Not for Publication

Muslim - Christian Relations in Cotabato and Lanao del NorteBy Rudy B. Rodil*

A series of major violent incidents led to what came to be known as the Mindanao Crisis in 1971, and the crisis itself constituted one of two major reasons for President Marcos’s declaration of Martial Law. This was most intense in Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. What precipitated its eruption?

The Jabidah Massacre

The Jabidah massacre broke into the headlines in late mach 1968, initially from the story of Jibin Arulah, one of two survivors. Some 28, out of a greater number of Muslim trainees, called Jabidah commandos, secretly undergoing commando training at Corregidor Island, were reportedly massacred. They would provide, they were told later in their training, the manpower for infiltrating Sabah (Operation Merdeka) to agitate the people there to turn against Tun Mustapha and demand annexation to the Philippine territory. When the trainees refused, they were treacherously and summarily shot -- for mutinying, according to official reports, over not being paid their salaries for several months. The result of a congressional investigation was at best “misty”.1 Those charged for the massacre were acquitted.2 Moros and other concerned parties, however, suspected a typical military cover up. Nor did they believe that President Marcos was not involved. The matter was too internationally sensitive to be kept away from the President. There was some controversy on the real purpose of the training, on the number of those trainees who were massacred3 but there was no mistaking the shock wave of righteous indignation felt and manifested by concerned Moro citizens.

Muslim Independence Movement

In the summer of 1968, on labor day itself, Datu Udtog Matalam, former governor of the empire province of (undivided ) Cotabato, took the whole country by surprise. In a manifesto, with himself as principal signatory, he declared, under the banner of the MIM or the Muslim Independence Movement, independence from the Republic of the Philippines. The Manifesto said in part:

“The Muslim inhabitants of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan, invoking the Grace of the Almighty Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, on whom all Praise is due and whom all creation depends for sustenance, make manifestation to the whole world its desire to secede from the Republic of the Philippines, in order to establish an ISLAMIC STATE that shall embody their ideals and aspirations, conserve and develop their patrimony, their Islamic heritage, under the blessings of Islamic Universal Brotherhood and the regime of the law of nations, do promulgate and make known the declaration of independence from the mother country, the Republic of the Philippines.”

By Muslim inhabitants, the MIM was referring to the “four” million Muslims who possess “a culture and history of their own” and “are distinct from the affluent Christian majority.” The territory covered in the declaration was “the contiguous southern portion of the Philippine Archipelago, namely, Cotabato, Davao, Zamboanga, and Zamboanga City, Basilan City, Lanao, Sulu, Palawan including adjoining islands which

* Professor of History, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City; expert on Mindanao history and contemporary problems; Panel Member, Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Peace Negotiating Panel that conducted peace talks with the Moro National Liberation Front, August 1993-October 1996. 1 Philippine Free Press, July 6, 1968.2 Philippine Free Press, August 20, 1972.3 Philippine Free Press, September 3, 1988.

are likewise inhabited by Muslims or at least under their sphere of influence. The maritime areas within the above defined territory were included, too. The manifesto pointed out further that their “integration into the Philippine body politic (was) impossible.”

The MIM’s Constitution and By-Laws, dated June 8, 1968, was even more candid in giving the reasons for secession. Under Article III - Declaration of Principles, Section 3 provides “that the policy of isolation and dispersal of the Muslim communities by the government ... has been detrimental to the Muslims and Islam” Section 4 asserts “that it is the duty and obligation of every Muslim to wage JIHAD physically or spiritually, to DARUL ISLAM (Islamic territory) and prevent it from becoming DARUL HARD (hostile territory to the Muslim).” Section 5 points out “that the Almighty Allah will not change the condition of a people until they themselves change it.” And finally, in section 6, “that ISLAM, being a communal religion, an ideology, and at the same time a way of life, must have a definite territory of its own for the exercise of its tenets and teaching, and for the observance of its SHARIAH and ADAT laws.”

Then on August 26, 1968, in an attempt to appease insecurities among non-Muslims that could have been aroused by previous declarations a statement of policy was made, namely, “that the ISLAMIC STATE ... shall extend and guarantee full and equal citizenship and fair representation in all its institutions, provisional or permanent, on all non-Muslim inhabitants of said islands who make known their desire to secede from the Republic of the Philippines and join the new ISLAMIC STATE.

After the formation and announcement of the MIM, rumors of secret training camps started to circulate, then followed by military advisers, sometimes foreign troops. These “aliens” varied from Indonesian to Malaysian to Arab; it was almost like a dream, no clear connections, no clear structure. Even the military joined in the rumor-mongering. But local armed Muslims there certainly were, and being organized. In the early 1970s, the MIM was said to have been so powerful that Datu Udtog Matalam, Jr., then Mayor of Pikit, even boasted at a peace conference arrangement by the Constabulary that the MIM could wipe out Christian towns, including Cotabato City, if they wanted to.

As we were to find out later, there was truth to the rumor on military training. As early as late 1968, Muslim youth volunteers from the Mindanao-Sulu-Palawan region were sent for secret military training in North Borneo. British mercenaries were hired as instructors. The first batch became known as the top 90. They were later followed by a batch of 300. While some of them belonged to the youth sector of the MIM, the rest had no clear political affiliation except for their close relationship with one big Muslim politician or another. Their task on their return was to organize and train local units. They were to form the nucleus of the Blackshirts in Cotabato and Barracuda in Lanao. Before the declaration of martial law, some were absorbed into the private army or security units of big Muslim politicians; others became active in various Muslim organizations in Mindanao and in Manila to advance the interest of the Moro people The MNLF was born out of an underground group that operated in the youth sector of the MIM.

Ilaga Counter Force

In response to the threatening declarations of the MIM as well as its rumored secret military camps, and to protect their election bids in 1971, certain diehard anti-Muslim politicians ,who came to be known as the Magic 7, came together in September 1969 to formally organize the Ilaga movement. They were Wenceslao de la Serna of Alamada; Esteban Doruelo or Pigkawayan who was to run for governor; Pacifico de la serna of Libungan whose wife was the incumbent mayor in the same town; Nicolas Dequiña of Midsayap; Bonifacio Tejada or M’lang; Conrado Lemana of Tulunan, and Mayor Jose Escribano of Tacurong. Appointed overall commander was PC captain Manuel Tronco who was to retire from the service shortly before elections; he ran for mayor in Upi against Michael “Datu Puti” Sinsuat. It was Tronco who undertook the recruitment of Feliciano Luces alias Toothpeck. The first Ilaga recruits were goons and police characters from Panay, Manila and the local areas.

