Summary

raiders of the
sulu sea

Group 5:
Mary grace Artillo
Erica Acana
Leila Biggaong
Angelo Caceres III
Lester Carillo
 “Raiders of the Sulu Sea”
It is a Historiography documentary and Aims of the document. to raise awareness about slave trading
prevalent in Sulu archipelago during the Spanish period in the 18th century.the background of raiders of
the sulu sea Produced by Oakfilms3 based on Singapore for Q channel, Discovery Channel and the
National Geographic for International Release, First release for Q Channel Korea in 2007, In 2008, it was
distributed internationally by Looking Glass International through Discovery Channel and History
Channel, also It was founded in 1996 and the Oak3 Films founders are Zaihirat Banu Codelli (CEO) along
with Lim Suat Yen ( COO) and Jason Lai (Director of Content). There company is multimedia flatform.
Oral narrative and commentaries of the documentary contributors are: Art Historian Icelle Gloria D.
Borja- Estrada together with Dr. Samuel Tan and Dr. Margarita Cojuangco and other International Asian
Historians.

Icelle Gloria D. Borja- Estrada is the art historian. She is Working as executive assistant in the city of
Zamboanga. Graduate from Ateneo de Zamboanga. Wrote a number of articles in local history including
Raiders of the Sulu Sea, Restoration of the City Hall, Mirror of the Past, The Liberation of Zamboanga
among others. Dr. Samuel Tan a native of Siasi, Sulu and born of Tausug-Sama-Chinese
parentage.Bachelor of Theology at Ebenezer Bible College where he taught and served as Dean of Men,
he is M.A. in History at the University of the Philippines, Ph.D. in Social Science Interdisciplinary at
Maxwell School, Syracuse University, New York. Convenor and advocate of Mindanao Peace
Wrote books and article The History of the Philippines (2009)

Sulu is Located in the Southern Philippines that lies approximately between Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. It is
surrounded by the Mindanao and Sulu seas in the North and the West, and the Celebes Sea in the East.
Sulu is composed of 157 islands and islets which are divied into four groups: Jolo, Pangutaran, Tongkil-
Balaguigui and Siasi-Tapul. Muslim raiders of the Sulu Sea territory, namely the Ilanuns, Balangingi
Samals, and the Tausugs, and how they protected their business (slave trade), religion, culture and
power during the Spanish colonization.
Slave-holding was a primary form of investment in Sulu, Slave raiding as retaliation to colonizers,
organized structures in slave raiding usually done between July to October called as the Pirate wind “
Pirate monsoon”. Showing how the Spaniards defended the Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City as Spain’s last
bastion of defense and economic expansion Southern Philippines
The flourishing free trade in Southeast with the influx of Europeans (English, Dutch, Spanish) that push
to the periphery the tribal groups and their status.
A showcase of the indigenous sophisticated maritime vessels: Lanong, Garay and the Salisipan .
Craftsmanship and ingenuity in tools of war such as the Barong, Kris and the Kampilan “fate of the
Captured Balangingi Leader called Panglima Taupan and his family who eventually was exiled to the
north of Luzon in Cagayan, and was made to work in the Tobacco Plantation”.

The primary form investment in sulu It was a source of livelihood because there was high demand of
slaves by the European tradersIllanuns bore a hole through the palm and put a string through the palm
of each person they have captured. Slave raiders will disguise as helpless fishermen in the coastlines of
Christian territories in Luzon and Visayas to get their prey. Slave raiders will disguise as helpless
fishermen in the coastlines of Christian territories in Luzon and Visayas to get their prey. Wage war in
the name of God, Spain – protector of the Catholic Church.The crusade forced the European traders who
used the Silk Road to travel by sea and paved way for the invention of galleon vessel and later steam
boats.
In the documentary Dr. Julius Bautista cited that Spaniards should Prevent Islam in spreading up to the
Northern part of the country And Propagate Christianity in the Southern territory. According to Dr.
Samuel Tan, the term “pirates” Need to Deconstruct since.These people (the Illanun) retaliated against
the SpaniardsAttacked the converted local Christians located at the Northern part of the country.To stop
in the continual spread of Christianity throughout the country or eventually eliminate it.
Organized structures in slave raiding usually done between July to October called as the Pirate wind “
Pirate monsoon”.Showing how the Spaniards defended the Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City as Spain’s last
bastion of defense and economic expansion Southern Philippines.The flourishing free trade in Southeast
with the influx of Europeans (English, Dutch, Spanish) that push to the periphery the tribal groups and
their status. A showcase of the indigenous sophisticated maritime vessels: Jungas, Garay and the
Salisipan.
Garay is Fastest vessel,Less than 100 sailors. it can fit,30-40 rowers per side and Composed of bamboo,
nipa, and wood. Salisipan a Raiders disguised as hungry, homeless fishermen, and Small maritime vessel
It used to hide the Garay. Craftsmanship and ingenuity in tools of war such as the Barong, Kris and the
Kampilan. fate of the Captured Balangingi Leader called Panglima Taupan and his family who eventually
was exiled to the north of Luzon in Cagayan, and was made to work in the Tobacco Plantation.

Secret weapon of Gov. Gen Claveria is Steamboats in Ordered "steamships" from England (1848 ) to 3
steamships.Reyna Castella of Magallanes,Mercado,Slave Holding and Slave Raiding in Sulu.The highest
price was for young women. Sometimes it is influenced by cultural characteristics of their group for
Tagalog or Manila men had a great endurance a good rowers, skilful helmsmen and boat builders.
Visayan divers and sailors.Visayan women were superior in weaving.

Patterns of Raiding 1768-1898

From the end of eighteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth, the southeast Asia felt the full
force of slave raiders of Sulu Zone. They navigated along the west coast of Borneo andcrossed the south
the South China Sea to the straits of Malacca and the Bay of Bengal. In the south, their raiding vessels
through the Makassar Strait and fanned out over the Indonesian World. They crossed the Banda Sea to
New Guinea, made raid along the coast of Java and circumnavigated Borneo.
Patterns of Raiding Slave. In pursuits of the captives, Iranun and Balanguingui terrorized the Philippine
archipelago. They preyed on the poorly defended lowland coastal villages and towns of southern Luzon
and Visayan Islands. They earned reputation as daring, fierce murderers who jeopardized the maritime
trade routes of Southeast Asia and dominated the capture and transport of slaves to the Sulu Sultanate.
Corroborating Discovery in Archaeology
1977 discovery of balangay in Butuan affirming that tnearby places in Mindanao have great knowledge
in boat making
Raiders of the Sulu Sea
Raising the consciousness of the readers and learners about the cultural context of the narrative
As an undercurrent of history narrative (ordinary people, raiders etc), the document reveals the cultural
practices that shape their society
Enrich the discourse within the realm of Mindanao Studies
Slave trading is a status symbol in the Tausug culture and a source of income.
It is embedded in their culture at that time and became a source of power
According to Tausug descendant, Halman Abubakar. The Balangingi Samal, Tausugs and Illanuns are
freedom fighters
History to be holistic in approach should be viewed in various perspectives to see the complete picture
of the narrative.