in an opposite direction. A maiden and a bridegroom are each supposed to meditate for the last time on the advisability of the union before the final ceremony; so reads the Dyak marriage laws. <br />
<br />
As indifferently as a queen, Papita plied her paddle, paying no heed to the unfriendly eyes and mutterings of the Dyaks; she seemed in no haste and managed her vinta with amazing skill for one so small. Only once she seemed to lose control; her vinta cut deep into the tall rushes near the bend of the creek. Had the Dyaks been less intent on exhibiting their scorn, they might have noticed that when the boat drew back from the rushes it rode deeper in the water, and the little figure labored harder at the paddle as the vinta turned the bend and passed from sight. <br />
<br />
“Piang! is it you?” <br />
<br />
As Papita spoke, the form lying in the bottom of the vinta slowly unfolded like a huge jack-knife. The merry eyes twinkled, the youthful, firm mouth curved at the corners, and Piang, the adventurer, smiled up at the astonished girl. <br />
<br />
“But yes, Chiquita, did you think that Piang would suffer the outcast Sicto to kidnap his little playmate?” Piang took up the paddle and the vinta shot forward. Silently the two bent to the task, every moment increasing the distance between them and their enemies. <br />
<br />
“Will they catch us, Piang?” <br />
<br />
“Of course not, my Papita. Piang, the charm boy comes to rescue you.” The proud head went up with arrogant superiority. <br />
<br />
“But there are many hidden cut-offs and creeks between us and the river, Piang; Sicto will surely trap us.” The terrified expression in the girl’s soft eyes touched Piang’s heart. <br />
<br />
“Have no fear, Papita. Let Sicto overtake us and he will be sorry. Put your ear to the baskets.” <br />
<br />
As the girl bent over the two baskets, lying in the bottom of the vinta, a frown puckered her brow. A dull hum, like a caged wind protesting in faint whispers, rose from them. Gradually a smile broke over her face, and she laughed softly. <br />
<br />
“Yes; Sicto will be sorry if he overtakes us,” she whispered. <br />
<br />
Through the deepening night, a roar came to the fugitives. A deep, cruel howl; tom-toms beat a ragged and violent alarm; savage war-cries rent the air, bounding back from one echo to another. Papita’s hand wavered at her paddle. Piang’s stroke grew swifter, surer. The outraged bridegroom had returned from his meditations to find himself brideless. <br />
<br />
“How will they come, Piang?” Papita’s voice trembled. <br />
<br />
“Some by water, some by land. Work, Papita.” <br />
<br />
And so the deadly tropic night closed about them. The little nut-shell sped down the river, past snags, skulking crocodiles, and many unseen dangers. The jungle came far out over the water, dangling her treacherous plant-life above them, ready to drag them from the vinta: it crept beneath them, shooting up in massive trees that obstructed their passage—trees loaded down with parasites, intertwined, interlaced in hopeless confusion, each trying to crush and climb over the other in the fight for supremacy. <br />
<br />
Where the creek empties into the Cotabato River, Piang paused; there were suspicious-looking shadows close to the bank, and he reached for his precious baskets. <br />
<br />
“Work slowly, Papita,” he whispered, and the trembling girl kept the vinta just moving. From its ominous silence, the jungle crashed into chaos. <br />
<br />
“Lè lè lè lè iiiiiio!” shrieked the echoes. <br />
<br />
Piang was ready. <br />
<br />
“Lè lè lè lè iiiiiio!” he tauntingly replied. <br />
<br />
Kneeling in the bow of the vinta, he hastily lighted a green resinous torch and stuck it upright. It gave forth the pungent, heavy perfume of the jungle pitch. Waiting until his enemies were almost upon him, Piang raised one basket above his head and opened the trap. A sudden buzz and whirl filled the air; Piang reached for the second basket and held it in the smoke of the torch, ready to open. For a few moments, nothing happened, but the enemy slackened their pace, and the war cries were silenced. Finally yells of rage and pain broke from them: <br />
<br />
“Badjanji!” they screamed. The little insects, infuriated at the treatment they had received, fairly pounced upon the defenseless Dyaks. No jungle pest is so dreaded as the enraged honey-bee. Its envenomed stings are poisonous, deadly, and often cause more painful wounds than bolos. The men fought desperately. Tauntingly Piang laughed, swiftly he and Papita paddled, and the smoke from the torch enveloped them in its protecting waves. Coming abreast of the war-prau, Piang loosed the other basket of bees. <br />
<br />
On sped the vinta, and ever nearer came the great estuary that gave upon the Celebes Sea. The sounds of the sufferers grew fainter, and finally Papita and Piang were again alone in the great night. <br />
<br />
“They will return and assemble the war fleet, Papita; they will pursue us into the ocean. If the water is rough, we cannot cross the bay to Parang-Parang in this vinta. We must hide near the coast and make our way homeward on foot.” <br />
<br />
Morning fairly burst upon them. Twilight in the tropics is a name only, for the sun rises and disappears abruptly, and it is day or night in a few moments. The early light showed the ocean in the distance, and at the same moment sounds behind made Piang listen anxiously. <br />
<br />
“They are coming, Papita; we must hide.” <br />
<br />
As Piang headed for the bank, he noticed a thin stream of smoke trembling above Bongao. He paused and trained his eye on the blur. Suddenly he dug his paddle into the water. <br />
<br />
“Papita, quick! The Sabah is coming!” <br />
<br />
Again the vinta shot forward, down through the shifting, treacherous delta, out into the ocean. Louder grew the beating of paddles against the Dyak war-praus, and Piang could hear the war chant. He knew that Sicto cared little for ships; he had evaded too many of them. Only the Sabah, Sicto feared, but he would probably take a chance on this being the Chino mail boat or a Spanish tramp. That the Dyaks would take the chance and follow, Piang was sure. <br />
<br />
The sea was choppy and fretful. The little bride boat danced and careened about recklessly. Between the Sabah and Piang lay Bongao, and straight for Bongao he headed, skilfully keeping the vinta steady. A white mist rose, as if to hide the vinta from the pursuers, but when the fleet reached the river’s mouth a yell announced that they had been discovered. The race was for life, for more than life, and the boy seemed possessed of a supernatural strength. Nearer came the smoke, and finally around the point of Bongao, burst the little gunboat. At first the Dyaks did not heed the stranger, so used were they to hurling contempt at island visitors, but when in answer to Papita’s signal, as she stood up waving her disheveled wedding veil, there came a shrill whistle, they paused in dismay. <br />
<br />
In a very short time Papita and Piang were raised over the side of the Sabah, and General Beech and Governor Findy were questioning them. <br />
<br />
“You say that Dato Ynoch is pursuing you?” <br />
<br />
“Yes, yes, that is him in the first prau,” excitedly replied Piang. <br />
<br />
“Well, Piang, it is Ynoch that brings the Sabah here to-day. We thank you, my boy, for tempting him into the open.” <br />
<br />
When the Moro boy disclosed Ynoch’s identity, a grim smile settled over Governor Findy’s face. <br />
<br />
“Man the guns, Captain!” commanded General Beech in his dignified, quiet way. <br />
<br />
The Dyaks were scattering in the wildest confusion, making their way back to the river with all speed, but the Sabah relentlessly pursued. A sudden darkening shadow startled the captain of the Sabah, and he pointed toward the mountains. <br />
<br />
“Something queer hatchin’ over there, General.” <br />
<br />
A dense mist hid the hills; only old Ganassi Peak stood out, dignified and stern. Like a dirty piece of canvas, one cloud balanced itself on Ganassi’s shoulder and rapidly spread itself around the peak. It seemed to sap the very life from Ganassi, as it enveloped it in a chilling embrace. Slowly the cloud loosed its hold and bounced along on the lower hills. In its center it seemed to bear a restless, struggling mass, and the passengers on the Sabah watched it nervously. Strange things happen very suddenly in the sunny Celebes. Fascinated, they watched the odd cloud lumbering toward them, dipping and lifting its burden. It sailed over the mountains, flitted past the jungle and reached the ocean, where it hovered and waved as if undecided which way to go. At times, like canvas, it would belly down in the middle, almost burst, right itself, and come sailing on. Again and again the heavy contents pulled the cloud to earth, but valiantly struggling with its burden, it resisted. The cloud brought with it a death-like mist, damp and choking, and the sunshine was abruptly put out. The thing hesitated over the Sabah, dipping and sucking itself back, as if made of elastic; it wandered about aimlessly and paused over the fleeing Dyaks. Finally as if discouraged and strained beyond its endurance, it gave up. <br />
<br />
With shrieks and cries the Dyaks watched it. Tons and tons of water burst from the cloud, striking the sea with a hiss that sent the spray high in the air. <br />
<br />
“Waterspout!” yelled the captain and ordered the Sabah’s engines stopped. In horror they beheld the crazy column careen about, obeying its master, the capricious wind, and following any stray current; around and around the spiral, grinding mass of water veered and circled aimlessly. It danced and capered about the ocean like some malignant monster loosed from torment, and finally, as if by direct intent, started for the river’s mouth. The Dyaks saw it coming, and in their puny efforts to escape, looked like ants before an elephant. The five streams, flowing through the delta of the Cotabato River, seemed to draw the vicious waterspout toward them, and on it went, directly in the wake of the doomed Dyaks. Tensely the Sabah’s passengers followed the course of the spout. The whirling Nemesis descended upon the pirates; their cries of anguish came faintly through the roar and hiss of water; crude Dyak prayers, shrieked by terrified worshipers, smote upon their ears, and finally, like a whirlwind, the waterspout pounced upon its victims. It caught at them with a thousand arms; it tossed them up, bore them down, tore them from the light eggshell praus, crushing them to bits. <br />
<br />
Through the entire fleet stalked the monster, dealing out death and destruction to all, and, when there remained naught to vent its wrath upon, like an insatiate giant, it turned toward the jungle. Straight up the river it marched, rooting up trees, tearing down banks, and gradually vanished in the distance, leaving wreckage and disaster in its path. <br />
<br />
Silenced by the terrible spectacle, the Americans seemed to huddle closer together for protection, or comfort. But two figures stood out alone on the Sabah’s deck. <br />
<br />
Papita’s eyes were fastened on Piang, on the charm that dangled from his necklace of crocodile teeth; Piang was lost in Ganassi Peak. His eyes were filled with a divine awe as he silently faced his beloved peak, where dwelt his wonder man, the Hermit Ganassi. Every element of his being, his very attitude, proclaimed that his spirit was pouring out a thanksgiving to his patron, whose prayers to Allah, the Merciful, had sent the waterspout to destroy his enemies. The Christians, boasting a greater God, were put to shame by this artless exhibition of a faith that they could never feel, and their eyes were filled with admiration as they looked upon this Moro boy, transfigured in his faith, as he muttered softly: <br />
<br />
<br />
“There is no God but Allah!” <br />
<br />
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The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;">Translated From The Sanscrit In Seven Parts With Preface,</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;">Introduction and Concluding Remarks</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;">Author: Vatsyayana</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;">Translator: Richard Burton</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;">Bhagavanlal Indrajit</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;">Shivaram Parashuram Bhide</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">THE</span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">KAMA SUTRA</span></strong></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">OF VATSYAYANA</span></strong>.</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">TRANSLATED FROM THE SANSCRIT.</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">In Seven Parts,</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">WITH</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">PREFACE, INTRODUCTION,</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">AND</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">CONCLUDING REMARKS.</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">Cosmopoli: MDCCCLXXXIII: for the Kama Shastra Society of</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">London and Benares, and for private circulation only.</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">PART I.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>THE VATSYAYANA SUTRA.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>INTRODUCTORY PREFACE.</strong></div><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>SALUTATION TO DHARMA, ARTHA AND KAMA.</strong></div><br />
<strong>Man, the period of whose life is one hundred years, should practise Dharma, Artha, and Kama at different times and in such a manner that they may harmonize together and not clash in any way. He should acquire learning in his childhood, in his youth and middle age he should attend to Artha and Kama, and in his old age he should perform Dharma, and thus seek to gain Moksha, i.e., release from further transmigration. Or, on account of the uncertainty of life, he may practise them at times when they are enjoined to be practised. But one thing is to be noted, he should lead the life of a religious student until he finishes his education.</strong><br />
<br />
Dharma is obedience to the command of the Shastra or Holy Writ of the Hindoos to do certain things, such as the performance of sacrifices, which are not generally done because they do not belong to this world, and produce no visible effect; and not to do other things, such as eating meat, which is often done because it belongs to this world, and has visible effects.<br />
<br />
Dharma should be learnt from the Shruti (Holy Writ), and from those conversant with it.<br />
<br />
Artha is the acquisition of arts, land, gold, cattle, wealth, equipages and friends. It is, further, the protection of what is acquired, and the increase of what is protected.<br />
Artha should be learnt from the king's officers, and from merchants who may be versed in the ways of commerce.<br />
Kama is the enjoyment of appropriate objects by the five senses of hearing, feeling, seeing, tasting, and smelling, assisted by the mind together with the soul. The ingredient in this is a peculiar contact between the organ of sense and its object, and the consciousness of pleasure which arises from that contact is called Kama.<br />
<br />
Kama is to be learnt from the Kama Sutra (aphorisms on love) and from the practice of citizens.<br />
When all the three, viz., Dharma, Artha, and Kama come together, the former is better than the one which follows it, i.e., Dharma is better than Artha, and Artha is better than Kama. But Artha should be always first practised by the king, for the livelihood of men is to be obtained from it only. Again, Kama being the occupation of public women, they should prefer it to the other two, and these are exceptions to the general rule.<br />
<br />
Objection 1.<br />
Some learned men say that as Dharma is connected with things not belonging to this world, it is appropriately treated of in a book; and so also is Artha, because it is practised only by the application of proper means, and a knowledge of those means can only be obtained by study and from books. But Kama being a thing which is practised even by the brute creation, and which is to be found everywhere, does not want any work on the subject.<br />
<br />
Answer.<br />
This is not so. Sexual intercourse being a thing dependent on man and woman requires the application of proper means by them, and those means are to be learnt from the Kama Shastra. The non-application of proper means, which we see in the brute creation, is caused by their being unrestrained, and by the females among them only being fit for sexual intercourse at certain seasons and no more, and by their intercourse not being preceded by thought of any kind.<br />
<br />
Objection 2.<br />
The Lokayatikas say:—Religious ordinances should not be observed, for they bear a future fruit, and at the same time it is also doubtful whether they will bear any fruit at all. What foolish person will give away that which is in his own hands into the hands of another? Moreover, it is better to have a pigeon to-day than a peacock to-morrow; and a copper coin which we have the certainty of obtaining, is better than a gold coin, the possession of which is doubtful.<br />
<br />
Answer.<br />
It is not so. 1st. Holy Writ, which ordains the practice of Dharma, does not admit of a doubt.<br />
2nd. Sacrifices such as those made for the destruction of enemies, or for the fall of rain, are seen to bear fruit.<br />
3rd. The sun, moon, stars, planets and other heavenly bodies appear to work intentionally for the good of the world.<br />
4th. The existence of this world is effected by the observance of the rules respecting the four classes of men and their four stages of life.<br />
5th. We see that seed is thrown into the ground with the hope of future crops.<br />
Vatsyayana is therefore of opinion that the ordinances of religion must be obeyed.<br />
<br />
<br />
Objection 3.<br />
Those who believe that destiny is the prime mover of all things say:—We should not exert ourselves to acquire wealth, for sometimes it is not acquired although we strive to get it, while at other times it comes to us of itself without any exertion on our part. Everything is therefore in the power of destiny, who is the lord of gain and loss, of success and defeat, of pleasure and pain. Thus we see the Bali[6] was raised to the throne of Indra by destiny, and was also put down by the same power, and it is destiny only that can re-instate him.<br />
<br />
Answer.<br />
It is not right to say so. As the acquisition of every object pre-supposes at all events some exertion on the part of man, the application of proper means may be said to be the cause of gaining all our ends, and this application of proper means being thus necessary (even where a thing is destined to happen), it follows that a person who does nothing will enjoy no happiness.<br />
<br />
Objection 4.<br />
Those who are inclined to think that Artha is the chief object to be obtained argue thus. Pleasures should not be sought for, because they are obstacles to the practice of Dharma and Artha, which are both superior to them, and are also disliked by meritorious persons. Pleasures also bring a man into distress, and into contact with low persons; they cause him to commit unrighteous deeds, and produce impurity in him; they make him regardless of the future, and encourage carelessness and levity. And lastly, they cause him to be disbelieved by all, received by none, and despised by everybody, including himself. It is notorious, moreover, that many men who have given themselves up to pleasure alone, have been ruined along with their families and relations. Thus, King Dandakya, of the Bhoja dynasty, carried off a Brahman's daughter with evil intent, and was eventually ruined and lost his kingdom. Indra, too, having violated the chastity of Ahalya, was made to suffer for it. In a like manner the mighty Kichaka, who tried to seduce Draupadi, and Ravana, who attempted to gain over Sita, were punished for their crimes. These and many others fell by reason of their pleasures.<br />
<br />
Answer.<br />
This objection cannot be sustained, for pleasures, being as necessary for the existence and well being of the body as food, are consequently equally required. They are, moreover, the results of Dharma and Artha. Pleasures are, therefore, to be followed with moderation and caution. No one refrains from cooking food because there are beggars to ask for it, or from sowing seed because there are deer to destroy the corn when it is grown up.<br />
<br />
Thus a man practising Dharma, Artha and Kama enjoys happiness both in this world and in the world to come. The good perform those actions in which there is no fear as to what is to result from them in the next world, and in which there is no danger to their welfare. Any action which conduces to the practice of Dharma, Artha and Kama together, or of any two, or even one of them, should be performed, but an action which conduces to the practice of one of them at the expense of the remaining two should not be performed<br />
.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER III.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">ON THE ARTS AND SCIENCES TO BE STUDIED.</div><br />
Man should study the Kama Sutra and the arts and sciences subordinate thereto, in addition to the study of the arts and sciences contained in Dharma and Artha. Even young maids should study this Kama Sutra along with its arts and sciences before marriage, and after it they should continue to do so with the consent of their husbands.<br />
<br />
Here some learned men object, and say that females, not being allowed to study any science, should not study the Kama Sutra.<br />
<br />
But Vatsyayana is of opinion that this objection does not hold good, for women already know the practice of Kama Sutra, and that practice is derived from the Kama Shastra, or the science of Kama itself. Moreover, it is not only in this but in many other cases that though the practice of a science is known to all, only a few persons are acquainted with the rules and laws on which the science is based. Thus the Yadnikas or sacrificers, though ignorant of grammar, make use of appropriate words when addressing the different Deities, and do not know how these words are framed. Again, persons do the duties required of them on auspicious days, which are fixed by astrology, though they are not acquainted with the science of astrology. In a like manner riders of horses and elephants train these animals without knowing the science of training animals, but from practice only. And similarly the people of the most distant provinces obey the laws of the kingdom from practice, and because there is a king over them, and without further reason. And from experience we find that some women, such as daughters of princes and their ministers, and public women, are actually versed in the Kama Shastra.<br />
<br />
A female, therefore, should learn the Kama Shastra, or at least a part of it, by studying its practice from some confidential friend. She should study alone in private the sixty-four practices that form a part of the Kama Shastra. Her teacher should be one of the following persons, viz., the daughter of a nurse brought up with her and already married, or a female friend who can be trusted in everything, or the sister of her mother (i.e., her aunt), or an old female servant, or a female beggar who may have formerly lived in the family, or her own sister, who can always be trusted.<br />
<br />
The following are the arts to be studied, together with the Kama Sutra:—<br />
1.Singing.<br />
2.Playing on musical instruments.<br />
3.Dancing.<br />
4.Union of dancing, singing, and playing instrumental music.<br />
5.Writing and drawing.<br />
6.Tattooing.<br />
7.Arraying and adorning an idol with rice and flowers.<br />
8.Spreading and arraying beds or couches of flowers, or flowers upon the ground.<br />
9.Colouring the teeth, garments, hair, nails, and bodies, i.e., staining, dyeing, colouring and painting the same.<br />
10.Fixing stained glass into a floor.<br />
11.The art of making beds, and spreading out carpets and cushions for reclining.<br />
12.Playing on musical glasses filled with water.<br />
13.Storing and accumulating water in aqueducts, cisterns and reservoirs.<br />
14.Picture making, trimming and decorating.<br />
15.Stringing of rosaries, necklaces, garlands and wreaths.<br />
16.Binding of turbans and chaplets, and making crests and top-knots of flowers.<br />
17.Scenic representations. Stage playing.<br />
18.Art of making ear ornaments.<br />
19.Art of preparing perfumes and odours.<br />
20.Proper disposition of jewels and decorations, and adornment in dress.<br />
21.[24]Magic or sorcery.<br />
22.Quickness of hand or manual skill.<br />
23.Culinary art, i.e., cooking and cookery.<br />
24.Making lemonades, sherbets, acidulated drinks, and spirituous extracts with proper flavour and colour.<br />
25.Tailor's work and sewing.<br />
26.Making parrots, flowers, tufts, tassels, bunches, bosses, knobs, &c., out of yarn or thread.<br />
27.Solution of riddles, enigmas, covert speeches, verbal puzzles and enigmatical questions.<br />
28.A game, which consisted in repeating verses, and as one person finished, another person had to commence at once, repeating another verse, beginning with the same letter with which the last speaker's verse ended, whoever failed to repeat was considered to have lost, and to be subject to pay a forfeit or stake of some kind.<br />
29.The art of mimicry or imitation.<br />
30.Reading, including chanting and intoning.<br />
31.Study of sentences difficult to pronounce. It is played as a game chiefly by women and children, and consists of a difficult sentence being given, and when repeated quickly, the words are often transposed or badly pronounced.<br />
32.Practice with sword, single stick, quarter staff, and bow and arrow.<br />
33.Drawing inferences, reasoning or inferring.<br />
34.Carpentry, or the work of a carpenter.<br />
35.Architecture, or the art of building.<br />
36.Knowledge about gold and silver coins, and jewels and gems.<br />
37.Chemistry and mineralogy.<br />
38.Colouring jewels, gems and beads.<br />
39.Knowledge of mines and quarries.<br />
40.Gardening; knowledge of treating the diseases of trees and plants, of nourishing them, and determining their ages.<br />
41.Art of cock fighting, quail fighting and ram fighting.<br />
42.Art of teaching parrots and starlings to speak.<br />
43.Art of applying perfumed ointments to the body, and of dressing the hair with unguents and perfumes and braiding it.<br />
44.The art of understanding writing in cypher, and the writing of words in a peculiar way.<br />
45.The art of speaking by changing the forms of words. It is of various kinds. Some speak by changing the beginning and end of words, others by adding unnecessary letters between every syllable of a word, and so on.<br />
46.Knowledge of language and of the vernacular dialects.<br />
47.Art of making flower carriages.<br />
48.Art of framing mystical diagrams, of addressing spells and charms, and binding armlets.<br />
49.Mental exercises, such as completing stanzas or verses on receiving a part of them; or supplying one, two or three lines when the remaining lines are given indiscriminately from different verses, so as to make the whole an entire verse with regard to its meaning; or arranging the words of a verse written irregularly by separating the vowels from the consonants, or leaving them out altogether; or putting into verse or prose sentences represented by signs or symbols. There are many other such exercises.<br />
50.Composing poems.<br />
51.Knowledge of dictionaries and vocabularies.<br />
52.Knowledge of ways of changing and disguising the appearance of persons.<br />
53.Knowledge of the art of changing the appearance of things, such as making cotton to appear as silk, coarse and common things to appear as fine and good.<br />
54.Various ways of gambling.<br />
55.Art of obtaining possession of the property of others by means of muntras or incantations.<br />
56.Skill in youthful sports.<br />
57.Knowledge of the rules of society, and of how to pay respects and compliments to others.<br />
58.Knowledge of the art of war, of arms, of armies, &c.<br />
59.Knowledge of gymnastics.<br />
60.Art of knowing the character of a man from his features.<br />
61.Knowledge of scanning or constructing verses.<br />
62.Arithmetical recreations.<br />
63.Making artificial flowers.<br />
64.Making figures and images in clay.<br />
<br />
A public woman, endowed with a good disposition, beauty and other winning qualities, and also versed in the above arts, obtains the name of a Ganika, or public woman of high quality, and receives a seat of honour in an assemblage of men. She is, moreover, always respected by the king, and praised by learned men, and her favour being sought for by all, she becomes an object of universal regard. The daughter of a king too, as well as the daughter of a minister, being learned in the above arts, can make their husbands favourable to them, even though these may have thousands of other wives besides themselves. And in the same manner, if a wife becomes separated from her husband, and falls into distress, she can support herself easily, even in a foreign country, by means of her knowledge of these arts. Even the bare knowledge of them gives attractiveness to a woman, though the practice of them may be only possible or otherwise according to the circumstances of each case. A man who is versed in these arts, who is loquacious and acquainted with the arts of gallantry, gains very soon the hearts of women, even though he is only acquainted with them for a short time.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER IV.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">THE LIFE OF A CITIZEN.</div><br />
Having thus acquired learning, a man, with the wealth that he may have gained by gift, conquest, purchase, deposit, or inheritance from his ancestors, should become a householder, and pass the life of a citizen. He should take a house in a city, or large village, or in the vicinity of good men, or in a place which is the resort of many persons. This abode should be situated near some water, and divided into different compartments for different purposes. It should be surrounded by a garden, and also contain two rooms, an outer and an inner one. The inner room should be occupied by the females, while the outer room, balmy with rich perfumes, should contain a bed, soft, agreeable to the sight covered with a clean white cloth, low in the middle part, having garlands and bunches of flowers upon it, and a canopy above it, and two pillows, one at the top, another at the bottom. There should be also a sort of couch besides, and at the head of this a sort of stool, on which should be placed the fragrant ointments for the night, as well as flowers, pots containing collyrium and other fragrant substances, things used for perfuming the mouth, and the bark of the common citron tree. Near the couch, on the ground, there should be a pot for spitting, a box containing ornaments, and also a lute hanging from a peg made of the tooth of an elephant, a board for drawing, a pot containing perfume, some books, and some garlands of the yellow amaranth flowers. Not far from the couch, and on the ground, there should be a round seat, a toy cart, and a board for playing with dice; outside the outer room there should be cages of birds, and a separate place for spinning, carving, and such like diversions. In the garden there should be a whirling swing and a common swing, as also a bower of creepers covered with flowers, in which a raised parterre should be made for sitting.<br />
<br />
Now the householder having got up in the morning and performed his necessary duties, should wash his teeth, apply a limited quantity of ointments and perfumes to his body, put some ornaments on his person and collyrium on his eyelids and below his eyes, colour his lips with alacktaka, and look at himself in the glass. Having then eaten betel leaves, with other things that give fragrance to the mouth, he should perform his usual business. He should bathe daily, anoint his body with oil every other day, apply a lathering substance to his body every three days, get his head (including face) shaved every four days, and the other parts of his body every five or ten days. All these things should be done without fail, and the sweat of the armpits should also be removed. Meals should be taken in the forenoon, in the afternoon, and again at night, according to Charayana. After breakfast, parrots and other birds should be taught to speak, and the fighting of cocks, quails, and rams should follow. A limited time should be devoted to diversions with Pithamardas, Vitas, and Vidushakas, and then should be taken the midday sleep. After this the householder, having put on his clothes and ornaments, should, during the afternoon, converse with his friends. In the evening there should be singing, and after that the householder, along with his friend, should await in his room, previously decorated and perfumed, the arrival of the woman that may be attached to him, or he may send a female messenger for her, or go for her himself. After her arrival at his house, he and his friend should welcome her, and entertain her with a loving and agreeable conversation. Thus end the duties of the day.<br />
The following are the things to be done occasionally as diversions or amusements.<br />
<br />
1.Holding festivals in honour of different Deities.<br />
2.Social gatherings of both sexes.<br />
3.Drinking parties.<br />
4.Picnics.<br />
5.Other social diversions.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Festivals.</div>On some particular auspicious day, an assembly of citizens should be convened in the temple of Saraswati. There the skill of singers, and of others who may have come recently to the town, should be tested, and on the following day they should always be given some rewards. After that they may either be retained or dismissed, according as their performances are liked or not by the assembly. The members of the assembly should act in concert, both in times of distress as well as in times of prosperity, and it is also the duty of these citizens to show hospitality to strangers who may have come to the assembly. What is said above should be understood to apply to all the other festivals which may be held in honour of the different Deities, according to the present rules.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Social Gatherings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>When men of the same age, disposition and talents, fond of the same diversions and with the same degree of education, sit together in company with public women, or in an assembly of citizens, or at the abode of one among themselves, and engage in agreeable discourse with each other, such is called a sitting in company or a social gathering. The subjects of discourse are to be the completion of verses half composed by others, and the testing the knowledge of one another in the various arts. The women who may be the most beautiful, who may like the same things that the men like, and who may have power to attract the minds of others, are here done homage to.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Drinking Parties.</div>Men and women should drink in one another's houses. And here the men should cause the public women to drink, and should then drink themselves, liquors such as the Madhu, Aireya, Sara, and Asawa, which are of bitter and sour taste; also drinks concocted from the barks of various trees, wild fruits and leaves.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Going to Gardens or Picnics.</div>In the forenoon, men, having dressed themselves should go to gardens on horseback, accompanied by public women and followed by servants. And having done there all the duties of the day, and passed the time in various agreeable diversions, such as the fighting of quails, cocks and rams, and other spectacles, they should return home in the afternoon in the same manner, bringing with them bunches of flowers, &c.<br />
The same also applies to bathing in summer in water from which wicked or dangerous animals have previously been taken out, and which has been built in on all sides.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Other Social Diversions.</div>Spending nights playing with dice. Going out on moonlight nights. Keeping the festive day in honour of spring. Plucking the sprouts and fruits of the mangoe trees. Eating the fibres of lotuses. Eating the tender ears of corn. Picnicing in the forests when the trees get their new foliage. The Udakakashvedika or sporting in the water. Decorating each other with the flowers of some trees. Pelting each other with the flowers of the Kadamba tree, and many other sports which may either be known to the whole country, or may be peculiar to particular parts of it. These and similar other amusements should always be carried on by citizens.<br />
The above amusements should be followed by a person who diverts himself alone in company with a courtesan, as well as by a courtesan who can do the same in company with her maid servants or with citizens.<br />
<br />
A Pithamarda is a man without wealth, alone in the world, whose only property consists of his Mallika, some lathering, substance and a red cloth, who comes from a good country, and who is skilled in all the arts; and by teaching these arts is received in the company of citizens, and in the abode of public women.<br />
<br />
A Vita is a man who has enjoyed the pleasures of fortune, who is a compatriot of the citizens with whom he associates, who is possessed of the qualities of a householder, who has his wife with him, and who is honoured in the assembly of citizens, and in the abodes of public women, and lives on their means and on them.<br />
<br />
A Vidushaka (also called a Vaihasaka, i.e., one who provokes laughter) is a person only acquainted with some of the arts who is a jester, and who is trusted by all.<br />
<br />
These persons are employed in matters of quarrels and reconciliations between citizens and public women.<br />
This remark applies also to female beggars, to women with their heads shaved, to adulterous women, and to old public women skilled in all the various arts.<br />
<br />
Thus a citizen living in his town or village, respected by all, should call on the persons of his own caste who may be worth knowing. He should converse in company and gratify his friends by his society, and obliging others by his assistance in various matters, he should cause them to assist one another in the same way.<br />
<br />
There are some verses on this subject as follows:—<br />
A citizen discoursing, not entirely in the Sanscrit language, nor wholly in the dialects of the country, on various topics in society, obtains great respect. The wise should not resort to a society disliked by the public, governed by no rules, and intent on the destruction of others. But a learned man living in a society which acts according to the wishes of the people, and which has pleasure for its only object is highly respected in this world.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER V.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">ABOUT THE KINDS OF WOMEN RESORTED TO BY THE CITIZENS, AND OF FRIENDS AND MESSENGERS.</div><br />
When Kama is practised by men of the four castes according to the rules of the Holy Writ (i.e., by lawful marriage) with virgins of their own caste, it then becomes a means of acquiring lawful progeny and good fame, and it is not also opposed to the customs of the world. On the contrary the practice of Kama with women of the higher castes, and with those previously enjoyed by others, even though they be of the same caste, is prohibited. But the practice of Kama with women of the lower castes, with women excommunicated from their own caste, with public women, and with women twice married, is neither enjoined nor prohibited. The object of practising Kama with such women is pleasure only.<br />
<br />
Nayikas, therefore, are of three kinds, viz., maids, women twice married, and public women. Gonikaputra has expressed an opinion that there is a fourth kind of Nayika, viz., a woman who is resorted to on some special occasion even though she be previously married to another. These special occasions are when a man thinks thus:—<br />
<br />
(a). This woman is self-willed, and has been previously enjoyed by many others besides myself. I may, therefore, safely resort to her as to a public woman though she belongs to a higher caste than mine, and in so doing I shall not be violating the ordinances of Dharma.<br />
<br />
Or thus:—<br />
