73-873: Cotabato , formerly and still commonly referred to as North Cotabato and officially the Province of Cotabato , is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Soccsksargen region in Mindanao . Its capital is the city of Kidapawan , the most populous in the province. Some of its municipalities are under the jurisdiction of the nearby Bangsamoro Autonomous Region . The name Kuta Watu in Maguindanaon (or Kota Batu in Malay ) means "stone fortress". According to Maguindanao royal records, Islam
146-714: A Federal Government, where Bangamoro will be realized into a State of the Philippines wherein Carmen will be included in Bangsamoro. Plans to establish a new municipality in the south of Carmen so that the indigenous and Christian central and northern part of Carmen will be retained in North Cotabato has yet to be confirmed. The idea arose because once the entire municipality of Carmen is included in Bangsamoro ,
219-529: A Muslim man named Jibin Arula from the waters just off Caballo Island in Manila Bay . They discovered that he had suffered gunshot wounds, and he later recounted that he was the lone survivor of an attempt by members of the armed forces to kill a group of Muslim army recruits. There are various interpretations of the events of that morning. While some interpretations claim that the massacre never took place,
292-589: A barangay government is the mandate of the mayor and the Sanggunian of the component city or municipality of which the barangay in question is a part. Provinces are classified according to average annual income based on the previous 4 calendar years. Effective July 29, 2008, the thresholds for the income classes for cities are: A province's income class determines the size of the membership of its Sangguniang Panlalawigan , and also how much it can spend on certain items, or procure through certain means. When
365-581: A district of the huge Moro province. During the American period, large companies were established in Cotabato to exploit the vast timber resources of the region. By the 1930s, settlers from Luzon and Visayas established homesteads in Cotabato. In December 1941, Japanese planes bombed and invaded Cotabato. In 1942, Cotabato was occupied by the Japanese Imperial forces . A military headquarters of
438-650: A furor within the Muslim community in the Philippines, especially among the educated youth. Muslim students saw the need through this incident to unite in protests and organized demonstrations and rallies in Manila with financial backing from Muslim politicians and university intellectuals. One such demonstration was situated near the Malacañang Palace, where the President and his family resided. The students held
511-497: A previous plan. I submit that there was no plan to kill the Muslim recruits. 2. What would have been the motive for the "massacre"? Some quarters have advanced the theory that the trainees were liquidated in order to silence them. But then, 24 boys have already shown up in Jolo safe and healthy. To release 24 men who can spill the beans and liquidate the remaining 24 "to seal" their lips would defy logic. 3. Jibin Arula has been telling
584-560: A remote section of Corregidor Island at the mouth of Manila Bay where they were further trained in guerrilla operations and jungle warfare . Once on the island, the code name was changed to 'Jabidah'. The real purpose of the formation of Jabidah was never publicized therefore leading to wide speculations and controversies regarding this top secret military plan. The Oplan Merdeka and the Jabidah Massacre first came to public attention on March 18, 1968, when two fishermen rescued
657-555: A term of three years and limited to three consecutive terms and appoint the directors of each provincial department which include the office of administration, engineering office, information office, legal office, and treasury office. The vice governor acts as the president for each Sangguniang Panlalawigan ( SP ; "Provincial Board"), the province's legislative body. Every SP is composed of regularly elected members from provincial districts, as well as ex officio members. The number of regularly elected SP members allotted to each province
730-521: A traffic accident in Trece Martires , Cavite , sometime in August or September 2010. Some sources differ with the official account, particularly with the exact number of victims: In contrast to his father, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. , President Benigno Aquino III acknowledged the incident as a massacre on March 18, 2013, when he led commemorations on its 45th anniversary. This notably marked
803-441: A week-long protest vigil over an empty coffin marked 'Jabidah' in front of the palace. The massacre significantly brought the Muslim intellectuals, who, prior to the incident had no discernible interest in politics, into the political scene to demand for safeguards against politicians who were using them. Apart from the intellectuals, Muslims in Philippines in general saw that all opportunities for integration and accommodation with
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#1732797258545876-513: Is autonomous of other provinces within the republic. Each province is governed by two main elected branches of the government: executive and legislative. Judicial affairs are separated from provincial governance and are administered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines . Each province has at least one branch of a Regional Trial Court . The provincial governor is chief executive and head of each province. Provincial governors are elected to
