The

Moro Wars
The Moro Wars
During 1578-1898, Spaniards, as the
champions of the cross, tried to conquer the
Moroland (Mindanao and Sulu)

Muslim Filipino (Moros), succeeded in

preserving their Islamic faith and ancestral
heritage.
The Moros
Term Moro, is a Spanish term for Moor or Muslim.

They are known as great warriors.

Muslim Filipinos are friendly, hospitable, kind, brave and

patriotic like their Christian brothers. (Both belong to
Malay Race)

According to Vic Hurley:

The Moros are grand people... Everyone of them is
valiant. There never was a Moro who is afraid to die.
Death on the field of battle is a privilege, and they guard
their privilege zealously
The Moros
MAIN GROUPS OF FILIPINO
MUSLIMS:
1.Maranaos of Lanao
2.Maguindanaos of
Cotabato
3.Samals of Zamboanga
4.Sangils of Davao
5.Yakans of Basilan
6.Taosugs of Sulu
 Islamic Faith and
Muslim Customs
Religion: Islam, means
Submission to the Will of God

God is Allah; Muhammad is His

Prophet.

Bible of Islam is Quran

Agama, court of Muslim Filipinos

 Five Pillars of Islam
Profession of Faith: There is no God but
Allah, and Muhammad is his Prophet

Prayer five times a day facing

Mecca

Giving of Alms (Zakah) to the poor

During 9th of Arabic Fasting during the month of

Calendar Ramadan

Pilgrimage to Mecca, the Holy City ofIsl

Muslim Customs
Courtship comes after marriage. Muslim suitors
are not allowed to talk with their girl friends.

Marriages are arranged by parents.

Polygamy, a recognized practice among Muslims.

According to Quran, may have as many as four
wives. Divorce is also permitted.

Muslims do not eat pork and do not drink wine.

Islam reaches the Philippines
Even before Magellan has arrived, Islam had already
reached Philippine soil.

About 1380, Sharif Makdum (Muslim missionary from

Malacca), introduced Islam to Sulu.

He built a Mosque at Tubig-Indangan on the island of

Simunul.

1390, Raha Baginda from Sumatra arrived in Sulu and

carried Makdums work in propagating Islam among
Taosug people. Introduces the first firearms and
elephants in the Philippines.
Islam reaches the Philippines
1450, Abu Bakran (an Arab authority on Islamic religion
and law), arrived in Sulu from Johore.

Married Princess Paramisuli, daughter of Raha Baginda,

and founded Sulu sultanate in same year.

He became the first sultan of Sulu, with his wife as first

sultana. Died in 1480, after a reign of 30 years.
Islam reaches the Philippines
Sharif Kabungsuwan- first Muslim leader to reach
Mindanao.

Landen at Cotabato (Maguindanao) in 1475.

Married native princess Putri Tuina. He became the first

sultan of Maguindanao, with his wife as first sultana.
Causes of the Moro Wars
War between the Muslim Filipinos and the Spaniards
lasted from 1578 to 1898, or more than 300 years.

First, Spanish invasion of Mindanao and Sulu.

Second, Muslim Filipinos defended their Islamic faith

against the invaders who wanted to propagate
Christianity.

Third, the love of the Muslim Filipinos for adventure.

Spain Fires first Shot
Spain began the Muslim Wars.

June 1578, Gov. Francisco de Sande, sent a Spanish force

against Jolo. This force was commanded by Captain
Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa.

Taosug warriors was led by Sultan Pangiran Budiman

(Muhamad ul-Halim) resisted the attack.

Despite their ferocious defense,

Capt Figueroa captured Jolo.
Spain Fires first Shot
1596, Captain Figueroa obtained the right to colonize
Mindanao for two generations, with title of Governor of
Mindanao.

He led an invasion force of 1500 Christian Filipinos and

214 Spaniards reaching Rio Grande de Mindanao on April
20 and landed at Bwayan, where he is resisted by Datu
Sirungan (Silonga)

Datu Ubal, brother of Sirungan, killed him during the

fighting. His death is avenged by slaying Ubal of his
bodyguards.
First Moro Counter-Attacks
Raha Sirunga and Salikala, gathered a force of 50
caracoas (was vessels) and 3,000 krismen.

July 1599, they raided Visayas, burning the

Christian towns, plundering them, killing the
people, taking captives of the survivors, and
returned home with rich spoils of loot.
First Moro Counter-Attacks
1600, Sirungan and Salikala, mustered a stronger force of
70 vessels and 4,000 warriors and again raided the Visayas.

1602, Sirungan and his brother Buisan of Maguindanao

organized a powerful armada of 145 vessels and thousands
of warriors.

After leaving Maguindanao, armada split into two flotillas.

Both flotilla succeeded in raiding missions, returning to

Maguindanao with 700 Christian captives.
Gallinatos Attack on Jolo
Spanish authorities sent force of 200 Spaniards
against Jolo, headed by Capt. Juan Gallinato.