(b). This is a twice-married woman and has been enjoyed by others before me, there is, therefore, no objection to my resorting to her.<br />
Or thus:—<br />
<br />
c). This woman has gained the heart of her great and powerful husband, and exercises a mastery over him, who is a friend of my enemy; if, therefore, she becomes united with me, she will cause her husband to abandon my enemy.<br />
<br />
Or thus:<br />
<br />
(d). This woman will turn the mind of her husband, who is very powerful, in my favour, he being at present disaffected towards me, and intent on doing me some harm.<br />
<br />
Or thus:—<br />
<br />
(e). By making this woman my friend I shall gain the object of some friend of mine, or shall be able to effect the ruin of some enemy, or shall accomplish some other difficult purpose.<br />
<br />
Or thus:—<br />
<br />
(f). By being united with this woman, I shall kill her husband, and so obtain his vast riches which I covet.<br />
<br />
Or thus:—<br />
<br />
(g). The union of this woman with me is not attended with any danger, and will bring me wealth, of which, on account of my poverty and inability to support myself, I am very much in need. I shall, therefore, obtain her vast riches in this way without any difficulty.<br />
<br />
Or thus:—<br />
<br />
(h). This woman loves me ardently, and knows all my weak points, if therefore, I am unwilling to be united with her, she will make my faults public, and thus tarnish my character and reputation. Or she will bring some gross accusation against me, of which it may be hard to clear myself, and I shall be ruined. Or perhaps she will detach from me her husband, who is powerful, and yet under her control, and will unite him to my enemy, or will herself join the latter.<br />
<br />
Or thus:—<br />
<br />
(i). The husband of this woman has violated the chastity of my wives, I shall therefore return that injury by seducing his wives.<br />
<br />
Or thus:—<br />
<br />
(j). By the help of this woman I shall kill an enemy of the king, who has taken shelter with her, and whom I am ordered by the king to destroy.<br />
<br />
Or thus:<br />
<br />
(k). The woman whom I love is under the control of this woman. I shall, through the influence of the latter, be able to get at the former.<br />
<br />
Or thus:—<br />
<br />
(l). This woman will bring to me a maid, who possesses wealth and beauty, but who is hard to get at, and under the control of another.<br />
<br />
Or, lastly, thus:—<br />
<br />
(m). My enemy is a friend of this woman's husband, I shall therefore cause her to join him, and will thus create an enmity between her husband and him.<br />
<br />
For these and similar other reasons the wives of other men may be resorted to, but it must be distinctly understood that is only allowed for special reasons, and not for mere carnal desire.<br />
Charayana thinks that under these circumstances there is also a fifth kind of Nayika, viz., a woman who is kept by a minister, and who repairs to him occasionally; or a widow who accomplishes the purpose of a man with the person to whom she resorts.<br />
<br />
Suvarnanabha adds that a woman who passes the life of an ascetic and in the condition of a widow may be considered as a sixth kind of Nayika.<br />
Ghotakamukha says that the daughter of a public woman, and a female servant, who are still virgins, form a seventh kind of Nayika.<br />
Gonardiya puts forth his doctrine that any woman born of good family, after she has come of age, is an eighth kind of Nayika.<br />
But these four latter kinds of Nayikas do not differ much from the first four kinds of them, as there is no separate object in resorting to them. Therefore Vatsyayana is of opinion that there are only four kinds of Nayikas, i.e., the maid, the twice married woman, the public woman, and the woman resorted to for a special purpose.<br />
The following women are not to be enjoyed:—<br />
A leper.<br />
A lunatic.<br />
A woman turned out of caste.<br />
A woman who reveals secrets.<br />
A woman who publicly expresses desire for sexual intercourse.<br />
A woman who is extremely white.<br />
A woman who is extremely black.<br />
A bad-smelling woman.<br />
A woman who is a near relation.<br />
A woman who is a female friend.<br />
A woman who leads the life of an ascetic.<br />
And, lastly, the wife of a relation, of a friend, of a learned Brahman, and of the king.<br />
<br />
The followers of Babhravya say that any woman who has been enjoyed by five men is a fit and proper person to be enjoyed. But Gonikaputra is of opinion that even when this is the case, the wives of a relation, of a learned Brahman and of a king should be excepted.<br />
<br />
The following are the kind of friends:—<br />
One who has played with you in the dust, i.e., in childhood.<br />
One who is bound by an obligation.<br />
One who is of the same disposition and fond of the same things.<br />
One who is a fellow student.<br />
One who is acquainted with your secrets and faults, and whose faults and secrets are also known to you.<br />
One who is a child of your nurse.<br />
One who is brought up with you.<br />
One who is an hereditary friend.<br />
<br />
These friends should possess the following qualities:—<br />
They should tell the truth.<br />
They should not be changed by time.<br />
They should be favourable to your designs.<br />
They should be firm.<br />
They should be free from covetousness.<br />
They should not be capable of being gained over by others.<br />
They should not reveal your secrets.<br />
<br />
Charayana says that citizens form friendship with washermen, barbers, cowherds, florists, druggists, betel-leaf sellers, tavern keepers, beggars, Pithamardas, Vitas and Vidushekas, as also with the wives of all these people.<br />
A messenger should possess the following qualities:—<br />
<br />
Skilfulness.<br />
Boldness.<br />
Knowledge of the intention of men by their outward signs.<br />
Absence of confusion, i.e., no shyness.<br />
Knowledge of the exact meaning of what others do or say.<br />
Good manners.<br />
Knowledge of appropriate times and places for doing different things.<br />
Ingenuity in business.<br />
Quick comprehension.<br />
Quick application of remedies, i.e., quick and ready resources.<br />
And this part ends with a verse:—<br />
<br />
The man who is ingenious and wise, who is accompanied by a friend, and who knows the intentions of others, as also the proper time and place for doing everything, can gain over, very easily, even a woman who is very hard to be obtained.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">End of Part I.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">PART II.</div><br />
<br />
OF SEXUAL UNION.<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER I.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">KINDS OF SEXUAL UNION ACCORDING TO</div><br />
(a) DIMENSIONS.<br />
<br />
(b) FORCE OF DESIRE OR PASSION.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"> (c) TIME. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kinds of Union.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Man is divided into three classes, viz., the hare man, the bull man, and the horse man, according to the size of his lingam.<br />
<br />
Woman also, according to the depth of her yoni, is either a female deer, a mare, or a female elephant.<br />
There are thus three equal unions between persons of corresponding dimensions, and there are six unequal unions, when the dimensions do not correspond, or nine in all, as the following table shows:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKobyMP3yXGIFN_EwSiOsV1CgSDax9VSsKKP_ndxL9u1HvyBRTTexh-OQihNJn8kzYqvaLMM1qucqr7A0IzekwRRlmG2goLdkBr_uHWlCbOPV91vumMKCjWWM18Dh7QMhdejSZYLNBDlN8/s1600/3+equal+unions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKobyMP3yXGIFN_EwSiOsV1CgSDax9VSsKKP_ndxL9u1HvyBRTTexh-OQihNJn8kzYqvaLMM1qucqr7A0IzekwRRlmG2goLdkBr_uHWlCbOPV91vumMKCjWWM18Dh7QMhdejSZYLNBDlN8/s640/3+equal+unions.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In these unequal unions, when the male exceeds the female in point of size, his union with a woman who is immediately next to him in size is called high union, and is of two kinds; while his union with the woman most remote from him in size is called the highest union, and is of one kind only. On the other hand when the female exceeds the male in point of size, her union with a man immediately next to her in size is called low union, and is of two kinds; while her union with a man most remote from her in size is called the lowest union, and is of one kind only.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>In other words, the horse and mare, the bull and deer, form the high union, while the horse and deer form the highest union. On the female side, the elephant and bull, the mare and hare, form low unions, while the elephant and the hare make the lowest unions.<br />
<br />
There are then, nine kinds of union according to dimensions. Amongst all these, equal unions are the best, those of a superlative degree, i.e., the highest and the lowest, are the worst, and the rest are middling, and with them the high[33] are better than the low.<br />
There are also nine kinds of union according to the force of passion or carnal desire, as follows:<br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_nO-8Hl_7y9goyVJNI0eSCmjJFOnBRKCYQbBhooHkMBJ6aeGHwTs3VFK3jpPqLj1ai8T9jICk1wnuTZNIyaqdu1PfqkhifPsHnWN9gJ3tXvqNP6RWuCz_AvEkQTil-HdXCJZw1oTHLp9/s1600/nine+kinds+of+desire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_nO-8Hl_7y9goyVJNI0eSCmjJFOnBRKCYQbBhooHkMBJ6aeGHwTs3VFK3jpPqLj1ai8T9jICk1wnuTZNIyaqdu1PfqkhifPsHnWN9gJ3tXvqNP6RWuCz_AvEkQTil-HdXCJZw1oTHLp9/s640/nine+kinds+of+desire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A man is called a man of small passion whose desire at the time of sexual union is not great, whose semen is scanty, and who cannot bear the warm embraces of the female.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Those who differ from this temperament are called men of middling passion, while those of intense passion are full of desire.<br />
<br />
In the same way, women are supposed to have the three degrees of feeling as specified above.<br />
Lastly, according to time there are three kinds of men and women, viz., the short-timed, the moderate-timed, and the long-timed, and of these as in the previous statements, there are nine kinds of union.<br />
But on this last head there is a difference of opinion about the female, which should be stated.<br />
Auddalika says, "Females do not emit as males do. The males simply remove their desire, while the females, from their consciousness of desire, feel a certain kind of pleasure, which gives them satisfaction, but it is impossible for them to tell you what kind of pleasure they feel. The fact from which this becomes evident is, that males, when engaged in coition, cease of themselves after emission, and are satisfied, but it is not so with females."<br />
<br />
This opinion is, however, objected to on the grounds that if a male be a long-timed, the female loves him the more, but if he be short-timed, she is dissatisfied with him. And this circumstance, some say, would prove that the female emits also.<br />
<br />
But this opinion does not hold good, for if it takes a long time to allay a woman's desire, and during this time she is enjoying great pleasure, it is quite natural then that she should wish for its continuation. And on this subject there is a verse as follows:<br />
<br />
"By union with men the lust, desire, or passion of women is satisfied, and the pleasure derived from the consciousness of it is called their satisfaction."<br />
The followers of Babhravya, however, say that the semen of women continues to fall from the beginning of the sexual union to its end, and it is right that it should be so, for if they had no semen there would be no embryo.<br />
<br />
To this there is an objection. In the beginning of coition the passion of the woman is middling, and she cannot bear the vigorous thrusts of her lover, but by degrees her passion increases until she ceases to think about her body, and then finally she wishes to stop from further coition.<br />
<br />
This objection, however, does not hold good, for even in ordinary things that revolve with great force, such as a potter's wheel, or a top, we find that the motion at first is slow, but by degrees it becomes very rapid. In the same way the passion of the woman having gradually increased, she has a desire to discontinue coition, when all the semen has fallen away. <br />
<br />
And there is a verse with regard to this as follows:<br />
<br />
"The fall of the semen of the man takes place only at the end of coition, while the semen of the woman falls continually, and after the semen of both has all fallen away then they wish for the discontinuance of coition."<br />
Lastly, Vatsyayana is of opinion that the semen of the female falls in the same way as that of the male.<br />
Now some may ask here: If men and women are beings of the same kind, and are engaged in bringing about the same result, why should they have different works to do.<br />
<br />
Vatsya says that this is so, because the ways of working as well as the consciousness of pleasure in men and women are different. The difference in the ways of working, by which men are the actors, and women are the persons acted upon, is owing to the nature of the male and the female, otherwise the actor would be sometimes the person acted upon, and vice versâ. And from this difference in the ways of working follows the difference in the consciousness of pleasure, for a man thinks, "this woman is united with me," and a woman thinks, "I am united with this man."<br />
<br />
It may be said that if the ways of working in men and women are different, why should not there be a difference, even in the pleasure they feel, and which is the result of those ways.<br />
<br />
But this objection is groundless, for the person acting and the person acted upon being of different kinds, there is a reason for the difference in their ways of working; but there is no reason for any difference in the pleasure they feel, because they both naturally derive pleasure from the act they perform.<br />
<br />
On this again some may say that when different persons are engaged in doing the same work, we find that they accomplish the same end or purpose: while, on the contrary, in the case of men and women we find that each of them accomplishes his or her own end separately, and this is inconsistent. But this is a mistake, for we find that sometimes two things are done at the same time, as for instance in the fighting of rams, both the rams receive the shock at the same time on their heads. Again, in throwing one wood apple against another, and also in a fight or struggle of wrestlers. If it be said that in these cases the things employed are of the same kind, it is answered that even in the case of men and women, the nature of the two persons is the same. And as the difference in their ways of working arises from the difference of their conformation only, it follows that men experience the same kind of pleasure as women do.<br />
<br />
There is also a verse on this subject as follows: "Men and women being of the same nature, feel the same kind of pleasure, and therefore a man should marry such a woman as will love him ever afterwards."<br />
The pleasure of men and women being thus proved to be of the same kind, it follows that in regard to time, there are nine kinds of sexual intercourse, in the same way as there are nine kinds, according to the force of passion.<br />
<br />
There being thus nine kinds of union with regard to dimensions, force of passion, and time, respectively, by making combinations of them, innumerable kinds of union would be produced. Therefore in each particular kind of sexual union, men should use such means as they may think suitable for the occasion.<br />
At the first time of sexual union the passion of the male is intense, and his time is short, but in subsequent unions on the same day the reverse of this is the case. With the female, however, it is the contrary, for at the first time her passion is weak, and then her time long, but on subsequent occasions on the same day, her passion is intense and her time short, until her passion is satisfied.<br />
<br />
On the different kinds of Love<br />
<br />
Men learned in the humanities are of opinion that love is of four kinds, viz.:<br />
<br />
1.Love acquired by continual habit.<br />
2.Love resulting from the imagination.<br />
3.Love resulting from belief.<br />
4.Love resulting from the perception of external objects.<br />
<br />
(1). Love resulting from the constant and continual performance and habit, as for instance the love of sexual intercourse, the love of hunting, the love of drinking, the love of gambling, etc., etc.<br />
<br />
(2). Love which is felt for things to which we are not habituated, and which proceeds entirely from ideas, is called love resulting from imagination, as for instance, that love which some men and women and eunuchs feel for the Auparishtaka or mouth congress, and that which is felt by all for such things as embracing, kissing, etc., etc.<br />
<br />
(3). The love which is mutual on both sides, and proved to be true, when each looks upon the other as his or her very own, such is called love resulting from belief by the learned.<br />
<br />
(4). The love resulting from the perception of eternal[44] objects is quite evident and well-known to the world, because the pleasure which it affords is superior to the pleasure of the other kinds of love, which exists only for its sake.<br />
<br />
What has been said in this chapter upon the subject of sexual union is sufficient for the learned; but for the edification of the ignorant, the same will now be treated of at length and in detail.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">CHAPTER II.</div>OF THE EMBRACE.<br />
<br />
This part of the Kama Shastra, which treats of sexual union, is also called "Sixty-four" (Chatushshashti). Some old authors say that it is called so, because it contains sixty-four chapters. Others are of opinion that the author of this part being a person named Panchala, and the person who recited the part of the Rig Veda called Dashatapa, which contains sixty-four verses, being also called Panchala, the name "sixty-four" has been given to the part of the work in honour of the Rig Vedas. The followers of Babhravya say on the other hand that this part contains eight subjects, viz., the embrace, kissing, scratching with the nails or fingers, biting, lying down, making various sounds, playing the part of a man, and the Auparishtaka, or mouth congress. Each of these subjects being of eight kinds, and eight multiplied by eight being sixty-four, this part is therefore named "sixty-four." But Vatsyayana affirms that as this part contains also the following subjects, viz., striking, crying, the acts of a man during congress, the various kinds of congress, and other subjects, the name "sixty-four" is given to it only accidentally. As, for instance, we say this tree is "Saptaparna," or seven-leaved, this offering of rice is "Panchavarna," or five-coloured, but the tree has not seven leaves, neither has the rice five colours.<br />
<br />
However the part sixty-four is now treated of, and the embrace, being the first subject, will now be considered.<br />
<br />
Now the embrace which indicates the mutual love of a man and woman who have come together is of four kinds, viz.:<br />
<br />
Touching.<br />
Piercing.<br />
Rubbing.<br />
Pressing.<br />
<br />
The action in each case is denoted by the meaning of the word which stands for it.<br />
<br />
(1). When a man under some pretext or other goes in front or alongside of a woman and touches her body with his own, it is called the "touching embrace."<br />
<br />
(2). When a woman in a lonely place bends down, as if to pick up something, and pierces, as it were, a man sitting or standing, with her breasts, and the man in return takes hold of them, it is called a "piercing embrace."<br />
<br />
The above two kinds of embrace takes place only between persons who do not, as yet, speak freely with each other.<br />
<br />
(3). When two lovers are walking slowly together, either in the dark, or in a place of public resort, or in a lonely place, and rub their bodies against each other, it is called a "rubbing embrace."<br />
<br />
(4). When on the above occasion one of them presses the other's body forcibly against a wall or pillar, it is called a "pressing embrace."<br />
<br />
These two last embraces are peculiar to those who know the intentions of each other.<br />
At the time of the meeting the four following kinds of embrace are used, viz.:<br />
Jataveshtitaka, or the twining of a creeper.<br />
Vrikshadhirudhaka, or climbing a tree.<br />
Tila-Tandulaka, or the mixture of sesamum seed with rice.<br />
Kshiraniraka, or milk and water embrace.<br />
<br />
(1). When a woman, clinging to a man as a creeper twines round a tree, bends his head down to hers with the desire of kissing him and slightly makes the sound of sut sut, embraces him, and looks lovingly towards him, it is called an embrace like the "twining of a creeper."<br />
<br />
(2). When a woman, having placed one of her feet on the foot of her lover, and the other on one of his thighs, passes one of her arms round his back, and the other on his shoulders, makes slightly the sounds of singing and cooing, and wishes, as it were, to climb up him in order to have a kiss, it is called an embrace like the "climbing of a tree."<br />
<br />
These two kinds of embrace take place when the lover is standing.<br />
<br />
(3). When lovers lie on a bed, and embrace each other so closely that the arms and thighs of the one are encircled by the arms and thighs of the other, and are, as it were, rubbing up against them, this is called an embrace like "the mixture of sesamum seed with rice."<br />
<br />
(4). When a man and a woman are very much in love with each other, and not thinking of any pain or hurt, embrace each other as if they were entering into each other's bodies, either while the woman is sitting on the lap of the man or in front of him, or on a bed, then it is called an embrace like a "mixture of milk and water."<br />
<br />
These two kinds of embrace take place at the time of sexual union.<br />
<br />
Babhravya has thus related to us the above eight kinds of embraces.<br />
<br />
Suvarnanabha, moreover, gives us four ways of embracing simple members of the body, which are:<br />
<br />
The embrace of the thighs.<br />
The embrace of the jaghana, i.e., the part of the body from the navel downwards to the thighs.<br />
The embrace of the breasts.<br />
The embrace of the forehead.<br />
<br />
(1). When one of two lovers presses forcibly one or both of the thighs of the other between his or her own, it is called the "embrace of thighs."<br />
<br />
(2). When a man presses the jaghana or middle part of the woman's body against his own, and mounts upon her to practise, either scratching with the nail or finger, or biting, or striking, or kissing, the hair of the woman being loose and flowing, it is called the "embrace of the jaghana."<br />
<br />
(3). When a man places his breast between the breasts of a woman, and presses her with it, it is called the "embrace of the breasts."<br />
<br />
(4). When either of the lovers touches the mouth, the eyes and the forehead of the other with his or her own, it is called the "embrace of the forehead."<br />
<br />
Some say that even shampooing is a kind of embrace, because there is a touching of bodies in it. But Vatsyayana thinks that shampooing is performed at a different time, and for a different purpose, and it is also of a different character, it cannot be said to be included in the embrace.<br />
<br />
There are also some verses on the subject as follows: "The whole subject of embracing is of such a nature that men who ask questions about it, or who hear about it, or who talk about it, acquire thereby a desire for enjoyment. Even those embraces that are not mentioned in the Kama Shastra should be practised at the time of sexual enjoyment, if they are in any way conducive to the increase of love or passion. The rules of the Shastra apply so long as the passion of man is middling, but when the wheel of love is once set in motion, there is then no Shastra and no order."<br />
<br />
------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER III.<br />
<br />
ON KISSING.<br />
<br />
It is said by some that there is no fixed time or order between the embrace, the kiss, and the pressing or scratching with the nails or fingers, but that all these things should be done generally before sexual union takes place, while striking and making the various sounds generally takes place at the time of the union. Vatsyayana, however, thinks that anything may take place at any time, for love does not care for time or order.<br />
<br />
On the occasion of the first congress, kissing and the other things mentioned above should be done moderately, they should not be continued for a long time, and should be done alternately. On subsequent occasions, however, the reverse of all this may take place, and moderation will not be necessary, they may continue for a long time, and for the purpose of kindling love, they may be all done at the same time.<br />
<br />
The following are the places for kissing, viz., the forehead, the eyes, the cheeks, the throat, the bosom, the breasts, the lips, and the interior of the mouth. Moreover, the people of the Lat country kiss also on the following places, viz., the joints of the thighs, the arms, and the navel. But Vatsyayana thinks that though kissing is practised by these people in the above places on account of the intensity of their love, and the customs of their country, it is not fit to be practised by all.<br />
<br />
Now in a case of a young girl there are three sort of kisses, viz.:<br />
<br />
The nominal kiss.<br />
The throbbing kiss.<br />
The touching kiss.<br />
<br />
(1). When a girl only touches the mouth of her lover with her own, but does not herself do anything, it is called the "nominal kiss."<br />
<br />
(2). When a girl, setting aside her bashfulness a little, wishes to touch the lip that is pressed into her mouth, and with that object moves her lower lip, but not the upper one, it is called the "throbbing kiss."<br />
<br />
(3). When a girl touches her lover's lip with her tongue, and having shut her eyes, places her hands on those of her lover, it is called the "touching kiss."<br />
<br />
Other authors describe four other kinds of kisses, viz.:<br />
<br />
The straight kiss.<br />
The bent kiss.<br />
The turned kiss.<br />
The pressed kiss.<br />
<br />
(1). When the lips of two lovers are brought into direct contact with each other, it is called a "straight kiss."<br />
<br />
(2). When the heads of two lovers are bent towards each other, and when so bent kissing takes place, it is called a "bent kiss."<br />
<br />
(3). When one of them turns up the face of the other by holding the head and chin, and then kissing, it is called a "turned kiss."<br />
<br />
(4). Lastly, when the lower lip is pressed with much force, it is called a "pressed kiss."<br />
<br />
There is also a fifth kind of kiss called the "greatly pressed kiss," which is effected by taking hold of the lower lip between two fingers, and then after touching it with the tongue, pressing it with great force with the lip.<br />
<br />
As regards kissing, a wager may be laid as to which will get hold of the lips of the other first. If the woman loses, she should pretend to cry, should keep her lover off by shaking her hands, and turn away from him and dispute with him, saying "let another wager be laid." If she loses this a second time, she should appear doubly distressed, and when her lover is off his guard or asleep, she should get hold of his lower lip, and hold it in her teeth, so that it should not slip away, and then she should laugh, make a loud noise, deride him, dance about, and say whatever she likes in a joking way, moving her eyebrows, and rolling her eyes. Such are the wagers and quarrels as far as kissing is concerned, but the same may be applied with regard to the pressing or scratching with the nails and fingers, biting and striking. All these, however, are only peculiar to men and women of intense passion.<br />
<br />
When a man kisses the upper lip of a woman, while she in return kisses his lower lip, it is called the "kiss of the upper lip."<br />
<br />
When one of them takes both the lips of the other between his or her own, it is called "a clasping kiss." A woman, however, only takes this kind of kiss from a man who has no moustache. And on the occasion of this kiss, if one of them touches the teeth, the tongue, and the palate of the other, with his or her tongue, it is called the "fighting of the tongue." In the same way, the pressing of the teeth of the one against the mouth of the other is to be practised.<br />
<br />
Kissing is of four kinds, viz., moderate, contracted, pressed, and soft, according to the different parts of the body which are kissed, for different kinds of kisses are appropriate for different parts of the body.<br />
<br />
When a woman looks at the face of her lover while he is asleep, and kisses it to show her intention or desire, it is called a "kiss that kindles love."<br />
<br />
When a woman kisses her lover while he is engaged in business, or while he is quarrelling with her, or while he is looking at something else, so that his mind may be turned away, it is called a "kiss that turns away."<br />
<br />
When a lover coming home late at night kisses his beloved, who is asleep or in bed, in order to show her his desire, it is called a "kiss that awakens." On such an occasion the woman may pretend to be asleep at the time of her lover's arrival, so that she may know his intention and obtain respect from him.<br />
<br />
When a person kisses the reflection of the person he loves in a mirror, in water, or on a wall, it is called a "kiss showing the intention."<br />
<br />
When a person kisses a child sitting on his lap, or a picture, or an image, or figure, in the presence of the person beloved by him, it is called a "transferred kiss."<br />
<br />
When at night at a theatre, or in an assembly of caste men, a man coming up to a woman kisses a finger of her hand if she be standing, or a toe of her foot if she be sitting, or when a woman is shampooing her lover's body, places her face on his thigh (as if she was sleepy) so as to inflame his passion, and kisses his thigh or great toe, it is called a "demonstrative kiss."<br />
<br />
There is also a verse on the subject as follows:—<br />
<br />
"Whatever things may be done by one of the lovers to the other, the same should be returned by the other, i.e., if the woman kisses him he should kiss her in return, if she strikes him he should also strike her in return."<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
CHAPTER IV.<br />
<br />
ON PRESSING, OR MARKING, OR SCRATCHING WITH THE NAILS.<br />
<br />
When love becomes intense, pressing with the nails or scratching the body with them is practised, and it is done on the following occasions: On the first visit; at the time of setting out on a journey; on the return from a journey; at the time when an angry lover is reconciled; and lastly when the woman is intoxicated.<br />
<br />
But pressing with the nails is not an usual thing except with those who are intensely passionate, i.e., full of passion. It is employed together with biting, by those to whom the practice is agreeable.<br />
<br />
Pressing with the nails is of the eight following kinds, according to the forms of the marks which are produced, viz.:<br />
<br />
1.Sounding.<br />
2.Half moon.<br />
3.A circle.<br />
4.A line.<br />
5.A tiger's nail or claw.<br />
6.A peacock's foot.<br />
7.The jump of a hare.<br />
8.The leaf of a blue lotus.<br />
<br />
The places that are to be pressed with the nails are as follows: the arm pit, the throat, the breasts, the lips, the jaghana, or middle parts of the body, and the thighs. But Suvarnanabha is of opinion that when the impetuosity of passion is excessive, then the places need not be considered.<br />
<br />
The qualities of good nails are that they should be bright, well set, clean, entire, convex, soft, and glossy in appearance. Nails are of three kinds according to their size, viz.:<br />
<br />
Small.<br />
Middling.<br />
Large.<br />
<br />
Large nails, which give grace to the hands, and attract the hearts of women from their appearance, are possessed by the Bengalees.<br />
Small nails, which can be used in various ways, and are to be applied only with the object of giving pleasure, are possessed by the people of the southern districts.<br />
Middling nails, which contain the properties of both the above kinds, belong to the people of the Maharashtra.<br />
(1). When a person presses the chin, the breasts, the lower lip, or the jaghana of another so softly that no scratch or mark is left, but only the hair on the body becomes erect from the touch of the nails, and the nails themselves make a sound, it is called a "sounding or pressing with the nails."<br />
<br />
This pressing is used in the case of a young girl when her lover shampoos her, scratches her head, and wants to trouble or frighten her.<br />
<br />
(2). The curved mark with the nails, which is impressed on the neck and the breasts, is called the "half moon."<br />
<br />
(3). When the half moons are impressed opposite to each other, it is called a "circle." This mark with the nails is generally made on the navel, the small cavities about the buttocks, and on the joints of the thigh.<br />
<br />
(4). A mark in the form of a small line, and which can be made on any part of the body, is called a "line."<br />
<br />
(5). This same line, when it is curved, and made on the breast, is called a "tiger's nail."<br />
<br />
(6). When a curved mark is made on the breast by means of the five nails, it is called a "peacock's foot." This mark is made with the object of being praised, for it requires a great deal of skill to make it properly.<br />
<br />
(7). When five marks with the nails are made close to one another near the nipple of the breast, it is called "the jump of a hare."<br />
<br />
(8). A mark made on the breast or on the hips in the form of a leaf of the blue lotus, is called the "leaf of a blue lotus."<br />
<br />
When a person is going on a journey, and makes a mark on the thighs, or on the breast, it is called a "token of remembrance." On such an occasion three or four lines are impressed close to one another with the nails.<br />
<br />
Here ends the marking with the nails. Marks of other kinds than the above may also be made with the nails, for the ancient authors say, that as there are innumerable degrees of skill among men (the practice of this art being known to all), so there are innumerable ways of making these marks. And as pressing or marking with the nails is independent of love, no one can say with certainty how many different kinds of marks with the nails do actually exist. The reason of this is, Vatsyayana says, that as variety is necessary in love, so love is to be produced by means of variety. It is on this account that courtezans, who are well acquainted with various ways and means, become so desirable, for if variety is sought in all the arts and amusements, such as archery and others, how much more should it be sought after in the present case.<br />
<br />
The marks of the nails should not be made on married women, but particular kinds of marks may be made on their private parts for the remembrance and increase of love.<br />
<br />
There are also some verses on the subject, as follows:<br />
<br />
"The love of a woman who sees the marks of nails on the private parts of her body, even though they are old and almost worn out, becomes again fresh and new. If there be no marks of nails to remind a person of the passages of love, then love is lessened in the same way as when no union takes place for a long time."<br />
<br />
Even when a stranger sees at a distance a young woman with the marks of nails on her breast, he is filled with love and respect for her.<br />
<br />
A man, also, who carries the marks of nails and teeth on some parts of his body, influences the mind of a woman, even though it be ever so firm. In short, nothing tends to increase love so much as the effects of marking with the nails, and biting.<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
CHAPTER V.<br />
ON BITING, AND THE MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED WITH REGARD TO WOMEN OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.<br />
<br />
All the places that can be kissed, are also the places that can be bitten, except the upper lip, the interior of the mouth, and the eyes.<br />
<br />
The qualities of good teeth are as follows: They should be equal, possessed of a pleasing brightness, capable of being coloured, of proper proportions, unbroken, and with sharp ends.<br />
The defects of teeth on the other hand are, that they are blunt, protruding from the gums, rough, soft, large, and loosely set.<br />
<br />
The following are the different kinds of biting, viz.:<br />
<br />
The hidden bite.<br />
The swollen bite.<br />
The point.<br />
The line of points.<br />
The coral and the jewel.<br />
The line of jewels.<br />
The broken cloud.<br />
The biting of the boar.<br />
<br />
(1). The biting which is shown only by the excessive redness of the skin that is bitten, is called the "hidden bite."<br />
<br />
(2). When the skin is pressed down on both sides, it is called the "swollen bite."<br />
<br />
(3). When a small portion of the skin is bitten with two teeth only, it is called the "point."<br />
<br />
(4). When such small portions of the skin are bitten with all the teeth, it is called the "line of points."<br />
<br />
(5). The biting which is done by bringing together the[56] teeth and the lips, is called the "coral and the jewel." The lip is the coral, and the teeth the jewel.<br />
<br />
(6). When biting is done with all the teeth, it is called the "line of jewels."<br />
<br />
(7). The biting which consists of unequal risings in a circle, and which comes from the space between the teeth, is called the "broken cloud." This is impressed on the breasts.<br />
<br />
(8). The biting which consists of many broad rows of marks near to one another, and with red intervals, is called the "biting of a boar." This is impressed on the breasts and the shoulders; and these two last modes of biting are peculiar to persons of intense passion.<br />
<br />
The lower lip is the place on which the "hidden bite," the "swollen bite," and the "point" are made; again the "swollen bite," and the "coral and the jewel" bite are done on the cheek. Kissing, pressing with the nails, and biting are the ornaments of the left cheek, and when the word cheek is used it is to be understood as the left cheek.<br />
<br />
Both the "line of points" and the "line of jewels" are to be impressed on the throat, the arm pit, and the joints of the thighs; but the "line of points" alone is to be impressed on the forehead and the thighs.<br />
<br />
The marking with the nails, and the biting of the following things, viz., an ornament of the forehead, an ear ornament, a bunch of flowers, a betel leaf, or a tamala leaf, which are worn by, or belong to the woman that is beloved, are signs of the desire of enjoyment.<br />
<br />
Here end the different kinds of biting.<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
In the affairs of love a man should do such things as are agreeable to the women of different countries.<br />
<br />
The women of the central countries (i.e., between the Ganges and the Jumna) are noble in their character, not accustomed to disgraceful practices, and dislike pressing the nails and biting.<br />
<br />
The women of the Balhika country are gained over by striking.<br />
<br />
The women of Avantika are fond of foul pleasures, and have not good manners.<br />
<br />
The women of the Maharashtra are fond of practising the sixty-four arts, they utter low and harsh words, and like to be spoken to in the same way, and have an impetuous desire of enjoyment.<br />
<br />
The women of Pataliputra (i.e., the modern Patna) are of the same nature as the women of the Maharashtra, but show their likings only in secret.<br />
<br />
The women of the Dravida country, though they are rubbed and pressed about at the time of sexual enjoyment, have a slow fall of semen, that is they are very slow in the act of coition.<br />
The women of Vanavasi are moderately passionate, they go through every kind of enjoyment, cover their bodies, and abuse those who utter low, mean and harsh words.<br />
<br />
The women of Avanti hate kissing, marking with the nails, and biting, but they have a fondness for various kinds of sexual union.<br />
<br />