949-535: Is considered a major food basket in Mindanao. It is a top producer of cereals, tropical fruits, vegetables, sugarcane, coconut, coffee, freshwater fish and livestock. It is also one of the country's leading producers of raw and semi-processed rubber and industrial trees, with markets in Asia and Europe. Among its major natural assets are Mt. Apo , the country's highest peak at 9,692 feet (2,954 m) above sea level,
1022-465: Is determined by its income class. First- and second-class provinces are provided ten regular SP members; third- and fourth-class provinces have eight, while fifth- and sixth-class provinces have six. Exceptions are provinces with more than five congressional districts, such as Cavite with 16 regularly elected SP members, and Cebu , Negros Occidental and Pangasinan which have twelve each. Every SP has designated seats for ex officio members, given to
1095-536: Is elected at an at-large basis and not apportioned through territory-based districts. Those classified as either "highly urbanized" or "independent component" cities are independent from the province, as provided for in Section 29 of the Local Government Code of 1991. Although such a city is a self-governing second-level entity, in many cases it is often presented as part of the province in which it
1168-402: Is geographically located, or in the case of Zamboanga City , the province it last formed part the congressional representation of . Local government units classified as "component" cities and municipalities are under the jurisdiction of the provincial government. In order to make sure that all component city or municipal governments act within the scope of their prescribed powers and functions,
1241-469: Is higher than the national average of 1.72%. The province had a density of 140 inhabitants per square kilometre or 360 inhabitants per square mile. Cotabato is an ethnolinguistically diverse province. The first Visayan settlers reached the town of Pikit in 1913, and since then, Christian migrants have moved and lived in Cotabato, cohabitating the province with the local indigenous groups. 71% of Cotabato's population descended from settlers who migrated from
1314-659: Is limited by the Philippine Constitution. The President of the Philippines however coordinates with provincial administrators through the Department of the Interior and Local Government . For purposes of national representation, each province is guaranteed its own congressional district . One congressional representative represents each district in the House of Representatives . Senatorial representation
1387-500: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Defense Undersecretary Manuel Syquio, and Marcos himself. The first phase of the operation saw Martelino, with an advance party of some 17 agents entering Sabah three times to conduct reconnaissance and psychological warfare . It was during the second phase of the operation that the massacre took place. After 180 young Tausugs from Sulu received basic training, they were transported to
1460-648: The Cagayan de Oro - Iligan City Corridor. The Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26) traverses through the municipalities of Midsayap , Libungan and the Pigcawayan . Cotabato stretches from the east at Mount Apo , which separates it from Davao, to the Piapayungan Range on its boundary with Lanao in the west. Between these highlands is the basin of the Pulangi River or Rio Grande de Mindanao ,
1533-570: The Mount Apo Geothermal Power Plant at the foot of Mt. Apo in Ilomavis, Kidapawan City which produces 97 megawatts of electricity. Power distribution is handled by Cotabato Electric Cooperative , Inc. (COTELCO). The province has a 4,131.32-kilometre (2,567.08 mi) road network connecting the major centers to each other and the outlying barangays, and communication linkage through NDD-IDD, fax, cellular phone and
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#17327972585451606-578: The National Capital Region , as well as independent cities , are independent of any provincial government. Each province is governed by an elected legislature called the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and an elected governor . The provinces are grouped into eighteen regions based on geographical, cultural, and ethnological characteristics. Thirteen of these regions are numerically designated from north to south, while
1679-786: The Philippine Commonwealth Army existed in Cotabato from January 3, 1942, to June 30, 1946, and the Philippine Constabulary 10th Constabulary Regiment was stationed in Cotobato from October 28, 1944, to June 30, 1946. Moro guerrilla fighters operating in the province of Cotabato helped local forces of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the Philippine Constabulary 10th Constabulary Regiment fight against
1752-547: The Pulangi River which is a major contributor to Mindanao's irrigation system and hydro-electric energy, and the vast Liguasan Marsh which not only supplies a bounty of freshwater fish and organic fertilizer but considered as a possible source as well of natural gas . Power utility in the province comes from two energy sources - the NAPOCOR Agus Grid in Iligan transmitted through its Tacurong Substations and
