QUITE often, we hear the reprise of Filipinos (Muslim) claiming “they” were never conquered by foreign colonials arriving at our shores. The pointed repartee to such notional pride, and for purposes of righting historical bravado, may be overturned by a careful reading on the life of ‘Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat (1581-1671). Distinguish here, an unbowed religion vis-a-vis tribal- defeats.
It will be recalled, indications of Islam arriving to seminal Philippines dates back to 1175 AD. Ayala Museum asserts said finding via a graveyard in Sta. Ana Church Manila where skeletal remains “oriented towards Mecca” was recovered. While Islam came, to Sulu in the mid-13th century, present day scholars make a fine point regarding the arrival of Muslim traders in the Philippines in contrast to determining the initial conversion and spread of Islam as a religion. In 1450 the Sulu Sultanate was established by Hashim Abubakar, pointing to an indigenous hierarchy converting from local beliefs and paganism to Islam.
Colonial Spain’s attempt at planting the cross and employing the sword to open new settlements, controlling local trading, and expanding territorial influence of the crown in Mindanao, however proved problematic. Periodic attacks conducted by sea-faring raiders from Mindanao on Luzon and Visayan coastal villages in retaliation to building religious divide, and the need for women and children “slaves” as chattel, further provided the urgency for Spain subduing that part of the islands.
Sultan Kudarat ruled over a vast area covering current day Lanao, parts of Davao and Cotabato. In March 13, 1637 Captain General Hurtado de Corcuera led a force of Castillian regulars, Kapampangans and Visayans to pacify Sultan Kudarat and his forces. On March 16, with additional reinforcements landing, and despite great efforts at defending his capital fell. This was considered the first major defeat of Sultan Kudarat.