The women of Malwa like embracing and kissing, but not wounding, and they are gained over by striking.<br />
<br />
The women of Abhira, and those of the country about the Indus and five rivers (i.e., the Punjab), are gained over by the Auparishtaka or mouth congress.<br />
<br />
The women of Aparatika are full of passion, and make slowly the sound "Sit."<br />
<br />
The women of the Lat country have even more impetuous desire, and also make the sound "Sit."<br />
<br />
The women of the Stri Rajya, and of Koshola (Oude), are full of impetuous desire, their semen falls in large quantities, and they are fond of taking medicine to make it do so.<br />
<br />
The women of the Audhra country have tender bodies, they are fond of enjoyment, and have a liking for voluptuous pleasures.<br />
<br />
The women of Ganda have tender bodies, and speak sweetly.<br />
<br />
Now Suvarnanabha is of opinion that that which is agreeable to the nature of a particular person, is of more consequence than that which is agreeable to a whole nation, and that therefore the peculiarities of the country should not be observed in such cases. The various pleasures, the dress, and the sports of one country are in time borrowed by another, and in such a case these things must be considered as belonging originally to that country.<br />
<br />
Among the things mentioned above, viz., embracing, kissing, etc., those which increase passion should be done first, and those which are only for amusement or variety should be done afterwards.<br />
There are also some verses on this subject as follows:<br />
"When a man bites a woman forcibly, she should angrily do the same to him with double force. Thus a 'point' should be returned with a 'line of points,' and a 'line of points' with a 'broken cloud,' and if she be excessively chafed, she should at once begin a love quarrel with him. At such a time she should take hold of her lover by the hair, and bend his head down, and kiss his lower lip, and then, being intoxicated with love, she should shut her eyes and bite him in various places. Even by day, and in a place of public resort, when her lover shows her any mark that she may have inflicted on his body, she should smile at the sight of it, and turning her face as if she were going to chide him, she should show him with an angry look the marks on her own body that have been made by him. Thus if men and women act according to each other's liking, their love for each other will not be lessened even in one hundred years."<br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER VI.<br />
<br />
OF THE DIFFERENT WAYS OF LYING DOWN, AND VARIOUS KINDS OF CONGRESS.<br />
<br />
On the occasion of a "high congress" the Mrigi (Deer) woman should lie down in such a way as to widen her yoni, while in a "low congress" the Hastini (Elephant) woman should lie down so as to contract hers. But in an "equal congress" they should lie down in the natural position. What is said above concerning the Mrigi and the Hastini applies also to the Vadawa (Mare) woman. In a "low congress" the women should particularly make use of medicine, to cause her desires to be satisfied quickly.<br />
<br />
The Deer-woman has the following three ways of lying down.<br />
<br />
The widely opened position.<br />
The yawning position.<br />
The position of the wife of Indra.<br />
<br />
(1). When she lowers her head and raises her middle parts, it is called the "widely opened position." At such a time the man should apply some unguent, so as to make the entrance easy.<br />
<br />
(2). When she raises her thighs and keeps them wide apart and engages in congress, it is called the "yawning position."<br />
<br />
(3). When she places her thighs with her legs doubled on them upon her sides, and thus engages in congress, it is called the position of Indrani, and this is learnt only by practice. The position is also useful in the case of the "highest congress."<br />
<br />
The "clasping position" is used in "low congress," and in the "lowest congress," together with the "pressing position," the "twining position", and the "mare's position."<br />
<br />
When the legs of both the male and the female are stretched straight out over each other, it is called the "clasping position." It is of two kinds, the side position and the supine position, according to the way in which they lie down. In the side position the male should invariably lie on his left side, and cause the woman to lie on her right side, and this rule is to be observed in lying down with all kinds of women.<br />
<br />
When, after congress has begun in the clasping position, the woman presses her lover with her thighs, it is called the "pressing position."<br />
<br />
When the woman places one of her thighs across the thigh of her lover, it is called the "twining position."<br />
<br />
When a woman forcibly holds in her yoni the lingam after it is in, it is called the "mare's position." This is learnt by practice only, and is chiefly found among the women of the Andra country.<br />
<br />
The above are the different ways of lying down, mentioned by Babhravya; Suvarnanabha, however, gives the following in addition.<br />
<br />
When the female raises both of her thighs straight up, it is called the "rising position."<br />
<br />
When she raises both of her legs, and places them on her lover's shoulders, it is called the "yawning position."<br />
<br />
When the legs are contracted, and thus held by the lover before his bosom, it is called the "pressed position."<br />
<br />
When only one of her legs is stretched out, it is called the "half pressed position."<br />
<br />
When the woman places one of her legs on her lover's shoulder, and stretches the other out, and then places the latter on his shoulder, and stretches out the other, and continues to do so alternately, it is called the "splitting of a bamboo."<br />
When one of her legs is placed on the head, and the other is stretched out, it is called the "fixing of a nail." This is learnt by practice only.<br />
When both the legs of the woman are contracted, and placed on her stomach, it is called the "crab's position."<br />
<br />
When the thighs are raised and placed one upon the other, it is called the "packed position."<br />
<br />
When the shanks are placed one upon the other, it is called the "lotus-like position."<br />
<br />
When a man, during congress, turns round, and enjoys the woman without leaving her, while she embraces him round the back all the time, it is called the "turning position," and is learnt only by practice.<br />
<br />
Thus says Suvarnanabha, these different ways of lying down, sitting, and standing should be practised in water, because it is easy to do so therein. But Vatsyayana is of opinion that congress in water is improper, because it is prohibited by the religious law.<br />
<br />
When a man and a woman support themselves on each other's bodies, or on a wall, or pillar, and thus while standing engage in congress, it is called the "supported congress."<br />
<br />
When a man supports himself against a wall, and the woman, sitting on his hands joined together and held underneath her, throws her arms round his neck, and putting her thighs alongside his waist, moves herself by her feet, which are touching the wall against which the man is leaning, it is called the "suspended congress."<br />
<br />
When a woman stands on her hands and feet like a quadruped, and her lover mounts her like a bull, it is called the "congress of a cow." At this time everything that is ordinarily done on the bosom should be done on the back.<br />
<br />
In the same way can be carried on the congress of a dog, the congress of a goat, the congress of a deer, the forcible mounting of an ass, the congress of a cat, the jump of a tiger, the pressing of an elephant, the rubbing of a boar, and the mounting of a horse. And in all these cases the characteristics of these different animals should be manifested by acting like them.<br />
<br />
When a man enjoys two women at the same time, both of whom love him equally, it is called the "united congress."<br />
<br />
When a man enjoys many women altogether, it is called the "congress of a herd of cows."<br />
<br />
The following kinds of congress, viz., sporting in water, or the congress of an elephant with many female elephants, which is said to take place only in the water, the congress of a collection of goats, the congress of a collection of deer, take place in imitation of these animals.<br />
<br />
In Gramaneri many young men enjoy a woman that may be married to one of them, either one after the other, or at the same time. Thus one of them holds her, another enjoys her, a third uses her mouth, a fourth holds her middle part, and in this way they go on enjoying her several parts alternately.<br />
<br />
The same things can be done when several men are sitting in company with one courtesan, or when one courtesan is alone with many men. In the same way this can be done by the women of the King's harem when they accidentally get hold of a man.<br />
<br />
The people in the Southern countries have also a congress in the anus, that is called the "lower congress."<br />
<br />
Thus ends the various kinds of congress. There are also two verses on the subject as follows.<br />
"An ingenious person should multiply the kinds of congress after the fashion of the different kinds of beasts and of birds. For these different kinds of congress, performed according to the usage of each country, and the liking of each individual, generate love, friendship, and respect in the hearts of women."<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER VII.<br />
<br />
OF THE VARIOUS MODES OF STRIKING, AND OF THE SOUNDS APPROPRIATE TO THEM.<br />
<br />
Sexual intercourse can be compared to a quarrel, on account of the contrarieties of love and its tendency to dispute. The place of striking with passion is the body, and on the body the special places are:<br />
<br />
The shoulders.<br />
The head.<br />
The space between the breasts.<br />
The back.<br />
The jaghana, or middle part of the body.<br />
The sides.<br />
Striking is of four kinds, viz.:<br />
Striking with the back of the hand.<br />
Striking with the fingers a little contracted.<br />
Striking with the fist.<br />
Striking with the open palm of the hand.<br />
<br />
On account of its causing pain, striking gives rise to the hissing sound, which is of various kinds, and to the eight kinds of crying, viz.:<br />
<br />
The sound Hin.<br />
The thundering sound.<br />
The cooing sound..<br />
The weeping sound.<br />
The sound Phut.<br />
The sound Phât.<br />
The sound Sût.<br />
The sound Plât.<br />
<br />
Besides these, there are also words having a meaning, such as "mother," and those that are expressive of prohibition, sufficiency, desire of liberation, pain or praise, and to which may be added sounds like those of the dove, the cuckoo, the green pigeon, the parrot, the bee, the sparrow, the flamingo, the duck, and the quail, which are all occasionally made use of.<br />
<br />
Blows with the fist should be given on the back of the woman, while she is sitting on the lap of the man, and she should give blows in return, abusing the man as if she were angry, and making the cooing and the weeping sounds. While the woman is engaged in congress the space between the breasts should be struck with the back of the hand, slowly at first, and then proportionately to the increasing excitement, until the end.<br />
At this time the sounds Hin and others may be made, alternately or optionally, according to habit. When the man, making the sound Phât, strikes the woman on the head, with the fingers of his hand a little contracted, it is called Prasritaka, which means striking with the fingers of the hand a little contracted. In this case the appropriate sounds are the cooing sound, the sound Phât, and the sound Phut in the interior of the mouth, and at the end of congress the sighing and weeping sounds. The sound Phât is an imitation of the sound of a bamboo being split, while the sound Phut is like the sound made by something falling into water. At all times when kissing and such like things are begun, the woman should give a reply with a hissing sound. During the excitement when the woman is not accustomed to striking, she continually utters words expressive of prohibition, sufficiently, or desire of liberation, as well as the words "father," "mother," intermingled with the sighing, weeping and thundering sounds.[38] Towards the conclusion of the congress, the breasts, the jaghana, and the sides of the woman should be pressed with the open palms of the hand, with some force, until the end of it, and then sounds like those of the quail, or the goose should be made.<br />
There are also two verses on the subject as follows:<br />
"The characteristics of manhood are said to consist of roughness and impetuosity, while weakness, tenderness, sensibility, and an inclination to turn away from unpleasant things are the distinguishing marks of womanhood. The excitement of passion, and peculiarities of habit may sometimes cause contrary results to appear, but these do not last long, and in the end the natural state is resumed."<br />
The wedge on the bosom, the scissors on the head, the piercing instrument on the cheeks, and the pinchers on the breasts and sides, may also be taken into consideration with the other four modes of striking, and thus give eight ways altogether. But these four ways of striking with instruments are peculiar to the people of the southern countries, and the marks caused by them are seen on the breasts of their women. They are local peculiarities, but Vatsyayana is of opinion that the practice of them is painful, barbarous, and base, and quite unworthy of imitation.<br />
<br />
In the same way anything that is a local peculiarity should not always be adopted elsewhere, and even in the place where the practice is prevalent, excess of it should always be avoided. Instances of the dangerous use of them may be given as follows. The King of the Panchalas killed the courtezan Madhavasena by means of the wedge during congress. King Shatakarni Shatavahana of the Kuntalas deprived his great Queen Malayavati of her life by a pair of scissors, and Naradeva, whose hand was deformed, blinded a dancing girl by directing a piercing instrument in a wrong way.<br />
There are also two verses on the subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"About these things there cannot be either enumeration or any definite rule. Congress having once commenced, passion alone gives birth to all the acts of the parties."<br />
<br />
Such passionate actions and amorous gesticulations or movements, which arise on the spur of the moment, and during sexual intercourse, cannot be defined, and are as irregular as dreams. A horse having once attained the fifth degree of motion goes on with blind speed, regardless of pits, ditches, and posts in his way; and in the same manner a loving pair become blind with passion in the heat of congress, and go on with great impetuosity, paying not the least regard to excess. For this reason one who is well acquainted with the science of love, and knowing his own strength, as also the tenderness, impetuosity, and strength of the young woman, should act accordingly. The various modes of enjoyment are not for all times or for all persons, but they should only be used at the proper time, and in the proper countries and places.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER VIII.<br />
<br />
ABOUT WOMEN ACTING THE PART OF A MAN; AND OF THE WORK OF A MAN.<br />
<br />
When a woman sees that her lover is fatigued by constant congress, without having his desire satisfied, she should, with his permission, lay him down upon his back, and give him assistance by acting his part. She may also do this to satisfy the curiosity of her lover, or her own desire of novelty.<br />
<br />
There are two ways of doing this, the first is when during congress she turns round, and gets on the top of her lover, in such a manner as to continue the congress, without obstructing the pleasure of it; and the other is when she acts the man's part from the beginning. At such a time, with flowers in her hair hanging loose, and her smiles broken by hard breathings, she should press upon her lover's bosom with her own breasts, and lowering her head frequently, should do in return the same actions which he used to do before, returning his blows and chaffing him, should say, "I was laid down by you, and fatigued with hard congress, I shall now therefore lay you down in return." She should then again manifest her own bashfulness, her fatigue, and her desire of stopping the congress. In this way she should do the work of a man, which we shall presently relate.<br />
<br />
Whatever is done by a man for giving pleasure to a woman is called the work of a man, and is as follows:—<br />
<br />
While the woman is lying on his bed, and is as it were abstracted by his conversation, he should loosen the knot of her under garments, and when she begins to dispute with him, he should overwhelm her with kisses. Then when his lingam is erect he should touch her with his hands in various places, and gently manipulate various parts of the body. If the woman is bashful, and if it is the first time that they have come together, the man should place his hands between her thighs, which she[67] would probably keep close together, and if she is a very young girl, he should first get his hands upon her breasts, which she would probably cover with her own hands, and under her armpits and on her neck. If however she is a seasoned woman, he should do whatever is agreeable either to him or to her, and whatever is fitting for the occasion. After this he should take hold of her hair, and hold her chin in his fingers for the purpose of kissing her. On this, if she is a young girl, she will become bashful and close her eyes. Any how he should gather from the action of the woman what things would be pleasing to her during congress.<br />
<br />
Here Suvarnanabha says that while a man is doing to the woman what he likes best during congress, he should always make a point of pressing those parts of her body on which she turns her eyes.<br />
<br />
The signs of the enjoyment and satisfaction of the women are as follows: her body relaxes, she closes her eyes, she puts aside all bashfulness, and shows increased willingness to unite the two organs as closely together as possible. On the other hand, the signs of her want of enjoyment and of failing to be satisfied are as follows: she shakes her hands, she does not let the man get up, feels dejected, bites the man, kicks him, and continues to go on moving after the man has finished. In such cases the man should rub the yoni of the woman with his hand and fingers (as the elephant rubs anything with his trunk) before engaging in congress, until it is softened, and after that is done he should proceed to put his lingam into her.<br />
The acts to be done by the man are:<br />
<br />
Moving forward.<br />
Friction or churning.<br />
Piercing.<br />
Rubbing.<br />
Pressing.<br />
Giving a blow.<br />
The blow of a boar.<br />
The blow of a bull.<br />
The sporting of a sparrow.<br />
<br />
(1). When the organs are brought together properly and directly it is called "moving the organ forward."<br />
<br />
(2). When the lingam is held with the hand, and turned all round in the yoni, it is called "churning."<br />
<br />
(3). When the yoni is lowered, and the upper part of it is struck with the lingam, it is called "piercing."<br />
<br />
(4). When the same thing is done on the lower part of the yoni, it is called "rubbing."<br />
<br />
(5). When the yoni is pressed by the lingam for a long time, it is called "pressing."<br />
<br />
(6). When the lingam is removed to some distance from the yoni, and then forcibly strikes it, it is called "giving a blow."<br />
<br />
(7). When only one part of the yoni is rubbed with the lingam, it is called the "blow of a boar."<br />
<br />
(8). When both sides of the yoni are rubbed in this way, it is called the "blow of a bull."<br />
<br />
(9). When the lingam is in the yoni, and moved up and down frequently, and without being taken out, it is called the "sporting of a sparrow." This takes place at the end of congress.<br />
<br />
When a woman acts the part of a man, she has the following things to do in addition to the nine given above, viz.<br />
<br />
The pair of tongs.<br />
The top.<br />
The swing.<br />
<br />
(1). When the woman holds the lingam in her yoni, draws it in, presses it, and keeps it thus in her for a long time, it is called the "pair of tongs."<br />
<br />
(2). When, while engaged in congress, she turns round like a wheel, it is called the "top." This is learnt by practice only.<br />
<br />
(3). When, on such an occasion, the man lifts up the middle part of his body, and the woman turns round her middle part, it is called the "swing."<br />
<br />
When the woman is tired, she should place her forehead on that of her lover, and should thus take rest without disturbing the union of the organs, and when the woman has rested herself the man should turn round and begin the congress again.<br />
<br />
There are also some verses on the subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"Though a woman is reserved, and keeps her feelings concealed, yet when she gets on the top of a man, she then shows all her love and desire. A man should gather from the actions of the woman of what disposition she is, and in what way she likes to be enjoyed. A woman during her monthly courses, a woman who has been lately confined, and a fat woman should not be made to act the part of a man."<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER IX.<br />
<br />
OF THE AUPARISHTAKA<br />
OR MOUTH CONGRESS.<br />
<br />
There are two kinds of eunuchs, those that are disguised as males, and those that are disguised as females. Eunuchs disguised as females imitate their dress, speech, gestures, tenderness, timidity, simplicity, softness and bashfulness. The acts that are done on the jaghana or middle parts of women, are done in the mouths of these eunuchs, and this is called Auparishtaka. These eunuchs derive their imaginable pleasure, and their livelihood from this kind of congress, and they lead the life of courtezans. So much concerning eunuchs disguised as females.<br />
<br />
Eunuchs disguised as males keep their desires secret, and when they wish to do anything they lead the life of shampooers. Under the pretence of shampooing, an eunuch of this kind embraces and draws towards himself the thighs of the man whom he is shampooing, and after this he touches the joints of his thighs and his jaghana, or central portions of his body. Then, if he finds the lingam of the man erect, he presses it with his hands, and chaffs him for getting into that state. If after this, and after knowing his intention, the man does not tell the eunuch to proceed, then the latter does it of his own accord and begins the congress. If however he is ordered by the man to do it, then he disputes with him, and only consents at last with difficulty.<br />
<br />
The following eight things are then done by the eunuch one after the other, viz.<br />
<br />
The nominal congress.<br />
Biting the sides.<br />
Pressing outside.<br />
Pressing inside.<br />
Kissing.<br />
Rubbing.<br />
Sucking a mangoe fruit.<br />
Swallowing up.<br />
<br />
At the end of each of these the eunuch expresses his wish to stop, but when one of them is finished, the man desires him to do another, and after that is done, then the one that follows it, and so on.<br />
<br />
(1). When, holding the man's lingam with his hand, and placing it between his lips, the eunuch moves about his mouth, it is called the "nominal congress."<br />
<br />
(2). When, covering the end of the lingam with his fingers collected together like the bud of a plant or flower, the eunuch presses the sides of it with his lips, using his teeth also, it is called "biting the sides."<br />
<br />
(3). When, being desired to proceed, the eunuch presses the end of the lingam with his lips closed together, and kisses it as if he were drawing it out, it is called the "outside pressing."<br />
<br />
(4). When, being asked to go on, he put the lingam further into his mouth, and presses it with his lips and then takes it out, it is called the "inside pressing."<br />
<br />
(5). When, holding the lingam in his hand, the eunuch kisses it as if he were kissing the lower lip, it is called "kissing."<br />
(6). When, after kissing it, he touches it with his tongue everywhere, and passes the tongue over the end of it, it is called "rubbing."<br />
<br />
(7). When, in the same way, he puts the half of it into his mouth, and forcibly kisses and sucks it, this is called "sucking a mangoe fruit."<br />
<br />
(8). And lastly, when, with the consent of the man, the eunuch puts the whole lingam into his mouth, and presses it to the very end, as if he were going to swallow it up, it is called "swallowing up."<br />
<br />
Striking, scratching, and other things may also be done during this kind of congress.<br />
<br />
The Auparishtaka is practised only by unchaste and wanton women, female attendants and serving maids, i.e., those who are not married to anybody, but who live by shampooing.<br />
<br />
The Acharyas (i.e., ancient and venerable authors) are of opinion that this Auparishtaka is the work of a dog and not of a man, because it is a low practice, and opposed to the orders of the Holy Writ, and because the man himself suffers by bringing his lingam into contact with the mouths of eunuchs and women. But Vatsyayana says that the orders of the Holy Writ do not affect those who resort to courtezans, and the law prohibits the practice of the Auparishtaka with married women only. As regards the injury to the male, that can be easily remedied.<br />
<br />
The people of Eastern India do not resort to women who practise the Auparishtaka.<br />
The people of Ahichhatra resort to such women, but do nothing with them, so far as the mouth is concerned.<br />
<br />
The people of Saketa do with these women every kind of mouth congress, while the people of Nagara do not practise this, but do every other thing.<br />
The people of the Shurasena country, on the southern bank of the Jumna, do everything without any hesitation, for they say that women being naturally unclean, no one can be certain about their character, their purity, their conduct, their practices, their confidences, or their speech. They are not however on this account to be abandoned, because religious law, on the authority of which they are reckoned pure, lays down that the udder of a cow is clean at the time of milking, though the mouth of a cow, and also the mouth of her calf, are considered unclean by the Hindoos. Again a dog is clean when he seizes a deer in hunting, though food touched by a dog is otherwise considered very unclean. A bird is clean when it causes a fruit to fall from a tree by pecking at it, though things eaten by crows and other birds are considered unclean. And the mouth of a woman is clean for kissing and such like things at the time of sexual intercourse. Vatsyayana moreover thinks that in all these things connected with love, everybody should act according to the custom of his country, and his own inclination.<br />
<br />
There are also the following verses on the subject.<br />
"The male servants of some men carry on the mouth congress with their masters. It is also practised by some citizens, who know each other well, among themselves. Some women of the harem, when they are amorous, do the acts of the mouth on the yonis of one another, and some men do the same thing with women. The way of doing this (i.e., of kissing the yoni) should be known from kissing the mouth. When a man and woman lie down in an inverted order, i.e., with the head of the one towards the feet of the other and carry on this congress, it is called the "congress of a crow."<br />
<br />
For the sake of such things courtezans abandon men possessed of good qualities, liberal and clever, and become attached to low persons, such as slaves and elephant drivers. The Auparishtaka, or mouth congress, should never be done by a learned Brahman, by a minister that carries on the business of a state, or by a man of good reputation, because though the practice is allowed by the Shastras, there is no reason why it should be carried on, and need only be practised in particular cases. As for instance, the taste, and the strength, and the digestive qualities of the flesh of dogs are mentioned in works on medicine, but it does not therefore follow that it should be eaten by the wise. In the same way there are some men, some places and some times, with respect to which these practices can be made use of. A man should therefore pay regard to the place, to the time, and to the practice which is to be carried out, as also as to whether it is agreeable to his nature and to himself, and then he may or may not practise these things according to circumstances. But after all, these things being done secretly, and the mind of the man being fickle, how can it be known what any person will do at any particular time and for any particular purpose.<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
CHAPTER X.<br />
<br />
OF THE WAY HOW TO BEGIN AND HOW TO END THE CONGRESS.<br />
DIFFERENT KINDS OF CONGRESS AND LOVE QUARRELS.<br />
<br />
In the pleasure-room, decorated with flowers, and fragrant with perfumes, attended by his friends and servants, the citizen should receive the woman, who will come bathed and dressed, and will invite her to take refreshment and to drink freely. He should then seat her on his left side, and holding her hair, and touching also the end and knot of her garment, he should gently embrace her with his right arm. They should then carry on an amusing conversation on various subjects, and may also talk suggestively of things which would be considered as coarse, or not to be mentioned generally in society. They may then sing, either with or without gesticulations, and play on musical instruments, talk about the arts, and persuade each other to drink. At last when the woman is overcome with love and desire, the citizen should dismiss the people that may be with him, giving them flowers, ointment, and betel leaves, and then when the two are left alone, they should proceed as has been already described in the previous chapters.<br />
<br />
Such is the beginning of sexual union. At the end of the congress, the lovers with modesty, and not looking at each other, should go separately to the washing-room. After this, sitting in their own places, they should eat some betel leaves, and the citizen should apply with his own hand to the body of the woman some pure sandal wood ointment, or ointment of some other kind. He should then embrace her with his left arm, and with agreeable words should cause her to drink from a cup held in his own hand, or he may give her water to drink. They can then eat sweetmeats, or anything else, according to their likings, and may drink fresh juice, soup, gruel, extracts of meat, sherbet, the juice of mangoe fruits, the extract of the juice of the citron tree mixed with sugar, or anything that may be liked in different countries, and known to be sweet, soft, and pure. The lovers may also sit on the terrace of the palace or house, and enjoy the moonlight, and carry on an agreeable conversation. At this time, too, while the woman lies in his lap, with her face towards the moon, the citizen should show her the different planets, the morning star, the polar star, and the seven Rishis, or Great Bear.<br />
<br />
This is the end of sexual union.<br />
<br />
Congress is of the following kinds, viz.:<br />
<br />
Loving congress.<br />
Congress of subsequent love.<br />
Congress of artificial love.<br />
Congress of transferred love.<br />
Congress like that of eunuchs.<br />
Deceitful congress.<br />
Congress of spontaneous love.<br />
<br />
(1). When a man and a woman, who have been in love with each other for some time, come together with great difficulty, or when one of the two returns from a journey, or is reconciled after having been separated on account of a quarrel, then congress is called the "loving congress." It is carried on according to the liking of the lovers, and as long as they choose.<br />
<br />
(2). When two persons come together, while their love for each other is still in its infancy, their congress is called the "congress of subsequent love."<br />
(3). When a man carries on the congress by exciting himself by means of the sixty-four ways, such as kissing, etc., etc., or when a man and a woman come together, though in reality they are both attached to different persons, their congress is then called "congress of artificial love." At this time all the ways and means mentioned in the Kama Shastra should be used.<br />
(4). When a man, from the beginning to the end of the congress, though having connection with the women, thinks all the time that he is enjoying another one whom he loves, it is called the "congress of transferred love."<br />
(5). Congress between a man and a female water carrier, or a female servant of a caste lower than his own, lasting only until the desire is satisfied, is called "congress like that of eunuchs." Here external touches, kisses, and manipulations are not to be employed.<br />
<br />
(6). The congress between a courtezan and a rustic, and that between citizens and the women of villages, and bordering countries, is called, "deceitful congress."<br />
<br />
(7). The congress that takes place between two persons who are attached to one another, and which is done according to their own liking is called "spontaneous congress."<br />
<br />
Thus ends the kinds of congress.<br />
<br />
We shall now speak of love quarrels.<br />
<br />
A woman who is very much in love with a man cannot bear to hear the name of her rival mentioned, or to have any conversation regarding her, or to be addressed by her name through mistake. If such takes place, a great quarrel arises, and the woman cries, becomes angry, tosses her hair about, strikes her lover, falls from her bed or seat, and, casting aside her garlands and ornaments, throws herself down on the ground.<br />
<br />
At this time, the lover should attempt to reconcile her with conciliatory words, and should take her up carefully and place her on her bed. But she, not replying to his questions, and with increased anger, should bend down his head by pulling his hair, and having kicked him once, twice, or thrice on his arms, head, bosom or back, should then proceed to the door of the room. Dattaka says that she should then sit angrily near the door and shed tears, but should not go out, because she would be found fault with for going away. After a time, when she thinks that the conciliatory words and actions of her lover have reached their utmost, she should then embrace him, talking to him with harsh and reproachful words, but at the same time showing a loving desire for congress.<br />
When the woman is in her own house, and has quarrelled with her lover, she should go to him and show how angry she is, and leave him. Afterwards the citizen having sent the Vita, the Vidushaka or the Pithamurda to pacify her, she should accompany them back to the house, and spend the night with her lover.<br />
<br />
Thus end the love quarrels.<br />
In conclusion.<br />
<br />
A man, employing the sixty-four means mentioned by Babhravya, obtains his object, and enjoys the woman of the first quality. Though he may speak well on other subjects, if he does not know the sixty-four divisions, no great respect is paid to him in the assembly of the learned. A man, devoid of other knowledge, but well acquainted with the sixty-four divisions, becomes a leader in any society of men and women. What man will not respect the sixty-four parts, considering they are respected by the learned, by the cunning, and by the courtezans. As the sixty-four parts are respected, are charming, and add to the talent of women, they are called by the Acharyas dear to women. A man skilled in the sixty-four parts is looked upon with love by his own wife, by the wives of others, and by courtezans.<br />
<br />
End of Part II.<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
PART III.<br />
<br />
ABOUT THE ACQUISITION OF A WIFE.<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
CHAPTER I.<br />
<br />
ON MARRIAGE.<br />
<br />
When a girl of the same caste, and a virgin, is married in accordance with the precepts of Holy Writ, the results of such an union are: the acquisition of Dharma and Artha, offspring, affinity, increase of friends, and untarnished love. For this reason a man should fix his affections upon a girl who is of good family, whose parents are alive, and who is three years or more younger than himself. She should be born of a highly respectable family, possessed of wealth, well connected, and with many relations and friends. She should also be beautiful, of a good disposition, with lucky marks on her body, and with good hair, nails, teeth, ears, eyes, and breasts, neither more nor less than they ought to be, and no one of them entirely wanting, and not troubled with a sickly body. The man should, of course, also possess these qualities himself. But at all events, says Ghotakamukha, a girl who has been already joined with others (i.e., no longer a maiden) should never be loved, for it would be reproachable to do such a thing.<br />
<br />
Now in order to bring about a marriage with such a girl as described above, the parents and relations of the man should exert themselves, as also such friends on both sides as may be desired to assist in the matter. These friends should bring to the notice of the girl's parents, the faults, both present and future, of all the other men that may wish to marry her, and should at the same time extol even to exaggeration all the excellencies, ancestral, and paternal, of their friend, so as to endear him to them, and particularly to those that may be liked by the girl's mother. One of the friends should also disguise himself as an astrologer and declare the future good fortune and wealth of his friend by showing the existence of all the lucky omens and signs, the good influence of planets, the auspicious entrance of the sun into a sign of the Zodiac, propitious stars and fortunate marks on his body. Others again should rouse the jealousy of the girl's mother by telling her that their friend has a chance of getting from some other quarter even a better girl than hers.<br />
<br />
A girl should be taken as a wife, as also given in marriage, when fortune, signs, omens, and the words of others are favourable, for, says Ghotakamukha, a man should not marry at any time he likes. A girl who is asleep, crying, or gone out of the house when sought in marriage, or who is betrothed to another, should not be married. The following also should be avoided:<br />
<br />
One who is kept concealed.<br />
One who has an ill-sounding name.<br />
One who has her nose depressed.<br />
One who has her nostril turned up.<br />
One who is formed like a male.<br />
One who is bent down.<br />
One who has crooked thighs.<br />
One who has a projecting forehead.<br />
One who has a bald head.<br />
One who does not like purity.<br />
One who has been polluted by another.<br />
One who is afflicted with the Gulma.<br />
One who is disfigured in any way.<br />
One who has fully arrived at puberty.<br />
One who is a friend.<br />
One who is a younger sister.<br />
One who is a Varshakari.<br />
<br />
In the same way a girl who is called by the name of one of the twenty-seven stars, or by the name of a tree, or of a river, is considered worthless, as also a girl whose name ends in "r" or "l." But some authors say that prosperity is gained only by marrying that girl to whom one becomes attached, and that therefore no other girl but the one who is loved should be married by anyone.<br />
<br />
When a girl becomes marriageable her parents should dress her smartly, and should place her where she can be easily seen by all. Every afternoon, having dressed her and decorated her in a becoming manner, they should send her with her female companions to sports, sacrifices, and marriage ceremonies, and thus show her to advantage in society, because she is a kind of merchandise. They should also receive with kind words and signs of friendliness those of an auspicious appearance who may come accompanied by their friends and relations for the purpose of marrying their daughter, and under some pretext or other having first dressed her becomingly, should then present her to them. After this they should await the pleasure of fortune, and with this object should appoint a future day on which a determination could be come to with regard to their daughter's marriage. On this occasion when the persons have come, the parents of the girl should ask them to bathe and dine, and should say, "Everything will take place at the proper time," and should not then comply with the request, but should settle the matter later.<br />
