Moro Resistance

to Spanish
Aggression
Lesson 6
Why did the Moros resist Spanish
Aggression?
Filipino narrative often revolves around themes of
resistance, subjugation, and struggle against
oppression as it encompasses the experiences of
both Moro (Muslim) and non-Moro communities
in their resistance against foreign powers.

Moros see their struggle as a relentless and

ongoing fight for freedom and self-governance,
rooted in their belief that they were always free
and independent prior to foreign intervention.
Domingo Non
Moro Piracy during the
Spanish Period and Its Impact -

states that it has not been so

violent in the first fifty years of
Spanish arrival in the Philippines.
In fact, according to him their
treatment of one another could
even be described as cordial.
Legazpi’s Expedition
March 1565.
The Spaniards captured a Bornean trading vessel in the
vicinity of Bohol after a battle where about twenty
Borneans were killed as against one Spaniard.

1569.
Nine Spanish vessels successfully engaged
twenty vessels manned by Borneans and
Sulus in Visayan waters.
The encounter between Martin de Goite
and Sulayman in Manila in 1570.
The turning point of Moro History.

In 1570, Spanish frigates led by de Goite sailed into Manila to meet with local
Muslim rulers. An understanding was established between Goiti and
Sulayman, the chieftain of Manila, which allowed for a Spanish settlement in
exchange for protection from Sulayman’s enemies.

This agreement did not last, however, and in fact resulted to an exchange of
gunfire between the Moro and Spanish forces.

The Spanish troops eventually arrived in Manila and burned it to the ground.
02 How did the Moros resist
Spanish Aggression?
Moro’s resistance against the Spanish Aggression

Response of the Moros:

The response of
the Moros to the
actions of the
Spaniards can be
categorized into
three: Retaliatory Collaborative Piratical
Retaliatory
The so-called Moro wars are
being characterized by
retaliations and counter-
retaliation attacks, raids and
counter-raids between the two
parties which lasted for more
than three centuries. Take note
that both parties were capable
of similar, if not the same degree
of brutalities and destructions.
One example was the Moro
invasion of Spanish provinces for a
period of three years after the Jolo
attack in 1752. This particular
attack on Moro territory was said
to have prompted the series of
raids that “successfully desolated
and laid waste” to the provinces of
Aklan, Negros, Romblon, Mindoro,
Marinduque, Zambales, Sorsogon,
Albay and Camarines between the
1750s and 1800s.
Collaborative
These forms of collaboration were manifested in
the purchase of guns from the Spanish enemies;
trading ventures conducted and cases where
Spanish help were accepted to support claims
to the royal throne in the sultanates of Sulu and
Maguindanao.
Instances of Collaboration

Ja’far Sadiq Manamir and the Spanish

He formed a friendly relationship with the
Spanish colonizers to gain their support in his
bid for the Maguindanao Sultanate.
In exchange for their support, Ja’far provided
valuable information to the Spaniards about
Moro plans of attack.
After Ja’far's death, his successor continued
this friendly policy, offering vassalage to the
Spaniards and allowing missionaries into their
realm.
Instances of Collaboration

Sultan Alimuddin I of Sulu

Sultan Alimuddin I of Sulu was captured by
the Spaniards and taken to Manila, where he
was imprisoned and later baptized by the
Spanish.
During the British capture of Manila from
the Spaniards (1762-1764), Sultan Alimuddin I
was sent back to Sulu to resume his reign.
The Spaniards had installed a different
Sultan in place of Alimuddin I, but when the
British took over, they removed this
replacement Sultan.
Piracy
William Henry Scott mentioned that prior to the
coming of the Spaniards some coastal communities
were engaged in one way or another in piracy.
When the Spaniards arrived, communities they
controlled as a matter of policy stopped piracy but
those not controlled by them like Moro
communities continued piracy.
Moro Piracy
Moro pirate raids against Christian settlements began
in 1578 and continued for over two and a half centuries,
spreading throughout the Philippines. These raids were
organized and well-armed, almost equal to the
Spaniards' weapons.
Various Moro groups and foreign participants like the
Ternateans, Borneans, and Camucones conducted
these raids, looting treasures and capturing people.
The raids were seen as successful and beneficial to the
Moros but harmful to the Spaniards.
Spanish Response
To defend against pirate raids, the Spanish built
fortresses in towns and set up watchtowers along the
coasts to warn of approaching raids.
They also deployed small fleets of armed ships to patrol
the coasts and protect settlements.
Despite these efforts, pirate raids continued until the
use of steam gunboats, which greatly reduced piracy.
Another strategy was to establish Christian settlements
in Mindanao to counter the pirates there. Boholano
troops were encouraged to settle near pirate areas to
deter their activities.
Another method that was adopted by the
Meranao Moros.
The lake dwellers have chosen the defensive side
in their initial dealings with the Spaniards. This
was manifested in the events following the
expeditions of Capt. Francisco de Atienza and
Fray Agustin de San Pedro in 1639 and that of
Don Pedro Bermudez Castro in 1640.
Initial Defensive Approach (1639-1640)
When the Spaniards tried to convert the Lanao Moros to
Christianity and establish garrisons in their area, the
Meranao Moros initially cooperated, thinking alliances
with the Spaniards would be beneficial.
However, the Meranaos grew suspicious of Spanish
intentions and felt threatened by potential subjugation.
In response, they drove back Spanish troops to coastal
areas and burned their garrisons around Lake Lanao,
effectively isolating themselves from Spanish control.
Later Expeditions (1891-1895)
Two hundred fifty years later, the Spanish sent expeditions led
by Valeriano Weyler in 1891 and Ramon Blanco in 1895 to deal
with the Moros of Lake Lanao.
The Meranaos bravely defended their land using fortified cottas
(earth-and-stone structures). One notable cotta was Fort
Marahui, defended by Datu Amai Pakpak.
Weyler's expedition aimed to destroy Fort Marahui but faced
unexpected resistance, forcing them to retreat.
Blanco's expedition succeeded in defeating Amai Pakpak and
his forces using gunboats and rapid-fire guns, leading some
Meranao datus to seek peace to protect their families.
Aftermath
Blanco’s success would have made a big impact in the
larger effort to conquer the Moros of Mindanao and
Sulu, but the announcement of Commodore George
Dewey’s victory over the Spanish navy at Manila Bay
in 1898 changed the course of Spanish plans. The
succeeding turn of events would save the Moros from
further Spanish attacks but would, unfortunately,
place them in the hands of a new enemy.
Thanks!