Several months before the Ilaga’s formal organization, Toothpeck and his band of Tedurays had already organized to go after exploitative and terroristic Moros. He became a local Robinhood. In March 1968, his group scored six Moros killed and two wounded. This came to be known as the opening salvo in Mindanao’s shooting war. Toothpeck’s Moro counterpart was a certain Hadji Rashid Disomimba who

went after Christian landgrabbers. Already Toothpeck and his group were reputed to be endowed with the power of invulnerability to bullets and other instruments of death. Rumors in downtown Upi pictured them as facing enemy fire in standing position, dodging bullets as if they could see them coming. Cutting the ears of their victims, which was later to become an Ilaga trademark, was already their way of remembering the number of Moros they had killed. His recruitment to the Ilaga Movement was nothing but a logical sequence of what he already had started. His being an Ilonggo lent credence to the Moro charge that Ilaga meant Ilonggo Landgrabbers Association. Toothpeck truly became so popular that he even outshone the Ilaga organizers themselves. After his surrender, he was a preso caballero at the PC stockade; he could move about freely, even in and out of prison. Nothing was heard about him since, but the war continues.

To its common members, the Ilaga was a self-defense organization. Yet, even then, it easily acquired or nurtured the fanatical and indiscriminate anti-Muslim/anti-Moro sentiment of its founders. It was rationalized with its own brand of superstition couched in Christian doctrine that more precisely belong to folk Christianity. It even had its own interpretation of Muslim history in the Philippines, as may be gleaned from the following statement, part of a letter, made by a certain Ilaga Commander and sent to prominent Muslims:

If the Muslims in the Philippines are poor and backward it is because of their wrong religion and ideology, Islam. You will understand the meaning of what I am saying by just seeing the difference in progress between a Christian and Muslim Filipino. This holds true with regard to their communities. The entire nation would have been united, peaceful and progressive were it not for the mistake of the Muslims in resisting the implantation of the Cross in Mindanao at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards. You and your people should not compound your grievous historical mistake by clinging on to the religion that has brought poverty, ignorance and darkness to you and your communities.4

An Ilaga recruit had to undergo extensive rites which included daily prayers, abstention from sex, especially before a military operation, hard liquor and cigarettes. His standard equipment was oil in X-7 bottles that also contained assorted amulets. With an unwavering faith in God, he is rendered invulnerable to bullets, or so he is made to believe. The death or injury of a comrade is readily attributed to lack of faith or violation of the code of ethics. No one save the Ilaga recruit knew exactly the details of the initiation rites because every member is sworn to absolute secrecy. Nor has anyone, even the recruits themselves, seen concrete proof of invulnerability -- it only some in the form of stories about commander so and so cutting himself with anew sharpened knife or bolo and not getting injured.

1971 - The Peak Year of the Crisis

We see 1971 as the peak year of the pre-martial law Mindanao crisis. But as early as the late 1960s, there were already isolated incidents of killing and counter-killing between Muslims and Christian in Cotabato. The Cotabato referred to here was subdivided into Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat in 1975. South Cotabato has lately been sub-divided into South Cotabato and Sarangani. The whole of Cotabato used to be the traditional seat of the famed Maguindanao sultanate. Adjacent to it towards the north are the two provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

The year 1969 was national election year; 1979 saw the election for the Constitutional Convention; 1971 was local election year and was viewed as most critical for Moroland in Mindanao. For Christian politicians, their salvation and perpetuation in power depended on “Christianizing” the leadership in Moroland. This was why Col. Carlos Cajelo, PC Provincial Commander of Cotabato, and was himself an anti-Muslim fanatic, resigned from the military and ran for governor. This was also the reason why Christian mayors and their ideological kins organized the Ilaga, whose mission was to protect Christian interests against Muslims in Mindanao. Moro politicians, too, countered with their own organized force, the Backshirts in Cotabato and the Barracuda in Lanao del Norte.

4 Cited in Peter Gowing, “The Moro rebellion: Why and wherefore?”, August 1978, p. 3.

Spread of Violence

The physical pattern of events showed the spread of armed conflict from Cotabato to Lanao del Norte and to Zamboanga del Sur. It also spilled over into certain parts of Lanao del Sur like Balabagan and Wao. The latter is a settlement area adjacent to Midsayap, Cotabato. It did not overrun all the towns and cities; it was in fact highly selective. It limited itself to towns with a significant proportion of Muslim and Christian populations. It was also in these towns where rivalry between Muslim and Christian politicians were most intense. Given the atmosphere of high tension and general disorder, bandits had a grand time, personal scores were settled. Military officers and men took their sides. Politicians secured themselves.

The most shocking event in Cotabato was the massacre of 70 Muslims, men, women and children in a mosque at Manili, Carmen on June 19, 1971. The Muslims were not there to fight but for a peace conference. Bombed and machine-gunned inside the mosque, the Ilaga left them floating in their own blood. It shocked the whole nation but nobody was held to account for it. That it happened in a mosque added a religious dimension to the conflict.

Headlined for many weeks was the Tacub massacre in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on November 22, 1970. On early evening, that day, three truckloads of Maranao electors were on their way to Marawi; they just voted in an special election at Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte. They had PC escort under the command of Lt. Mauna Radia. At the Tacub checkpoint, they were halted, ordered to alight and lie face flat down. During the search for concealed weapons, a command of fire was heard, a shot rang out and was immediately followed by a volley of automatic fire, including .50 caliber machineguns. Those who were not hit and scampered away for safety found none in the hands of civilians within the vicinity. These civilians, which included women and young boys, with white band around their heads, pounced on them with axes, bolos, knives. Thirty-five were killed in the scene, 54 were wounded, some so seriously that they died soon afterwards.