<br />
When a girl is thus acquired, either according to the custom of the country, or according to his own desire, the man should marry her in accordance with the precepts of the Holy Writ, according to one of the four kinds of marriage.<br />
<br />
Thus ends marriage.<br />
<br />
There are also some verses on the subject as follows:—<br />
<br />
Amusement in society, such as completing verses begun by others, marriages, and auspicious ceremonies should be carried on neither with superiors, nor inferiors, but with our equals. That should be known as a high connection when a man, after marrying a girl, has to serve her and her relations afterwards like a servant, and such a connection is censured by the good. On the other hand, that reproachable connection, where a man, together with his relations, lords it over his wife, is called a low connection by the wise. But when both the man and the woman afford mutual pleasure to each other, and when the relatives on both sides pay respect to one another, such is called a connection in the proper sense of the word. Therefore a man should contract neither a high connection by which he is obliged to bow down afterwards to his kinsmen, nor a low connection, which is universally reprehended by all.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
CHAPTER II.<br />
<br />
OF CREATING CONFIDENCE IN THE GIRL.<br />
<br />
For the first three days after marriage, the girl and her husband should sleep on the floor, abstain from sexual pleasures, and eat their food without seasoning it either with alkali or salt. For the next seven days they should bathe amidst the sounds of auspicious musical instruments, should decorate themselves, dine together, and pay attention to their relations as well as to those who may have come to witness their marriage. This is applicable to persons of all castes. On the night of the tenth day the man should begin in a lonely place with soft words, and thus create confidence in the girl. Some authors say that for the purpose of winning her over he should not speak to her for three days, but the followers of Babhravya are of opinion that if the man does not speak with her for three days, the girl may be discouraged by seeing him spiritless like a pillar, and, becoming dejected, she may begin to despise him as an eunuch. Vatsyayana says that the man should begin to win her over, and to create confidence in her, but should abstain at first from sexual pleasures. Women being of a tender nature, want tender beginnings, and when they are forcibly approached by men with whom they are but slightly acquainted, they sometimes suddenly become haters of sexual connection, and sometimes even haters of the male sex. The man should therefore approach the girl according to her liking, and should make use of those devices by which he may be able to establish himself more and more into her confidence. These devices are as follows:—<br />
<br />
He should embrace her first of all in a way she likes most, because it does not last for a long time.<br />
<br />
He should embrace her with the upper part of his body because that is easier and simpler. If the girl is grown up, or if the man has known her for some time, he may embrace her by the light of a lamp, but if he is not well acquainted with her, or if she is a young girl, he should then embrace her in darkness.<br />
<br />
When the girl accepts the embrace, the man should put a "tambula" or screw of betel nut and betel leaves in her mouth, and if she will not take it, he should induce her to do so by conciliatory words, entreaties, oaths, and kneeling at her feet, for it is an universal rule that however bashful or angry a woman may be, she never disregards a man kneeling at her feet. At the time of giving this "tambula" he should kiss her mouth softly and gracefully without making any sound. When she is gained over in this respect he should then make her talk, and so that she may be induced to talk he should ask her questions about things of which he knows or pretends to know nothing, and which can be answered in a few words. If she does not speak to him, he should not frighten her, but should ask her the same thing again and again in a conciliatory manner. If she does not then speak he should urge her to give a reply, because as Ghotakamukha says, "all girls hear everything said to them by men, but do not themselves sometimes say a single word." When she is thus importuned, the girl should give replies by shakes of the head, but if she quarrelled with the man she should not even do that. When she is asked by the man whether she wishes for him, and whether she likes him, she should remain silent for a long time, and when at last importuned to reply, should give him a favourable answer by a nod of the head. If the man is previously acquainted with the girl he should converse with her by means of a female friend, who may be favourable to him, and in the confidence of both, and carry on the conversation on both sides. On such an occasion the girl should smile with her head bent down, and if the female friend say more on her part than she was desired to do, she should chide her and dispute with her. The female friend should say in jest even what she is not desired to say by the girl, and add, "she says so," on which the girl should say indistinctly and prettily, "O no! I did not say so," and she should then smile and throw an occasional glance towards the man.<br />
<br />
If the girl is familiar with the man, she should place near him, without saying anything, the tambula, the ointment, or the garland that he may have asked for, or she may tie them up in his upper garment. While she is engaged in this, the man should touch her young breasts in the sounding way of pressing with the nails, and if she prevents him doing this he should say to her, "I will not do it again if you will embrace me," and should in this way cause her to embrace him. While he is being embraced by her he should pass his hand repeatedly over and about her body. By and bye he should place her in his lap, and try more and more to gain her consent, and if she will not yield to him he should frighten her by saying, "I shall impress marks of my teeth and nails on your lips and breasts, and then make similar marks on my own body, and shall tell my friends that you did them. What will you say then?" In this and other ways, as fear and confidence are created in the minds of children, so should the man gain her over to his wishes.<br />
<br />
On the second and third nights, after her confidence has increased still more, he should feel the whole of her body with his hands, and kiss her all over; he should also place his hands upon her thighs and shampoo them, and if he succeed in this he should then shampoo the joints of her thighs. If she tries to prevent him doing this he should say to her, "What harm is there in doing it?" and should persuade her to let him do it. After gaining this point he should touch her private parts, should loosen her girdle and the knot of her dress, and turning up her lower garment should shampoo the joints of her naked thighs. Under various pretences he should do all these things, but he should not at that time begin actual congress. After this he should teach her the sixty-four arts, should tell her how much he loves her, and describe to her the hopes which he formerly entertained regarding her. He should also promise to be faithful to her in future, and should dispel all her fears with respect to rival women, and, at last, after having overcome her bashfulness, he should begin to enjoy her in a way so as not to frighten her. So much about creating confidence in the girl; and there are, moreover, some verses on the subject as follows:—<br />
<br />
A man acting according to the inclinations of a girl should try and gain her over so that she may love him and place her confidence in him. A man does not succeed either by implicitly following the inclination of a girl, or by wholly opposing her, and he should therefore adopt a middle course. He who knows how to make himself beloved by women, as well as to increase their honour and create confidence in them, this man becomes an object of their love. But he, who neglects a girl thinking she is too bashful, is despised by her as a beast ignorant of the working of the female mind. Moreover, a girl forcibly enjoyed by one who does not understand the hearts of girls becomes nervous, uneasy, and dejected, and suddenly begins to hate the man who has taken advantage of her; and then, when her love is not understood or returned, she sinks into despondency, and becomes either a hater of mankind altogether, or, hating her own man, she has recourse to other men.<br />
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<br />
CHAPTER III.<br />
<br />
ON COURTSHIP, AND THE MANIFESTATION OF THE FEELINGS BY OUTWARD SIGNS AND DEEDS.<br />
<br />
A poor man possessed of good qualities, a man born of a low family possessed of mediocre qualities, a neighbour possessed of wealth, and one under the control of his father, mother or brothers, should not marry without endeavouring to gain over the girl from her childhood to love and esteem them. Thus a boy separated from his parents, and living in the house of his uncle, should try to gain over the daughter of his uncle, or some other girl, even though she be previously betrothed to another. And this way of gaining over a girl, says Ghotakamukha, is unexceptional, because Dharma can be accomplished by means of it, as well as by any other way of marriage.<br />
<br />
When a boy has thus begun to woo the girl he loves, he should spend his time with her and amuse her with various games and diversions fitted for their age and acquaintanceship, such as picking and collecting flowers, making garlands of flowers, playing the parts of members of a fictitious family, cooking food, playing with dice, playing with cards, the game of odd and even, the game of finding out the middle finger, the game of six pebbles, and such other games as may be prevalent in the country, and agreeable to the disposition of the girl. In addition to this, he should carry on various amusing games played by several persons together, such as hide and seek, playing with seeds, hiding things in several small heaps of wheat and looking for them, blind-man's buff, gymnastic exercises, and other games of the same sort, in company with the girl, her friends and female attendants. The man should also show great kindness to any woman whom the girl thinks fit to be trusted, and should also make new acquaintances, but above all he should attach to himself by kindness and little services the daughter of the girl's nurse, for if she be gained over, even though she comes to know of his design, she does not cause any obstruction, but is sometimes even able to effect an union between him and the girl. And though she knows the true character of the man, she always talks of his many excellent qualities to the parents and relations of the girl, even though she may not be desired to do so by him.<br />
<br />
In this way the man should do whatever the girl takes most delight in, and he should get for her whatever she may have a desire to possess. Thus he should procure for her such playthings as may be hardly known to other girls. He may also show her a ball dyed with various colours, and other curiosities of the same sort; and should give her dolls made of cloth, wood, buffalo-horn, ivory, wax, flour, or earth; also utensils for cooking food, and figures in wood, such as a man and woman standing, a pair of rams, or goats, or sheep; also temples made of earth, bamboo, or wood, dedicated to various goddesses; and cages for parrots, cuckoos, starlings, quails, cocks, and partridges; water-vessels of different sorts and of elegant forms, machines for throwing water about, guitars, stands for putting images upon, stools, lac, red arsenic, yellow ointment, vermilion and collyrium, as well as sandal-wood, saffron, betel nut and betel leaves. Such things should be given at different times whenever he gets a good opportunity of meeting her, and some of them should be given in private, and some in public, according to circumstances. In short, he should try in every way to make her look upon him as one who would do for her everything that she wanted to be done.<br />
<br />
In the next place he should get her to meet him in some place privately, and should then tell her that the reason of his giving presents to her in secret was the fear that the parents of both of them might be displeased, and then he may add that the things which he had given her had been much desired by other people. When her love begins to show signs of increasing he should relate to her agreeable stories if she expresses a wish to hear such narratives. Or if she takes delight in legerdemain, he should amaze her by performing various tricks of jugglery; or if she feels a great curiosity to see a performance of the various arts, he should show his own skill in them. When she is delighted with singing he should entertain her with music, and on certain days, and at the time of going together to moonlight fairs and festivals, and at the time of her return after being absent from home, he should present her with bouquets of flowers, and with chaplets for the head, and with ear ornaments and rings, for these are the proper occasions on which such things should be presented.<br />
<br />
He should also teach the daughter of the girl's nurse all the <em>sixty-four means of pleasure practised by men</em>, and under this pretext should also inform her of his great skill in the art of sexual enjoyment. All this time he should wear a fine dress, and make as good an appearance as possible, for young women love men who live with them, and who are handsome, good looking and well dressed. As for the saying that though women may fall in love, they still make no effort themselves to gain over the object of their affections, that is only a matter of idle talk.<br />
<br />
Now a girl always shows her love by outward signs and actions, such as the following:—She never looks the man in the face, and becomes abashed when she is looked at by him; under some pretext or other she shows her limbs to him; she looks secretly at him though he has gone away from her side; hangs down her head when she is asked some question by him, and answers in indistinct words and unfinished sentences, delights to be in his company for a long time, speaks to her attendants in a peculiar tone with the hope of attracting his attention towards her when she is at a distance from him, does not wish to go from the place where he is, under some pretext or other she makes him look at different things, narrates to him tales and stories very slowly so that she may continue conversing with him for a long time, kisses and embraces before him a child sitting in her lap, draws ornamental marks on the foreheads of her female servants, performs sportive and graceful movements when her attendants speak jestingly to her in the presence of her lover, confides in her lover's friends, and respects and obeys them, shows kindness to his servants, converses with them, and engages them to do her work as if she were their mistress, and listens attentively to them when they tell stories about her lover to somebody else, enters his house[88] when induced to do so by the daughter of her nurse, and by her assistance manages to converse and play with him, avoids being seen by her lover when she is not dressed and decorated, gives him by the hand of her female friend her ear ornament, ring, or garland of flowers that he may have asked to see, always wears anything that he may have presented to her, become dejected when any other bridegroom is mentioned by her parents, and does not mix with those who may be of her party, or who may support his claims.<br />
<br />
There are also some verses on the subject as follows:—<br />
<br />
A man, who has seen and perceived the feelings of the girl towards him, and who has noticed the outward signs and movements by which those feelings are expressed, should do everything in his power to effect an union with her. He should gain over a young girl by childlike sports, a damsel come of age by his skill in the arts, and a girl that loves him by having recourse to persons in whom she confides.<br />
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<br />
CHAPTER IV.<br />
<br />
ABOUT THINGS TO BE DONE ONLY BY THE MAN, AND THE ACQUISITION OF THE GIRL THEREBY. ALSO WHAT IS TO BE DONE BY A GIRL TO GAIN OVER A MAN, AND SUBJECT HIM TO HER.<br />
<br />
Now when the girl begins to show her love by outward signs and motions, as described in the last chapter, the lover should try to gain her over entirely by various ways and means, such as the following:—<br />
When engaged with her in any game or sport he should intentionally hold her hand. He should practise upon the various kinds of embraces, such as the touching embrace, and others already described in a preceeding chapter (Part II. Chapter 2). He should show her a pair of human beings cut out of the leaf of a tree, and such like things, at intervals. When engaged in water sports, he should dive at a distance from her, and come up close to her. He should show an increased liking for the new foliage of trees and such like things. He should describe to her the pangs he suffers on her account. He should relate to her the beautiful dream that he has had with reference to other women. At parties and assemblies of his caste he should sit near her, and touch her under some pretence or other, and having placed his foot upon her's, he should slowly touch each of her toes, and press the ends of the nails; if successful in this, he should get hold of her foot with his hand and repeat the same thing. He should also press a finger of her hand between his toes when she happens to be washing his feet; and whenever he gives anything to her or takes anything from her, he should show her by his manner and look how much he loves her.<br />
<br />
He should sprinkle upon her the water brought for rinsing his mouth; and when alone with her in a lonely place, or in darkness, he should make love to her, and tell her the true state of his mind without distressing her in any way.<br />
<br />
Whenever he sits with her on the same seat or bed he should say to her, "I have something to tell you in private," and then, when she comes to hear it in a quiet place, he should express his love to her more by manner and signs than by words. When he comes to know the state of her feelings towards him he should pretend to be ill, and should make her come to his house to speak to him. There he should intentionally hold her hand and place it on his eyes and forehead, and under the pretence of preparing some medicine for him he should ask her to do work for his sake in the following words: "This work must be done by you, and by nobody else." When she wants to go away he should let her go, with an earnest request to come and see him again. This device of illness should be continued for three days and three nights. After this, when she begins coming to see him frequently, he should carry on long conversations with her, for, says Ghotakamukha, "though a man loves a girl ever so much, he never succeeds in winning her without a great deal of talking." At last, when the man finds the girl completely gained over, he may then begin to enjoy her. As for the saying that women grow less timid than usual during the evening, and in darkness, and are desirous of congress at those times, and do not oppose men then and should only be enjoyed at these hours, it is a matter of talk only.<br />
<br />
When it is impossible for the man to carry on his endeavours alone, he should, by means of the daughter of her nurse, or of a female friend in whom she confides, cause the girl to be brought to him without making known to her his design, and he should then proceed with her in the manner above described. Or he should in the beginning send his own female servant to live with the girl as her friend, and should then gain her over by her means.<br />
<br />
At last, when he knows the state of her feelings by her outward manner and conduct towards him at religious ceremonies, marriage ceremonies, fairs, festivals, theatres, public assemblies, and such like occasions, he should begin to enjoy her when she is alone, for Vatsyayana lays it down, that women, when resorted to at proper times and in proper places, do not turn away from their lovers.<br />
<br />
When a girl, possessed of good qualities and well-bred, though born in a humble family, or destitute of wealth, and not therefore desired by her equals, or an orphan girl, or one deprived of her parents, but observing the rules of her family and caste, should wish to bring about her own marriage when she comes of age, such a girl should endeavour to gain over a strong and good looking young man, or a person whom she thinks would marry her on account of the weakness of his mind, and even without the consent of his parents. She should do this by such means as would endear her to the said person, as well as by frequently seeing and meeting him. Her mother also should constantly cause them to meet by means of her female friends, and the daughter of her nurse. The girl herself should try to get alone with her beloved in some quiet place, and at odd times should give him flowers, betel nut, betel leaves and perfumes. She should also show her skill in the practice of the arts, in shampooing, in scratching and in pressing with the nails. She should also talk to him on the subjects he likes best, and discuss with him the ways and means of gaining over and winning the affections of a girl.<br />
<br />
But old authors say that although the girl loves the man ever so much, she should not offer herself, or make the first overtures, for a girl who does this loses her dignity, and is liable to be scorned and rejected. But when the man shows his wish to enjoy her, she should be favourable to him and should show no change in her demeanour when he embraces her, and should receive all the manifestations of his love as if she were ignorant of the state of his mind. But when he tries to kiss her she should oppose him; when he begs to be allowed to have sexual intercourse with her she should let him touch her private parts only and with considerable difficulty; and though importuned by him, she should not yield herself up to him as if of her own accord, but should resists his attempts to have her. It is only, moreover, when she is certain that she is truly loved, and that her lover is indeed devoted to her, and will not change his mind, that she should then give herself up to him, and persuade him to marry her quickly. After losing her virginity she should tell her confidential friends about it.<br />
<br />
Here ends the efforts of a girl to gain over a man.<br />
<br />
There are also some verses on the subject as follows: A girl who is much sought after should marry the man that she likes, and whom she thinks would be obedient to her, and capable of giving her pleasure. But when from the desire of wealth a girl is married by her parents to a rich man without taking into consideration the character or looks of the bridegroom, or when given to a man who has several wives, she never becomes attached to the man, even though he be endowed with good qualities, obedient to her will, active, strong, and healthy, and anxious to please her in every way. A husband who is obedient but yet master of himself, though he be poor and not good looking, is better than one who is common to many women, even though he be handsome and attractive. The wives of rich men, where there are many wives, are not generally attached to their husbands, and are not confidential with them, and even though they possess all the external enjoyments of life, still have recourse to other men. A man who is of a low mind, who has fallen from his social position, and who is much given to travelling, does not deserve to be married; neither does one who has many wives and children, or one who is devoted to sport and gambling, and who comes to his wife only when he likes. Of all the lovers of a girl he only is her true husband who possesses the qualities that are liked by her, and such a husband only enjoys real superiority over her, because he is the husband of love.<br />
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CHAPTER V.<br />
<br />
ON CERTAIN FORMS OF MARRIAGE<br />
<br />
When a girl cannot meet her lover frequently in private, she should send the daughter of her nurse to him, it being understood that she has confidence in her, and had previously gained her over to her interests. On seeing the man, the daughter of the nurse should, in the course of conversation, describe to him the noble birth, the good disposition, the beauty, talent, skill, knowledge of human nature and affection of the girl in such a way as not to let him suppose that she has been sent by the girl, and should thus create affection for the girl in the heart of the man. To the girl also she should speak about the excellent qualities of the man, especially of those qualities which she knows are pleasing to the girl. She should, moreover, speak with disparagement of the other lovers of the girl, and talk about the avarice and indiscretion of their parents, and the fickleness of their relations. She should also quote samples of many girls of ancient times, such as Sakuntala and others, who, having united themselves with lovers of their own caste and their own choice, were ever happy afterwards in their society. And she should also tell of other girls who married into great families, and being troubled by rival wives, became wretched and miserable, and were finally abandoned. She should further speak of the good fortune, the continual happiness, the chastity, obedience, and affection of the man, and if the girl gets amorous about him, she should endeavour to allay her shame and her fear as well as her suspicions about any disaster that might result from the marriage. In a word, she should act the whole part of a female messenger by telling the girl all about the man's affection for her, the places he frequented, and the endeavours he made to meet her, and by frequently repeating, "It will be all right if the man will take you away forcibly and unexpectedly."<br />
<br />
The Forms of Marriage.<br />
<br />
When the girl is gained over, and acts openly with the man as his wife, he should cause fire to be brought from the house of a Brahman, and having spread the Kusha grass upon the ground, and offered an oblation to the fire he should marry her according to the precepts of the religious law. After this he should inform his parents of the fact, because it is the opinion of ancient authors that a marriage solemnly contracted in the presence of fire cannot afterwards be set aside.<br />
<br />
After the consummation of the marriage, the relations of the man should gradually be made acquainted with the affair, and the relations of the girl should also be apprised of it in such a way that they may consent to the marriage, and overlook the manner in which it was brought about, and when this is done they should afterwards be reconciled by affectionate presents and favourable conduct. In this manner the man should marry the girl according to the Gandharva form of marriage.<br />
<br />
When the girl cannot make up her mind, or will not express her readiness to marry, the man should obtain her in any one of the following ways:—<br />
<br />
(1). On a fitting occasion, and under some excuse, he should by means of a female friend with whom he is well acquainted, and whom he can trust, and who also is well known to the girl's family, get the girl brought unexpectedly to his house, and he should then bring fire from the house of a Brahman, and proceed as before described.<br />
<br />
(2.) When the marriage of the girl with some other person draws near, the man should disparage the future husband to the utmost in the mind of the mother of the girl, and then having got the girl to come with her mother's consent to a neighbouring house, he should bring fire from the house of a Brahman, and proceed as above.<br />
<br />
(3.) The man should become a great friend of the brother of the girl, the said brother being of the same age as himself, and addicted to courtesans, and to intrigues with the wives of other people, and should give him assistance in such matters, and also give him occasional presents. He should then tell him about his great love for his sister, as young men will sacrifice even their lives for the sake of those who may be of the same age, habits, and dispositions as themselves. After this the man should get the girl brought by means of her brother to some secure place, and having brought fire from the house of a Brahman, should proceed as before.<br />
<br />
(4.) The man should on the occasion of festivals get the daughter of the nurse to give the girl some intoxicating substance, and then cause her to be brought to some secure place under the pretence of some business, and there having enjoyed her before she recovers from her intoxication, should bring fire from the house of a Brahman, and proceed as before.<br />
<br />
(5.) The man should, with the connivance of the daughter of the nurse, carry off the girl from her house while she is asleep, and then, having enjoyed her before she recovers from her sleep, should bring fire from the house of a Brahman, and proceed as before.<br />
<br />
(6.) When the girl goes to a garden, or to some village in the neighbourhood, the man should, with his friends, fall on her guards, and having killed them, or frightened them away, forcibly carry her off, and proceed as before.<br />
<br />
There are verses on the subject as follows:—In all the forms of marriage given in this chapter of this work, the one that precedes is better than the one that follows it, on account of its being more in accordance with the commands of re[96]ligion, and therefore it is only when it is impossible to carry the former into practice that the latter should be resorted to. As the fruit of all good marriages is love, the Gandharva form of marriage is respected, even though it is formed under unfavourable circumstances, because it fulfils the object sought for. Another cause of the respect accorded to the Gandharva form of marriage is, that it brings forth happiness, causes less trouble in its performance than any other forms of marriage, and is above all the result of previous love.<br />
End of Part III.<br />
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<br />
<br />
PART IV.<br />
<br />
<strong>ABOUT A WIFE.</strong><br />
<br />
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CHAPTER I.<br />
<br />
ON THE MANNER OF LIVING OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN, AND OF HER BEHAVIOUR DURING THE ABSENCE OF HER HUSBAND.<br />
<br />
A virtuous woman, who has affection for her husband, should act in conformity with his wishes as if he were a divine being, and with his consent should take upon herself the whole care of his family. She should keep the whole house well cleaned, and arrange flowers of various kinds in different parts of it, and make the floor smooth and polished so as to give the whole a neat and becoming appearance. She should surround the house with a garden, and place ready in it all the materials required for the morning, noon and even sacrifices. Moreover she should herself revere the sanctuary of the Household Gods, for says Gonardiya, "nothing so much attracts the heart of a householder to his wife as a careful observance of the things mentioned above."<br />
<br />
Towards the parents, relations, friends, sisters, and servants of her husband she should behave as they deserve. In the garden she should plant beds of green vegetables, bunches of the sugar cane, and clumps of the fig tree, the mustard plant, the parsley plant, the fennel plant, and the xanthochymus pictorius. Clusters of various flowers, such as the trapa bispinosa, the jasmine, the gasminum grandiflorum, the yellow amaranth, the wild jasmine, the tabernamontana coronaria, the nadyaworta, the china rose and others, should likewise be planted, together with the fragrant grass andropogon schænanthus, and the fragrant root of the plant andropogon miricatus. She should also have seats and arbours made in[98] the garden, in the middle of which a well, tank, or pool should be dug.<br />
<br />
The wife should always avoid the company of female beggars, female buddish mendicants, unchaste and roguish women, female fortune tellers and witches. As regards meals she should always consider what her husband likes and dislikes, and what things are good for him, and what are injurious to him. When she hears the sounds of his footsteps coming home she should at once get up, and be ready to do whatever he may command her, and either order her female servant to wash his feet, or wash them herself. When going anywhere with her husband, she should put on her ornaments, and without his consent she should not either give or accept invitations, or attend marriages and sacrifices, or sit in the company of female friends, or visit the temples of the Gods. And if she wants to engage in any kind of games or sports, she should not do it against his will. In the same way she should always sit down after him, and get up before him, and should never awaken him when he is asleep. The kitchen should be situated in a quiet and retired place, so as not to be accessible to strangers, and should always look clean.<br />
<br />
In the event of any misconduct on the part of her husband, she should not blame him excessively though she be a little displeased. She should not use abusive language towards him, but rebuke him with conciliatory words, whether he be in the company of friends or alone. Moreover, she should not be a scold, for says Gonardiya, "there is no cause of dislike on the part of a husband so great as this characteristic in a wife." Lastly she should avoid bad expressions, sulky looks, speaking aside, standing in the doorway, and looking at passers-by, conversing in the pleasure groves, and remaining in a lonely place for a long time; and finally she should always keep her body, her teeth, her hair, and everything belonging to her tidy, sweet, and clean.<br />
When the wife wants to approach her husband in private her dress should consist of many ornaments, various kinds of flowers, and a cloth decorated with different colours, and some sweet-smelling ointments or unguents. But her every-day dress should be composed of a thin, close-textured cloth, a few ornaments and flowers, and a little scent, not too much. She should also observe the fasts and vows of her husband, and when he tries to prevent her doing this, she should persuade him to let her do it.<br />
<br />
At appropriate times of the year, and when they happen to be cheap, she should buy earth, bamboos, firewood, skins, and iron pots, as also salt and oil. Fragrant substances, vessels made of the fruit of the plant wrightea antidysenterica, or oval leaved wrightea, medicines, and other things which are always wanted, should be obtained when required and kept in a secret place of the house. The seeds of the radish, the potato, the common beet, the Indian wormwood, the mangoe, the cucumber, the egg plant, the kushmanda, the pumpkin gourd, the surana, the bignonia indica, the sandal wood, the premna spinosa, the garlic plant, the onion, and other vegetables, should be bought and sown at the proper seasons.<br />
<br />
The wife, moreover, should not tell to strangers the amount of her wealth, nor the secrets which her husband has confided to her. She should surpass all the women of her own rank in life in her cleverness, her appearance, her knowledge of cookery, her pride, and her manner of serving her husband. The expenditure of the year should be regulated by the profits. The milk that remains after the meals should be turned into ghee or clarified butter. Oil and sugar should be prepared at home; spinning and weaving should also be done there; and a store of ropes and cords, and barks of trees for twisting into ropes should be kept. She should also attend to the pounding and cleaning of rice, using its small grain and chaff in some way or other. She should pay the salaries of the servants, look after the tilling of the fields, and keeping of the flocks and herds, superintend the making of vehicles, and take care of the rams, cocks, quails, parrots, starlings, cuckoos, peacocks, monkeys, and deer; and finally adjust the income and expenditure of the day. The worn-out clothes should be given to those servants who have done good work, in order to show them that their services have been appreciated, or they may be applied to some other use. The vessels in which wine is prepared, as well as those in which it is kept, should be carefully looked after, and put away at the proper time. All sales and purchases should also be well attended to. The friends of her husband she should welcome by presenting them with flowers, ointment, incense, betel leaves, and betel nut. Her father-in-law and mother-in law she should treat as they deserve, always remaining dependant on their will, never contradicting them, speaking to them in few and not harsh words, not laughing loudly in their presence, and acting with their friends and enemies as with her own. In addition to the above she should not be vain, or too much taken up with her enjoyments. She should be liberal towards her servants, and reward them on holidays and festivals; and not give away anything without first making it known to her husband.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the manner of living of a virtuous woman.<br />
<br />
During the absence of her husband on a journey the virtuous woman should wear only her auspicious ornaments, and observe the fasts in honour of the Gods. While anxious to hear the news of her husband, she should still look after her household affairs. She should sleep near the elder women of the house, and make herself agreeable to them. She should look after and keep in repair the things that are liked by her husband, and continue the works that have been begun by him. To the abode of her relations she should not go except on occasions of joy and sorrow, and then she should go in her usual travelling dress, accompanied by her husband's servants, and not remain there for a long time. The fasts and feasts should be observed with the consent of the elders of the house. The resources should be increased by making purchases and sales according to the practice of the merchants, and by means of honest servants, superintended by herself. The income should be increased, and the expenditure diminished as much as possible. And when her husband returns from his journey, she should receive him at first in her ordinary clothes, so that he may know in what way she has lived during his absence, and should bring to him some presents, as also materials for the worship of the Deity.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the part relating to the behaviour of a wife during the absence of her husband on a journey.<br />
<br />
There are also some verses on the subject as follows.<br />
<br />
"The wife, whether she be a woman of noble family, or a virgin widow re-married, or a concubine, should lead a chaste life, devoted to her husband, and doing every thing for his welfare. Women acting thus, acquire Dharma, Artha, and Kama, obtain a high position, and generally keep their husbands devoted to them."<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
CHAPTER II.<br />
<br />
ON THE CONDUCT OF THE ELDER WIFE TOWARDS THE OTHER WIVES OF HER HUSBAND, AND ON THAT OF A YOUNGER WIFE TOWARDS THE ELDER ONES. ALSO ON THE CONDUCT OF A VIRGIN WIDOW RE-MARRIED; OF A WIFE DISLIKED BY HER HUSBAND; OF THE WOMEN IN THE KING'S HAREM; AND LASTLY ON THE CONDUCT OF A HUSBAND TOWARDS MANY WIVES.<br />
<br />
The causes of re-marrying during the lifetime of the wife are as follows:<br />
<br />
1.The folly or ill temper of the wife.<br />
2.Her husband's dislike to her.<br />
3.The want of offspring.<br />
4.The continual birth of daughters.<br />
5.The incontinence of the husband.<br />
<br />
From the very beginning the wife should endeavour to attract the heart of her husband, by showing to him continually her devotion, her good temper, and her wisdom. If however she bears him no children, she should herself tell her husband to marry another woman. And when the second wife is married, and brought to the house, the first wife should give her a position superior to her own, and look upon her as a sister. In the morning the elder wife should forcibly make the younger one decorate herself in the presence of their husband, and should not mind all the husband's favour being given to her. If the younger wife does anything to displease her husband the elder one should not neglect her, but should always be ready to give her most careful advice, and should teach her to do various things in the presence of her husband. Her children she should treat as her own, her attendants she should look upon with more regard, even than on her own servants, her friends she should cherish with love and kindness, and her relations with great honour.<br />
