Professional Documents
Culture Documents
American Colonial Period and Commonwealth Period Handout - Students
American Colonial Period and Commonwealth Period Handout - Students
HISTORY003
HISTORY OF FILIPINO MUSLIMS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF MINSUPALA
AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD colonizing the Philippines.
What were the events that brought the Americans Treaty of Paris – An agreement that ended
to the Philippines? Spanish-American War, provided for the cession
Post-Civil Wars = America’s economy grew of the PH to the US for 20 million USD.
tremendously.
Flooded by the surplus products and Filipino revolutionists were not the only
capital which American factories ones who were affected by the Treaty of
produced and generated. Paris.
America to come up with a plan on how It must be recalled that until 1898, the
to acquire colonies that would serve as Spanish-Moro wars remained unfinished
her economic dumping ground. without a clear conclusion.
Spain was the weakest colonizer. Thus, in 1898, we can safely infer that
there were still three major states that
To justify the declaration of war against existed in what is now the Philippines,
Spain and take its colonies, Americans namely:
started designing steps.
1. Publication of Dubuy De Lome’s 1. Felipinas (which comprised the
letter which contained personal Spanish controlled territories of
criticism against US President Luzon, Visayas and some parts of
William McKinley. northern Mindanao)
2. American Propaganda spread 2. Maguindanao Sultanate (which
rumors that American Citizens was comprised the territories of south-
maltreated by Spanish Authority. central Mindanao) and
3. February 15, 1898, American 3. The Sulu Sultanate (which
warship (Maine) anchored in comprised the territories of the
Havana Cuba was blown up and Sulu archipelago and the area of
destroyed, killing 246 crew Borneo known as Sabah).
members.
Americans held Spain responsible for the The last two states (i.e., the Sultanates
explosion. of Maguindanao and Sulu) used to be
April 21, 1898, US Congress declared war independent from Felipinas but when
against Spain. the Spaniards sold the PH to
PH was colonies of Spain, American had to Americans, they included the entire
go there supposedly to destroy Spanish Mindanao and Sulu in the business
forces. transaction.
pg. 1
MSU-SULU
HISTORY003
Military power, is the most essential in
1) Military Occupation from 1899-1903; dealing with the Moros who would be
2) The Moro Province from 1903-1913; and prepared and introduced under the new
3) The Department of Mindanao and Sulu from government.
1914-1920. Under the Moro province, the natives were
A. Military Occupation and the Non-interference placed under the tribal ward system:
Policy.
o The tribal chieftain – held
War was still being waged against the Christian responsible for the acts of his
Filipino revolutionists. constituents.
The Americans made sure they were able to o The tribal ward – placed under
neutralize the Muslims by not provoking and municipalities which were further
encouraging them to join. organized into districts.
Brigadier General John C. Bates was sent in o Each district – placed under an
February 1899 to meet with the leaders of Sulu, American district governor who in
headed by Sultan Jamalul Kiram. turn was directly responsible to the
governor of the Moro Province.
The objective was to win the friendship of the
Moros in Sulu by convincing the Datus,
headmen, and imams to recognize and accept
the presence of the American forces in Moro
land.
o Bates Agreement
— The Bates agreement, as was popularly known
in Philippine history, became the epitome of
American policy in Moro land for the first five
years. This policy would be known as the Non-
interference policy.
Early 1901, Emilio Aguinaldo was captured; 1) Taxation (i.e. the imposition of taxes on
and in the following year (1902) almost all the Moro population);
of his generals were either killed, arrested, 2) Anti-slavery Law (i.e. the banning of
or had surrendered. slavery among the Moros); and
3) Disarmament Policy (i.e. it made
From 1903 to 1913, the Americans organize carrying of traditional bladed weapons
and implement the Moro Province, placing illegal).
all Moro/Muslim districts under direct
American military control. American superiority in military power had not
only silenced Moro defiance and resistance but
pg. 2
MSU-SULU
HISTORY003
also forcibly brought together the peoples of The Battle of Bud Dajo was the bloodiest battle
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao into one highly between the Moro people and the American
centralized and unitary Philippine colony. They forces. The high number of civilian casualties,
believed that the only way to deal with them including women and children, led to widespread
was by brute force. criticism in the United States.
Indeed, these policies generated violent reactions
among the Moros so that many of the great “battles” or It serves as a stark reminder of the cost of freedom
“massacres” in Mindanao and Sulu would occur during and the lengths to which people will go to protect
the years of the Moro Province. their way of life. Despite the overwhelming
firepower of the attackers and the lopsided
casualties, the Moros’ determination to resist
foreign rule remained unbroken. Their legacy
BATTLE OF BUD DAJO
continues to shape the identity and history of the
Moro people.