Attacked on February 1602.

Gallinato, tasting defeat and suffering heavy losses,

sailed away.
The Founding of Zamboanga
Expeditions commanded by Cristobal de Lugo
(1627), Lorenzo de Olaso (1628), and Pedro
Tousio (1630) all failed to capture Jolo.

Gov. Juan Cerezo de Salamanco established a

military base in Mindanao.

April 6, 1635, Capt. Juan de Chaves, with 1,000

Visayas and 300 Spaniards, landed at Zamboanga.
Accompanied by Fr. Melchor de Vera, a Jesuit
missionary-engineer.
The Founding of Zamboanga
June 23, Father Vega began building of the stone
fort of Zamboanga.

Fort Pillar, in honor of Nuestra Seora del Pilar,

the patroness of Zamboanga.
Tagals Last Raid
Tagal, a Moro leader and the fiery brother of Kudarat, raided the
Visayas and Calamianes.

December 17, 1636, a friendly Lutao named Iba informed the

Spanish governor of Zamboanga about Tagals death during that
night of his sailing.

Flotilla of 6 vessels and 250 men were sent to pursue Tagal,

commanded by Capt. Nicolas Gonzales.

After a hard chase, they overtook Tagals fleet of vintas at Punta de

Flechas.

A terrified fight ensued on December 21. Tagal was killed and

Gonzales 120 Christian captive and recovered the treasures looted
by Tagal.
Kudarat and Corcuera
February 2, 1637, he left Manila with
large expedition of Spaniards and
Christian Filipinos.

March 13, 1637, Gov. Corcuera

landed his Spanish-Filipino troops at
the mouth of Rio Grande de
Mindanao.

Next day, he personally commanded

the attack on Lamitan (Kudarats
capital in Cotabato). Lamitan fell
Governor Sebastian Hurtado de after a bloody battle on March 14,
Corcuera 1637.
Kudarat and Corcuera
Kudarat retreated to a
fortified hill called Ilihan. A
bloody hand-to-hand fight
raged on the parapet of the
kuta (fort). It was captured
March 18, 1637.

May 24, 1637, Corcuera

returned in triumph to
Manila. Kudarat was only
defeated, not conquered.
Capture of Jolo by Corcuera
His expedition consists of 80 ships, 1,000 Christian
Filipinos, and 500 Spaniards.

April 17, Jolo fell after a bloody battle.

Sultan Bangsu escaped, with many of his warriors.

His wife Sultana Tuan Baloca, was taken prisoner.

Corcuera occupied Jolo and established a Spanish

garrison.
First Spanish Expedition to Lanao
First Spanish expedition to reach Lanao was
commanded by Dr. Agustin de San Pedro and Capt
Francisco de Atienza.

Expedition started from Caraga and reached Lake

Lanao on April 4, 1639, after a hard march through
the jungles.

The following year, another expedition was

commanded by Pedro Bermudez de Castro,
reached Lake Lanao.
Futile Measures against
Moros
1645, Taosugs liberated Jolo
and destroyed the Spanish
garrison.

Spanish authorities tried almost

everything to protect Christian
Philippines from Muslim
attacks.
Futile Measures against Moros
Treaties of peace were made with the
Muslims

Spanish forts were built at certain

strategic places in the archipelago

Watch towers were erected along the coast

from Mindanao up to Northern Luzon

Armed galleys and frigates patrolled 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
1749- January 2, 1750
April 28, 1750-
Royally received;
Deposed Governor General
Baptized

Owing to his friendship with He was royally received At Paniqui, Tarlac,

Spain, he was deposed by his by Bishop Juan de refugee sultan was
brother, Bantilan, and he fled Arrechedera, then acting baptized by Dominican
with his family and faithful governor general. fathers.
retainers of Zamboanga.

Don Fernando de Alimu Din I, first Christian sultan

of Jolo.

Gov. Obando, Arrechederas successor, decided to

restore Alimud Din to his throne.
Sultan Alimud Din I of Jolo
1749- January 2, 1750
April 28, 1750-
Royally received;
Deposed Governor General
Baptized

Alimud Din was

1762- British shipped back to May 19, 1751-
invaded Manila Manila and this time left Manila
he was imprisoned at
British invaded Manila, Fort Santiago. Christian sultan,
Alimud Din fled to conveyed by a
Pasig where he was Spanish squadron,
rescued by the British left Manila for
troops. Jolo.
Height of the Moro Wars
2nd half of the 18th century saw the height of
the Moro raids.

1769, Moros landed at Malate within sight of

the Spanish cannons, plundered the place
and sailed away with 20 prisoners and rich
spoils of war.
Height of the Moro Wars

According to Spanish records, Moros captured an

average of 500 Christians annually and sold them as
slaves in Betavia, Sandakan, and in other slave markets
in the East Indies.

