ISLAM IN THE PHILIPPINES

 Moro- Spanish term for “Moor” or Muslim

 Raha Sulayman- muslim king of Maynilad
 Main group of Filipino Muslims
1. Maranaos of Lanao
2. Maguindanaons of Cotabato
3. Samals of Zamboanga
4. Sangils of Davao
5. Yakans of Basilan
6. Taosugs of Sulu
Islamic Faith and Muslim Customs
• Islam: “Submission to the will of God”
• God: Allah
• Prophet: Mohammad
• Bible: Quran
• Five pillars of Islam:
a. The Shahadah (Declaration of faith) - Trusting and understanding the words of the
Shahadah. "There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.“

b. Prayer (Salah) - Praying five times a day, kneeling towards Mecca. There are specific
ritualistic movements and prayers that are said.

C. Charity or alms-giving (Zakat) - Each year a Muslim should give money to charity
(Usually 2.5% of their savings). If a person does not have much money, they can do other
things instead.

D. Fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawm) - Islamic Fasting is not eating or
drinking when the sun is out, only when the moon is out.

E. A pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) - Muslims should go to Mecca to worship Allah on a

pilgrimage. They should do this at least once in their lives. A person does not have to
make this pilgrimage if they cannot afford to, or they are physically unable to (Though
they can get someone else to go for them).
• Polygamy- a recognized practice in muslims (can have as many as four fives)
 Islam Reaches the Philippines Ahead of Christianity
Sharif Makdum- Muslim missionary from Malacca introduced Islam in Sulu in the year
1380 (141 years before Christianity).

1390- Raha Baginda from Sumatra arrived in Sulu to carry on Sharif’s works. He
introduced the first firearms and elephants in the Philippines

1450- Abu Bakr arrived in Sulu from Johore. He married Princess Paramisuli (daughter of
Raha Baginda), and founded the Sulu Sultanate on the first year. He became the first
Sultan of Sulu.

1475- Sharif Kabungsuwan (first muslim leader to reach Mindanao) arrived in

Cotabato(Maguindanao) from Johore. He became the first Sultan of Maguindanao, with
Putri Tunina as first sultana.

1571-Islam had spread from Sulu and Mindanao to Visayas and to the shores of Manila.

Spain Checks Islam’s Advance

 Spain would have spread all over Philippines if it weren’t for Spain
 If it weren’t for the arrival of Legazpi(1571), Islam would have taken root in Luzon
 Sulayman (muslim) – last Filipino king of Manila.
 Lakan Dula (muslim) – last Filipino king of Tondo.
Causes of the Moro War

 The war between the Muslim Filipinos and the Spaniards lasted from 1578-1898.
 1ST CAUSE: The Spanish invasion of Mindanao and Sulu
 2nd CAUSE: The muslim Filipinos defended their Islamic Faith from Christianity.
 3rd CAUSE: The love of Muslim Filipinos’ adventure.
Spain Fires the First Shot

 JUNE 1578- Governor Francisco de Sande sent a Spanish force to Jolo. This was
commanded by Captain Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa. Sultan Pangiran- resisted the
attack but was defeated. After the defeat, the Muslim Filipinos sent tributes in pearls
and in exchange for friendship with Spain. The Spaniards sailed away from Jolo.
 1596- Captain Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa (first Governor of Mindanao) obtained
from Spain the right to colonize Mindanao. An invasion of 1500 Christian Filipinos and
 214 Spaniards at Bwayan. They were defeated and this was the first attempt of Spain to
colonize Mindanao.
First Moro Counter-Attacks

 Raha Sirunga and Salikala gathered a force of 50 caracaos and 3,000 krismen. July 1599
they raided the Visayas and burned the towns.
 1600- Sirungan and Salikala gathered again a force of 70 vessels and 4,000 warrios and
raided the Visayas but was lost at Arevalo, IloIlo provice by 1000 visayan warriors and
70 spanish arquebusiers under the command of Don Juan Garcia Sierra
Galinato’s Attack in Jolo

 1602- Captain Juan Gallinato led a raid in Jolo with a force of 200 Spaniards (veterans).
In three months, he tried to capture Jolo but it was in vain.
The founding of Zamboanga