Fourteen troopers of B Company, 21 IB, 3rd Brigade, Philippine Army, who were manning the checkpoint were charged with multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder with robbery but were later acquitted “for lack of sufficient evidence.”

Manili and Tacub may have heard of each other only because of the massacres. But that was the Mindanao crisis. Manila cannot be understood in isolation from the rest of Cotabato; Tacub cannot be comprehended apart from Moroland, Moroland from Mindanao, and Mindanao from the rest of the country.

Lanao del Norte in 1971

How did it look in Lanao del Norte in 1971? The records of Mindanao Scoop, a provincial weekly based in Iligan City, from January 2 to December 25 provide us with a scenario of a bloody year.

January 2/ - Magsaysay town hall burned, public records included. Indicators point to arson.

9/- Governor Quibranza ordered arrested by Karomatan CFI along with brother Atty Luis and Atty

Francisco Abalos for kidnapping and serious illegal detention. The three played important roles in exposing Con-Con election anomalies in Karomatan before Comelec.

- Municipal district Police under Capt F. Maghinay helpless against better armed lawless elements in remote barrios of the province, increasing incidents of cattle rustling in Lala, for instance, and coconut stealing in Bacolod.

- Tubod swarmed with about 40 armed men, reportedly out to get Governor Quibranza.- Mindanao Scoop Editorial: Lanao Norte has had three Provincial Commanders since the last election

(Con-Con) due to political interference.

16/- Rogelio Lagbas, farmer of Minulon, Bacolod, kidnapped; kidnappers took away a cow belonging to

another farmer.- Three more charges added against F. Abalos, all involving corruption of public officials; filed by

Mayor Naga Dimaporo of Karomatan, Councilor Valentin Tarosa and Vice Mayor Justiniano Matunga.

23/- PC clashed with group of ten armed men led by Batua Baguan at sitio Tugar, Kauswagan. - Mayor Maximo Arnado of Kauswagan reported a band of Maranaos harassing and robbing Christian

farmers in Upper Kauswagan.- House of farmer, Eutiquio Balanguit, 66, of sitio Marata, Baogan, Bacolod, fired upon killing him and

wife. They were robbed of Php 7,000, one radio-phono, five sacks of rice, wristwatch and clothing.- House of Honorato Roperos and brother-in-law Agustin Amura shot up; Amura killed; Roperos lost

ring finger. Armed group took Php 200, clothing, one licensed .22 rifle and male carabao.- Mindanao Scoop editorial (excerpt): “While a power struggle rages, arm-flexing is aimed at opposite

camps instead of on dissidents who are freely robbing and harassing peaceful citizens. “Legal powers of local officials are smothered by the show of force enhanced by superiority of

arms... of dissidents and goons. While armed men practically took over a town, its police force was rendered immobile because it did not have an arsenal to match the invaders.”

- Group of Maranaos: Macasamat, Dumagacao & companions kidnapped three Tampos sisters (Erlinda, 23; Elena, 19, and Elmary) of barrio Caniogan, tubod. Two sisters were returned; Erlinda was kept for ransom. A Maranao datu interceded for her return upon payment of Php 1,000.

- Provincial Fiscal found no case against Quibranza et al; accused filed for dismissal.- PC patrol encounter with group that kidnapped Rogelio Lagbas and rustled a male cow at Kadulawan,

Bacolod; Macaslang killed. In another encounter at Upper Tugar, Magdara killed. Group were suspected followers of Batua Baguan.

February6/- Tubod Mayor Jesus Perez requested Vice Mayor Malamit Umpa for more PC troops for Tubod due to

increased activity of cattle rustlers (identified as Maranaos) even in broad daylight.- At barrio Bulod, Tubod, Casiano Santos robbed of three carabaos at gunpoint; Roberto Cabanis robbed

of two horses.- An outlaw, Kawi Murog of Munai confirmed dead in clash with PC at Bacolod.

13/- Case against Quibranza, his brother and Abalos dismissed.

20/- Comelec declared Badelles, Abalos winners for Con-Con. After last election for Con-Con Attys

Francisco Abalos and Luis Quibranza protested election results of Karomatan and four other municipalities.

27/- Barrio captain report: bandits threatened to raid Bacolod.- Major Jose Barrameda and Ramiro Bangki of Unayan shot dead by intended victims at sitio Marata,

Baogan, Bacolod. Balangkit, the house owner, was able to fire his homemade shotgun as the two went up his house. Rest of the bandit group killed the entire family and looted them.

March6/

- Bacolod Mayor Nolan Antonio urged townspeople to fight bandits; praised by Governor Quibranza.

13/- PC patrol clashed with bandit group at Sto. Niño, Kauswagan. Batua Baguan killed, also Tsgt Amado

Magabilen of 444th PC Company.

20/- Jose Barangan, farmer of Bualan, Tubod, mauled and robbed by four armed Maranaos of Php 1,000,

clothing and supporting documents of certain farm lands.- Atty Macalatas Umpa, former vice mayor of Kapatagan, killed in ambush at Butadon bridge,

Kapatagan. Seriously wounded was his unidentified lady passenger; she was rushed to Aurora Provincial Hospital. Late that same morning, Mangalasan Kacatra, brother of Umpa, shot and killed Atty Pinagadil Santos at the backyard of Judge Padate’s house.

27/- Suspected killer of Umpa, Lako Sampada of Malabang, reported captured by Provincial Commander

Metoker Lamping (“Not true,” according to Kapatagan residents)

April3/- three Maranaos jailed for carabao rustling at Punod, Bacolod.- Antonio Gumata, farmer of Lama-Lama,Tubod, sought PC assistance and protection against Hadji

Morad and his armed group who drove him (Gumata) from his home and farm. Morad’s group squatted in Gumata’s land, lived in his house and harvested his copra. Gumata claims to have tilled that land from 1937.

10/- Provincial board says Municipal District Police Forces, which had been in existence even before the

division of Lanao into two, was illegal.

17/- Governor Quibranza announced his bid for re-election.

24/- Dr. Angelo Manalo, President of Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) of Iligan, invited Sen. H.