<br />
When there are many other wives besides herself, the elder wife should associate with the one who is immediately next to her in rank and age, and should instigate the wife who has recently enjoyed her husband's favour to quarrel with the present favourite. After this she should sympathize with the former, and having collected all the other wives together, should get them to denounce the favourite as a scheming and wicked woman, without however committing herself in any way. If the favourite wife happens to quarrel with the husband, then the elder wife should take her part and give her false encouragement, and thus cause the quarrel to be increased. If there be only a little quarrel between the two, the elder wife should do all she can to work it up into a large quarrel. But if after all this she finds the husband still continues to love his favourite wife she should then change her tactics, and endeavour to bring about a conciliation between them, so as to avoid her husband's displeasure.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the conduct of the elder wife.<br />
<br />
The younger wife should regard the elder wife of her husband as her mother, and should not give anything away, even to her own relations, without her knowledge. She should tell her everything about herself, and not approach her husband without her permission. Whatever is told to her by the elder wife she should not reveal to others, and she should take care of the children of the senior even more than of her own. When alone with her husband she should serve him well, but should not tell him of the pain she suffers from the existence of a rival wife. She may also obtain secretly from her husband some marks of his particular regard for her, and may tell him that she lives only for him, and for the regard that he has for her. She should never reveal her love for her husband, nor her husband's love for her to any person, either in pride or in anger, for a wife that reveals the secrets of her husband is despised by him. As for seeking to obtain the regard of her husband, Gonardiya says, that it should always be done in private, for fear of the elder wife. If the elder wife be disliked by her husband, or be childless, she should sympathize with her, and should ask her husband to do the same, but should surpass her in leading the life of a chaste woman.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the conduct of the younger wife towards the elder.<br />
<br />
A widow in poor circumstances, or of a weak nature, and who allies herself again to a man, is called a widow re-married.<br />
<br />
The followers of Babhravya say that a virgin widow should not marry a person whom she may be obliged to leave on account of his bad character, or of his being destitute of the excellent qualities of a man, she thus being obliged to have recourse to another person. Gonardya is of opinion that as the cause of a widow's marrying again is her desire for happiness, and as happiness is secured by the possession of excellent qualities in her husband, joined to love of enjoyment, it is better therefore to secure a person endowed with such qualities in the first instance. Vatsyayana however thinks that a widow may marry any person that she likes, and that she thinks will suit her.<br />
<br />
At the time of her marriage the widow should obtain from her husband the money to pay the cost of drinking parties, and picnics with her relations, and of giving them and her friends kindly gifts and presents; or she may do these things at her own cost if she likes. In the same way she may wear either her husband's ornaments or her own. As to the presents of affection mutually exchanged between the husband and herself there is no fixed rule about them. If she leaves her husband after marriage of her own accord, she should restore to him whatever he may have given her, with the exception of the mutual presents. If however she is driven out of the house by her husband she should not return anything to him.<br />
<br />
After her marriage she should live in the house of her husband like one of the chief members of the family, but should treat the other ladies of the family with kindness, the servants with generosity, and all the friends of the house with familiarity and good temper. She should show that she is better acquainted with the sixty-four arts than the other ladies of the house, and in any quarrels with her husband she should not rebuke him severely, but in private do everything that he wishes, and make use of the sixty-four ways of enjoyment. She should be obliging to the other wives of her husband, and to their children she should give presents, behave as their mistress, and make ornaments and play things for their use. In the friends and servants of her husband she should confide more than in his other wives, and finally she should have a liking for drinking parties, going to picnics, attending fairs and festivals, and for carrying out all kinds of games and amusements.<br />
Thus ends the conduct of a virgin widow re-married.<br />
A woman who is disliked by her husband, and annoyed and distressed by his other wives, should associate with the wife who is liked most by her husband, and who serves him more than the others, and should teach her all the arts with which she is acquainted. She should act as the nurse of her husband's children, and having gained over his friends to her side, should through them make him acquainted of her devotion to him. In religious ceremonies she should be a leader, as also in vows and fasts, and should not hold too good an opinion of herself. When her husband is lying on his bed she should only go near him when it is agreeable to him, and should never rebuke him, or show obstinacy in any way. If her husband happens to quarrel with any of his other wives, she should reconcile them to each other, and if he desires to see any woman secretly, she should manage to bring about the meeting between them. She should moreover make herself acquainted with the weak points of her husband's character, but always keep them secret, and on the whole behave herself in such an way as may lead him to look upon her as a good and devoted wife.<br />
Here ends the conduct of a wife disliked by her husband.<br />
The above sections will show how all the women of the King's seraglio are to behave, and therefore we shall now speak separately only about the king.<br />
The female attendants in the harem (called severally Kanchukiyas, Mahallarikas, and Mahallikas,should bring flowers, ointments and clothes from the King's wives to the King, and he having received these things should give them as presents to the servants, along with the things worn by him the previous day. In the afternoon the King, having dressed and put on his ornaments, should interview the women of the harem, who should also be dressed and decorated with jewels. Then having given to each of them such a place and such respect as may suit the occasion and as they may deserve, he should carry on with them a cheerful conversation. After that he should see such of his wives as may be virgin widows re-married, and after them the concubines and dancing girls. All of these should be visited in their own private rooms.<br />
<br />
When the King rises from his noonday sleep, the woman whose duty it is to inform the King regarding the wife who is to spend the night with him should come to him accompanied by the female attendants of that wife whose turn may have arrived in the regular course, and of her who may have been accidentally passed over as her turn arrived, and of her who may have been unwell at the time of her turn. These attendants should place before the King the ointments and unguents sent by each of these wives, marked with the seal of her ring, and their names and their reasons for sending the ointments should be told to the King. After this the King accepts the ointment of one of them, who then is informed that her ointment has been accepted, and that her day has been settled.<br />
<br />
At festivals, singing parties and exhibitions, all the wives of the King should be treated with respect and served with drinks.<br />
<br />
But the women of the harem should not be allowed to go out alone, neither should any women outside the harem be allowed to enter it except those whose character is well known. And lastly the work which the King's wives have to do should not be too fatiguing.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the conduct of the King towards the women of the harem, and of their own conduct.<br />
<br />
A man marrying many wives should act fairly towards them all. He should neither disregard nor pass over their faults, and should not reveal to one wife the love, passion, bodily blemishes, and confidential reproaches of the other. No opportunity should be given to any one of them of speaking to him about their rivals, and if one of them should begin to speak ill of another, he should chide her and tell her that she has exactly the same blemishes in her character. One of them he should please by secret confidence, another by secret respect, and another by secret flattery, and he should please them all by going to gardens, by amusements, by presents, by honouring their relations, by telling them secrets, and lastly by loving unions. A young woman who is of a good temper, and who conducts herself according to the precepts of the Holy Writ, wins her husband's attachment, and obtains a superiority over her rivals.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the conduct of a husband towards many wives.<br />
End of Part IV.<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<br />
PART V.<br />
<br />
<strong>ABOUT THE WIVES OF OTHER MEN.</strong><br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER I.<br />
<br />
OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEN AND WOMEN.—THE REASONS WHY WOMEN REJECT THE ADDRESSES OF MEN.—ABOUT MEN WHO HAVE SUCCESS WITH WOMEN, AND ABOUT WOMEN WHO ARE EASILY GAINED OVER.<br />
<br />
The wives of other people may be resorted to on the occasions already described in Part I., Chapter 5, of this work, but the possibility of their acquisition, their fitness for cohabitation, the danger to oneself in uniting with them, and the future effect of these unions, should first of all be examined. A man may resort to the wife of another, for the purpose of saving his own life, when he perceives that his love for her proceeds from one degree of intensity to another. These degrees are ten in number, and are distinguished by the following marks:<br />
1.Love of the eye.<br />
2.Attachment of the mind.<br />
3.Constant reflection.<br />
4.Destruction of sleep.<br />
5.Emaciation of the body.<br />
6.Turning away from objects of enjoyment.<br />
7.Removal of shame.<br />
8.Madness.<br />
9.Fainting.<br />
10.Death.<br />
<br />
Ancient authors say that a man should know the disposition, truthfulness, purity, and will of a young woman, as also the intensity, or weakness of her passions, from the form of her body, and from her characteristic marks and signs. But Vatsyayana is of opinion that the forms of bodies, and the characteristic marks or signs are but erring tests of character, and that women should be judged by their conduct, by the outward expression of their thoughts, and by the movements of their bodies.<br />
<br />
Now as a general rule Gonikaputra says that a woman falls in love with every handsome man she sees, and so does every man at the sight of a beautiful woman, but frequently they do not take any further steps, owing to various considerations. In love the following circumstances are peculiar to the woman. She loves without regard to right or wrong, and does not try to gain over a man simply for the attainment of some particular purpose. Moreover, when a man first makes up to her she naturally shrinks from him, even though she may be willing to unite herself with him. But when the attempts to gain her are repeated and renewed, she at last consents. But with a man, even though he may have begun to love, he conquers his feelings from a regard for morality and wisdom, and although his thoughts are often on the woman, he does not yield, even though an attempt be made to gain him over. He sometimes makes an attempt or effort to win the object of his affections, and having failed, he leaves her alone for the future. In the same way, when a woman is once gained, he often becomes indifferent about her. As for the saying that a man does not care for what is easily gained, and only desires a thing which cannot be obtained without difficulty, it is only a matter of talk.<br />
The causes of a woman rejecting the addresses of a man are as follows:<br />
<br />
1.Affection for her husband.<br />
2.Desire of lawful progeny.<br />
3.Want of opportunity.<br />
4.Anger at being addressed by the man too familiarly.<br />
5.Difference in rank of life.<br />
6.Want of certainty on account of the man being devoted to travelling.<br />
7.Thinking that the man may be attached to some other person.<br />
8.Fear of the man's not keeping his intentions secret.<br />
9.Thinking that the man is too devoted to his friends, and has too great a regard for them.<br />
10.The apprehension that he is not in earnest.<br />
11.Bashfulness on account of his being an illustrious man.<br />
12.Fear on account of his being powerful, or possessed of too impetuous passion, in the case of the deer woman.<br />
13.Bashfulness on account of his being too clever.<br />
14.The thought of having once lived with him on friendly terms only.<br />
15.Contempt of his want of knowledge of the world.<br />
16.Distrust of his low character.<br />
17.Disgust at his want of perception of her love for him.<br />
18.In the case of an elephant woman, the thought that he is a hare man, or a man of weak passion.<br />
19.Compassion lest any thing should befall him on account of his passion.<br />
20.Despair at her own imperfections.<br />
21.Fear of discovery.<br />
22.Disillusion at seeing his grey hair or shabby appearance.<br />
23.Fear that he may be employed by her husband to test her chastity.<br />
24.The thought that he has too much regard for morality.<br />
<br />
Whichever of the above causes a man may detect, he should endeavour to remove it from the very beginning. Thus, the bashfulness that may arise from his greatness or his ability, he should remove by showing his great love and affection for her. The difficulty of the want of opportunity, or if his inaccessibility, he should remove by showing her some easy way of access. The excessive respect entertained by the woman for him should be removed by making himself very familiar. The difficulties that arise from his being thought a low character he should remove by showing his valour and his wisdom; those that come from neglect by extra attention; and those that arise from fear by giving her proper encouragement.<br />
<br />
The following are the men who generally obtain success with women.<br />
<br />
1.Men well versed in the science of love.<br />
2.Men skilled in telling stories.<br />
3.Men acquainted with women from their childhood.<br />
4.Men who have secured their confidence.<br />
5.Men who send presents to them.<br />
6.Men who talk well.<br />
7.Men who do things that they like.<br />
8.Men who have not loved other women previously.<br />
9.Men who act as messengers.<br />
10.Men who knew their weak points.<br />
11.Men who are desired by good women.<br />
12.Men who are united with their female friends.<br />
13.Men who are good looking.<br />
14.Men who have been brought up with them.<br />
15.Men who are their neighbours.<br />
16.Men who are devoted to sexual pleasures, even though these be their own servants.<br />
17.The lovers of the daughters of their nurse.<br />
18.Men who have been lately married.<br />
19.Men who like picnics and pleasure parties.<br />
20.Men who are liberal.<br />
21.Men who are celebrated for being very strong (Bull men).<br />
22.Enterprising and brave men.<br />
23.Men who surpass their husbands in learning and good looks, in good quality, and in liberality.<br />
24.Men whose dress and manner of living are magnificent.<br />
<br />
<br />
The following are the women who are easily gained over.<br />
<br />
1.Women who stand at the doors of their houses.<br />
2.Women who are always looking out on the street.<br />
3.Women who sit conversing in their neighbour's house.<br />
4.A woman who is always staring at you.<br />
5.A female messenger.<br />
6.A woman who looks sideways at you.<br />
7.A woman whose husband has taken another wife without any just cause.<br />
8.A woman who hates her husband or is hated by him.<br />
9.A woman who has nobody to look after her, or keep her in check.<br />
10.A woman who has not had any children.<br />
11.A woman whose family or caste is not well known.<br />
12.A woman whose children are dead.<br />
13.A woman who is very fond of society.<br />
14.A woman who is apparently very affectionate with her husband.<br />
15.The wife of an actor.<br />
16.A widow.<br />
17.A poor woman.<br />
18.A woman fond of enjoyments.<br />
19.The wife of a man with many younger brothers.<br />
20.A vain woman.<br />
21.A woman whose husband is inferior to her in rank or abilities.<br />
22.A woman who is proud of her skill in the arts.<br />
23.A woman disturbed in mind by the folly of her husband.<br />
24.A woman who has been married in her infancy to a rich man, and not liking him when she grows up, desires a man possessing a disposition, talents, and wisdom suitable to her own tastes.<br />
25.A woman who is slighted by her husband without any cause.<br />
26.A woman who is not respected by other women of the same rank or beauty as herself.<br />
27.A woman whose husband is devoted to travelling.<br />
28.The wife of a jeweller.<br />
29.A jealous woman.<br />
30.A covetous woman.<br />
31.An immoral woman.<br />
32.A barren woman.<br />
33.A lazy woman.<br />
34.A cowardly woman.<br />
35.A humpbacked woman.<br />
36.A dwarfish woman.<br />
37.A deformed woman.<br />
38.A vulgar woman.<br />
39.An ill-smelling woman.<br />
40.A sick woman.<br />
41.An old woman.<br />
<br />
There was also two verses on the subject as follows :<br />
<br />
"Desire, which springs from nature, and which is increased by art, and from which all danger is taken away by wisdom, becomes firm and secure. A clever man, depending on his own ability, and observing carefully the ideas and thoughts of women, and removing the causes of their turning away from men, is generally successful with them."<br />
<br />
------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
CHAPTER II.<br />
<br />
ABOUT MAKING ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE WOMAN, AND OF THE EFFORTS TO GAIN HER OVER.<br />
<br />
Ancient authors are of opinion that girls are not so easily seduced by employing female messengers as by the efforts of the man himself, but that the wives of others are more easily got at by the aid of female messengers than by the personal efforts of a man. But Vatsyayana lays it down that whenever it is possible a man should always act himself in these matters, and it is only when such is impracticable, or impossible, that female messengers should be employed. As for the saying that women who act and talk boldly and freely are to be won by the personal efforts of the man, and that women who do not possess those qualities are to be got at by female messengers, it is only a matter of talk.<br />
<br />
Now when a man acts himself in the matter he should first of all make the acquaintance of the woman he loves in the following manner.<br />
<br />
1st. He should arrange to be seen by the woman either on a natural or special opportunity. A natural opportunity is when one of them goes to the house of the other, and a special opportunity is when they meet either at the house of a friend, or a caste-fellow, or a minister, or a physician, as also on the occasion of marriage ceremonies, sacrifices, festivals, funerals, and garden parties.<br />
<br />
2nd. When they do meet, the man should be careful to look at her in such a way as to cause the state of his mind to be made known to her; he should pull about his moustache, make a sound with his nails, cause his own ornaments to tinkle, bite his lower lip, and make various other signs of that description. When she is looking at him he should speak to his friends about her and other women, and should show to her his liberality and his appreciation of enjoyments. When sitting by the side of a female friend he should yawn and twist his body, contract his eyebrows, speak very slowly as if he were weary, and listen to her indifferently. A conversation having two meanings should also be carried on with a child or some other person, apparently having regard to a third person, but really having reference to the woman he loves, and in this way his love should be made manifest under the pretext of referring to others rather than to herself. He should make marks that have reference to her, on the earth with his nails, or with a stick, and should embrace and kiss a child in her presence, and give it the mixture of betel nut and betel leaves with his tongue, and press its chin with his fingers in a caressing way. All these things should be done at the proper time and in proper places.<br />
3rd. The man should fondle a child that may be sitting on her lap, and give it something to play with, and also take the same back again. Conversation with respect to the child may also be held with her, and in this manner he should gradually become well acquainted with her, and he should also make himself agreeable to her relations. Afterwards, this acquaintance should be made a pretext for visiting her house frequently, and on such occasions he should converse on the subject of love in her absence, but within her hearing. As his intimacy with her increases he should place in her charge some kind of deposit or trust, and take away from it a small portion at a time; or he may give her some fragrant substances, or betel nuts to be kept for him by her. After this he should endeavour to make her well acquainted with his own wife, and get them to carry on confidential conversations, and to sit together in lonely places. In order to see her frequently he should arrange that the same goldsmith, the same jeweller, the same basket maker, the same dyer, and the same washerman should be employed by the two families. And he should also pay her long visits openly under the pretence of being engaged with her on business, and one business should lead to another, so as to keep up the intercourse between them. Whenever she wants anything, or is in need of money, or wishes to acquire skill in one of the arts, he should cause her to understand that he is willing and able to do anything that she wants, to give her money, or teach her one of the arts, all these things being quite within his ability and power. In the same way he should hold discussions with her in company with other people, and they should talk of the doings and sayings of other persons, and examine different things, like jewellery, precious stones, etc. On such occasions he should show her certain things with the values of which she may be unacquainted, and if she begins to dispute with him about the things or their value, he should not contradict her, but point out that he agrees with her in every way.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the ways of making the acquaintance of the woman desired.<br />
<br />
Now after a girl has become acquainted with the man as above described, and has manifested her love to him by the various outward signs; and by the motions of her body, the man should make every effort to gain her over. But as girls are not acquainted with sexual union, they should be treated with the greatest delicacy, and the man should proceed with considerable caution, though in the case of other women, accustomed to sexual intercourse, this is not necessary. When the intentions of the girl are known, and her bashfulness put aside, the man should begin to make use of her money, and an interchange of clothes, rings, and flowers should be made. In this the man should take particular care that the things given by him are handsome and valuable. He should moreover receive from her a mixture of betel nut and betel leaves, and when he is going to a party he should ask for the flower in her hair, or for the flower in her hand. If he himself gives her a flower it should be a sweet smelling one, and marked with marks made by his nails or teeth. With increasing assiduity he should dispel her fears, and by degrees get her to go with him to some lonely place, and there he should embrace and kiss her. And finally at the time of giving her some betel nut, or of receiving the same from her, or at the time of making an exchange of flowers, he should touch and press her private parts, thus bringing his efforts to a satisfactory conclusion.<br />
<br />
When a man is endeavouring to seduce one woman, he should not attempt to seduce any other at the same time. But after he had succeeded with the first, and enjoyed her for a considerable time, he can keep her affections by giving her presents that she likes, and then commence making up to another woman. When a man sees the husband of a woman going to some place near his house, he should not enjoy the woman then, even though she may be easily gained over at that time. A wise man having a regard for his reputation should not think of seducing a woman who is apprehensive, timid, not to be trusted, well guarded, or possessed of a father-in-law, or mother-in-law.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER III.<br />
<br />
EXAMINATION OF THE STATE OF A WOMAN'S MIND.<br />
<br />
When a man is trying to gain over a woman he should examine the state of her mind, and acts as follows.<br />
<br />
If she listens to him, but does not manifest to him in any way her own intentions, he should then try to gain her over by means of a go-between.<br />
<br />
If she meets him once, and again comes to meet him better dressed than before, or comes to him in some lonely place, he should be certain that she is capable of being enjoyed by the use of a little force. A woman who lets a man make up to her, but does not give herself up, even after a long time, should be considered as a trifler in love, but owing to the fickleness of the human mind, even such a woman can be conquered by always keeping up a close acquaintance with her.<br />
<br />
When a woman avoids the attentions of a man, and on account of respect for him, and pride in herself, will not meet him or approach him, she can be gained over with difficulty, either by endeavouring to keep on familiar terms with her, or else by an exceedingly clever go-between.<br />
<br />
When a man makes up to a woman, and she reproaches him with harsh words, she should be abandoned at once.<br />
<br />
When a woman reproaches a man, but at the same time acts affectionately towards him, she should be made love to in every way.<br />
<br />
A woman who meets a man in lonely places, and puts up with the touch of his foot, but pretends, on account of the indecision of her mind, not to be aware of it, should be conquered by patience, and by continued efforts as follows:<br />
<br />
If she happens to go to sleep in his vicinity he should put his left arm round her, and see when she awakes whether she repulses him in reality, or only repulses him in such a way as if she were desirous of the same thing being done to her again. And what is done by the arm can also be done by the foot. If the man succeeds in this point he should embrace her more closely, and if she will not stand the embrace and gets up, but behaves with him as usual the next day, he should consider then that she is not unwilling to be enjoyed by him. If however she does not appear again, the man should try to get over her by means of a go-between; and if, after having disappeared for some time she again appears, and behaves with him as usual, the man should then consider that she would not object to be united with him.<br />
<br />
When a woman gives a man an opportunity, and makes her own love manifest to him, he should proceed to enjoy her. And the signs of a woman manifesting her love are these:<br />
<br />
1.She calls out to a man without being addressed by him in the first instance.<br />
<br />
2.She shows herself to him in secret places.<br />
<br />
3.She speaks to him tremblingly and inarticulately.<br />
<br />
4.She has the fingers of her hand, and the toes of her feet moistened with perspiration, and her face blooming with delight.<br />
<br />
5.She occupies herself with shampooing his body and pressing his head.<br />
<br />
6.When shampooing him she works with one hand only, and with the other she touches and embraces parts of his body.<br />
<br />
7.She remains with both hands placed on his body motionless as if she had been surprised by something, or was overcome by fatigue.<br />
<br />
8.She sometimes bends down her face upon his thighs, and when asked to shampoo them does not manifest any unwillingness to do so.<br />
<br />
9.She places one of her hands quite motionless on his body, and even though the man should press it between two members of his body, she does not remove it for a long time.<br />
<br />
10.Lastly, when she has resisted all the efforts of the man to gain her over, she returns to him next day to shampoo his body as before.<br />
<br />
When a woman neither gives encouragement to a man, nor avoids him, but hides herself and remains in some lonely place, she must be got at by means of the female servant who may[119] be near her. If when called by the man she acts in the same way, then she should be gained over by means of a skilful go-between. But if she will have nothing to say to the man, he should consider well about her before he begins any further attempts to gain her over.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the examination of the state of a woman's mind.<br />
<br />
A man should first get himself introduced to a woman, and then carry on a conversation with her. He should give her hints of his love for her, and if he finds from her replies that she receives these hints favourably, he should then set to work to gain her over without any fear. A woman who shows her love by outward signs to the man at his first interview should be gained over very easily. In the same way a lascivious woman, who when addressed in loving words replies openly in words expressive of her love, should be considered to have been gained over at that very moment. With regard to all women, whether they be wise, simple, or confiding, this rule is laid down that those who make an open manifestation of their love are easily gained over.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER IV.<br />
<br />
ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF A GO-BETWEEN.<br />
<br />
If a woman has manifested her love or desire, either by signs or by motions of her body, and is afterwards rarely or never seen any where, or if a woman is met for the first time, the man should get a go-between to approach her.<br />
Gonikaputra is of opinion that when it is the first affair of the woman, or when her love has only been very secretly shown, the man should then secure and send to her a go-between, with whom she may be already acquainted, and in whom she confides.<br />
<br />
But to return to our subject. The go-between should tell the woman about the obedience and love of the man, and as her confidence and affection increase, she should then explain to her the thing to be accomplished in the following way. "Hear this, Oh beautiful lady, that this man, born of a good family, having seen you, has gone mad on your account. The poor young man, who is tender by nature, has never been distressed in such a way before, and it is highly probable that he will succumb under his present affliction, and experience the pains of death." If the woman listens with a favourable ear, then on the following day the go-between, having observed marks of good spirits in her face, in her eyes, and in her manner of conversation, should again converse with her on the subject of the man, and should tell her the stories of Ahalya and Indra, of Sakoontala and Dushyanti, and such others as may be fitted for the occasion. She should also describe to her the strength of the man, his talents, his skill in the sixty-four sorts of enjoyments mentioned by Babhravya, his good looks, and his liaison with some praiseworthy woman, no matter whether this last ever took place or not.<br />
<br />
In addition to this, the go-between should carefully note the behaviour of the woman, which if favourable would be as follows: She would address her with a smiling look, would seat herself close beside her, and ask her, "Where have you been? What have you been doing? Where did you dine? Where did you sleep? Where have you been sitting?" Moreover the woman would meet the go-between in lonely places and tell her stories there, would yawn contemplatively, draw long sighs, give her presents, remember her on occasions of festivals, dismiss her with a wish to see her again, and say to her jestingly, "Oh, well-speaking woman, why do you speak these bad words to me?" would discourse on the sin of her union with the man, would not tell her about any previous visits or conversations that she may have had with him, but wish to be asked about these, and lastly would laugh at the man's desire, but would not reproach him in any way.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the behaviour of the woman with the go-between.<br />
<br />
When the woman manifests her love in the manner above described, the go-between should increase it by bringing to her love tokens from the man. But if the woman be not acquainted with the man personally, the go-between should win her over by extolling and praising his good qualities, and by telling stories about his love for her. Here Auddalaka says that when a man or woman are not personally acquainted with each other, and have not shown each other any signs of affection, the employment of a go-between is useless.<br />
<br />
The followers of Babhravya on the other hand affirm that even though they be personally unacquainted, but have shown each other signs of affection there is an occasion for the employment of a go-between. Gonikaputra asserts that a go-between should be employed, provided they are acquainted with each other, even though no signs of affection may have passed between them. Vatsyayana however lays it down that even though they may not be personally acquainted with each other, and may not have shown each other any signs of affection, still they are both capable of placing confidence in a go-between.<br />
<br />
Now the go-between should show the woman the presents, such as the betel nut and betel leaves, the perfumes, the flowers, and the rings which the man may have given to her for the sake of the woman, and on these presents should be impressed the marks of the man's teeth, and nails, and other signs. On the cloth that he may send he should draw with saffron both his hands joined together as if in earnest entreaty.<br />
<br />
The go-between should also show to the woman ornamental figures of various kinds cut in leaves, together with ear ornaments, and chaplets made of flowers containing love letters expressive of the desire of the man, and she should cause her to send affectionate presents to the man in return. After they have mutually accepted each other's presents, then a meeting should be arranged between them on the faith of the go-between.<br />
<br />
The followers of Babhravya say that this meeting should take place at the time of going to the temple of a Deity, or on occasions of fairs, garden parties, theatrical performances, marriages, sacrifices, festivals and funerals, as also at the time of going to the river to bathe, or at times of natural calamities, fear of robbers or hostile invasions of the country.<br />
<br />
Gonikaputra is of opinion however that these meetings had better be brought about in the abodes of female friends, mendicants, astrologers, and ascetics. But Vatsyayana decides that that place is only well suited for the purpose which has proper means of ingress and egress, and where arrangements have been made to prevent any accidental occurrence, and when a man who has once entered the house, can also leave it at the proper time without any disagreeable encounter.<br />
Now go-betweens or female messengers are of the following different kinds, viz.:<br />
<br />
1.A go-between who takes upon herself the whole burden of the business.<br />
2.A go-between who does only a limited part of the business.<br />
3.A go-between who is the bearer of a letter only.<br />
4.A go-between acting on her own accounts.<br />
5.The go-between of an innocent young woman.<br />
6.A wife serving as a go-between.<br />
7.A mute go-between.<br />
8.A go-between who acts the part of the wind.<br />
<br />
(1). A woman who, having observed the mutual passion of a man and woman, brings them together and arranges it by the power of her own intellect, such an one is called a go-between who takes upon herself the whole burden of the business. This kind of go-between is chiefly employed when the man and the woman are already acquainted with each other, and have conversed together, and in such cases she is sent not only by the man (as is always done in all other cases) but by the woman also.—The above name is also given to a go-between who, perceiving that the man and the woman are suited to each other, tries to bring about a union between them, even though they be not acquainted with each other.<br />
<br />
(2). A go-between who, perceiving that some part of the affair is already done, or that the advances on the part of the man are already made, completes the rest of the business, is called a go-between who performs only a limited part of the business.<br />
<br />
(3). A go-between, who simply carries messages between a man and a woman, who love each other, but who cannot frequently meet, is called the bearer of a letter or message.<br />
This name is also given to one who is sent by either of the lovers to acquaint either the one or the other with the time and place of their meeting.<br />
<br />
(4). A woman who goes herself to a man, and tells him of her having enjoyed sexual union with him in a dream, and expresses her anger at his wife having rebuked him for calling her by the name of her rival instead of by her own name, and gives him something bearing the marks of her teeth and nails, and informs him that she knew she was formerly desired by him, and asks him privately whether she or his wife is the best looking, such a person is called a woman who is a go-between for herself. Now such a woman should be met and interviewed by the man in private and secretly.<br />
<br />
The above name is also given to a woman who having made an agreement with some other woman to act as her go-between, gains over the man to herself, by the means of making him personally acquainted with herself, and thus causes the other woman to fail. The same applies to a man who, acting as a go-between for another, and having no previous connection with the woman, gains her over for himself, and thus causes the failure of the other man.<br />
<br />
(5). A woman, who has gained the confidence of the innocent young wife of any man, and who has learned her secrets without exercising any pressure on her mind, and found out from her how her husband behaves to her, if this woman then teaches her the art of securing his favour, and decorates her so as to show her love, and instructs her how and when to be angry, or to pretend to be so, and then, having herself made marks of the nails and teeth on the body of the wife, gets the latter to send for her husband to show these marks to him, and thus excite him for enjoyment, such is called the go-between of an innocent young woman. In such cases the man should send replies to his wife through the same woman.<br />
<br />
(6). When a man gets his wife to gain the confidence of a woman whom he wants to enjoy, and to call on her and talk to her about the wisdom and ability of her husband, that wife is called a wife serving as a go-between. In this case the feelings of the woman with regard to the man should also be made known through the wife.<br />
<br />
(7). When any man sends a girl or a female servant to any woman under some pretext or other, and places a letter in her bouquet of flowers, or in her ear ornaments, or marks something about her with his teeth or nails, that girl or female servant is called a mute go-between. In this case the man should expect an answer from the woman through the same person.<br />
<br />
