Raiders of the Sulu Sea

A documentary by Icelle Durano Borja

Icelle

 One of Zamboanga
City’s premiere
artist, a true Filipina
painter and sculptor
Icelle
 Elementary:
 Zamboanga Normal School Grades 1- 3
 Tetuan Central School Grades 4-6
 Secondary: Pilar College (1974)
 College:
 Ateneo De Zamboanga (BS Nursing)
 Western Mindanao State University (BS
Home Economics)
 UP College of Fine Arts
Icelle
 Former Executive Council Member of
the National Commission on Museums of
the NCCA
 Writes a weekly arts column, and does
extensive research in the arts & culture of
Zamboanga
 Wrote several articles including “Raiders
of the Sulu Sea.”
Dr. Samuel K. Tan

 A native of Siasi, Sulu, born of Tausug-Sama-

Chinese parentage.
Dr. Samuel K. Tan

 A holder of several degrees and a recipient of

honors and awards.

 Finished two years of Business Administration

at Siliman University as a consistent
University Scholar
Dr. Samuel K. Tan

 A Bachelor of Theology at Ebenezer Bible

College where he taught and served as Dean
of Men
 M.A. in History at the University of the
Philippines
 Ph.D. in Social Science Interdisciplinary at
Maxwell School, Syracuse University, New
York
Other Contributors
Other Contributors
Other Contributors
Context of the Documentary
Context

Running time: 48 minutes and 43 seconds

Produced by: Oakfilms3 (Singapore)
Contributors: Dr. Samuel Tan, Margarita
Cohuangco and other international historians.
Publicity: Aired on “Q Channel”, also on
Discovery Channel and National Geographic
Context

 It is a Historiography Documentary film

 Depicting the Southeast Asia free trading
 Focuses on Zamboanga City
 Depicting how the Spaniards defended the city
with the Fort Pilar as Spain’s last stronghold
and bastion of defense and economic
expansion in the South of the Philippines
Context

 Adverse effects/retaliation when Spaniards

wanted to:
 Control the flourishing economy
 Colonize
 Christianize

 Highlights the sophisticated ancient maritime

vessels and weaponry
The Spaniards’ Objective

According to Dr. Julius Bautista:

 Prevent Islam in spreading up to the

Northern part of the country

 Propagate Christianity
Context

 Who are the ‘Raiders of the Sulu Sea?

 illanun

 To the Western Colonists:

 NOTHING BUT BARBARIC
The Three Groups
The Three Groups of Muslims that Reigned During
the 17th Century:
 The Three Groups
1. Balangingi
- Originated from
Basilan and Sulu
2. Illanun
- Originated from
Samal
3. Tausug
- Lineage of
Rajahs
Content of the Documentary
 Fort Pilar
 Real Fuerza de Nuestra
Señora del Pilar de
Zaragoza
 Royal Fort of Our Lady of
the Pilar of Zaragoza

 Formerly: Real Fuerza de

San José(Royal Fort of
Saint Joseph)
 Located in Zamboanga City

Fort Pilar
 17th-century military defense fortress built by the
Spanish colonial government
 40 meters high, 2 acres wide
 Requested by Jesuit Priests and Bishop Fray
Pedro of Cebu upon the approval of the Spanish
governor of the Philippines Juan Cerezo de
Salamanca
 Architects:
 Father Melchor de Vera
 Juan Sicarra
The Illanun

 Moro ethnic group native to Mindanao,

Philippines
 Called “pirates” - originated from a Malay

word
 Established the legalization of “slave trading”
during the 18th century
 Closely related culturally and linguistically to
the Maranao and Maguindanaon.
The Illanun
 Majority of Illanun live along the
coastline in the of the towns of
Nulingi, Parang, Matanog, and Barira
in Maguindanao Province, Mindanao

 Fierce, fearless, possessed the

technically superior forces (for
attacking the enemies and defenses)
Maritime Vessels of the Raiders

1. JUNGAS (Warships)
 Canons

 Compass, Telescopes

For navigation
 34 Rowers on each side

 “Modern Cruiser”
Maritime Vessels of the Raiders

2. SALISIPAN
 Small maritime vessel

 Disguised as hungry,
homeless fishermen
 Maritime Vessels of the Raiders

3. Garay
 Composed of bamboo,

nipa, and wood.