Benitez to attend hearing of H.B. No. 1887 which seeks to amend the City Charter of Iligan to the effect of disenfranchising city residents from electing provincial officials.

May1/- 11 Christians kidnapped while harvesting corn at Lawis, Bualan, Tubod.- Peace and Order Conference initiated by the Concerned Citizens Movement and the Philippine

Constabulary. Governors of two Lanaos, Mayors of Marawi, Iligan, Provincial Commanders of Two Lanaos, Provincial Fiscals and presidents of Mayors’ Leagues of two Lanaos, and the Concerned Citizens Movement, agreed on measures against carrying of firearms, cattle rustling, issuing of fake land titles and coconut stealing.

22/- PC in shooting encounter with kidnap suspects at Centro Tugaya, Tubod.- Trinidad Roco and Gag Gonzales of Dimarco, Bualan, Tubod, kidnapped by Kahisawan and

companion.

29/- PC patrol found copra driers at Pagayawan and three at Babalaya, both mountain barrios of Bacolod.

Owners of dryers did not own a single coconut tree. Similar reports from mountain barrios of Maigo and Kauswagan.

June5/- Dodo Intong, barrio captain of Alegria, Bacolod threatened by bandit group identified with Datu

Macaslang. Intong was known for his activities against outlaws.- 33 (out of 35) families left their farms in Durianon, Magsaysay, leaving behind coconut lands

estimated to be 186 hectares. The exodus was due to harassment by armed squatters said to be enjoying the protection of certain authorities.

26/- Presence in Durianon, Magsaysay of datu Macaslang and his armed group of about 15 reported.

July10/ - Police of Bacolod challenged by a bandit group (through a letter) to a shoot out at Upper Pagayawan.

The police showed up; the bandits did not. - PC detachment at Magsaysay sought reinforcement from Tipanoy; outnumbered and out-armed by

outlaw band.

17/- Eight Christians dead, two survivors in massacre at Sagala, Tubod.- Land squatting is cause of killings in Tubod. According to Governor Quibranza, many farms in the

remote barrios of this town, tilled by Christians for many years are being squatted on by Maranaos.- Mayor Pablito Abragan of Kapatagan killed in Ambush; driver seriously wounded; police security

slightly wounded. Witnesses identified one of the ambushers as Olimpio Rizal, alias Agta.

24/- Mr. And Mrs. Tiong Sy and driver ambushed at Bulod bridge. The Toyota jeep they were in was

owned by Dodong Noval, son-in-law of Governor Quibranza. No one harmed but jeep badly damaged.

31/- Diosdado Eborda, member of Gov. Quiberanza’s security unit, and his daughter Virginia were killed

when armed men, identified as Maranaos, riding in a Toyota jeep and a red car sprayed bullets upon people standing by the roadside of Tubod.

- Shooting encounter between Maranaos and Christians at barrio Tagoranao, Tubod. Oga, a Maranao was killed.

- Two Maranaos, Salong Didato and Disaran were shot and hacked to death at barrio Mimbadiang, Tubod.

- Congressman Mohammad Ali Dimaporo caleld all Muslim and Christian leaders to a peace conference at Tubod. Invited were public officials of neighboring towns and prominent residents. The choice of Tubod was due to the tense situation in the outlying barrios of the municipality. Incidents recalled: killing of Muslim barrio leaders and public school teachers by unidentified persons, and the massacre of eight, including children.

- Bacolod town imposed curfew from 9:00 p.m. Measure prompted partly by Tubod incidents.

August7/- Several public schools in Kapatagan and Tubod closed or classes suspended due to mounting tension.

Entire families in mass evacuation.

- Bukidnon bus bound for Zamboanga held up by armed Maranaos at Larapan, Kauswagan.

14/- seven Maranaos, Mangko Taratanto et al, named respondents for massacre of six persons in Caniogan,

Tubod. The six were harvesting corn when mowed down with gunfire. Incident caused more people to leave the area.

- Three policemen, Patrolmen Macabbas Mitomapang, Macapungis Amerel and Amer Datukan, and Barnabe Lahoy-Lahoy, a candidate for councilor of Salvador, were killed in ambushed at Migao, Rebe, Salvador. The group was sent by Mayor Tawantawan to investigate reported evacuation of residents from that barrio. One unidentified ambusher was killed in the exchange of fire.

- Batuan Buali, 39, farmer of Bagigikan, Magsaysay was found dead with bullet wounds from 12-gauge shotgun.

21/- Outlaws led by Mangko Taratanto engaged PC patrol in Kapatagan; escaped towards Salvador.- Four killed in Kapatagan: Norberto Julmas, farmer, 25, single of Balili, stabbed to death by unknown

assailant; Sabellano Agda and Rody Rosalejos of Durianon were shot dead by unknown assailants; Batua killed by unidentified men, who also burned his house.

- In Babalayan, Bacolod, house owned by Ditucalan Obinay, Maranao farmer, burned by unknown persons before sunset.

- Six charged for massacre of Tubod.- Seven houses burned, including that of Mayor Macaangan who took over mayorship of Kapatagan

after the death of Abragan; fifteen face charges, all Christians. - Uniformed men ambushed Victory Liner, passenger bus, between Buriasan and Kapatagan, killing 12.- Atlantic Bus No. 10 fired upon and burned. Bus, loaded with evacuees from Buriasan halted at a

checkpoint for search; fired upon instead; 15 killed on the spot, one in a Manila hospital. Bus was burned. 1Lt Magumang relieved as detachment commander at Kapatagan; 2Lt Radiaganding placed under technical arrest at Cagayan.

- One killed, 8 wounded in ambush at Salug, Kapatagan. Ambushers in uniform, one identified as Abdul Malik Macabanggit.

- Saiman Pacalna, 50, farmer, shot dead at his house in Liangan West, Bacolod.- Five Maranaos ambushed by unknown men at Panimbang, Magsaysay.

September4/- Antonio gubat, 18, single, shot dead while harvesting corn at Mabuhay, Lala; Juanito Balingit, 29, shot

dead while harvesting corn at Salung, Baroy. Killers unidentified but were last seen moving towards Pagayawan, Salvador.