(8). A person, who carries a message to a woman, which has a double meaning, or which relates to some past transactions, or which is unintelligible to other people, is called a go-between who acts the part of the wind. In this case the reply should be asked for through the same woman.<br />
Thus end the different kinds of go-betweens.<br />
<br />
A female astrologer, a female servant, a female beggar, or a female artist are well acquainted with the business of a go-between, and very soon gain theother women. Any one of them can raise enmity between any two persons if she wishes to do so, or extol the loveliness of any woman that she wishes to praise, or describe the arts practised by other women in sexual union. They can also speak highly of the love of a man, of his skill in sexual enjoyment, and of the desire of other women, more beautiful even than the woman they are addressing, for him, and explain the restraint under which he may be at home.<br />
<br />
Lastly a go-between can, by the artfulness of her conversation unite a woman with a man, even though he may not have been thought of by her, or may have been considered beyond his aspirations. She can also bring back a man to a woman, who, owing to some cause or other, has separated himself from her.<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER V.<br />
<br />
ABOUT THE LOVE OF PERSONS IN AUTHORITY FOR THE WIVES OF OTHER MEN.<br />
<br />
Kings and their ministers have no access to the abodes of others, and moreover their mode of living is constantly watched and observed and imitated by the people at large, just as the animal world, seeing the sun rise, get up after him, and when he sits in the evening, lie down again in the same way. Persons in authority should not therefore do any improper act in public, as such are impossible from their position, and would be deserving of censure. But if they find that such an act is necessary to be done, they should make use of the proper means as described in the following paragraphs.<br />
<br />
The head man of the village, the King's officer employed there, and the man whose business it is to glean corn, can gain over female villagers simply by asking them. It is on this account that this class of woman are called unchaste women by voluptuaries.<br />
<br />
The union of the above mentioned men with this class of woman takes place on the occasions of unpaid labour, of filling the granaries in their houses, of taking things in and out of the house, of cleaning the houses, of working in the fields, and of purchasing cotton, wool, flax, hemp, and thread, and at the season of the purchase, sale, and exchange of various other articles, as well as at the time of doing various other works. In the same way the superintendents of cow pens enjoy the women in the cow pens; and the officers, who have the superintendence of widows, of the women who are without supporters, and of women who have left their husbands, have sexual intercourse with these women. The intelligent accomplish their object by wandering at night in the village, and while villagers also unite with the wives of their sons, being much alone with them. Lastly the superintendents of markets have a great deal to do with the female villagers at the time of their making purchases in the market.<br />
<br />
During the festival of the eighth moon, i.e., during the bright half of the month of Nargashirsha, as also during the moonlight festival of the month of Kartika, and the spring festival of Chaitra, the women of cities and towns generally visit the women of the King's harem in the royal palace. These visitors go to the several apartments of the women of the harem, as they are acquainted with them, and pass the night in conversation, and in proper sports, and amusement, and go away in the morning. On such occasions a female attendant of the King (previously acquainted with the woman whom the King desires), should loiter about, and accost this woman when she sets out to go home, and induce her to come and see the amusing things in the palace. Previous to these festivals even, she should have caused it to be intimated to this woman that on the occasion of this festival she would show her all the interesting things in the royal palace. Accordingly she should show her the bower of the coral creeper, the garden house with its floor inlaid with precious stones, the bower of grapes, the building on the water, the secret passages in the walls of the palace, the pictures, the sporting animals, the machines, the birds, and the cages of the lions and the tigers. After this, when alone with her, she should tell her about the love of the King for her, and should describe to her the good fortune which would attend upon her union with the King, giving her at the time a strict promise of secrecy. If the woman does not accept the offer, she should conciliate and please her with handsome presents befitting the position of the King, and having accompanied her for some distance should dismiss her with great affection.<br />
<br />
(2). Or, having made the acquaintance of the husband of the woman whom the King desires, the wives of the King should get the wife to pay them a visit in the harem, and on this occasion a female attendant of the King, having been sent thither, should act as above described.<br />
<br />
(3). Or, one of the King's wives should get acquainted with the woman that the King desires, by sending one of the female attendants to her, who should, on their becoming more intimate, induce her to come and see the royal abode. Afterwards, when she has visited the harem, and acquired confidence, a female confidante of the King, sent thither, should act as before described.<br />
<br />
(4). Or, the King's wife should invite the woman, whom the King desires, to come to the royal palace, so that she might see the practice of the art in which the King's wife may be skilled, and after she has come to the harem, a female attendant of the King, sent thither, should act as before described.<br />
<br />
(5). Or, a female beggar, in league with the King's wife, should say to the woman desired by the King, and whose husband may have lost his wealth, or may have some cause of fear from the King: "This wife of the King has influence over him, and she is, moreover, naturally kind-hearted, we must therefore go to her in this matter. I shall arrange for your entrance into the harem, and she will do away with all cause of danger and fear from the King." If the woman accepts this offer, the female beggar should take her two or three times to the harem, and the King's wife there should give her a promise of protection. After this, when the woman, delighted with her reception and promise of protection, again goes to the harem, then a female attendant of the King, sent thither, should act as directed.<br />
<br />
(6) What has been said above regarding the wife of one who has some cause of fear from the King applies also to the wives of those who seek service under the King, or who are oppressed by the King's ministers, or who are poor, or who are not satisfied with their position, or who are desirous of gaining the King's favour, or who wish to become famous among the people, or who are oppressed by the members of their own caste, or who want to injure their caste fellows, or who are spies of the King, or who have any other object to attain.<br />
<br />
(7) Lastly, if the woman desired by the King be living with some person who is not her husband, then the King should cause her to be arrested, and having made her a slave, on account of her crime, should place her in the harem. Or the King should cause his ambassador to quarrel with the husband of the woman desired by him, and should then imprison her as the wife of an enemy of the King, and by this means should place her in the harem.<br />
<br />
Thus end the means of gaining over the wives of others secretly.<br />
<br />
The above mentioned ways of gaining over the wives of other men are chiefly practised in the palaces of Kings. But a King should never enter the abode of another person, for Abhira, the King of the Kottas was killed by a washerman while in the house of another, and in the same way Jayasana the King of the Kashis was slain by the commandment of his cavalry.<br />
<br />
But according to the customs of some countries there are facilities for Kings to make love to the wives of other men. Thus in the country of the Andras the newly married daughters of the people thereof enter the King's harem with some presents on the tenth day of their marriage, and having been enjoyed by the King are then dismissed. In the country of the Vatsagulmas the wives of the chief ministers approach the King at night to serve him. In the country of the Vaidarbhas the beautiful wives of the inhabitants pass a month in the King's harem under the pretence of affection for the King. In the country of the Aparatakas the people gave their beautiful wives as presents to the ministers and the Kings. And lastly in the country of the Saurashtras the women of the city and the country enter the royal harem for the King's pleasure either together or separately.<br />
<br />
There are also two verses on the subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"The above and other ways are the means employed in different countries by Kings with regard to the wives of other persons. But a King, who has the welfare of his people at heart, should not on any account put them into practice."<br />
<br />
"A King who has conquered the six enemies of mankind, becomes the master of the whole earth."<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
CHAPTER VI.<br />
<br />
ABOUT THE WOMEN OF THE ROYAL HAREM; AND OF THE KEEPING OF ONE'S OWN WIFE.<br />
<br />
The women of the royal harem cannot see or meet any men on account of their being strictly guarded, neither do they have their desires satisfied, because their only husband is common to many wives. For this reason among themselves they give pleasure to each other in various ways as now described.<br />
<br />
Having dressed the daughters of their nurses, or their female friends, or their female attendants, like men, they accomplish their object by means of bulbs, roots, and fruits having the form of the Lingam, or they lie down upon the statue of a male figure, in which the Lingam is visible and erect.<br />
<br />
Some Kings, who are compassionate, take or apply certain medicines to enable them to enjoy many wives in one night, simply for the purpose of satisfying the desire of their women, though they perhaps have no desire of their own. Others enjoy with great affection only those wives that they particularly like, while others only take them according as the turn of each wife arrives in due course. Such are the ways of enjoyment prevalent in Eastern countries, and what is said about the means of enjoyment of the female is also applicable to the male.<br />
<br />
By means of their female attendants the ladies of the royal harem generally get men into their apartments in the disguise or dress of women. Their female attendants, and the daughters of their nurses, who are acquainted with their secrets, should exert themselves to get men to come to the harem in this way by telling them of the good fortune attending it, and by describing the facilities of entering and leaving the palace, the large size of the premises, the carelessness of the sentinels, and the irregularities of the attendants about the persons of the royal wives. But these women should never induce a man to enter the harem by telling him falsehoods, for that would probably lead to his destruction.<br />
<br />
As for the man himself, he had better not enter a royal harem, even though it may be easily accessible, on account of the numerous disasters to which he may be exposed there. If however he wants to enter it, he should first ascertain whether there is an easy way to get out, whether it is closely surrounded by the pleasure garden, whether it has separate enclosures belonging to it, whether the sentinels are careless, whether the King has gone abroad, and then, when he is called by the women of the harem, he should carefully observe the localities, and enter by the way pointed out by them. If he is able to manage it, he should hang about the harem every day, and, under some pretext or other, make friends with the sentinels, and show himself attached to the female attendants of the harem, who may have become acquainted with his design, and to whom he should express his regret at not being able to obtain the object of his desire. Lastly he should cause the whole business of a go-between to be done by the woman who may have access to the harem, and he should be careful to be able to recognize the emissaries of the King.<br />
<br />
When a go-between has no access to the harem, then the man should stand in some place where the lady, whom he loves, and whom he is anxious to enjoy, can be seen.<br />
<br />
If that place is occupied by the King's sentinels, he should then disguise himself as a female attendant of the lady who comes to the place, or passes by it. When she looks at him he should let her know his feelings by outward signs and gestures, and should show her pictures, things with double meanings, chaplets of flowers, and rings. He should carefully mark the answer she gives, whether by word or by sign, or by gesture, and should then try and get into the harem. If he is certain of her coming to some particular place he should conceal himself there, and at the appointed time should enter along with her as one of the guards. He may also go in and out, concealed in a folded bed, or bed covering, or with his body made invisible, by means of external applications, a receipt for one of which is as follows:<br />
<br />
The heart of an ichneumon, the fruit of the long gourd (Tumbi), and the eyes of the serpent, should all be burnt without letting out the smoke, the ashes should then be ground and mixed in equal quantities with water. By putting this mixture upon the eyes a man can go about unseen.<br />
<br />
Other means of invisibility are prescribed by Duyana Brahmans and Jogashiras.<br />
<br />
Again the man may enter the harem during the festival of the eight moon in the month of Nargashirsha, and during the moonlight festivals when the female attendants of the harem are all busily occupied, or in confusion.<br />
<br />
The following principles are laid down on this subject.<br />
<br />
The entrance of young men into harems, and their exit from them, generally take place when things are being brought into the palace, or when things are being taken out of it, or when drinking festivals are going on, or when the female attendants are in a hurry, or when the residence of some of the royal ladies is being changed, or when the King's wives go to gardens, or to fairs, or when they enter the palace on their return from them; or, lastly, when the King is absent on a long pilgrimage. The women of the royal harem know each other's secrets, and having but one object to attain, they give assistance to each other. A young man, who enjoys all of them, and who is common to them all, can continue enjoying his union with them so long as it is kept quiet, and is not known abroad.<br />
<br />
Now in the country of the Aparatakas the royal ladies are not well protected, and consequently many young men are passed into the harem by the women who have access to the royal palaces. The wives of the King of the Ahira country accomplish their objects with those sentinels in the harem who bear the name of Kashtriyas. The royal ladies in the country of the Vatsagulmas cause such men as are suitable to enter into the harem along with their female messengers. In the country of the Vaidarbhas the sons of the royal ladies enter the royal harem when they please, and enjoy the women, with the exception of their own mothers. In the Stri-rajya the wives of the King are enjoyed by his caste fellows and relations. In the Ganda country the royal wives are enjoyed by Brahmans, friends, servants, and slaves. In the Samdhava country, servants, foster children, and other persons like them enjoy the women of the harem. In the country of the Haimavatas adventurous citizens bribe the sentinels and enter the harem. In the country of the Vanyas and the Kalmyas, Brahmans, with the knowledge of the King, enter the harem under the pretence of giving flowers to the ladies, and speak with them from behind a curtain, and from such conversation union afterwards takes place. Lastly, the women in the harem of the King of the Prachyas conceal one young man in the harem for every batch of nine or ten of the women.<br />
Thus act the wives of others.<br />
<br />
For these reasons a man should guard his own wife. Old authors say that a King should select for sentinels in his harem such men as have their freedom from carnal desires well tested. But such men, though free themselves from carnal desire, by reason of their fear or avarice, may cause other persons to enter the harem, and therefore Gonikaputra says, that Kings should place such men in the harem as may have had their freedom from carnal desires, their fears, and their avarice well tested. Lastly, Vatsyayana says that under the influence of Dharma people might be admitted, and therefore men should be selected who are free from carnal desires, fear, avarice, and Dharma.<br />
<br />
The followers of Babhravya say that a man should cause his wife to associate with a young woman who would tell him the secrets of other people, and thus find out from her about his wife's chastity. But Vatsyayana says, that as wicked persons are always successful with women, a man should not cause his innocent wife to be corrupted by bringing her into the company of a deceitful woman.<br />
<br />
The following are the causes of the destruction of a woman's chastity:<br />
<br />
Always going into society, and sitting in company.<br />
Absence of restraint.<br />
The loose habits of her husband.<br />
Want of caution in her relations with other men.<br />
Continued and long absence of her husband.<br />
Living in a foreign country.<br />
Destruction of her love and feelings by her husband.<br />
The company of loose women.<br />
The jealousy of her husband.<br />
<br />
There are also the following verses on the subject.<br />
<br />
"A clever man, learning from the Shastras the ways of winning over the wives of other people, is never deceived in the case of his own wives. No one, however, should make use of these ways for seducing the wives of others, because they do not always succeed, and, moreover, often cause disasters, and the destruction of Dharma and Artha. This book, which is intended for the good of the people, and to teach them the ways of guarding their own wives, should not be made use of merely for gaining over the wives of others."<br />
End of Part V.<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
PART VI.<br />
<br />
ABOUT COURTESANS.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.<br />
<br />
This Part VI., about courtesans, was prepared by Vatsyayana, from a treatise on the subject, that was written by Dattaka, for the women of Pataliputra (the modern Patna), some two thousand years ago. Dattaka's work does not appear to be extant now, but this abridgement of it is very clever, and quite equal to any of the productions of Emile Zola, and other writers of the realistic school of to-day.<br />
<br />
Although a great deal has been written on the subject of the courtesan, nowhere will be found a better description of her, of her belongings, of her ideas, and of the working of her mind, than is contained in the following pages.<br />
<br />
The details of the domestic and social life of the early Hindoos would not be complete without mention of the courtesan, and Part VI. is entirely devoted to this subject. The Hindoos have ever had the good sense to recognise courtesans as a part and portion of human society, and so long as they behaved themselves with decency and propriety, they were regarded with a certain respect. Anyhow, they have never been treated in the East with that brutality and contempt so common in the West, while their education has always been of a superior kind to that bestowed upon the rest of womankind in Oriental countries.<br />
<br />
In the earlier days the well-educated Hindoo dancing girl and courtesan doubtless resembled the Hetera of the Greeks, and being educated and amusing, were far more acceptable as companions than the generality of the married or unmarried women of that period. At all times and in all countries, there has ever been a little rivalry between the chaste and the unchaste. But while some women are born courtesans, and follow the instincts of their nature in every class of society, it has been truly said by some authors that every woman has got an inkling of the profession in her nature, and does her best, as a general rule, to make herself agreeable to the male sex.<br />
The subtlety of women, their wonderful perceptive powers, their knowledge, and their intuitive appreciation of men and things, are all shown in the following pages, which may be looked upon as a concentrated essence that has been since worked up into detail by many writers in every quarter of the globe.<br />
<br />
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<br />
CHAPTER I.<br />
<br />
OF THE CAUSES OF A COURTESAN RESORTING TO MEN; OF THE MEANS OF ATTACHING TO HERSELF THE MAN DESIRED; AND OF THE KIND OF MAN THAT IT IS DESIRABLE TO BE ACQUAINTED WITH.<br />
<br />
By having intercourse with men courtesans obtain sexual pleasure, as well as their own maintenance. Now when a courtesan takes up with a man from love, the action is natural; but when she resorts to him for the purpose of getting money, her action is artificial or forced. Even in the latter case, however, she should conduct herself as if her love were indeed natural, because men repose their confidence on those women who apparently love them. In making known her love to the man she should show an entire freedom from avarice, and for the sake of her future credit she should abstain from acquiring money from him by unlawful means.<br />
<br />
A courtesan, well dressed and wearing her ornaments, should sit or stand at the door of her house, and without exposing herself too much, should look on the public road so as to be seen by the passers by, she being like an object on view for sale.She should form friendships with such persons as would enable her to separate men from other women, and attach them to herself, and repair her own misfortunes, to acquire wealth, and to protect her from being bullied, or set upon by persons with whom she may have dealings of some kind or another.<br />
<br />
These persons are:<br />
<br />
The guards of the town, or the police.<br />
The officers of the courts of justice.<br />
Astrologers.<br />
Powerful men, or men with interest.<br />
Learned men.<br />
Teachers of the sixty-four arts.<br />
Pithamardas or confidants.<br />
Vitas or parasites.<br />
Vidushakas or jesters.<br />
Flower sellers.<br />
Perfumers.<br />
Vendors of spirits.<br />
Washermen.<br />
Barbers.<br />
Beggars.<br />
<br />
And such other persons as may be found necessary for the particular object to be acquired.<br />
<br />
The following kinds of men may be taken up with simply for the purpose of getting their money.<br />
<br />
Men of independent income.<br />
Young men.<br />
Men who are free from any ties.<br />
Men who hold places of authority under the King.<br />
Men who have secured their means of livelihood without difficulty.<br />
Men possessed of unfailing sources of income.<br />
Men who consider themselves handsome.<br />
Men who are always praising themselves.<br />
One who is an eunuch, but wishes to be thought a man.<br />
One who hates his equals.<br />
One who is naturally liberal.<br />
One who has influence with the King or his ministers.<br />
One who is always fortunate.<br />
One who is proud of his wealth.<br />
One who disobeys the orders of his elders.<br />
One upon whom the members of his caste keep an eye.<br />
The only son whose father is wealthy.<br />
An ascetic who is internally troubled with desire.<br />
A brave man.<br />
A physician of the King.<br />
Previous acquaintance.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, those who are possessed of excellent qualities are to be resorted to for the sake of love, and fame. Such men are as follows:<br />
Men of high birth, learned, with a good knowledge of the world, and doing the proper things at the proper times, poets, good story tellers, eloquent men, energetic men, skilled in various arts, far-seeing into the future, possessed of great minds, full of perseverance, of a firm devotion, free from anger, liberal, affectionate to their parents, and with a liking for all social gatherings, skilled in completing verses begun by others and in various other sports, free from all disease, possessed of a perfect body, strong, and not addicted to drinking, powerful in sexual enjoyment, sociable, showing love towards women and attracting their hearts to himself, but not entirely devoted to them, possessed of independent means of livelihood, free from envy, and last of all free from suspicion.<br />
Such are the good qualities of a man.<br />
<br />
The woman also should have the following characteristics, viz.:<br />
<br />
She should be possessed of beauty, and amiability, with auspicious body marks. She should have a liking for good qualities in other people, as also a liking for wealth. She should take delight in sexual unions resulting from love, and should be of a firm mind, and of the same class as the man with regard to sexual enjoyment.<br />
She should always be anxious to acquire and obtain experience and knowledge, be free from avarice, and always have a liking for social gatherings, and for the arts.<br />
The following are the ordinary qualities of all women, viz.:<br />
<br />
To be possessed of intelligence, good disposition, and good manners; to be straightforward in behaviour, and to be grateful; to consider well the future before doing anything; to possess activity, to be of consistent behaviour, and to have a knowledge of the proper times and places for doing things; to speak always without meanness, loud laughter, malignity, anger, avarice, dullness, or stupidity, to have a knowledge of the Kama Sutra, and to be skilled in all the arts connected with it.<br />
The faults of the women are to be known by the absence of any of the above mentioned good qualities.<br />
<br />
The following kinds of men are not fit to be resorted to by courtesans, viz.:<br />
<br />
One who is consumptive; one who is sickly; one whose mouth contains worms; one whose breath smells like human excrement; one whose wife is dear to him; one who speaks harshly; one who is always suspicious; one who is avaricious; one who is pitiless; one who is a thief; one who is self-conceited; one who has a liking for sorcery; one who does not care for respect or disrespect; one who can be gained over even by his enemies by means of money; and lastly, one who is extremely bashful.<br />
<br />
Ancient authors are of opinion that the causes of a courtesan resorting to men are love, fear, money, pleasure, returning some act of enmity, curiosity, sorrow, constant intercourse, Dharma, celebrity, compassion, the desire of having a friend, shame, the likeness of the man to some beloved person, the search after good fortune, the getting rid of the love of somebody else, the being of the same class as the man with respect to sexual union, living in the same place, constancy, and poverty. But Vatsyayana decides that desire of wealth, freedom from misfortune, and love, are the only causes that affect the union of courtesans with men.<br />
<br />
Now a courtesan should not sacrifice money to her love, because money is the chief thing to be attended to. But in cases of fear, etc., she should pay regard to strength and other qualities. Moreover, even though she be invited by any man to join him, she should not at once consent to an union, because men are apt to despise things which are easily acquired. On such occasions she should first send the shampooers, and the singers, and the jesters, who may be in her service, or, in their absence the Pithamardas, or confidants, and others, to find out the state of his feelings, and the condition of his mind. By means of these persons she should ascertain whether the man is pure or impure, affected, or the reverse, capable of attachment, or indifferent, liberal or niggardly; and if she finds him to her liking, she should then employ the Vita and others to attach his mind to her.<br />
<br />
Accordingly, the Pithamarda should bring the man to her house, under the pretence of seeing the fights of quails, cocks, and rams, of hearing the maina (a kind of starling) talk, or of seeing some other spectacle, or the practice of some art; or he may take the woman to the abode of the man. After this, when the man comes to her house the woman should give him something capable of producing curiosity, and love in his heart, such as an affectionate present, telling him that it was specially designed for his use. She should also amuse him for a long time by telling him such stories, and doing such things as he may take most delight in. When he goes away she should frequently send to him a female attendant, skilled in carrying on a jesting conversation, and also a small present at the same time. She should also sometimes go to him herself under the pretence of some business, and accompanied by the Pithamarda.<br />
Thus end the means of attaching to herself the man desired.<br />
<br />
There are also some verses on the subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"When a lover comes to her abode, a courtesan should give him a mixture of betel leaves and betel nut, garlands of flowers, and perfumed ointments, and, showing her skill in arts, should entertain him with a long conversation. She should also give him some loving presents, and make an exchange of her own things with his, and at the same time should show him her skill in sexual enjoyment. When a courtesan is thus united with her lover she should always delight him by affectionate gifts, by conversation, and by the application of tender means of enjoyment."<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
CHAPTER II.<br />
<br />
OF LIVING LIKE A WIFE.<br />
<br />
When a courtesan is living as a wife with her lover, she should behave like a chaste woman, and do everything to his satisfaction. Her duty in this respect, in short, is, that she should give him pleasure, but should not become attached to him, though behaving as if she were really attached.<br />
<br />
Now the following is the manner in which she is to conduct herself, so as to accomplish the above mentioned purpose. She should have a mother dependent on her, one who should be represented as very harsh, and who looked upon money as her chief object in life. In the event of there being no mother, then an old and confidential nurse should play the same role. The mother or nurse, on their part, should appear to be displeased with the lover, and forcibly take her away from him. The woman herself should always show pretended anger, dejection, fear, and shame on this account, but should not disobey the mother or nurse at any time.<br />
<br />
She should make out to the mother or nurse that the man is suffering from bad health, and making this a pretext for going to see him, she should go on that account. She is, moreover, to do the following things for the purpose of gaining the man's favour, viz.:<br />
<br />
Sending her female attendant to bring the flowers used by him on the previous day, in order that she may use them herself as a mark of affection, also asking for the mixture of betel nut and leaves that have remained uneaten by him; expressing wonder at his knowledge of sexual intercourse, and the several means of enjoyment used by him; learning from him the sixty-four kinds of pleasure mentioned by Babhravya; continually practising the ways of enjoyment as taught by him, and according to his liking; keeping his secrets; telling him[144] her own desires and secrets; concealing her anger; never neglecting him on the bed when he turns his face towards her; touching any parts of his body according to his wish; kissing and embracing him when he is asleep; looking at him with apparent anxiety when he is wrapt in thought, or thinking of some other subject than herself; showing neither complete shamelessness, nor excessive bashfulness when he meets her, or sees her standing on the terrace of her house from the public road; hating his enemies; loving those who are dear to him; showing a liking for that which he likes; being in high or low spirits according to the state that he is in himself; expressing a curiosity to see his wives; not continuing her anger for a long time; suspecting even the marks and wounds made by herself with her nails and teeth on his body to have been made by some other woman; keeping her love for him unexpressed by words, but showing it by deeds, and signs, and hints; remaining silent when he is asleep, intoxicated, or sick; being very attentive when he describes his good actions, and reciting them afterwards to his praise and benefit; giving witty replies to him if he be sufficiently attached to her; listening to all his stories, except those that relate to her rivals; expressing feelings of dejection and sorrow if he sighs, yawns, or falls down; pronouncing the words "live long" when he sneezes; pretending to be ill, or to have the desire of pregnancy, when she feels dejected; abstaining from praising the good qualities of any body else, and from censuring those who possess the same faults as her own man: wearing anything that may have been given to her by him; abstaining from putting on her ornaments, and from taking food when he is in pain, sick, low-spirited, or suffering from misfortune, and condoling and lamenting with him over the same; wishing to accompany him if he happens to leave the country himself or if he be banished from it by the King; expressing a desire not to live after him; telling him that the whole object and desire of her life was to be united with him; offering previously promised sacrifices to the Deity when he acquires wealth, or has some desire fulfilled, or when he has recovered from some illness or disease; putting on ornaments every day; not acting too freely with him; reciting his name and the name of his family in her songs; placing[145] his hand on her loins, bosom and forehead, and falling asleep after feeling the pleasure of his touch; sitting on his lap and falling asleep there; wishing to have a child by him; desiring not to live longer than he does; abstaining from revealing his secrets to others; dissuading him from vows and fasts by saying "let the sin fall upon me;" keeping vows and fasts along with him when it is impossible to change his mind on the subject; telling him that vows and fasts are difficult to be observed, even by herself, when she has any dispute with him about them; looking on her own wealth and his without any distinction; abstaining from going to public assemblies without him, and accompanying him when he desires her to do so; taking delight in using things previously used by him, and in eating food that he has left uneaten; venerating his family, his disposition, his skill in the arts, his learning, his caste, his complexion, his native country, his friends, his good qualities, his age, and his sweet temper; asking him to sing, and to do other such like things, if able to do them; going to him without paying any regard to fear, to cold, to heat, or to rain; saying with regard to the next world that he should be her lover even there; adapting her tastes, disposition and actions to his liking; abstaining from sorcery; disputing continually with her mother on the subject of going to him, and, when forcibly taken by her mother to some other place, expressing her desire to die by taking poison, by starving herself to death, by stabbing herself with some weapon, or by hanging herself; and lastly assuring the man of her constancy and love by means of her agents, and receiving money herself, but abstaining from any dispute with her mother with regard to pecuniary matters.<br />
<br />
When the man sets out on a journey, she should make him swear that he will return quickly, and in his absence should put aside her vows of worshipping the Deity, and should wear no ornaments except those that are lucky. If the time fixed for his return has passed, she should endeavour to ascertain the real time of his return from omens, from the reports of the people, and from the positions of the planets, the moon and the stars. On occasions of amusement, and of auspicious dreams, she should say "Let me be soon united to him." If, moreover, she feels melancholy, or sees any inauspicious omen, she should perform some rite to appease the Deity.<br />
When the man does return home she should worship the God Kama (i.e., the Indian Cupid), and offer oblations to other Deities, and having caused a pot filled with water to be brought by her friends, she should perform the worship in honour of the crow who eats the offerings which we make to the manes of deceased relations. After the first visit is over she should ask her lover also to perform certain rites, and this he will do if he is sufficiently attached to her.<br />
<br />
Now a man is said to be sufficiently attached to a woman when his love is disinterested; when he has the same object in view as his beloved one; when he is quite free from any suspicions on her account; and when he is indifferent to money with regard to her.<br />
<br />
Such is the manner of a courtesan living with a man like a wife, and set forth here for the sake of guidance from the rules of Dattaka. What is not laid down here should be practised according to the custom of the people, and the nature of each individual man.<br />
<br />
There are also two verses on the subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"The extent of the love of women is not known, even to those who are the objects of their affection, on account of its subtlety, and on account of the avarice, and natural intelligence of womankind."<br />
"Women are hardly ever known in their true light, though they may love men, or become indifferent towards them; may give them delight, or abandon them; or may extract from them all the wealth that they may possess."<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER III.<br />
<br />
OF THE MEANS OF GETTING MONEY. OF THE SIGNS OF THE CHANGE OF A LOVER'S FEELINGS, AND OF THE WAY TO GET RID OF HIM.<br />
<br />
Money is got out of a lover in two ways, viz.:<br />
<br />
By natural or lawful means, and by artifices. Old authors are of opinion that when a courtesan can get as much money as she wants from her lover, she should not make use of artifice. But Vatsyayana lays down that though she may get some money from him by natural means, yet when she makes use of artifice he gives her doubly more, and therefore artifice should be resorted to for the purpose of extorting money from him at all events.<br />
<br />
Now the artifices to be used for getting money from her lover are as follows:<br />
<br />
1st. Taking money from him on different occasions, for the purpose of purchasing various articles, such as ornaments, food, drink, flowers, perfumes and cloths, and either not buying them, or getting from him more than their cost.<br />
<br />
2nd. Praising his intelligence to his face.<br />
<br />
3rd. Pretending to be obliged to make gifts on occasion of festivals connected with vows, trees, gardens, temples, or tanks.<br />
<br />
4th. Pretending that at the time of going to his house, her jewels have been stolen either by the King's guards, or by robbers.<br />
<br />
5th. Alleging that her property has been destroyed by fire, by the falling of her house, or by the carelessness of her servants.<br />
<br />
6th. Pretending to have lost the ornaments of her lover along with her own.<br />
<br />
7th. Causing him to hear through other people of the expenses incurred by her in coming to see him.<br />
<br />
8th. Contracting debts for the sake of her lover.<br />
9th. Disputing with her mother on account of some expense incurred by her for her lover, and which was not approved of by her mother.<br />
<br />
10th. Not going to parties and festivities in the houses of her friends for the want of presents to make to them, she having previously informed her lover of the valuable presents given to her by these very friends.<br />
<br />
11th. Not performing certain festive rites under the pretence that she has no money to perform them with.<br />
<br />
12th. Engaging artists to do something for her lover.<br />
<br />
13th. Entertaining physicians and ministers for the purpose of attaining some object.<br />
<br />
14th. Assisting friends and benefactors both on festive occasions, and in misfortune.<br />
<br />
15th. Performing household rites.<br />