Betweem 1778 and 17793, Spanish government spent

more than 1million pesos for military operations against
the marauding Moros.
Missionaries as Moro Fighters
Fr. Agustin de San Pedro
Fought the Moros in Mindanao
and defended Romblon in 1644
against a Moro raid.
Because of his military
exploits, he came to be called
Padre Capitan (Priest
Captain)
Fr. Antonio de Santa Ana
(Recollect)
Died on the parapet of the Fort
Taytay in 1736 while fighting the
Moros.
Fr. Marcelino del Espiritu
Santo (Recollect)

Fr. Pascual Ibaez Successfully repulsed the Moro

attack on Cuyo in 1752.
(Recollect),
Perished in action during Urbiztondos
assault on Jolo in 1851.
Decline of the Moro Raids
1848, first steamships purchased by Spain in England the
Magallanes , the Elcano, and the Reina de Castilla arrived in
Manila Bay, which sounded the death-knell of Moro supremacy
in the seas, for the steamships could outsail the fastest Moro
vinta.

February 16, 1848, Governor General Narciso Claveria, attacked

the Samals at Balanguingui. He destroyed their kutas and
brought 350 Samal prisoners to Manila.

Spanish Crown conferred on the him the title of Count of

Manila and decorated him with the Grand Cross of San
Fernando. City of Manila gave him a sword of exquisite
workmanship.
Decline of the Moro Raids
Gov. Gen. Antonio de Urbiztondo campaign in the Sulu
Archipelago. Defeated the Moros in Tonquil on December 24,
1850.

Attacked Jolo and captured it on February 28, 1851. City council

of Manila rewarded him with beautiful sword and an artistic
cane. Spanish Crown decorated him with Crosses of San
Fernando and Carlos III

Jose Rizal, wrote poem praising Urbiztondos victory, This poem

written in 1875, was entitled The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of
Jolo.
Malcampos Conquest of Jolo
In 1874, Admiral Jose Malcampo became the
Spanish governor general of the Philippines.

He prepared a mighty armada 21 steam

warships, 11 transports, and 10,000 combat
troops (Spaniards and Christian Filipinos) for an
invasion of Jolo

February 21, 1876, Spansh armada reached

Jolo and began the baval and military attack of
the Moro city on February 29.

The battle raged fiercely for 24-hours.

Malcampos Conquest of Jolo
March 1, 1876, Sultan JAmalilAlam sued for peace and
transferred his capital to Maimbung.

Malcampos victory resulted in the permanent Spanish

occupation in Jolo.

He was rewarded with the noble title Count of Jolo

He established a Spanish garrison and appointed Don

PascualCevera as first Spanish politico-military governor
of Jolo.
Moro Sultan Leases Sabah
Dismayed by the loss of his capital city and in sore need of
funds to carry on resistance to the Spanish invasion of his
sultanate, Sultan JamalilAlam leased on January 22, 1878 his
territory of Sabah (North Borneo) to owners of company called
the British Borneo Company.

Mr. Alfred Dent, a british trader, and Baron Gustave Von Overbeck,
Austrian consul in Hongkong are the owners of the said company.

Sultan permanently leased it for an annual rental of 5,000 Malayan dollars

but later on increased in 1903 to 5,300 Malayan Dollars.

This territory of Sabah was ceded by the Sultan of Brunei in 1704 to the
sultan of Jolo out of gratitude for the services rendered by the Taosug
warriors in suppressing a rebellion in the Brunei sultanate.
End of Moro Wars
After Malcampos conquest of Jolo, the Spanish authorities
turned their effort toward another goal the conquest of
Mindanao.

1886, (10 years after the fall of Jolo) Gov. General Emilio
Terrero led he invasion forces of Spaniards and Christian
Filipino allies to Cotobato in order to subdue the defiant
Moro Maguindanaoans.

He was opposed by DatuUto, who swore by his kris that no

Spaniard would conquer Cotabato.
End of Moro Wars
Toreros forces destroyed some kutas(forts) of DatuUtto by
artillery bombardments, but failed to crush Utoswariors.
Governor Torero returned to Manila after suffering heavy
casualties.
1891, Gov. General ValerianoWeyler, the butcher of Cuba
invaded Lanao and Cotabato
August 21, 1891, he won the First battle of Marawi in Lanao
Lake, but valiant DatuAmaiPakpak (defender of Marawi) escape
and recruited more wariors.
End of Moro Wars
Failing to conquer Lanao, Weyler attacked Cotabato but again
he failed to conquer it because of the fierce resistance of Datu Ali
Jimbangan
4 years later (1895), Gov. General Ramon Blanco invaded the
Lanao Lake Region.
Spanish invasion forces were reinforced by four stel steam
gunboats which were carried overland in Mindanaos coast to Lake
Lanao where they were assembled and launched at the lake.
March 10, 1895, Blancos troops assaulted Marawi.