- Three houses burned by unidentified armed men believed to be Maranaos at Panalipdan, Salvador. Victims are all tenants of Francisco Amadora. Foot prints of perpetrators point to the direction of Salug, Kapatagan.

- Maranao band ambushed PC patrol killing C2C Buenaventura Parausag and wounding Sgt. Norberto Trance and C2C Constancio Enriquez. Ambushers fled in the direction of Pagayawan. Encounter took place between Campo 3, Salvador and Salug where the PC patrol was lured by successive gunfire.

- Four houses, one owned by Gregorio Lucena, were burned at Buriasan, Sapad, in retaliation, authorities believe, for the shooting to death of Somerado Magongcar by unidentified persons near Lucena’s house.

- GHOST TOWNS: An estimated 30,000 families have left Kapatagan, Buriasan, Lala, Salvador, and Tubod

- Seven masked armed men held up Atlantic Bus at Kulasihan, Maigo, taking nothing but seven mailbags from Kapatagan containing important matters for the Comelec.

- Sec. Enrile, Gen. Garcia, Gen. Domingo Tutaan, IVMA Commander, due to arrive for peace conference at Baroy. Invited to attend are: Congressman Dimaporo, Governor Quibranza, Iligan City Mayor Cabili, heads of civic and religion organizations, town mayors and members of the press and radio.

- Additional troops due from IIIMA (Third Military Area) with orders to disarm.

11/- Mayor Ayawon of Nunungan and 20 of his men killed in encounter with PC patrol led by Captain

Nibres and Lt. Legatuz of Special Task Force at Mirasol Buriasan.- Two-hour gunbattle at Buriasan between armed Maranaos, believed to be followers of Ayawon, and

government forces; two civilians wounded by stray bullets. Maranao attack motivated by revenge for death of Ayawon.

- Vice Governor Malamit Umpa sought ceasefire from Lt. Col. Cirilo Bueno, Task force Pagari Commander; asked for five days to contact armed Maranaos. Bueno gave Umpa five days.

- Peace conference at Baroy on September 5.

18/- Mayor Maded Untora of Magsaysay killed in ambush by unidentified men at sitio Bantol, Rupagan,

Kauswagan. Their jeep plunged into a ravine killing the mayor and injuring his three companions.- PC Sgt. Saturnino Labitad gunned down by six uniformed men while coming down from barrio Paiton;

armed men the same group that shot at Magsaysay’s mayor.- Military arrested at Kapatagan: Ali Acmad Ali, 19, businessman from Mawalo, Lanao del Sur, for

possession of .22 pistol; Maminta Dimaporo, 28, security guard at Lanao del Norte Provincial Jail, for possession of .22 pistol; Bulawas Bandara, security of Mayor Max Labe for illegal possession of .30 carbine.

- Peaceful Muslims left hills of Magsaysay, Nunungan, Salvador, Tubod, Baroy, Lala & Buriasan for Lanao del Sur.

- PC captured three machineguns and nearly 30 high powered firearms after an encounter at Bulakon, Magsaysay.

- Santos and Conrado Serenia shot dead by armed men, believed to be Maranaos, while drying copra at sitio Marata, Baogan, Bacolod.

- Congressman Dimaporo categorically stated: Quijano was official NP candidate for mayoralty of Iligan.

- Mayor Cabili of Iligan sought aid of Mayor Ali of Balo-i regarding presence of any armed men at Iligan-Balo-i boundaries.

- Five Christians killed, five wounded when they were ambushed at Mat-i, Bacolod. Of the victims, one killed and two wounded, were tenants of Fortunato Somuntan, former mayor of Kolambugan.

- Armed Ilaga group attacked Upper Pagayawan, Bacolod in retaliation for death of Somuntan’s tenants; killed were 7 Maranaos including three children and two infants; 7 others wounded, all children. Attackers took ears of dead victims. Same day, PC patrol arrested Patri Bunggo, 50, for carrying a 12-gauge shotgun and a .45 pistol, a bulletproof vest and a bottle of X-7. Lt. Col. Bangcola delivered Bunggo to Capt. Sayson of 444th PC Company for investigation.

- Request of Congressman Dimaporo that order of President to withdraw some soldiers from Lanao del Norte and the transfer of Bueno to become Provincial Commander of Bukidnon be not implemented.

- Encounter at Bacolod. Dodo Intong, barrio captain of Alegria, and companions went to investigate the burning of two houses when they ran into an armed group; Bienvenido, a barrio councilor, was grazed on the head during the 10-minute exchange of fire.

October2/- Outlaws robbed Cabarte home at Mananaw, Baroy. Almerol, a member of the band was shot by

Cabarte; he was in turn stabbed by Almerol’s companions.- Andres Molato was shot dead by unidentified men while eating his supper; land conflict is believed to

be the motive.- Councilor Mondara, a Maranao of Mentring, Maigo, evacuated to Maigo proper; he often saw armed

passing through his barrio; could not guarantee for farmers in the barrio.- Mindanao Scoop editorial: “Withdrawal of gubernatorial candidates Quibranza and Umpa ... hailed as

a solution to the present peace and order problem of Lanao del Norte. We firmly stand on the

proposition that the putting up of a common candidate is applying the wrong medicine to a serious ailment.

“Any old-timer of Lanao del Norte and Iligan City can tell you what the cause of the present trouble is. It goes far back when fully developed towns were squatted by armed men. And the abundance of armed men was made possible by the tolerance shown by law enforcing agencies towards unauthorized persons who display high-powered guns openly. These armed groups ... have the backing of highly influential men.

“Politics in this case is only a minor factor and offering a political solution is like cutting a nail from a gangrenous arm. It is simply curing the symptoms but not the disease. The real problem in this province is the abundance of firearms placed in the hands of irresponsible people. Why the government is allowing such conditions to prevail is a question only our high officials can answer.

“So long as guns are still in the hand of unauthorized persons, peace remains a remote dream...”