<br />
16th. Having to pay the expenses of the ceremony of marriage of the son of a female friend.<br />
<br />
17th. Having to satisfy curious wishes during her state of pregnancy.<br />
<br />
18th. Pretending to be ill, and charging her cost of treatment.<br />
<br />
19th. Having to remove the troubles of a friend.<br />
<br />
20th. Selling some of her ornaments, so as to give her lover a present.<br />
<br />
21st. Pretending to sell some of her ornaments, furniture, or cooking utensils to a trader, who has been already tutored how to behave in the matter.<br />
<br />
22nd. Having to buy cooking utensils of greater value than those of other people, so that they might be more easily distinguished, and not changed for others of an inferior description.<br />
<br />
23rd. Remembering the former favours of her lover, and causing them always to be spoken of by her friends and followers.<br />
<br />
24th. Informing her lover of the great gains of other courtezans.<br />
<br />
25th. Describing before them, and in the presence of her lover, her own great gains, and making them out to be greater even than theirs, though such may not have been really the case.<br />
<br />
26th. Openly opposing her mother when she endeavours to persuade her to take up with men with whom she has been formerly acquainted, on account of the great gains to be got from them.<br />
<br />
27th. Lastly, pointing out to her lover the liberality of his rivals.<br />
<br />
Thus end the ways and means of getting money.<br />
<br />
------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
A woman should always know the state of the mind, of the feelings, and of the disposition of her lover towards her, from the changes of his temper, his manner, and the colour of his face.<br />
The behaviour of a waning lover is as follows:<br />
<br />
1st. He gives the woman either less than is wanted, or something else than that which is asked for.<br />
<br />
2nd. He keeps her in hopes by promises.<br />
<br />
3rd. He pretends to do one thing, and does something else.<br />
<br />
4th. He does not fulfil her desires.<br />
<br />
5th. He forgets his promises, or does something else than that which he has promised.<br />
<br />
6th. He speaks with his own servants in a mysterious way.<br />
<br />
7th. He sleeps in some other house under the pretence of having to do something for a friend.<br />
<br />
8th. Lastly, he speaks in private with the attendants of a woman with whom he was formerly acquainted.<br />
<br />
Now when a courtesan finds that her lover's disposition towards her is changing, she should get possession of all his best things before he becomes aware of her intentions, and allow a supposed creditor to take them away forcibly from her in satisfaction of some pretended debt. After this, if the lover is rich, and has always behaved well towards her, she should ever treat him with respect; but if he is poor and destitute, she should get rid of him as if she had never been acquainted with him in any way before.<br />
<strong>The means of getting rid of a lover are as follows:</strong><br />
<br />
1st. Describing the habits and vices of the lover as disagreeable and censurable, with the sneer of the lip, and the stamp of the foot.<br />
<br />
2nd. Speaking on a subject with which he is not acquainted.<br />
<br />
3rd. Showing no admiration for his learning, and passing a censure upon it.<br />
<br />
4th. Putting down his pride.<br />
<br />
5th. Seeking the company of men who are superior to him in learning and wisdom.<br />
<br />
6th. Showing a disregard for him on all occasions.<br />
<br />
7th. Censuring men possessed of the same faults as her lover.<br />
<br />
8th. Expressing dissatisfaction at the ways and means of enjoyment used by him.<br />
<br />
9th. Not giving him her mouth to kiss.<br />
<br />
10th. Refusing access to her Jaghana, i.e., the part of the body between the navel and the thighs.<br />
<br />
11th. Showing a dislike for the wounds made by his nails and teeth.<br />
<br />
12th. Not pressing close up against him at the time when he embraces her.<br />
<br />
13th. Keeping her limbs without movement at the time of congress.<br />
<br />
14th. Desiring him to employ her when he is fatigued.<br />
<br />
15th. Laughing at his attachment to her.<br />
<br />
16th. Not responding to his embraces.<br />
<br />
17th. Turning away from him when he begins to embrace her.<br />
<br />
18th. Pretending to be sleepy.<br />
<br />
19th. Going out visiting, or into company, when she perceives his desire to enjoy her during the day time.<br />
<br />
20th. Mis-constructing his words.<br />
<br />
21st. Laughing without any joke, or at the time of any joke made by him, laughing under some pretence.<br />
<br />
22nd. Looking with side glances at her own attendants, and clapping her hands when he says anything.<br />
<br />
23rd. Interrupting him in the middle of his stories, and beginning to tell other stories herself.<br />
<br />
24th. Reciting his faults and his vices, and declaring them to be incurable.<br />
<br />
25th. Saying words to her female attendants calculated to cut the heart of her lover to the quick.<br />
<br />
26th. Taking care not to look at him when he comes to her.<br />
<br />
27th. Asking him what cannot be granted.<br />
<br />
28th. And, after all, finally dismissing him.<br />
<br />
There are also two verses on this subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"The duty of a courtesan consists in forming connections with suitable men after due and full consideration, and attaching the person with whom she is united to herself; in obtaining wealth from the person who is attached to her, and then dismissing him after she has taken away all his possessions."<br />
<br />
"A courtesan leading in this manner the life of a wife is not troubled with too many lovers, and yet obtains abundance of wealth."<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER IV.<br />
<br />
ABOUT RE-UNION WITH A FORMER LOVER.<br />
<br />
When a courtesan abandons her present lover after all his wealth is exhausted, she may then consider about her re-union with a former lover. But she should return to him only if he has acquired fresh wealth, or is still wealthy, and if he is still attached to her. And if this man be living at the time with some other women she should consider well before she acts.<br />
<br />
Now such a man can only be in one of the six following conditions, viz.:<br />
<br />
1st. He may have left the first woman of his own accord, and may even have left another woman since then.<br />
<br />
2nd. He may have been driven away from both women.<br />
<br />
3rd. He may have left the one woman of his own accord, and be living with another woman.<br />
<br />
5th. He may have been driven away from the one woman, and left the other of his own accord.<br />
6th. He may have been driven away by the one woman, and may be living with another.<br />
<br />
(1). Now if the man has left both women of his own accord, he should not be resorted to, on account of the fickleness of his mind, and his indifference to the excellencies of both of them.<br />
<br />
(2). As regards the man who may have been driven away from both women, if he has been driven away from the last one because the woman could get more money from some other man, then he should be resorted to, for if attached to the first woman he would give her more money, through vanity and emulation to spite the other woman. But if he has been driven away by the woman on account of his poverty, or stinginess, he should not then be resorted to.<br />
<br />
(3). In the case of the man who may have left the one woman of his own accord, and been driven away by the other, if he agrees to return to the former and give her plenty of money beforehand, then he should be resorted to.<br />
<br />
(4). In the case of the man who may have left the one woman of his own accord, and be living with another woman, the former (wishing to take up with him again) should first ascertain if he left her in the first instance in the hope of finding some particular excellence in the other woman, and that not having found any such excellence, he was willing to come back to her, and to give her much money on account of his conduct, and on account of his affection still existing for her.<br />
<br />
Or, whether, having discovered many faults in the other woman, he would now see even more excellences in herself than actually exist, and would be prepared to give her much money for these qualities.<br />
<br />
Or, lastly, to consider whether he was a weak man, or a man fond of enjoying many women, or one who liked a poor woman, or one who never did anything for the woman that he was with. After maturely considering all these things, she should resort to him or not, according to circumstances.<br />
<br />
(5). As regards the man who may have been driven away from the one woman, and left the other of his own accord, the former woman (wishing to re-unite with him) should first ascertain whether he still has any affection for her, and would consequently spend much money upon her; or whether, being attached to her excellent qualities, he did not take delight in any other women; or whether, being driven away from her formerly before completely satisfying his sexual desires, he wished to get back to her, so as to be revenged for the injury done to him; or whether he wished to create confidence in her mind, and then take back from her the wealth which she formerly took from him, and finally destroy her; or, lastly, whether he wished first to separate her from her present lover, and then to break away from her himself. If, after considering all these things, she is of opinion that his intentions are really pure and honest, she can re-unite herself with him. But if his mind be at all tainted with evil intentions, he should be avoided.<br />
<br />
(6). In the case of the man who may have been driven away by one woman, and be living with another, if the man makes overtures in return to the first one, the courtesan should consider well before she acts, and while the other woman is engaged in attracting him to herself, she should try in her turn (through keeping herself behind the scenes) to gain him over, on the grounds of any of the following considerations, viz.:<br />
<br />
1st. That he was driven away unjustly and for no proper reason, and now that he has gone to another woman, every effort must be used to bring him back to myself.<br />
<br />
2nd. That if he were once to converse with me again, he would break away from the other woman.<br />
<br />
3rd. That the pride of my present lover would be put down by means of the former one.<br />
<br />
4th. That he has become wealthy, has secured a higher position, and holds a place of authority under the King.<br />
<br />
5th. That he is separate from his wife.<br />
<br />
6th. That he is now independent.<br />
<br />
7th. That he lives apart from his father, or brother.<br />
<br />
8th. That by making peace with him I shall be able to get hold of a very rich man, who is now prevented from coming to me by my present lover.<br />
<br />
9th. That as he is not respected by his wife, I shall now be able to separate him from her.<br />
<br />
10th. That the friend of this man loves my rival, who hates me cordially; I shall, therefore, by this means separate the friend from his mistress.<br />
<br />
11th. And lastly, I shall bring discredit upon him by bringing him back to me, thus showing the fickleness of his mind.<br />
<br />
When a courtesan is resolved to take up again with a former lover, her Pithamurda and other servants should tell him that his former expulsion from the woman's house was caused by the wickedness of her mother; that the woman loved him just as much as ever at that time, but could not help the occurrence on account of her deference to her mother's will; that she hated the union of her present lover, and disliked him excessively. In addition to this, they should create confidence in his mind by speaking to him of her former love for him, and should allude to the mark of that love that she has ever remembered. This mark of her love should be connected with some kind of pleasure that may have been practised by him, such as his way of kissing her, or manner of having connection with her.<br />
<br />
Thus end the ways of bringing about a re-union with a former lover.<br />
<br />
When a woman has to choose between two lovers, one of whom was formerly united with her, while the other is a stranger, the Acharyas (sages) are of opinion that the first one is preferable, because his disposition and character being already known by previous careful observation, he can be easily pleased and satisfied; but Vatsyayana thinks that a former lover, having already spent a great deal of his wealth, is not able or willing to give much money again, and is not, therefore, to be relied upon so much as a stranger. Particular cases may, however, arise differing from this general rule on account of the different natures of men.<br />
<br />
There are also verses on the subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"Re-union with a former lover may be desirable so as to separate some particular woman from some particular man, or some particular man from some particular woman, or to have a certain effect upon the present lover."<br />
<br />
"When a man is excessively attached to a woman, he is afraid of her coming into contact with other men; he does not then regard or notice her faults; and he gives her much wealth through fear of her leaving him."<br />
<br />
"A courtesan should be agreeable to the man who is attached to her, and despise the man who does not care for her. If while she is living with one man a messenger comes to her from some other man, she may either refuse to listen to any negotiations on his part, or appoint a fixed time for him to visit her, but she should not leave the man who may be living with her and who may be attached to her."<br />
<br />
"A wise woman should only renew her connection with a former lover if she is satisfied that good fortune, gain, love, and friendship, are likely to be the result of such a re-union."<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER V.<br />
<br />
OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF GAIN.<br />
<br />
When a courtesan is able to realize much money every day, by reason of many customers, she should not confine herself to a single lover; under such circumstances, she should fix her rate for one night, after considering the place, the season, and the condition of the people, and having regard to her own good qualities and good looks, and after comparing her rates with those of other courtesans. She can inform her lovers, and friends, and acquaintances about these charges. If, however, she can obtain a great gain from a single lover, she may resort to him alone, and live with him like a wife.<br />
<br />
Now, the Sages are of opinion that when a courtesan has the chance of an equal gain from two lovers at the same time, a preference should be given to the one who would give her the kind of thing which she wants. But Vatsyayana says that the preference should be given to the one who gives her gold, because it cannot be taken back like some other things, it can be easily received, and is also the means of procuring anything that may be wished for. Of such things as gold, silver, copper, bell metal, iron, pots, furniture, beds, upper garments, under vestments, fragrant substances, vessels made of gourds, ghee, oil, corn, cattle, and other things of a like nature, the first, viz., gold, is superior to all the others.<br />
<br />
When the same labour is required to gain any two lovers, or when the same kind of thing is to be got from each of them, the choice should be made by the advice of a friend, or it may be made from their personal qualities, or from the signs of good or bad fortune that may be connected with them.<br />
<br />
When there are two lovers, one of whom is attached to the courtesan, and the other is simply very generous, the Sages say that the preference should be given to the generous lover, but Vatsyayana is of opinion that the one who is really attached to the courtesan should be preferred, because he can be made to be generous, even as a miser gives money if he becomes fond of a woman, but a man who is simply generous cannot be made to love with real attachment. But among those who are attached to her, if there is one who is poor, and one who is rich, the preference is of course to be given to the latter.<br />
<br />
When there are two lovers, one of whom is generous, and the other ready to do any service for the courtesan, some Sages say that the one who is ready to do the service should be preferred, but Vatsyayana is of opinion that a man who does a service thinks that he has gained his object when he has done something once, but a generous man does not care for what he has given before. Even here the choice should be guided by the likelihood of the future good to be derived from her union with either of them.<br />
<br />
When one of the two lovers is grateful, and the other liberal, some Sages say that the liberal one should be preferred, but Vatsyayana is of opinion that the former should be chosen, because liberal men are generally haughty, plain spoken, and wanting in consideration towards others. Even though these liberal men have been on friendly terms for a long time, yet if they see any fault in the courtesan, or are told lies about her by some other women, they do not care for past services, but leave abruptly. On the other hand the grateful man does not at once break off from her, on account of a regard for the pains she may have taken to please him. In this case also the choice is to be guided with respect to what may happen in future.<br />
<br />
When an occasion for complying with the request of a friend, and a chance of getting money come together, the Sages say that the chance of getting money should be preferred. But Vatsyayana thinks that the money can be obtained to-morrow as well as to-day, but if the request of a friend be not at once complied with, he may become disaffected. Even here, in making the choice, regard must be paid to future good fortune.<br />
<br />
On such an occasion, however, the courtesan might pacify her friend by pretending to have some work to do, and telling him that his request will be complied with next day, and in this way secure the chance of getting the money that has been offered her.<br />
<br />
When the chance of getting money, and the chance of avoiding some disaster come at the same time, the Sages are of opinion that the chance of getting money should be preferred, but Vatsyayana says that money has only a limited importance, while a disaster that is once averted may never occur again. Here, however, the choice should be guided by the greatness or smallness of the disaster.<br />
<br />
The gains of the wealthiest and best kind of courtesans are to be spent as follows:<br />
<br />
Building temples, tanks, and gardens; giving a thousand cows to different Brahmans; carrying on the worship of the Gods, and celebrating festivals in their honour; and, lastly, performing such vows as may be within their means.<br />
<br />
The gains of other courtesans are to be spent as follows:<br />
<br />
Having a white dress to wear every day; getting sufficient food and drink to satisfy hunger and thirst; eating daily a perfumed Tambula, i.e., a mixture of betel nut and betel leaves; and wearing ornaments gilt with gold. The Sages say that these represent the gains of all the middle and lower classes of courtesans, but Vatsyayana is of opinion that their gains cannot be calculated, or fixed in any way, as these depend on the influence of the place, the customs of the people, their own appearance, and many other things.<br />
<br />
When a courtesan wants to keep some particular man from some other woman; or wants to get him away from some woman to whom he may be attached; or to deprive some woman of the gains realized by her from him; or if she thinks that she would raise her position; or enjoy some great good fortune; or become desirable to all men by uniting herself with this man; or if she wishes to get his assistance in averting some misfortune; or is really attached to him and loves him; or wishes to injure somebody through his means; or has regard to some former favour conferred upon her by him; or wishes to be united with him merely from desire; or any of the above reasons, she should agree to take from him only a small sum of money in a friendly way.<br />
<br />
When a courtesan intends to abandon a particular lover, and take up with another one; or when she has reason to believe that her lover will shortly leave her, and return to his wives; or that having squandered all his money, and became penniless, his guardian, or master, or father would come and take him away; or that her lover is about to lose his position, or lastly, that he is of a very fickle mind, she should, under any of these circumstances, endeavour to get as much money as she can from him as soon as possible.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, when the courtesan thinks that her lover is about to receive valuable presents; or get a place of authority from the King; or be near the time of inheriting a fortune; or that his ship would soon arrive laden with merchandise; or that he has large stocks of corn and other commodities; or that if anything was done for him it would not be done in vain; or that he is always true to his word; then should she have regard to her future welfare, and live with the man like a wife.<br />
<br />
There are also verses on the subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"In considering her present gains, and her future welfare, a courtesan should avoid such persons as have gained their means of subsistence with very great difficulty, as also those who have become selfish and hard-hearted by becoming the favourites of Kings."<br />
<br />
"She should make every endeavour to unite herself with prosperous and well-to-do people, and with those whom it is dangerous to avoid, or to slight in any way. Even at some cost to herself she should become acquainted with energetic and liberal-minded men, who when pleased would give her a large sum of money, even for very little service, or for some small thing."<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<br />
CHAPTER VI.<br />
<br />
OF GAINS AND LOSSES; ATTENDANT GAINS AND LOSSES; AND DOUBTS; AS ALSO OF THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF COURTESANS.<br />
<br />
It sometimes happens that while gains are being sought for, or expected to be realised, that losses only are the result of our efforts, the causes of these losses are:<br />
<br />
Weakness of intellect.<br />
<br />
Excessive love.<br />
<br />
Excessive pride.<br />
<br />
Excessive self conceit<br />
<br />
Excessive simplicity.<br />
<br />
Excessive confidence.<br />
<br />
Excessive anger.<br />
<br />
Carlessness.<br />
<br />
Recklessness.<br />
<br />
Influence of evil genius.<br />
<br />
Accidental circumstances.<br />
<br />
The results of these losses are:<br />
<br />
Expense incurred without any result.<br />
Destruction of future good fortune.<br />
Stoppage of gains about to be realized.<br />
Loss of what is already obtained.<br />
Acquisition of a sour temper.<br />
Becoming unaimiable to every body.<br />
Injury to health.<br />
Loss of hair and other accidents.<br />
<br />
Now gain is of three kinds, viz.: gain of wealth, gain of religious merit, and gain of pleasure; and similarly, loss is of three kinds, viz.: loss of wealth, loss of religious merit, and loss of pleasure. At the time when gains are sought for, if other gains come along with them, these are called attendant gains. When gain is uncertain, the doubt of its being a gain is called a simple doubt. When there is a doubt whether either of two things will happen or not, it is called a mixed doubt. If while one thing is being done two results take place, it is called a combination of two results, and if several results follow from the same action, it is called a combination of results on every side.<br />
<br />
We shall now give examples of the above.<br />
<br />
As already stated, gain is of three kinds, and loss, which is opposed to gain, is also of three kinds.<br />
<br />
(a). When by living with a great man a courtesan acquires present wealth, and in addition to this becomes acquainted with other people, and thus obtains a chance of future fortune, and an accession of wealth, and becomes desirable to all, this is called a gain of wealth attended by other gain.<br />
<br />
(b). When by living with a man a courtesan simply gets money, this is called a gain of wealth not attended by any other gain.<br />
<br />
(c). When a courtesan receives money from other people besides her lover, the results are: the chance of the loss of future good from her present lover; the chance of disaffection of a man securely attached to her; the hatred of all; and the chance of a union with some low person, tending to destroy her future good. This gain is called a gain of wealth attended by losses.<br />
<br />
(d). When a courtesan, at her own expense, and without any results in the shape of gain, has connected with a great man, or an avaricious minister, for the sake of diverting some misfortune, or removing some cause that may be threatening the destruction of a great gain, this loss is said to be a loss of wealth attended by gains of the future good which it may bring about.<br />
<br />
(e). When a courtesan is kind, even at her own expense, to a man who is very stingy, or to a man proud of his looks, or to an ungrateful man skilled in gaining the heart of others, without any good resulting from these connections to her in the end, this loss is called a loss of wealth not attended by any gain.<br />
<br />
(f). When a courtesan is kind to any such man as described above, but who in addition are favourites of the King, and moreover cruel and powerful, without any good result in the end, and with a chance of her being turned away at any moment, this loss is called a loss of wealth attended by other losses.<br />
<br />
In this way gains and losses, and attendant gains and losses in religious merit and pleasures may become known to the reader, and combinations of all of them may also be made.<br />
<br />
Thus end the remarks on gains and losses, and attendant gains and losses.<br />
<br />
In the next place we come to doubts, which are again of three kinds, viz.: doubts about wealth, doubts about religious merit, and doubts about pleasures.<br />
<br />
The following are examples.<br />
<br />
(a). When a courtesan is not certain how much a man may give her, or spend upon her, this is called a doubt about wealth.<br />
<br />
(b). When a courtesan feels doubtful whether she is right in entirely abandoning a lover from whom she is unable to get money, she having taken all his wealth from him in the first instance, this doubt is called a doubt about religious merit.<br />
<br />
(c). When a courtesan is unable to get hold of a lover to her liking, and is uncertain whether she will derive any pleasure from a person surrounded by his family, or from a low person, this is called a doubt about pleasure.<br />
<br />
(d). When a courtesan is uncertain whether some powerful but low principled fellow would cause loss to her on account of her not being civil to him, this is called a doubt about the loss of wealth.<br />
<br />
(e). When a courtesan feels doubtful whether she would lose religious merit by abandoning a man who is attached to her without giving him the slightest favour, and thereby causing him unhappiness in this world and the next, this doubt is called a doubt about the loss of a religious merit.<br />
<br />
(f). When a courtesan is uncertain as to whether she might create disaffection by speaking out, and revealing her love and thus not get her desire satisfied, this is called a doubt about the loss of pleasure.<br />
<br />
Thus end the remarks on doubts.<br />
<br />
Mixed Doubts.<br />
<br />
(a). The intercourse or connection with a stranger, whose disposition is unknown, and who may have been introduced by a lover, or by one who possessed authority, may be productive either of gain or loss, and therefore this is called a mixed doubt about the gain and loss of wealth.<br />
<br />
(b). When a courtesan is requested by a friend, or is impelled by pity to have intercourse with a learned Brahman, a religious student, a sacrificer, a devotee, or an ascetic who may have all fallen in love with her, and who may be consequently at the point of death, by doing this she might either gain or lose religious merit, and therefore this is called a mixed doubt about the gain and loss of religious merit.<br />
<br />
(c). If a courtesan relies solely upon the report of other people (i.e., hearsay) about a man, and goes to him without ascertaining herself whether he possesses good qualities or not, she may either gain or lose pleasure in proportion as he may be good or bad, and therefore this is called a mixed doubt about the gain and loss of pleasure.<br />
<br />
Uddalika has described the gains and losses on both sides as follows.<br />
<br />
(a). If, when living with a lover, a courtesan gets both wealth and pleasure from him, it is called a gain on both sides.<br />
<br />
(b). When a courtesan lives with a lover at her own expense without getting any profit out of it, and the lover even takes back from her what he may have formerly given her, it is called a loss on both sides.<br />
<br />
(c). When a courtesan is uncertain whether a new acquaintance would become attached to her, and, moreover, if he became attached to her, whether he would give[164] her any thing, it is then called a doubt on both sides about gains.<br />
<br />
(d). When a courtesan is uncertain whether a former enemy, if made up by her at her own expense, would do her some injury on account of his grudge against her; or, if becoming attached to her, would take away angrily from her any thing that he may have given to her, this is called a doubt on both sides about loss.<br />
<br />
Babhravya has described the gains and losses on both sides as follows.<br />
<br />
(a). When a courtesan can get money from a man whom she may go to see, and also money from a man whom she may not go to see, this is called a gain on both sides.<br />
<br />
(b). When a courtesan has to incur further expense if she goes to see a man, and yet runs the risk of incurring an irremediable loss if she does not go to see him, this is called a loss on both sides.<br />
<br />
(c). When a courtesan is uncertain, whether a particular man would give her anything on her going to seehim, without incurring expense on her part, or whether on her neglecting him another man would give her something, this is called a doubt on both sides about gain.<br />
<br />
(d.) When a courtesan is uncertain, whether, on going at her own expense to see an old enemy, he would take back from her what he may have given her, or whether by her not going to see him he would cause some disaster to fall upon her, this is called a doubt on both sides about loss.<br />
<br />
By combining the above, the following six kinds of mixed results are produced, viz.:<br />
<br />
(a). Gain on one side, and loss on the other.<br />
<br />
(b). Gain on one side, and doubt of gain on the other.<br />
<br />
(c). Gain on one side, and doubt of loss on the other.<br />
<br />
(d). Loss on one side, and doubt of gain on the other.<br />
<br />
(e). Doubt of gain on one side, and doubt of loss on the other.<br />
<br />
(f). Doubt of loss on one side, and loss on the other.<br />
<br />
A courtesan, having considered all the above things, and taken council with her friends, should act so as to acquire gain, the chances of great gain, and the warding off of any[165] great disaster. Religious merit and pleasure should also be formed into separate combinations like those of wealth, and then all should be combined with each other, so as to form new combinations.<br />
<br />
<br />
When a courtesan consorts with men she should cause each of them to give her money as well as pleasure. At particular times, such as the Spring Festivals, etc., she should make her mother announce to the various men, that on a certain day her daughter would remain with the man who would gratify such and such a desire of hers.<br />
<br />
When young men approach her with delight, she should think of what she may accomplish through them.<br />
<br />
The combination of gains and losses on all sides are: gain on one side, and loss on all others; loss on one side and gain on all others; gain on all sides, loss on all sides.<br />
<br />
A courtesan should also consider doubts about gain and doubts about loss with reference both to wealth, religious merit, and pleasure.<br />
<br />
Thus ends the consideration of gain, loss, attendant gains, attendant losses, and doubts.<br />
<br />
The different kinds of courtesans are:<br />
<br />
A bawd.<br />
<br />
A female attendant.<br />
<br />
An unchaste woman.<br />
<br />
A dancing girl.<br />
<br />
A female artisan.<br />
<br />
A woman who has left her family.<br />
<br />
A woman living on her beauty.<br />
<br />
And, finally, a regular courtesan.<br />
<br />
All the above kinds of courtesans are acquainted with various kinds of men, and should consider the ways of getting money from them, of pleasing them, of separating themselves from them, and of re-uniting with them. They should also take into consideration particular gains and losses, attendant gains and losses, and doubts in accordance with their several conditions.<br />
<br />
Thus end the considerations of courtesans.<br />
<br />
There are also two verses on the subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"Men want pleasure, while women want money, and there fore this Part, which treats of the means of gaining wealth, should be studied."<br />
<br />
"There are some women who seek for love, and there are others who seek for money; for the former the ways of love are told in previous portions of this work, while the ways of getting money, as practised by courtesans, are described in this Part."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
End of Part VI.<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
PART VII.<br />
<br />
ABOUT THE MEANS OF ATTRACTING OTHERS TO YOURSELF.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<br />
CHAPTER I.ON PERSONAL ADORNMENT; ON SUBJUGATING THE HEARTS OF OTHERS; AND ON TONIC MEDICINES.<br />
<br />
When a person fails to obtain the object of his desires by any of the ways previously related, he should then have recourse to other ways of attracting others to himself.<br />
<br />
Now, good looks, good qualities, youth, and liberality are the chief and most natural means of making a person agreeable in the eyes of others. But in the absence of these a man or a woman must have resort to artificial means, or to art, and the following are some recipes that may be found useful.<br />
<br />
(a). An ointment made of the tabernamontana coronaria, the costus speciosus or arabicus, and the flacourtia cataphracta, can be used as an unguent of adornment.<br />
<br />
(b). If a fine powder is made of the above plants, and applied to the wick of a lamp, which is made to burn with the oil of blue vitrol, the black pigment or lamp black produced therefrom, when applied to the eye-lashes, has the effect of making a person look lovely.<br />
<br />
(c). The oil of the hog weed, the echites putescens, the sarina plant, the yellow amaranth, and the leaf of the nymphæ, if applied to the body, has the same effect.<br />
<br />
(d). A black pigment from the same plants produce a similar effect.<br />
<br />
(e). By eating the powder of the nelumbrium speciosum, the blue lotus, and the mesna roxburghii, with ghee and honey, a man becomes lovely in the eyes of others.<br />
<br />
(f). The above things, together with the tabernamontana coronaria, and the xanthochymus pictorius, if used as an ointment, produce the same results.<br />
<br />
(g). If the bone of a peacock or of an hyena be covered with gold, and tied on the right hand, it makes a man lovely in the eyes of other people.<br />
<br />
(h). In the same way, if a bead, made of the seed of the jujube, or of the conch shell, be enchanted by the incantations mentioned in the Atharvana Veda, or by the incantations of those well skilled in the science of magic, and tied on the hand, it produces the same result as described above.<br />
<br />
(i). When a female attendant arrives at the age of puberty, her master should keep her secluded, and when men ardently desire her on account of her seclusion, and on account of the difficulty of approaching her, he should then bestow her hand on such a person as may endow her with wealth and happiness.<br />
<br />
This is a means of increasing the loveliness of a person in the eyes of others.<br />
<br />
In the same way, when the daughter of a courtesan arrives at the age of puberty, the mother should get together a lot of young men of the same age, disposition, and knowledge as her daughter, and tell them that she would give her in marriage to the person who would give her presents of a particular kind.<br />
<br />
After this the daughter should be kept in seclusion as far as possible, and the mother should give her in marriage to the man who may be ready to give her the presents agreed upon. If the mother is unable to get so much out of the man, she should show some of her own things as having been given to the daughter by the bridegroom.<br />
Or, the mother may allow her daughter to be married to the man privately, as if she was ignorant of the whole affair, and then pretending that it has come to her knowledge, she may give her consent to the union.<br />
<br />
The daughter, too, should make herself attractive to the sons of wealthy citizens, unknown to her mother, and make them attached to her, and for this purpose should meet them at the time of learning to sing, and in places where music is played, and at the houses of other people, and then request her mother, through a female friend, or servant, to be allowed to unite herself to the man who is most agreeable to her.<br />
When the daughter of a courtesan is thus given to a man, the ties of marriage should be observed for one year, and after that she may do what she likes. But even after the end of the year, when otherwise engaged, if she should be now and then invited by her first husband to come and see him, she should put aside her present gain, and go to him for the night.<br />
<br />
Such is the mode of temporary marriage among courtesans, and of increasing their loveliness, and their value in the eyes of others. What has been said about them should also be understood to apply to the daughters of dancing women, whose mothers should give them only to such persons as are likely to become useful to them in various ways.<br />
<br />
Thus end the ways of making oneself lovely in the eyes of others.<br />
<br />
(a). If a man, after anointing his lingam with a mixture of the powders of the white thorn apple, the long pepper, and the black pepper, and honey, engages in sexual union with a woman, he makes her subject to his will.<br />
<br />
(b). The application of a mixture of the leaf of the plant vatodbhranta, of the flowers thrown on a human corpse when carried out to be burnt, and the powder of the bones of the peacock, and of the jiwanjiva bird, produces the same effect.<br />
<br />
(c). The remains of a kite who has died a natural death, ground into powder, and mixed with cowach and honey, has also the same effect.<br />
<br />
(d). Anointing oneself with an ointment made of the plant emblica myrabolans has the power of subjecting women to one's will.<br />
(e). If a man cuts into small pieces the sprouts of the vajnasunhi plant, and dips them into a mixture of red arsenic and sulphur, and then dries them seven times, and applies this powder mixed with honey to his lingam, he can subjugate a woman to his will directly that he has had sexual union with her, or, if, by burning these very sprouts at night and looking at the smoke, he sees a golden moon behind, he will then be successful with any woman; or if he throws some of the powder of these same sprouts mixed with the excrement of a monkey upon a maiden, she will not be given in marriage to any body else.<br />
<br />
(f). If pieces of the arris root are dressed with the oil of the mango, and placed for six months in a hole made in the trunk of the sisu tree, and are then taken out and made up into an ointment, and applied to the lingam, this is said to serve as the means of subjugating women.<br />
<br />