The Battle of Bud
o Moro Problem
By 1906, the American army had been able to gain o The Department of Mindanao and Sulu and
control of most of the Moro areas and had Filipinization
imposed new colonial rule. However, a group of
Moros who opposed American rule took refuge in “Philippines was not for the United States to exploit
the volcanic crater of Bud Dajo. The population at but to develop, to civilize, to educate and to train in
this location swelled to more than 1,000. the science of self-government.” – William Mckinley
The American army, led by Colonel Joseph W. Self-government and eventually become
Duncan, launched an attack on Bud Dajo. Despite independent - Started to come true when the
the Moros’ fierce resistance, the Americans were Democrats won in 1913.
able to reach the rim of the crater by the end of
March 72. “FILIPINIZATION” – Policy that transfer the
control of the Insular Government from
On the following day, they used machine guns and American to Filipino hands
other artillery to kill any remaining Moros in the
crater. Part of the Filipinization program was to
abolish the Moro Province.
The battle resulted in a devastating loss for the
Moros, with only six survivors out of a population in 1913, the Moro province would be
of over 1,000. American casualties included 21 reorganized into the Department of Mindanao
soldiers killed and 70 wounded. and Sulu. Under the department, the former
districts of the Moro Province were turned into
pg. 3
MSU-SULU
HISTORY003
regular provinces plus the new provinces of Sulu into the Philippine colony;
Agusan and Bukidnon. b) Resettling of Christian natives to Mindanao;
c) The discriminatory land Laws, and
The term “Filipino” in the Filipinization d) Attempt to annex Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan
program appeared to be almost exclusive to into the US territory.
“Christian Filipinos”. Thus, the Filipinization
program that was vigorously pursued under the
department had even caused Moro A. Forcible Incorporation of Mindanao and Sulu
resentments instead of Moro enthusiasm, Maguindanao and Sulu were included in the
participation, and excitement. treaty of Paris. The two sultanates used to be
independent from Spanish Felipinas; yet
The Filipinization program of the colonial deliberately, the Americans still included them.
administration under the Department of
Completed the subjugation of the Moros and
Mindanao and Sulu would continue whether
therefore succeeded in forcibly incorporating
the Moros were happy or not.
them into the predominantly Christian
Philippines.
For approximately seven years, the department
would advance the program, until May 1920,
United States stole three independences from
when it was formally abolished. Thereafter,
three sovereign states when she signed the
Moro affairs would then be placed under the
Treaty of Paris in 1898; i.e., she took away not
control of the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes
only the independence of Aguinaldo’s
under the Department of the Interior, where
Republika ng Pilipinas but also the
administrative as well as legislative control of
independence of the Maguindanao and Sulu
Moro land was even firmly secured in Christian
sultanates.
Filipino hands.
When the United States decided to leave in
C. Policy of Attraction 1946, she, however, gave independence for
To mitigate the resentments of the Moros, for Pilipinas, including Maguindanao and Sulu.
instance, the colonial government would come
up with programs and projects. Thus, the Muslims, Christians and Lumads
became citizens of a republic comprising at least
Free education was institutionalized and public two nations.
schools were established almost everywhere in
the Moro districts. B. Resettling Christian natives to Mindanao
The colonial government also created the 1912, Americans introduced the idea of
Pensionado Program, which sent non-Christian resettling landless but industrious farmers from
natives to Manila and America for higher Luzon and Visayas to Mindanao.
learning or educational tours.
The planners or architects of the settlement
Hospital and field dispensaries were also scheme also believed that this is one way the
provided in such number that medical care Moros could be united with the Christian
came within the reach of nearly all the Filipinos.
inhabitants.
This is “the policy of assimilation by colonies,
The Muslims were given greater participation in combining a minority of Moros with a majority
local and provincial government. Later, some of Filipinos”.
were even appointed to the Ph legislature.
How did American policy or practice contribute to The American colonial government so
the present Mindanao problem? encouraged the Christian settlers to the extent
Four major contributions of United States policy of giving them free transportation, financial and
to the Mindanao problem: legal assistance, farm tools and other
a) The forcible incorporation of Mindanao and implements.
pg. 4
MSU-SULU
HISTORY003
American lured “corn-loving” Cebuanos to settle ACT NO.926 OF 1903 (PUBLIC LAND ACT) – This act
in Mindanao, by telling them that hybrid declared as public (i.e., government) lands, all
American corn can be found in Mindanao, if lands not registered under Act No. 496 of 1902.
they wanted it, they must go to Mindanao. Under this law, public lands were to be disposed of
in three ways: by homestead, purchase (by
Moro Colonies or “Agricultural Colonies” – a individual or corporation), and lease.
systematic program by the Americans
established by General John Pershing and Frank THE MINING LAW OF 1905 – This law declared all
Carpenter established in the Cotabato Valley public lands in the Philippines as free, open for
and Lanao. exploration, occupation and purchase by citizens of
the Philippines and the United States.