9/- Olito Aguilar, 19, and Carlos Nisnisan, 24, of Pagayawan, Bacolod, ambushed and wounded by armed

men.- PC Metrocom group patrolling barrios Daligdigan, Cabuyao, Mapantog, Kilala and Madaya,

encountered a group of 20 armed men believed to be Blackshirts. Shooting lasted for 15 minutes. Armed group withdrew to Madaya with killed and wounded. Metrocom unit took over from elements of 543rd PC Company who were taking sides in the conflict.

- PC Patrol, later reinforced, had an encounter with armed group of Blackshirts estimated to be 200, at Dilabayan, Kauswagan. Estimated 18 dead on Blackshirt side; withdrew towards Bacolod.

- Ernesto Cañeda, 17, student at Mercy High School in Tubod, and Antonio Montefalcon, 20, resident of Campo 5, killed in ambush while on their way with some companions to their farm in Bualan, Tubod.

16/- Governor Quibranza to run for re-election under LP; common candidates are Brigadier General

Wilfredo Encarnacion and Leon Nidea.- Kapatagan folk hail improved situation due to presence of Task force Pagari.- Two killed, one seriously wounded and one missing when armed men attacked barrio Rupagan,

Bacolod.- Romeo Abing, 30, shot and wounded at Pagayawan, Bacolod.- PC Patrol ambushed by armed Maranaos while on their way to check gunshots heard from direction of

Magsaysay town center. Battle lasted for 15 minutes; one Muslim killed. At poblacion, PC found two houses burned, one Toyota jeep owned by former Mayor Rasid Dimaporo, one dead Christian and a headless Maranao inside the mosque.

- Two Christians arrested by PC, believed involved in the trouble at Magsaysay. According to PC report, four Christians and two Muslims were killed -- consequence of previous encounters between armed Christians and armed Muslims.

24/- FM-FL visit Lanao. Brig. Gen. Wilfredo Encarnacion agreed on by Quibranza and Umpa as their

common candidate, with Leon Nidea as running mate. Witnesses to agreement were FM, Sen. Pelaez, Cong. Dimaporo, Mayor Cabili, Angelo Manalo of CCM, Quibranza and Umpa. Encarnacion was commander of TF Pagari when he resigned from the service on October 13.

Quibranza and Umpa’s signed statement of agreement was dated September 25, 1971, in favor of Encarnacion as common candidate.

30/- October 25, 5:30 a.m., a truckload of PA soldiers ambushed; three officers killed and 14 enlisted men.

They were on their way to reinforce companions who were encircled at Magsaysay poblacion. Ambushers said to be Barracuda. PC Chief Gen. Garcia informed FM that relatives of some Muslim leaders were involved in the ambush; he blamed political leaders of Lanao del Norte for reneging on their promise to help maintain peace and order.

- October 25, 5:30 a.m., Atlantic bus ambushed at Dalicanan, Kauswagan; PC Sgt. Killed and wife of driver; 4 wounded. Ambushers suspected to be Barracuda.

- October 25, 5:30 a.m., Barracuda attacked Bacolod. One attacker killed and one member of TF Pagari wounded.

- October 26, three Maranao houses in Kawit East, Kauswagan burned.- Mrs. Dading Pagente killed while she and 26 others were harvesting palay at Buriasan, Sapad. They

were shot at by armed men. - Most barrio residents of Kauswagan vacated. Reported by Felipe Magwate of Tacub, Kauswagan. - Encarnacion’s candidacy challenged in a petition for annulment to Comelec by Sec. Bernardino Aves;

Comelec said Encarnacion’s candidacy was okay and legal.- Quibranza will revive candidacy; will petition Supreme Court for reconsideration.- Peace conference today (October 30) at Malacañang. Invited are representatives of local and civil and

religious organizations in the two Lanaos.

November6/- Quibranza’s candidacy upheld by Supreme Court; Umpa’s candidacy for governor also okay.

Encarnacion’s voided. Jaime Ferrer’s (Comelec Chairman) opinion on Encarnacion’s candidacy (Oct 30) was that per Election Code, Sections 78 & 243, Encarnacion was general of AFP before he submitted his certificate of candidacy, and therefore an official under the Executive Department.

- Comelec Chairman submitted to Supreme Court for decision the suspension of elections in Magsaysay, Salvador, and Sapad due to mass evacuation of residents.

- Peace talks sponsored by Linamon Citizens for Peace Movement (CPM). Attended by Mayors Daud Ali of Balo-i, Bagoma Sanggacula of Matungao, Anting Ali of Tagoloan, and Miguel Canoy of Linamon. Present also were members of CCM Dr. Virgilio Rigor, Teofilo Macapil, Cabe Dikiri, Barrio Captain Mapantas Pangkoga and Linamon residents as observers. TF Commander Lt. Col. Pañares and Captain Jose Suria of the PC came later.

- Muslim mayors asked Christians to help check the “Ilaga” and gave the assurance that they will check the “Barracuda”. Conference lasted for two and a half hours.

- PC launch today a campaign for Muslm-Christian understanding in the two Lanaos with the specific aim of restoring good relations between Muslims and Christians. General Manuel Yan held a conference at Tipanoy, attended by Jaime Ferrer of Comelec, Col. Pañares of TF Pagari, Col. Siongo and other military top brass in the province. The campaign will start in Kapatagan Valley, Linamon, Matungao, Balo-i and Tagoloan, then in Kauswagan, Bacolod, Maigo, Buriasan, Tubod and Lala.

13/- Clean sweep for LP in Iligan. Conceded to win in the province are Quibranza for governor, Felix

Actub for vice governor, Atty Angel Superable, Atty Fred Tamula and Antonio Bartolome (Lone NP) for board members. Election suspended in Nunungan, Sapad, Magsaysay, Salvador, Lanao del Norte.

20/- Matungao policeman, Disoman Makakowa, shot with 12-gauge shotgun by unknown persons; died in

the hospital.- Cargo truck loaded with corn ambushed at Salvador by unidentified persons; no casualties; cargo

intact.

27/- November 22, morning, one killed, two wounded when attacked by armed Maranaos while harvesting

corn at Paiton, Kauswagan.- Mayor Arnado of Kauswagan reported a Barracuda attack on Tacub checkpoint on November 12; not

reported earlier.- November 22, 7:30 p.m. Massacre at Tacub!- Linamon police chief shot dead with 12-gauge shotgun by unidentified persons at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 21.- Massive evacuation of Muslims and Christians; Muslims to Lanao del Sur; Christians to Ozamiz,

Iligan and Linamon.- PC encounter with armed Maranao group at Magoong, Linamon; three killed.