 Less than 100 sailors

can fit
 30-40 rowers per side

 Fastest vessel (at that time)

Weaponry

 KALIS

 300-year old sword

 Curving - for easy

slashing the
opponent's head
Weaponry
 TAMPILAN

 Longer side - for cutting

through the opponent’s
head
 Pointed - for picking the

decapitated head up
Rajah Dalasi
 King and Ruler of Bulig or Butig
 Also known as Rajah Janatun of Butig
 Raided the Fort Pilar along with the Sulu Sultanates

 On December 8, 1720
 An armada of one hundred vessels or “paraws” manned by
Sultan sa Kanluran, Miyangaludan and several thousand of
Moros, attacked Fort Pilar in Zamboanga.
 They captured a local Jesuit priest and forced the Spanish
government in Manila to give ransom payment in exchange
for his freedom.
Should They Be Called
“PIRATES?”
PIRACY
According to Dr. Samuel Tan, the term “pirates”
 Misleading

 Due to the attacks they have done to the converted

local Christians located at the Northern part of the
country
 These people (the Illanun) retaliated against the
Spaniards
 To abolish and put a stop in the continual spread of
Christianity throughout the country
Spaniards and Muslims

 Are both exerting their own agendas

causing a massive brawl and attacks
 Led to the attack at Fort Pilar in
Zamboanga
 Fight against oppression
These “pirates” do not want to lose
their identity as Muslims to the
Spaniards
Slave Trading
 Illanuns cut a hole through the palm and put a
string through the palm of each person they have
captured
 Selling rate:
 PHP 10-100
Slave Trading
 Tao Pang
 Tribal leader
 Close ally to Rajah Dalasi
 Provider of slaves for Southern Sultanates
Planning the Attack

1844-1845
 Govenor General Narciso Claveria
planned an attack on the Basilan island

 Found difficult to approach the island of

Basilan
Planning the Attack
 Ordered "steamships" from England (1848)
 Became known as Claveria's "secret weapon"

 3 steamships
 Reyna Castella
 Magallanes
 Mercado
Steamships
Steamships
The Aftermath
Aftermath of the Attack in Basilan

 The Raiders of Sulu Sea were greatly

outnumbered by the Spaniards
 350++ Muslim Men and Women were
captured
 Tao Pang made a clemency that he would

surrender
 Spaniards captured his pregnant wife--
named Noila.
Present Archaeology
Butuan City

 In 1977 anthropologists discovered

several artifacts:

 Sea vessels
Portrayed the great knowledge that
early southern people acquired in
the field of sailing
Recent Excavations
“Mother Balangay”
Flotilla
Mother Balangay
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ANqaXfuzgY

 https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/science
/321334/massive-balangay-mother-boat-
unearthed-in-butuan/story/
Relevance to the Grand Narrative
of Philippine History
Raiders of the Sulu Sea
 Presents an alternative perspective in
understanding Philippine history

 These raids presented a source of power.

Raiders of the Sulu Sea
 The three tribes were known as great seafarers and
expert sailors that the Spanish galleons could not even
chase.
 Moros have excellent boat crafting skills
 Created boats faster than galleons
 How the united force of the Moros were able to infiltrate
the military defense fortress built by the Spanish
government – Strategy Skills
 The Balangingi Samal, Tausugs and Illanuns are
freedom fighters according to Tausug descendant,
Halman Abubakar.
Raiders of the Sulu Sea
 The gap between Christians and Muslims still exists
even in contemporary times

 Bangsamoro Organic Law

 ARMM

 2019 Plebiscite
Raiders of the Sulu Sea
 The gap between Christians and Muslims still exists
even in contemporary times
Conclusion

Moro piracy during the Spanish period was a

Moro reaction against the Spaniards, who had
displaced them from the political and economic
dominance they once enjoyed in the region.
Furthermore, slavery was not the consequence
of piratical raids. As noted, it was part of pre-
Hispanic activities in the region.
Reference
 Beluan, Dong (2018). The Raiders of the Sulu Sea.
A Prezi Presentation. Can be accessed online from
https://prezi.com/p/dqlv-5p-39oh/raiders-of-the-
sulu-sea/