Americans who introduced the idea of bringing
the Christian settlers to Mindanao, who, in THE CADASTRAL ACT OF 1907 – This law was
fairness to the latter, would pour out their designed to facilitate the acquisition of new
energies to develop the lands the colonial landholdings. This law was deemed to have allowed
government granted them. the educated natives (Indios and Non-Indios)
bureaucrats, and American land speculators, who
But the American program of bringing over were more familiar with the bureaucratic process, to
Christian migrants to Mindanao did not only legalize claims usurped through fraudulent surveys.
generate further resentments among the
Muslims and Lumads but also it created a Act 2874 of 1919 – This law allowed Christian
permanent and ready venue for the eventually settlers to homestead 24 hectares while non-
frequent and bloody physical encounters. Christians were only allowed 10 hectares.
Apparently, both are unaware they are victims Corporations were allowed 1,024 hectares.
of unfortunate colonial decisions.
As a consequence of these laws, many of the Moros
and Lumads would be marginalized and alienated.
C. Discriminatory Land Laws
The Moros did not only dislike the coming of The Land Registration Act of 1902 and Public Land
Christianized natives from Luzon and Visayas, Act of 1903, in particular, were responsible for
but resented as well the passing of several turning many of the natives into squatters of their
discriminatory land laws. These laws include: own lands.
ACT NO.496 OF 1902 otherwise known as the Aside from the fact that many of them were
“LAND REGISTRATION ACT” – this act required the ignorant of the process of land registering and
registration of lands occupied by private persons or titling, the government did not exert enough effort
corporations. It also required that the application to assist the Moros and Lumads in acquiring titles to
for registration of title shall be in writing, signed and the lands they were occupying.
sworn to by the applicant.
D. Making Mindanao Part of the US Territory
‒ Note that this law was implemented in 1902 Although Mindanao was made part of the
while the first schools in Moro and Lumad areas Philippine Islands under the Treaty of Paris,
were established in later dates. In Cotabato, the certain practices showed that Americans
first school was established in 1903 inside wanted it for themselves. The administration of
military camps for Moros who wanted to serve the Moro Province unwittingly gave many
the American Army. Lanao had literacy schools American officials and capitalists a reason to
for Moro soldiers only in 1904. Other areas of make it a permanent territory of the United
Minsupala would follow at a much later date. States.
ACT NO.718 OF 1903 – This law declared null and It began in 1906 and intensified through the
void all land grants made by Moro Datus/sultans 1920s, when American planters (through the
and chiefs of non-Christian tribes when made Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce) with the
without government authority or consent. backing of American officials petitioned
pg. 5
MSU-SULU
HISTORY003
Washington to incorporate Mindanao into the
US territory. They also planted the seed of a peculiar
separatist movement in Mindanao waged more
strongly by Americans rather than by Moros.
Col. Ralph Hoyt, acting governor of the Moro Pelzer concurred later: "such a separation has
Province, recommended that “Mindanao be been suggested repeatedly by Americans
segregated from the rest of the Philippines and interested in plantation development who
declared as a territory of the US, not as a Conversely, it sought to detach this region from
colony but as coaling stations and naval base the Philippines as it posed an obstacle for its
with a civil-military government similar to the independence.
present government of the Moro Province.”
pg. 6
MSU-SULU
HISTORY003
Two successive independence missions were Datu Auraya Dianalan:
sent to the United States: “We are not like carabaos that Americans
pull to one side and Christian Filipino to
1) Led by Sergio Osmeña and Manuel another. We have proper convictions and
Roxas in 1931; we do not (sic) the dismemberment of our
2) Headed by Manuel L. Quezon in 1933.
country and the separation of our territory
The latter mission would eventually result to from that of our Christian brothers.”
the Tydings-McDuffie Act which created the Datu Facundo Mandi:
Philippine Commonwealth. “That in a clear and unequivocal way it
may be made known that Mohammedans,
What was the purpose of creating the Philippine like their brethren the Christian Filipinos
Commonwealth? want the absolute, complete and
immediate independence of the Philippines
The purpose of creating the Philippine and that they protest against any intent to
Commonwealth was anchored on the self- divide and disintegrate them.”
proclaimed American mandate of “educating
and training the Filipinos in the science of self-
Datu Ibra, Lanao delegate:
government”.
“After all, the inhabitants of Mindanao and
In other words, the commonwealth was Sulu and the inhabitants of Luzon and
deemed to be a transition period where the Visayas are brothers in fact. We are of the
administrative skills of the Filipinos are honed same race and there runs in our veins the
before they could be granted “absolute” same blood. We inhabit a group of islands,
independence. It was supposed to last 10 years which Providence has given us. We must
(i.e. 1935-1945) but due to World War II, live not only as friendly neighbors but as
independence was only granted in 1946. brothers in fact...”