- Dr. Mamitua Saber to form inter-group unity for Lanao; aim is to restore understanding and harmony as in the past. Saber further proposes to organize assembly chapters in two Lanaos.

- PC Metrocom encounter with Barracuda group. Killed were Mayor of Salvador Apolonio Yap and Pfc. Llores and Pfc. Azanes. Riding a weapons carrier from Kampo 3, they were doing inspection at Madaya, 5 kilometers from Salvador when the incident took place. 1st PC Metrocom Company, formerly with Camp Crame, was sent to Lanao del Norte last August.

- Election day encounter at Katubuan, Nunungan Between PC and Barracuda; seven Muslims killed.

December 4/- Tacub Massacre investigation postponed.- Root of the problem, says Mayor Cabili, is abundance of loose firearms.- Mayor Cabili held Peace Conference at City Hall. Present were Gen. Mamarinta Lao (ret.), Mayor-

elect Daud Ali of Balo-i, Mayor Ali of Tagoranao, Engr. Conrado Guevarra, Col. Antonio Garcia (ret.), Dr. Angelo Manalo and Police Chief Jose Orbe. It was discussed that peace will never be restored as long as the PC Provincial Commander is one beholden to a politician. The incumbent was always partial in his actuations. When Christians were killed by Barracuda, he plays deaf and dumb; when a Maranao is killed, he personally sees that culprits are caught. He slept on the cases of massacres committed by Barracudas against the Christians, including women and children. Mayor Cabili requested Gen. Lao to help bring about the replacement of Lt. Col. Jimmy Bangcola as PC Provincial Commander. Cabili further noted that Bangcola’s bodyguards are relatives and are allowed to wear PC uniforms.

- Four Christians shot dead by Barracuda at Matampay, Matungao while drying copra. Their bodies were burned after their ears and genitals had been cut off. The three were from Kawit, Kauswagan; the fourth victim could not be identified.

- Teacher named Primo from Matungao nailed on the cross by Barracuda; survived and showed up at a radio station in Iligan. Reported that head of Barracuda at Matungao is Mama Paingco, Police Chief of same municipality.

- Two Christians from Bulod, Tubod, believed spies for Barracuda arrested by PC; three 12-gauge shotguns were taken from them.

11/- Tacub massacre investigations postponed to January 4, 5 & 6, 1972.- December 9 Peace Conference at Matungao attended by Mayor Cabili and municipal mayors. Also

present were Gen. Wilfredo Encarnacion, Deputy Zone Commander, IV PC Zone, Col. Bienvenido Castro, TF Pagari Commander, Peace Commission Chairman Gen. Mamarinta Lao and Col. Antonio Garcia (ret.). Conferees found Matungao deserted; all houses of Christians burned except one.

- Pedro Sasil fo barrio Tinaig Manok, skinned by Barracuda headed by Langko Dimakuta. Dimakuta is brother of Lumanto who lost to Canoy for Mayor of Linamon. Also killed and mutilated along with Sasil were Francisco Wayas and Bernadita Villarosa. Their houses were burned.

- More houses burned at barrio Purakan and others in Linamon.

18/- Maigo residents, Clemente Tejano and Abello, killed by armed Muslims.- 1Lt Mike Magumang, 2Lt Radiaganding and Kapatagan Vice Mayor charged with robbery in band

with others in connection with raid of house of Gregorio Lucena in Buriasan on August 28, 1971.- Kauswagan evacuees started to return to poblacion, but still reluctant to return to their farms.

25/- Barracudas killed three Christians in two separate incidents; two in Patidon, Salvador, and one in

Marawi. Alfredo de la Cruz and Dominador Bacus were harvesting corn when shot; Barracudas were led by former town mayor.

- Kauswagan Mayor Arnado and Vice Mayor Feliciano Allarde, and eight others including two policemen charged with arson by Makapangkat Makalolo, a resident of Kauswagan proper. Makalolo’s house along with two others were burned on October 4, 1971.

In sum, the violent incidents in 20 towns in Lanao del Norte in 1971, were, as follows:

Towns No. of Incidents1. Bacolod 182. Tubod 173. Kauswagan 114. Magsaysay 95. Sapad 86. Kapatagan 77. Linamon 48. Baroy 39. Maigo 310. Matungao 311. Lala 212. Karomatan 213. Nunungan 114. Pantaoragat 115. Iligan 016. Kolambugan 017. Balo-i 018. Tagoloan 019. Tangkal 020. Munai 0Total 89

In Cotabato, violent incidents also took place in the following 23 towns:UpiDinaigLebakMaganoy Datu PiangAmpatuanKalamansigPalembangAlamadaBagumbayanGlanPikitTulunanMidsayapSta. CruzLibunganTacurongPigkawayanBuldonRoxasKidapawanMakilala Carmen

In Zamboanga del Sur, the towns that had violent incidents were:DimatalingMadaup

Tukuran

Marcos Declares Martial Law

Several times, President Marcos threatened to impose martial law. Finally, after a year’s experiment with the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, he imposed martial law on September 21, 1972. He claimed that “there is no doubt in anybody’s mind that a state of rebellion exists in the Philippines.” Pointing to Mindanao and Sulu, he said, as part of his justification for the declaration of martial law:

“The violent disorder in Mindanao and Sulu has to date resulted in the killing of over 1,000 civilians and about 2,000 armed Muslims and Christians, not to mention the more than five hundred thousands of injured, displaced and homeless persons as well as the great number of casualties among our government troops, and the paralization of the economy of Mindanao and Sulu.”

Some Observations

Although labeled Mindanao Crisis, the outbreak of violence did not in fact envelop the whole of Mindanao. It was geographically confined to Cotabato and Lanao. It spilled over into Zamboanga del Sur but only to three towns and only for a very short time.