(g). If the bone of a camel is dipped into the juice of the plant eclipta prostata, and then burnt, and the black pigment produced from its ashes is placed in a box also made of the bone of a camel, and applied together with antimony to the eye lashes with a pencil also made of the bone of a camel, then that pigment is said to be very pure, and wholesome for the eyes, and serves as a means of subjugating others to the person who uses it. The same effect can be produced by black pigment made of the bones of hawks, vultures, and peacocks.<br />
<br />
Thus end the ways of subjugating others to one's own will.<br />
<br />
Now the means of increasing sexual vigour are as follows:<br />
<br />
(a). A man obtains sexual vigour by drinking milk mixed with sugar, the root of the uchchata plant, the piper chaba, and liquorice.<br />
<br />
(b). Drinking milk mixed with sugar, and having the testicle of a ram or a goat boiled in it, is also productive of vigour.<br />
<br />
(c). The drinking of the juice of the hedysarum gangeticum, the kuili, and the kshirika plant mixed with milk, produces the same effect.<br />
<br />
(d). The seed of the long pepper along with the seeds of the sanseviera roxburghiana, and the hedysarum gangeticum plant, all pounded together, and mixed with milk, is productive of a similar result.<br />
<br />
(e). According to ancient authors, if a man pounds the seeds or roots of the trapa bispinosa, the kasurika, the tuscan jasmine, and liquorice, together with the kshirakapoli (a kind of onion), and puts the powder into milk mixed with sugar and ghee, and having boiled the whole mixture on a moderate fire, drinks the paste so formed, he will be able to enjoy innumerable women.<br />
<br />
(f). In the same way, if a man mixes rice with the eggs of the sparrow, and having boiled this in milk, adds to it ghee and honey, and drinks as much of it as necessary, this will produce the same effect.<br />
<br />
(g). If a man takes the outer covering of sesamum seeds, and soaks them with the eggs of sparrows, and then, having boiled them in milk, mixed with sugar and ghee, along with the fruits of the trapa bispinosa and the kasurika plant, and adding to it the flour of wheat and beans, and then drinks this composition, he is said to be able to enjoy many women.<br />
<br />
(h). If ghee, honey, sugar, and liquorice in equal quantities, the juice of the fennel plant, and milk are mixed together, this nectar-like composition is said to be holy, and provocative of sexual vigour, a preservative of life, and sweet to the taste.<br />
<br />
(i). The drinking of a paste composed of the asparagus racemosus, the shvadaushtra plant, the guduchi plant, the long pepper, and liquorice, boiled in milk, honey, and ghee, in the spring, is said to have the same effect as the above.<br />
<br />
(j). Boiling the asparagus racemosus, and the shvadaushtra plant, along with the pounded fruits of the premna spinosa in water, and drinking the same, is said to act in the same way.<br />
<br />
(k). Drinking boiled ghee, or clarified butter in the morning during the spring season, is said to be beneficial to health and strength, and agreeable to the taste.<br />
<br />
(1). If the powder of the seed of the shvadaushtra plant and the flower of barley are mixed together in equal parts, and a portion of it, i.e., two palas in weight, is eaten every morning on getting up, it has the same effect as the preceding recipe.<br />
<br />
There are also verses on the subject as follows:<br />
<br />
"The mean of producing love and sexual vigour should be learnt from the science of medicine, from the Vedas, from those who are learned in the arts of magic, and from confidential relatives. No means should be tried which are doubtful in their effects, which are likely to cause injury to the body, which involve the death of animals, and which bring us in contact with impure things. Such means should only be used as are holy, acknowledged to be good, and approved of by Brahmans, and friends."<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CHAPTER II.<br />
<br />
OF THE WAYS OF EXCITING DESIRE, AND MISCELLANEOUS EXPERIMENTS, AND RECIPES.<br />
<br />
If a man is unable to satisfy a Hastini, or elephant woman, he should have recourse to various means to excite her passion. At the commencement he should rub her yoni with his hand or fingers, and not begin to have intercourse with her until she becomes excited, or experiences pleasure. This is one way of exciting a woman.<br />
<br />
Or, he may make use of certain Apadravyas, or things which are put on or around the lingam to supplement its length or its thickness, so as to fit it to the yoni. In the opinion of Babhravya, these Apadravyas should be made of gold, silver, copper, iron, ivory, buffalo's horn, various kinds of wood, tin or lead, and should be soft, cool, provocative of sexual vigour, and well fitted to serve the intended purpose. Vatsyayana, however, says that they may be made according to the natural liking of each individual.<br />
<br />
The following are the different kinds of Apadravyas.<br />
<br />
1."The armlet" (Valaya) should be of the same size as the lingam, and should have its outer surface made rough with globules.<br />
<br />
2."The couple" (Sanghati) is formed of two armlets.<br />
<br />
3."The bracelet" (Chudaka) is made by joining three or more armlets, until they come up to the required length of the lingam.<br />
<br />
4."The single bracelet" is formed by wrapping a single wire around the lingam, according to its dimensions.<br />
<br />
5.The Kantuka or Jalaka is a tube open at both ends, with a hole through it, outwardly rough and studded with soft globules, and made to fit the side of the yoni, and tied to the waist.<br />
<br />
When such a thing cannot be obtained, then a tube made of the wood apple, or tubular stalk of the bottle gourd, or a reed made soft with oil and extracts of plants, and tied to the waist with strings, may be made use of, as also a row of soft pieces of wood tied together.<br />
<br />
The above are the things that can be used in connection with or in the place of the lingam.<br />
<br />
The people of the southern countries think that true sexual pleasure cannot be obtained without perforating the lingam, and they therefore cause it to be pierced like the lobes of the ears of an infant pierced for earrings.<br />
<br />
Now, when a young man perforates his lingam he should pierce it with a sharp instrument, and then stand in water so long as the blood continues to flow. At night he should engage in sexual intercourse, even with vigour, so as to clean the hole. After this he should continue to wash the hole with decoctions, and increase the size by putting into it small pieces of cane, and the wrightia antidysenterica, and thus gradually enlarging the orifice. It may also be washed with liquorice mixed with honey, and the size of the hole increased by the fruit stalks of the sima-patra plant. The hole should be annointed with a small quantity of oil.<br />
<br />
In the hole made in the lingam a man may put Apadravyas of various forms, such as the "round," the "round on one side," the "wooden mortar," the "flower," the "armlet," the "bone of the heron," the "goad of the elephant," the "collection of eight balls," the "lock of hair," the "place where four roads meet," and other things named according to their forms and means of using them. All these Apadravyas should be rough on the outside according to their requirements.<br />
<br />
The ways of enlarging the lingam must be now related.<br />
<br />
When a man wishes to enlarge his lingam, he should rub it with the bristles of certain insects that live in trees, and then, after rubbing it for ten nights with oils, he should again rub it with the bristles as before. By continuing to do this a swelling will be gradually produced in the lingam,[175] and he should then lie on a cot, and cause his lingam to hang down through a hole in the cot. After this he should take away all the pain from the swelling by using cool concoctions. The swelling, which is called "Suka," and is often brought about among the people of the Dravida country, lasts for life.<br />
<br />
If the lingam is rubbed with the following things, viz., the plant physalis flexuosa, the shavara-kandaka plant, the jalasuka plant, the fruit of the egg plant, the butter of a she buffalo, the hastri-charma plant, and the juice of the vajra-rasa plant, a swelling lasting for one month will be produced.<br />
<br />
<br />
By rubbing it with oil boiled in the concoctions of the above things, the same effect will be produced, but lasting for six months.<br />
<br />
The enlargement of the lingam is also effected by rubbing it or moistening it with oil boiled on a moderate fire along with the seeds of the pomegranate, and the cucumber, the juices of the valuka plant, the hasti-charma plant, and the egg-plant.<br />
<br />
In addition to the above, other means may be learnt from experienced and confidential persons.<br />
<br />
The miscellaneous experiments and recipes are as follows:<br />
<br />
(a). If a man mixes the powder of the milk hedge plant, and the kantaka plant with the excrement of a monkey, and the powdered root of the lanjalalika plant, and throws this mixture on a woman, she will not love any body else afterwards.<br />
<br />
(b). If a man thickens the juice of the fruits of the cassia fistula, and the eugenia jambolana by mixing them with the powder of the soma plant, the vernonia anthelmintica, the eclipta prostata, and the lohopa-jihirka, and applies this composition to the yoni of a woman, and then has sexual intercourse with her, his love for her will be destroyed.<br />
<br />
(c). The same effect is produced if a man has connection with a woman who has bathed in the butter-milk of a she-buffalo mixed with the powders of the gopalika plant, the banu-padika plant, and the yellow amaranth.<br />
<br />
(d). An ointment made of the flowers of the nauclea cadamba, the hog plum, and the eugenia jambolana, and used by a woman, causes her to be disliked by her husband.<br />
<br />
(e). Garlands made of the above flowers, when worn by the woman, produce the same effect.<br />
<br />
(f). An ointment made of the fruit of the asteracantha longifolia (kokilaksha) will contract the yoni of a Hastini or elephant woman, and this contraction lasts for one night.<br />
<br />
(g). An ointment made by pounding the roots of the nelumbrium speciosum, and of the blue lotus, and the powder of the plant physalis flexuosa mixed with ghee and honey, will enlarge the yoni of the Mrigi or deer woman.<br />
<br />
(h). An ointment made of the fruit of the emblica myrabolans soaked in the milky juice of the milk hedge plant, of the soma plant, the calotropis gigantea, and the juice of the fruit of the vernonia anthelmintica, will make the hair white.<br />
<br />
(i). The juice of the roots of the madayantaka plant, the yellow amaranth, the anjanika plant, the clitoria ternateea, and the shlakshnaparni plant, used as a lotion, will make the hair grow.<br />
<br />
(j). An ointment made by boiling the above roots in oil, and rubbed in, will make the hair black, and will also gradually restore hair that has fallen off.<br />
<br />
(k) If lac is saturated seven times in the sweat of the testicle of a white horse, and applied to a red lip, the lip will become white.<br />
(l). The colour of the lips can be regained by means of the madayantika and other plants mentioned above under (i).<br />
<br />
(m). A woman who hears a man playing on a reed pipe which has been dressed with the juices of the bahupadika plant, the tabernamontana coronaria, the costus speciosus or arabicus, the pinus deodora, the euphorbia antiquorum, the vajra and the kantaka plant, becomes his slave.<br />
<br />
(n). If food be mixed with the fruit of the thorn apple (Dathura) it causes intoxication.<br />
<br />
(o). If water be mixed with oil and the ashes of any kind of grass except the kusha grass, it becomes the colour of milk.<br />
<br />
(p). If yellow myrabolans, the hog plum, the shrawana plant, and the priyangu plant be all pounded together, and applied to iron pots, these pots become red.<br />
<br />
(q). If a lamp, trimmed with oil extracted from the shrawana and priyangn plants, its wick being made of cloth and the slough[177] of the skins of snakes, is lighted, and long pieces of wood placed near it, those pieces of wood will resemble so many snakes.<br />
<br />
(r). Drinking the milk of a white cow who has a white calf at her feet is auspicious, produces fame, and preserves life.<br />
<br />
(s). The blessings of venerable Brahmans, well propitiated, have the same effect.<br />
<br />
<br />
There are also some verses in conclusion:<br />
<br />
"Thus have I written in a few words the 'Science of love,' after reading the texts of ancient authors, and following the ways of enjoyment mentioned in them."<br />
<br />
"He who is acquainted with the true principles of this science pays regard to Dharma, Artha, Kama, and to his own experiences, as well as to the teachings of others, and does not act simply on the dictates of his own desire. As for the errors in the science of love which I have mentioned in this work, on my own authority as an author, I have, immediately after mentioning them, carefully censured and prohibited them."<br />
<br />
"An act is never looked upon with indulgence for the simple reason that it is authorised by the science, because it ought to be remembered that it is the intention of the science, that the rules which it contains should only be acted upon in particular cases. After reading and considering the works of Babhravya and other ancient authors, and thinking over the meaning of the rules given by them, the Kama Sutra was composed, according to the precepts of Holy Writ, for the benefit of the world, by Vatsyayana, while leading the life of a religious student, and wholly engaged in the contemplation of the Deity."<br />
<br />
"This work is not intended to be used merely as an instrument for satisfying our desires. A person, acquainted with the true principles of this science, and who preserves his Dharma, Artha, and Kama, and has regard for the practices of the people, is sure to obtain the mastery over his senses."<br />
<br />
"In short, an intelligent and prudent person, attending to Dharma and Artha, and attending to Kama also, without becoming the slave of his passions, obtains success in everything that he may undertake."<br />
<br />
End of Part VII.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
CONCLUDING REMARKS.<br />
<br />
Thus ends, in seven parts, the Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana, which might otherwise be called a treatise on men and women, their mutual relationship, and connection with each other.<br />
<br />
It is a work that should be studied by all, both old and young; the former will find in it real truths, gathered by experience, and already tested by themselves, while the latter will derive the great advantage of learning things, which some perhaps may otherwise never learn at all, or which they may only learn when it is too late ("too late" those immortal words of Mirabeau) to profit by the learning.<br />
<br />
It can also be fairly commended to the student of social science and of humanity, and above all to the student of those early ideas, which have gradually filtered down through the sands of time, and which seem to prove that the human nature of to-day is much the same as the human nature of the long ago.<br />
<br />
It has been said of Balzac [the great, if not the greatest of French novelists] that he seemed to have inherited a natural and intuitive perception of the feelings of men and women, and has described them with an analysis worthy of a man of science. The author of the present work must also have had a considerable knowledge of the humanities. Many of his remarks are so full of simplicity and truth, that they have stood the test of time, and stand out still as clear and true as when they were first written, some eighteen hundred years ago.<br />
<br />
As a collection of facts, told in plain and simple language, it must be remembered that in those early days there was apparently no idea of embellishing the work, either with a literary style, a flow of language, or a quantity of superfluous padding. The author tells the world what he knows in very concise language, without any attempt to produce an interesting story. From his facts how many novels could be written! Indeed much of the matter contained in parts III. IV. V. and VI., has formed the basis of many of the stories and the tales of past centuries.<br />
<br />
There will be found in part VII., some curious recipes. Many of them appear to be as primitive as the book itself, but in later works of the same nature these recipes and prescriptions appear to have increased, both as regards quality and quantity. In the Anunga Runga or "The Stage of Love," mentioned at page 5 of the Preface in Part I., there are found no less than thirty-three different subjects for which one hundred and thirty recipes and prescriptions are given.<br />
<br />
As the details may be interesting, these subjects are described as follows:<br />
<br />
1.For hastening the paroxysm of the woman.<br />
<br />
2.For delaying the organs of the man.<br />
<br />
3.Aphrodisiacs.<br />
<br />
4.For thickening and enlarging the lingam, rendering it sound and strong, hard and lusty.<br />
<br />
5.For narrowing and contracting the yoni.<br />
<br />
6.For perfuming the yoni.<br />
<br />
7.For removing and destroying the hair of the body.<br />
<br />
8.For removing the sudden stopping of the monthly ailment.<br />
<br />
9.For abating the immoderate appearance of the monthly ailment.<br />
<br />
10.For purifying the womb.<br />
<br />
11.For causing pregnancy.<br />
<br />
12.For preventing miscarriage and other accidents.<br />
<br />
13.For ensuring easy labour and ready deliverance.<br />
<br />
14.For limiting the number of children.<br />
<br />
15.For thickening and beautifying the hair.<br />
<br />
16.For obtaining a good black colour to it.<br />
<br />
17.For whitening and bleaching it.<br />
<br />
18.For renewing it.<br />
<br />
19.For clearing the skin of the face from eruptions that break out and leave black spots upon it.<br />
<br />
20.For removing the black colour of the epidermis.<br />
<br />
21.For enlarging the breasts of women.<br />
<br />
22.For raising and hardening pendulous breasts.<br />
<br />
23.For giving a fragrance to the skin.<br />
<br />
24.For removing the evil savour of perspiration.<br />
<br />
25.For anointing the body after bathing.<br />
<br />
26.For causing a pleasant smell to the breath.<br />
<br />
27.Drugs and charms for the purposes of fascinating, overcoming, and subduing either men or women.<br />
<br />
28.Recipes for enabling a woman to attract and preserve her husband's love.<br />
<br />
29.Magical collyriums for winning love and friendship.<br />
<br />
30.Prescriptions for reducing other persons to submission.<br />
<br />
31.Philter pills, and other charms.<br />
<br />
32.Fascinating incense, or fumigation.<br />
<br />
33.Magical verses which have the power of fascination.<br />
<br />
Of the one hundred and thirty recipes given, many of them are absurd, but not more perhaps than many of the recipes and prescriptions in use in Europe not so very long ago. Love-philters, charms, and herbal remedies have been, in early days, as freely used in Europe as in Asia, and doubtless some people believe in them still in many places.<br />
<br />
And now, one word about the author of the work, the good old sage Vatsyayana. It is much to be regretted that nothing can be discovered about his life, his belongings, and his surroundings. At the end of Part VII. he states that he wrote the work while leading the life of a religious student [probably at Benares] and while wholly engaged in the contemplation of the Deity. He must have arrived at a certain age at that time, for throughout he gives us the benefit of his experience, and of his opinions, and these bear the stamp of age rather than of youth; indeed the work could hardly have been written by a young man.<br />
<br />
In a beautiful verse of the Vedas of the Christians it has been said of the peaceful dead, that they rest from their labours, and that their works do follow them. Yes indeed, the works of men of genius do follow them, and remain as a lasting treasure. And though there may be disputes and discussions about the immortality of the body or the soul, nobody can deny the immortality of genius, which ever remains as a bright and guiding star to the struggling humanities of succeeding ages. This work, then, which has stood the test of centuries, has placed Vatsyayana among the immortals, and on This, and on Him no better elegy or eulogy can be written than the following lines:<br />
<br />
"So long as lips shall kiss, and eyes shall see,<br />
<br />
So long lives This, and This gives life to Thee."<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
FOOTNOTES:<br />
<br />
[1] Dharma is acquisition of religious merit, and is fully described in Chapter 5, Volume III., of Talboys Wheeler's 'History of India,' and in the edicts of Asoka.<br />
<br />
[2] Artha is acquisition of wealth and property, etc.<br />
<br />
[3] Kama is love, pleasure and sensual gratification. <br />
These three words are retained throughout in their original, as technical terms. They may also be defined as virtue, wealth and pleasure, the three things repeatedly spoken of in the Laws of Manu.<br />
<br />
[4] These were certainly materialists who seemed to think that a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush.<br />
<br />
[5] Among the Hindoos the four classes of men are the Brahmans or priestly class, the Kshutrya or warlike class, the Vaishya or agricultural and mercantile class, and the Shoodra or menial class. The four stages of life are, the life of a religious student, the life of a householder, the life of a hermit, and the life of a Sunyasi or devotee.<br />
[6] Bali was a demon who had conquered Indra and gained his throne, but was afterwards overcome by Vishnu at the time of his fifth incarnation.<br />
<br />
[7] Dandakya is said to have abducted from the forest the daughter of a Brahman, named Bhargava, and being cursed by the Brahman, was buried with his kingdom under a shower of dust. The place was called after his name the Dandaka forest, celebrated in the Ramayana, but now unknown.<br />
<br />
[8] Ahalya was the wife of the sage Gautama. Indra caused her to believe that he was Gautama, and thus enjoyed her. He was cursed by Gautama and subsequently afflicted with a thousand ulcers on his body.<br />
<br />
[9] Kichaka was the brother-in-law of King Virata, with whom the Pandavas had taken refuge for one year. Kichaka was killed by Bhima, who assumed the disguise of Draupadi. For this story the Mahabarata should be referred to.<br />
<br />
[10] The story of Ravana is told in the Ramayana, which with the Mahabarata form the two great epic poems of the Hindoos; the latter was written by Vyasa, and the former by Valmiki.<br />
<br />
[11] The author wishes to prove that a great many things are done by people from practice and custom, without their being acquainted with the reason of things, or the laws on which they are based, and this is perfectly true.<br />
<br />
[12] The proviso of being married applies to all the teachers.<br />
[13] This term would appear to apply generally to an inhabitant of Hindoostan. It is not meant only for a dweller in a city, like the Latin Urbanus as opposed to Rusticus.<br />
<br />
[14] Gift is peculiar to a Brahman, conquest to a Kshatrya, while purchase, deposit, and other means of acquiring wealth belongs to the Vaishya.<br />
<br />
[15] Natural garden flowers.<br />
<br />
[16] Such as quails, partridges, parrots, starlings, &c.<br />
<br />
<br />
[17] The calls of nature always performed by the Hindoos the first thing in the morning.<br />
<br />
[18] A colour made from lac.<br />
<br />
[19] This would act instead of soap, which was not introduced until the rule of the Mahomedans.<br />
<br />
[20] Ten days are allowed when the hair is taken out with a pair of pincers.<br />
<br />
[21] These are characters generally introduced in the Hindoo drama; their characteristics will be explained further on.<br />
<br />
[22] Noonday sleep is only allowed in summer, when the nights are short.<br />
<br />
[23] These are very common in all parts of India.<br />
<br />
[24] In the 'Asiatic Miscellany,' and in Sir W. Jones's works, will be found a spirited hymn addressed to this goddess, who is adored as the patroness of the fine arts, especially of music and rhetoric, as the inventress of the Sanscrit language, &c., &c. She is the goddess of harmony, eloquence, and language, and is somewhat analogous to Minerva. For further information about her, see Edward Moor's 'Hindoo Pantheon.'<br />
<br />
[25] The public women, or courtesans (Vesya), of the early Hindoos have often been compared with the Hetera of the Greeks. The subject is dealt with at some length in H. H. Wilson's 'Select Specimens of the Theatre of the Hindoos,' in two volumes, Trubner & Co., 1871. It may be fairly considered that the courtesan was one of the elements, and an important element too, of early Hindoo society, and that her education and intellect were both superior to that of the women of the household. Wilson says, "By the Vesya or courtesan, however, we are not to understand a female who has disregarded the obligation of law or the precepts of virtue, but a character reared by a state of manners unfriendly to the admission of wedded females into society, and opening it only at the expense of reputation to women who were trained for association with men by personal and mental acquirements to which the matron was a stranger."<br />
<br />
[26] According to this description a Pithamarda would be a sort of professor of all the arts, and as such received as the friend and confidant of the citizens.<br />
<br />
[27] A seat in the form of the letter T.<br />
<br />
[28] The Vita is supposed to represent somewhat the character of the Parasite of the Greek comedy. It is possible that he was retained about the person of the wealthy and dissipated as a kind of private instructor, as well as an entertaining companion.<br />
<br />
[29] Vidushaka is evidently the buffoon and jester. Wilson says of him that he is the humble companion, not the servant, of a prince or man of rank, and it is a curious peculiarity that he is always a Brahman. He bears more affinity to Sancho Panza, perhaps, than any other character in western fiction, imitating him in his combination of shrewdness and simplicity, his fondness of good living and his love of ease. In the dramas of intrigue he exhibits some of the talents of Mercury, but with less activity and ingenuity, and occasionally suffers by his interference. According to the technical definition of his attributes he is to excite mirth by being ridiculous in person, age, and attire.<br />
<br />
[30] This means, it is presumed, that the citizen should be acquainted with several languages. The middle part of this paragraph might apply to the Nihilists and Fenians of the day, or to secret societies. It was perhaps a reference to the Thugs.<br />
<br />
[31] This term does not apply to a widow, but to a woman who had probably left her husband, and is living with some other person as a married woman, maritalement, as they say in France.<br />
<br />
[32] Any woman fit to be enjoyed without sin. The object of the enjoyment of women is twofold, viz., pleasure and progeny. Any woman who can be enjoyed without sin for the purpose of accomplishing either the one or the other of these two objects is a Nayika. The fourth kind of Nayika which Vatsya admits further on is neither enjoyed for pleasure or for progeny, but merely for accomplishing some special purpose in hand. The word Nayika is retained as a technical term throughout.<br />
<br />
[33] High unions are said to be better than low ones, for in the former it is possible for the male to satisfy his own passion without injuring the female, while in the latter it is difficult for the female to be satisfied by any means.<br />
<br />
[34] The strength of passion with women varies a great deal, some being easily satisfied, and others eager and willing to go on for a long time. To satisfy these last thoroughly a man must have recourse to art. It is certain that a fluid flows from the woman in larger or smaller quantities, but her satisfaction is not complete until she has experienced the "spasme génêsique," as described in a French work recently published and called "Breviare de l'Amour Experimental par le Dr. Jules Guyot."<br />
<br />
[35] This is a long dissertation very common among Sanscrit authors, both when writing and talking socially. They start certain propositions, and then argue for and against them. What it is presumed the author means, is, that though both men and women derive pleasure from the act of coition, the way it is produced is brought about by different means, each individual performing his own work in the matter, irrespective of the other, and each deriving individually their own consciousness of pleasure from the act they perform. There is a difference in the work that each does, and a difference in the consciousness of pleasure that each has, but no difference in the pleasure they feel, for each feels that pleasure to a greater or lesser degree.<br />
<br />
[36] This paragraph should be particularly noted, for it specially applies to married men and their wives. So many men utterly ignore the feelings of the women, and never pay the slightest attention to the passion of the latter. To understand the subject thoroughly, it is absolutely necessary to study it, and then a person will know that, as dough is prepared for baking, so must a woman be prepared for sexual intercourse, if she is to derive satisfaction from it.<br />
<br />
[37] From this it would appear that in ancient times the breasts of women were not covered, and this is seen in the painting of the Ajunta and other caves, where we find that the breasts of even royal ladies and others are exposed.<br />
<br />
[38] Men who are well acquainted with the art of love are well aware how often one woman differs from another in her sighs and sounds during the time of congress. Some women like to be talked to in the most loving way, others in the most abusive way, and so on. Some women enjoy themselves with closed eyes in silence, others make a great noise over it, and some almost faint away. The great art is to ascertain what gives them the greatest pleasure, and what specialities they like best.<br />
<br />
[39] This practice appears to have been prevalent in some parts of India from a very ancient time. The "Shushruta," a work on medicine some two thousand years old, describes the wounding of the lingam with the teeth as one of the causes of a disease treated upon in that work. Traces of the practice are found as far back as the eighth century, for various kinds of the Auparishtaka are represented in the sculptures of many Shaiva temples at Bhuvaneshwara, near Cuttack, in Orissa, and which were built about that period. From these sculptures being found in such places, it would seem that this practice was popular in that part of the country at that time. It does not seem to be so prevalent now in Hindustan, its place perhaps is filled up by the practice of sodomy, introduced since the Mahomedan period.<br />
<br />
[40] The fresh juice of the cocoa nut tree, the date tree, and other kinds of palm trees are drunk in India. It will not keep fresh very long, but ferments rapidly, and is then distilled into liquor.<br />
<br />
[41] The characteristics of these three individuals have been given in Part I. page 31.<br />
<br />
[42] A definition of the sixty-four parts, or divisions, is given in Chapter II., page 4<br />
[43] The flight of a blue jay on a person's left side is considered a lucky omen when one starts on any business; the appearance of a cat before anyone at such a time is looked on as a bad omen. There are many omens of the same kind.<br />
<br />
[44] Such as the throbbing of the right eye of men and the left eye of women, etc.<br />
<br />
[45] Before anything is begun it is a custom to go early in the morning to a neighbour's house, and overhear the first words that may be spoken in his family, and according as the words heard are of good or bad import, so draw an inference as to the success or failure of the undertaking.[46] A disease consisting of any glandular enlargement in any part of the body.<br />
<br />
[47] A woman, the palms of whose hands and the soles of whose feet are always perspiring.<br />
<br />
[48] These last few lines have been exemplified in many ways in many novels of this century.<br />
<br />
[49] There is a good deal of truth in the last few observations. Woman is a monogamous animal, and loves but one, and likes to feel herself alone in the affections of one man, and cannot bear rivals. It may also be taken as a general rule that women either married to, or kept by, rich men love them for their wealth, but not for themselves.<br />
<br />
[50] These forms of marriage differ from the four kinds of marriage mentioned in Chapter I., and are only to be made use of when the girl is gained over in the way mentioned in Chapters III. and IV.<br />
<br />
[51] About this, see a story on the fatal effects of love at page 114 of "Early Ideas; a Group of Hindoo Stories," collected and collated by Anaryan. W. H. Allen and Co., London, 1881.<br />
<br />
[52] About the Gandharvavivaha form of marriage, see note to page 28 of Captain R. F. Burton's "Vickram and the Vampire; or Tales of Hindu Devilry." Longman, Green & Co., London, 1870. This form of matrimony was recognised by the ancient Hindus, and is frequent in books. It is a kind of Scotch Wedding—ultra-Caledonian—taking place by mutual consent without any form or ceremony. The Gandharvas are heavenly minstrels of Indra's court, who are supposed to be witnesses,<br />
[53] This probably refers to a girl married in her infancy, or when very young, and whose husband had died before she arrived at the age of puberty. Infant marriages are still the common custom of the Hindoos.<br />
<br />
[54] A name given to the maid servants of the zenana of the Kings in ancient times, on account of their always keeping their breasts covered with a cloth called Kanchuki. It was customary in the olden time for the maid servants to cover their breasts with a cloth, while the Queens kept their breasts uncovered. This custom is distinctly to be seen in the Ajunta cave paintings.<br />
<br />
[55] The meaning of this word is a superior woman, so it would seem that a Mahallarika must be a person in authority over the maid servants of the house.<br />
<br />
[56] This was also appertaining to the rank of women employed in the harem. In latter times this place was given to eunuchs.<br />
<br />
[57] As Kings generally had many wives, it was usual for them to enjoy their wives by turns. But as it happened sometimes that some of them lost their turns owing to the King's absence, or to their being unwell, then in such cases the women whose turns had been passed over, and those whose turns had come, used to have a sort of lottery, and the ointment of all the claimants were sent to the King, who accepted the ointment of one of them, and thus settled the question.<br />
<br />
[58] On peut tout attendre et tout supposer d'une femme amoureuse.—Balzac.<br />
<br />
[59] The wife of the sage Gautama, she was seduced by Indra the king of the Gods.<br />
<br />
[60] The heroine of one of the best, if not the best, of Hindoo plays, and the best known in Sanscrit dramatic literature. It was first brought to notice by Sir William Jones, and has been well and poetically translated by Dr. Monier Williams under the title of Sakoontala, or the lost ring, an Indian drama, translated into English prose and verse from the Sanscrit of Kalidasa.<br />
<br />
[61] It is presumed that something like the following French verses are intended. <br />
<br />
Quand on a juré le plus profond hommage<br />
Voulez-vous qu'infidè le on change de langage<br />
Vous seule captive mon esprit ou mon cœur<br />
Que je puisse dans vos bras seuls goûter le bonheur;<br />
Je voudrais, mais en vain, que mon cœur en délire<br />
Couche où ce papier n'oserait vous dire.<br />
Avec soin, de ces vers lisez leur premiers mots<br />
Vous verrez quel remède il faut à tous mes maux.<br />
<br />
Or these: <br />
<br />
Quand on vous voit, on vous aime;<br />
Quand on vous aime, où vous voit-on.<br />
<br />
[62] It is supposed that storms, earthquakes, famines and pestilent diseases are here alluded to.<br />
<br />
[63] This is a phrase used for a man who does the work of everybody, and who is fed by the whole village.<br />
<br />
[64] The exact date of the reign of these kings is not known. It is supposed to have been about the beginning of the Christian era.<br />
<br />
[65] The modern country of Tailangam, which is to the South of Rajamundry.<br />
<br />
[66] Supposed to be a tract of the country to the south of Malwa.<br />
<br />
[67] Now known by the name of Berar. Its capital was Kundinpura, which has been identified with the modern Oomravati.<br />
<br />
[68] Also called Aparantakas, being the northern and southern Concan.<br />
[69] The modern provinces of Katteeawar. Its capital was called Girinaguda, or the modern Junagurh.<br />
[70] These are Lust, Anger, Avarice, Spiritual Ignorance, Pride, and Envy.<br />
[71] The way to make oneself invisible; the knowledge of the art of transmigration, or changing ourselves or others into any shape or form by the use of charms and spells; the power of being in two places at once, and other occult sciences are frequently referred to in all Oriental literature.<br />
<br />
[72] This may be considered as meaning religious influence, and alludes to persons who may be gained over by that means.<br />
[73] It may be noted from the above remarks that eunuchs do not appear to have been employed in the King's harem in those days, though they seem to have been employed for other purposes. See Part II., page 43.<br />
<br />
[74] In England the lower classes of courtesans walk the streets; in India and other places in the East they sit at the windows, or at the doors of their houses.<br />
<br />
[75] On the completion of a vow a festival takes place. Some trees such as the Peepul and Banyan trees, are invested with sacred threads like the Brahman's, and on the occasion of this ceremony a festival is given. In the same way when gardens are made, and tanks or temples built, then also festivals are observed.<br />
<br />
[76] The souls of men who die with their desires unfulfilled are said to go to the world of the Manes, and not direct to the Supreme Spirit.<br />
<br />
[77] It is a custom of the courtesans of Oriental countries to give their daughters temporarily in marriage when they come of age, and after they have received an education in the Kama Sutra and other arts. Full details are given of this at page 76 of "Early Ideas, a group of Hindoo stories, collected and collated by Anaryan. W. H. Allen and Co., London, 1881."<br />
<br />
[78] From the earliest times Oriental authors have occupied themselves about aphrodisiacs. The following note on the subject is taken from page 29 of a translation of the Hindoo Art of Love, otherwise the Anunga Runga, alluded to in the preface of this work, Part I., pages 3 and 5:—"Most Eastern treatises divide aphrodisiacs into two different kinds: 1., the mechanical or natural, such as scarification, flagellation, etc.; and 2., the medicinal or artificial. To the former belong the application of insects, as is practised by some savage races; and all orientalists will remember the tale of the old Brahman, whose young wife insisted upon his being again stung by a wasp."<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Works issued by the Council of the Kama Shastra Society.<br />
<br />
DETAILED PROSPECTUSES CAN BE HAD.<br />
<br />
II.<br />
<br />
ANANGA-RANGA,<br />
<br />
(Stage of the Bodiless One)<br />
<br />
OR THE HINDOO ART OF LOVE, (Ars Amoris Indica,)<br />
<br />
Translated from the Sanskrit and Annotated by A. F. F. AND B. F. R.<br />
<br />
This work may fairly be pronounced unique from the days of Sotades and Ovid to our time. Western authors have treated the subject either jocularly, or with a tendency to hymn the joys of immorality. The Indian author has taken the opposite view, and it is impossible not to admire the delicacy with which he has handled an exceedingly delicate theme.<br />
<br />
III. THE PERFUMED GARDEN, OF THE SHEIK NEFZAOUI,<br />
<br />
OR THE ARAB ART OF LOVE,<br />
XVIth Century<br />
Translated from the French Version of the Arabian MS.<br />
[Ready.<br />
<br />
***This, the authorized version, is printed in purple and red ink, and ornamented with Arabesque Initial Ornaments.<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Transcriber's noteAll occurrences of "i.e." have been italicized for consistency.<br />
<br />
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