Datu Sacaluran:
The Moros who wanted independence with the “I am an old man now. I do not want
Christian Filipinos were mostly:
any more trouble. But if it should come
► “Leaders who had benefited from the
to that, we shall be given over to the
Philippine State system, having been
Filipinos, I would still fight.”
appointed to national or provincial offices,
or who had been closely associated with
Hadji Abdul Kamid Bogabong, in Dansalan
Christian Filipinos in politics or business”.
Declaration dated March 18, 1935:
► Moros who realized that resistance was
futile; and that they should “make the best “…One more discriminatory act of our
out of the situation they were powerless to Christian Filipino Associates is shown
change.” in the recent constitution of the
Philippine Commonwealth. In that
Some really favored independence with the constitution, no provision whatsoever
Christian Filipinos as it was their sincere is made that would operate for the
conviction to be so. welfare of the Moros… the (provisions
pg. 7
MSU-SULU
HISTORY003
of the) constitution are all for the and how did these affect the Moros and Lumads?
welfare of the Christian Filipinos and
nothing for the Moros. As a proof of When Manuel L. Quezon assumed the
this, our delegate did not sign the Commonwealth presidency, he identified three
constitution… (Thus) should the (3) major priorities:
1.) Development of Mindanao for the
American people grant the Philippine
sake of the National Economy,
independence; the islands of
2.) Strengthening security in Mindanao
Mindanao and Sulu should not be as part of national security, and
included…” 3.) The advancement and integration of
the Moro population.
Those who wanted to stay under American rule The first two priorities caught much of Quezon’s
forever. attention and energy so that very little was left
Hadji Abdullah and Datu Dimaampao for the third and last priority.
Dangcal:
“We, the undersigned Datus in favor of The first priority of the Quezon administration
late Amai Manabilang, who had been meant that Mindanao was to be developed,
the foremost Americanista party for not necessarily for the sake of Mindanao and its
native inhabitants but for the sake of the
many years and until his death,
national government and economy. Indeed,
respectfully send this communication to
describing Mindanao as the “Land of Promise”
his Excellency, the President of the
could not simply be appreciated by many of the
United States of America, to request indigenous inhabitants (Moros and Lumads) of
that the American people must not give the island.
us to any other race except the
American people.” The second priority, perceived two major
threats to national security in Mindanao:
Datu Dimaampao Dangcal of Dansalan’s 1) First, was the existence of many non-
letter, which said: Christian populations (Moros and
“We would like to be under the Lumads) in Mindanao and Sulu; and
American rule forever. We do not want 2) Second, was the existence of a
independence… We have found out growing colony of Japanese
that Americans as a people are kind, agriculturists and entrepreneurs in
honest and just…” Davao.
− The first was considered a threat
because the non-Christian tribes
By appealing not to give the Moros “to any
were perceived to be not loyal to the
other people except the Americans” and by
Philippine government while the
clearly stating that they wanted “to be under
second was considered bothersome
American rule forever”, Hadji Abdullah and
because Japanese expansionism in
Datu Dimaampao must have thought that only
Asia was common knowledge
the Americans could provide the Moros an
already as early as the late 1920s.
impartial and disinterested leadership.
− To address these threats therefore,
the Commonwealth government of
Anyhow, the petition letters not favoring the Quezon would encourage
granting of Philippine independence would all substantial numbers of Christian
be ignored in the Philippines and the United natives from Luzon and Visayas to
States. Hence, history would take a course in migrate to Mindanao and Sulu.
such a way that the Moros and Lumads would Government encouragement this
be incorporated into the Philippine body time was so remarkable that
politic whether they liked it or not. migration into the region from 1936
onwards would even surpass the rate
of migration recorded during the
What were Quezon’s policies towards Mindanao
pg. 8
MSU-SULU
HISTORY003
American period. The justification of Quezon was that its abolition
would force Moros “to take their cases to the
The third priority, the Commonwealth regular courts of justice or bring extra-judicial
government also did exert some efforts. cases for amicable settlement to the local mayors
However, these efforts/moves seemed to do or other officials”. What Quezon failed to realize
more harm than help. was the fact that he had totally scrapped the
traditional system of governance that was
For instance, Quezon seemed to view functioning well and most appropriate to the local
integration as attainable only through culture. He also failed to realize that by replacing
applying the same rules to Christians and the traditional leaders with salaried officials, he
non-Christians, which somehow was actually corrupting the concept of leadership
transgressed the limits of cultural among the Moros.
sensitivities of many Moro and Lumad
groups. He was somehow insinuating that There are certain features of the new system of
what is “okay” to the Christian majority governance which radically altered the notion of
will also be “okay” to the non-Christian “governance and leadership” among the natives.
minority.
pg. 9