One is tempted to say that it was confined to Central Mindanao. But how come it spared most of Lanao del Sur which is populated predominantly, if not one hundred percent Muslim Maranao? The only part of Lanao del Sur which was hit was Wao, a settlement area adjacent to Midsayap, Cotabato, home of one of the Ilaga founders. In Balabagan, it erupted but did not really prosper. There was also no flare up in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, in Palawan, in Basilan, in Zamboanga del Norte and the greater part of Zamboanga del Sur.

Instances of violence were most intense in Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. These places were settlement areas, where Christian settlers from the north came in droves from 1913 to the post World War II era. This is where the people, Muslims and Christians find themselves within the same geographical zone literally competing for land, political power, and social space. The Muslims generally found themselves displaced in their homeland. Also, inherited prejudice, a carry over from the Spanish practice of making Christians fight against Muslims for more than three centuries provided a natural mass base. The civilian population easily got embroiled in the conflict; politicians almost naturally blended their anti-Muslim or anti-Christian sentiments with those of the people. Until today, Muslim-Christian dialogue in Cotabato and Lanao del Norte finds few takers, indicating prevalence of a high degree of distrust, even animosity .

***

Attachment A

Muslim And Lumad Population In Mindanao, Sulu And Palawan Based On Mother Tongue Classification,

By Province*

1970 CENSUS

PROVINCE TOTAL MUSLIM % LUMAD %

OTHER INDIGENOUS

INHABITANTS

%

Agusan del Norte 278,053 1,350 0.48 1,998 0.72 3 ---Agusan del Sur 174,682 1,036 0.59 29,513 16.90 30 ---Bukidnon 414,762 3,998 0.96 73,359 17.68 5,533 1.33Cotabato 1,136,007 438,134 38.56 62,326 5.49 4,703 0.41South Cotabato 466,110 28,349 6.08 43,908 9.42 109 ---Davao del Norte 442,543 12,491 2.82 15,034 3.40 5,754 1.30Davao Oriental 247,991 1,818 0.73 7,725 3.12 84,308 34.00Davao del Sur 785,398 9,027 1.15 92,666 11.80 12,297 1.57Lanao del Norte 349,942 83,921 23.98 999 0.29 11 ---Lanao del Sur 455,508 404,357 88.77 89 0.02 --- ---Misamis Occidental 326,855 495 0.15 2,828 0.87 --- ---Misamis Oriental 482,756 662 0.14 2,601 0.54 312 0.06Sulu 425,617 412,591 96.94 1,573 0.36 581 0.14Surigao del Norte 238,714 430 0.18 386 0.16 1 ---Surigao del Sur 258,680 1,701 0.66 2,204 0.85 698 0.27Zamboanga del Norte 411,381 22,098 5.37 43,684 10.62 3,050 0.74Zamboanga del Sur 1,029,479 178,146 17.30 47,103 4.58 154,710 15.03MINDANAO 7,924,478 1,600,604 20.20 427,996 5.40 272,100 3.43Palawan 236,635 32,328 13.66 9,353 3.95 91,548 38.7TOTAL 8,161,113 1,632,932 20.00 437,349 5.36 363,648 4.46

* Source: Republic of the Philippines. National Statistics Office, Manila. 1970 Census of Population and Housing. Table III.15. Classification by Sex, Major Mother Tongue and Municipality, 1970 Census.

Attachment B

Muslim And Lumad PopulationIn Mindanao, Sulu And Palawan Based On Mother Tongue Classification,

By Province*

1990 CENSUS@

PROVINCE TOTAL MUSLIM % LUMAD % OTHERS %Agusan del Norte 464,789 2,729 0.59 2,673 0.58 29,757 6.40Agusan del Sur 419,920 870 0.21 53,151 12.66 13,384 3.19Basilan 208,006 166,110 79.86 853 0.41 34,409 16.54Bukidnon 742,269 3,562 0.48 84,004 11.32 11,982 1.61Camiguin 64,176 50 0.08 39 0.06 258 0.40Cotabato 763,149 111,753 14.64 31,522 4.13 11,985 1.57Maguindanao 756,878 484,292 63.99 44,108 5.82 117,893 15.58South Cotabato 1,071,135 52,497 4.90 124,726 11.64 6,798 0.63Sultan Kudarat 435,454 80,709 18.53 13,961 3.21 10,931 2.51Davao 1,053,167 19,553 1.86 51,356 4.88 28,191 2.68Davao Oriental 394,304 13,884 3.52 23,565 5.98 127,700 32.39Davao del Sur 1,478,723 23,990 1.62 178,474 12.07 16,271 1.10Lanao del Norte 613,259 134,947 22.00 628 0.10 1,195 0.19Lanao del Sur 598,800 557,003 93.02 487 0.08 86 0.01Misamis Occidental 423,590 443 0.10 5,030 0.19 1,990 0.47Misamis Oriental 862,660 3,423 0.40 2,522 0.29 4,329 0.50Sulu 468,856 457,866 97.66 867 0.18 872 0.19Tawi-Tawi 227,731 210,063 92.24 48 0.02 2,676 1.18Surigao del Norte 425,290 1,018 0.24 1,208 0.28 271,942 63.94Surigao del Sur 451,287 1,997 0.44 7,553 1.67 87,836 19.46Zamboanga del Norte 676,014 39,486 5.84 59,081 8.74 5,446 0.80Zamboanga del Sur 1,540,299 168,800 10.96 78,080 5.07 234,070 15.20Mindanao 14,139,756 2,535,045 17.93 763,936 5.40 1,020,001 7.21Palawan 524,493 29,696 5.66 11,943 2.28 191,300 36.47TOTAL 14,664,249 2,564,741 17.49 775,879 5.29 1,211,301 8.26

Note: Those in italics belong to the Special Zone of Peace and Development (Szopad) area.

* Source: Republic of the Philippines. National Statistics Office, Manila. 1970 Census of Population and Housing. Table III.15. Classification by Sex, Major Mother Tongue and Municipality, 1970 Census.@ Source: Republic of the Philippines. National Statistics Office, Manila. 1990 Census of Population and Housing. Table 10. Household Population by Mother Tongue, Sex and City/Municipality. (Figures are estimates based on 10% sample)