 1627- Cristobel de Lugo Raids after Galinato’s Attack

 1628- Lorenzo de Olaso
 1630- Pedro Tousino but they were all in vain
 April 6, 1635- Captain Juan de Chaves established a base in Zamboanga with a force of
1000 Visayans and 300 Spaniards. Accompanied by Fr. Melchot de Vera began to build a
fort named “Fort Pilar” in honor of Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Tagal’s Last Raid

 Tagal (muslim warrior) successfully led a raid and for eight months captured Christian
slaves. He boasted to his brother (Kudarat) that he shall bring the God of the Christians
as a prisoner.
 December 17, 1636- Tagal boldy sailed by Zamboanga’s shores. The Spanish governor
was informed and quickly sent 6 vessels in pursuit to capture Tagal
 December 21, 1636- a fierce battle ensued with Tagal killed on the scene and Gonzales
liberating 120 Christians.
 February 2, 1637- Governor Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera decided to invade
Maguindanao.Governor Corcuera landed in Zamboanga for reinforcements.
 March 13, 1637- they landed at the mouth of Rio Grande de Mindanao. The next day he
orded an attack on Lamitan (Kudarat’s Capital).
 Kudarat fought fiercely but was overwhelmed by the Filipino-Spanish troops. Kudarat
fled to a fortified hill called Ilihan.
 March 18- Ilihan was eventually captured with Kudarat and his wife escaped.
 May 24- Governor Corcuera returned to Manila with a Governor’s Welcome.
Capture of Jolo by Corcuera

 Governor Corcuera returned to Zamboanga after a few days. Prepared an expedition

with a force of 80 ships, 1000 Christians, and 500 Spaniards.
 April 17, 1638- a bloody battle ensued. Sultan Bungsu escaped but his wife Sultan Tuan
Baloca was taken captive.
First Spanish Expedition to Lanao

 April 4, 1639- the first Spanish expedition to Lanao was led by Dr. San Agustin de San
Pedro and Captain Francisco de Atienza. Alliances were formed.
 1640- Another expedition was led by Pedro Bermudez de Castro but the Maranaos
attacked due to the Spanish agression. They were saved by Father San Pedro from
annihilation
First Measures Against the Moros

 The Moros were not discouraged by Corcueras victories. They intensified their efforts
to continue the war against Spain.
 1645 – The Taosugs liberated Jolo and destroyed the spanish garrison which Corcuera
established there.
The Spanish efforts in protecting Christian Filipinos

 Peace treaties were made with the Muslims

 Spanish forts were made in strategic locations in the archipelago such as Zamboanga,
Dapitan, Iligan, Sabanilla and Tandag in Mindanao
 Watch towers were erected along the coast from Mindanao up to Northern Luzon.
 Armed Galleys and frigates patrol the sea lanes.
 Military Expeditions were sent against Jolo and Mindanao from time to time in order to
destroy the Muslim Power.
Sultan Alimud Din I of Jolo
• Deposed by his brother, Bantilan, because of his friendship with Spain. 1749
• Fled to Manila for refuge together with his family and faithful retainers and was
royally received by Bishop Juan De Arrechedera
• Baptized by the Dominican Fathers and was named Don Fernando de Alimu Din I
• The first Christian Sultan of Jolo together with his daughter, Fatima.
• Restored to his throne by Governor Obando, Arrechedera’s successor, but was
framed by the Spanish Commander in Zamboanga claiming that he has intercepted a letter
from Alimud Din to a sultan in Mindanao which is allegedly treasonable.
 • Shipped back to Manila and was imprisoned in Fort Santiago
• Released by Governor Arandia, Obando’s successor, and was given royal privilages
• Fled to Pasig when the British Troops invaded Manila and was rescued by them
and restored him to his throne in Jolo. 1762
Height of the Moro Wars

 Second half of the 18th century saw the height of the Moro Raids. Everywhere the Moros
struck and left horrible trails of Blood and Death.
 In 1769, the Moros landed in Malate within sight of the Spanish Cannons, plundered the
place, sailed away with 20 prisoners and rich spoils of war.
 According to Spanish records, the Moros captured an average of 500 Christians annually
and sold them to slave markets in the East Indies. Between 1778 and 1793, the Spanish
Government spent more than 1 Million Pesos for military operations against the
marauding Moros.
Missionaries as Moro Fighters

 In the course of the Moro wars, many missionaries won fame as gallant warriors. They
fought side by side with the soldiers in the defense of the Cross against the plunging
hordes of the Crescent.
 Foremost among them was Fr. Agustine San Pedro, recollect missionary and Military
genius, who fought the Moros in Mindanao and defended Romblon in 1644 against a
Moro Raid. Because of his military exploits, he was then called the Padre Capitan (Priest
Captain).
 Other Missionary-Heroes in the Moro War include:
Fr. Antonio de Santa Ana
Fr. Marcelino del Espiritu Santo
Fr. Jose Ducos
Fr. Pascual Ibanez
Decline of the Moro Raids

 In 1848, steamships were purchased by Spain in England – the Magallanes, the Elcano,
and the Reina de Castilla, sounded the death-knell of Moro supremacy in the seas, for
the steamships can easily out sail the fastest Moro vinta.
 Governor General Narciso Claveria – given the title of “Count of Manila” and was given a
sword of exquisite workmanship after he defeated the Samals in Balanguigui using the
new steamships.
  Governor General Antonio de Urbiztondo – was a given a sword and an artistic cane
after he defeated the Moros in Tonquil on December 24, 1850 and captured Jolo on
February 28, 1851.
 Jose Rizal, while a student in Ateneo de Manila, wrote a poem praising Urbiztondo’s
victory. The poem, written in 1875, was entitled “The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo”
Malcampo’s Conquest of Jolo (1876)
• Admiral Jose Malcampo prepared 21 steam warships, 11 transports, and 10,000 combat
troops due to the resurgence of the raids of Taosugs.
• Reached Jolo shores on February 21, 1876 and began his attack on the 29 th. The battle
lasted for 24 hours and on March 1st, Sultan Jamalil A’lam sued for peace and
transferred his capital to Maimbung.
• Malacampo’s victory resulted to the permanent Spanish occupation in Jolo and was
rewarded with the title of “Count of Jolo”.
• He appointed Don Pascual Cervera as first Spanish politico- military governor of Jolo
before he returned back to Manila.
• Jolo remained to be occupied by Spain until their rule was over on the Philippines in
1898.
Moro Sultan Leases Sabah to British North Borneo Company

 January 22, 1878 – Sultan Jamalil A’lam leased his territory of Sabah (North Borneo) to
Mr. Alfred Dent and Baron Gustave Von Overbeck in sore need of funds to carry on the
 resistance to the Spanish Invasion of his sultanate.
End of the Moro Wars
• After Malacampo’s conquest of Jolo, the Spanish authorities turned their efforts
towards the conquest of Mindanao
• Governor General Emilio Torrero first tried to invade Cotabato because he was
opposed by Datu Utto, who swore by his kris that no Spaniards would conquer
Cotabato. Torrero tried but failed and fled back to Manila.
• Governor General Valerio Weyler, the “Butcher of Cuba” then invaded Lanao. He won
the First Battle of Marawi in Lanao Lake, but Datu Amai Pakpak was able to escape and
recruited more warriors who faught with greater fury against Weyler.
• Failing to conquer Lanao, he attacked Cotabato but again he failed because of the fierce
resistance of Datu Ali Jimbangan and his formidable krismen.
 • Four years later, Governor General Ramon Blanco, invaded Lanao Lake region
and started the Second Battle of Marawi. Blanco succeeded in killing Datu Amai
Pakpak but failed to conquer Lanao because of the enraged Moro Warriors who
proclaimed a jihad (holy war), forcing Blanco to return back to Manila
Peace Treaty of Paris
The last Spanish attempt to conquer Mindanao occurred in February 1898
when General Buille took the field in Cotabato and withdrew after a few days of fighting. Then
came the Peace Treaty of Paris which ended Spanish Rule in the Philippines. After more than 3
centuries of bitter warfare, Spain had failed to conquer the Moroland.
Arabic Influences in the Philippines
• Islam
• Sultanate form of government
• System of Jurisprudence based on Qu’ranic Law.
• The Arabic Calendar and Islamic Holidays
• Arabic Arts (Sarimanok, Okil…)
• Literature (Maranao Darangan, Maguindanaon
Indarapatra and Sulayman, Taosug Parang-
Sabil inspired by the stirring Arabian Nights
• Hints of Arbic Words in the Filipino language.
Filipino Arabic
akma akma
alak arak
apo apu
bukas bukra
salamat salam