1825-417: The 1950s and 1960s. The former province of Cotabato was once the largest in the Philippines. In 1966, South Cotabato was created as a separate province. Mindanao, including Cotabato, was relatively peaceful in the 1950s and the mid-1960s. While there were some ethnic tensions, there was essentially no presence of secessionist groups in Mindanao yet. The relative peace of the postwar era began to change in
1898-626: The Christians were lost and further marginalized. In May 1968, former Cotabato governor Datu Udtog Matalam announced the formation of the Muslim Independence Movement (MIM) which was regarded by observers as the spontaneous backlash of the Jabidah Massacre. The strong feelings and unity of the Muslim intellectuals were seen as the immediate reaction to the establishment of the MIM which carried far-reaching impacts such as
1971-766: The House of Representatives didn't get enough congressional support, he became convinced that Muslims should rule themselves in Muslim Mindanao – a conviction which led him to eventually establish the Bangsamoro Liberation Organization (BMLO) after the end of his term in 1969. Bangsamoro Liberation Organization (BMLO) founders were Rashid Lucman, Salipada Pendatun, Domocao Alonto, Hamid Kamlian, Sayyid Sharif Capt. Kalingalan Caluang, Udtog Matalam and Atty. Macapantun Abbas Jr. On September 23, 1972, Ferdinand Marcos announced that he had placed
2044-617: The Imperial Japanese Army until 1944. The Moro guerrillas fought the Japanese troops until liberation. In 1945, Cotabato was recaptured from the Japanese Imperial forces by the combined Filipino and American troops together with the recognized Moro guerrilla units. The guerrillas used the traditional Moro Kampilan , Barong and Kris swords as their weapons. The pace of settlement in the region accelerated in
2117-507: The Local Government Code mandates the provincial governor to review executive orders issued by mayors, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to review legislation by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) or Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council), of all component cities and municipalities under the province's jurisdiction. The provincial government does not have direct relations with individual barangays. Supervision over
2190-550: The Maguindanao Sultanate. The city became the seat of power of Sultan Muhammad Kudarat in 1619. Christianity was introduced in 1596, but the Spaniards were unable to penetrate into the region until the second half of the 19th century. The district of Cotabato was formed in 1860, covering the areas of what is now Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces with its capital at Tamontaka . Fort Pikit
2263-551: The Moro provinces, and with the MIM having already been dissolved, Marcos' declaration of martial law effectively assured the MNLF, which was more radical than its predecessors, would come to dominate the Moro separatist movement. Scholars have opined that the media attention given Arula may have, to some extent, distorted his accounts. The actual events remain unclear as documents were allegedly destroyed by Major Martelino. Arula died in
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2336-895: The National Capital Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region , the Southwestern Tagalog Region (Mimaropa), the Negros Island Region , and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are only designated by acronyms. Each province is a member of the League of Provinces of the Philippines , an organization that aims to address issues affecting provincial and metropolitan government administrations. A provincial government
2409-493: The Philippines relied on Arab oil, the government tried to defend itself against any accusation and denied any religious repression taking place in Mindanao. The acting foreign Minister added that the problems stemmed from land and political issues which it was ready to solve internally. Then Prime Minister of Malaysia , Tunku Abdul Rahman , also condemned the Philippine government and requested for congressional trial against
2482-572: The Philippines' military intervention in the territory and claiming the state which many Filipinos felt was rightfully theirs. In 1967, President Ferdinand Marcos secretly authorized Major Eduardo "Abdul Latif" Martelino , a Muslim convert, to take charge of the operations of a secret commando unit code-named "Jabidah" and embark on an operation called "Project Merdeka" ( merdeka means "freedom" in Malay) to destabilize and take over Sabah. The alleged masterminds, however, included leading generals in
2555-712: The Sulu Sultanate's help in settling a civil war in Brunei before being leased or ceded (The agreements were written in Malay using Jawi script . The 1878 agreement used the term padjak meaning "cede or rent", while the 1903 additional cession agreement used the term menyerahkan meaning "surrendered". ) to the British in 1878. During the process of decolonization by the British after World War II from 1946, Sabah
2628-505: The United Nations during the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal proved futile. Malaysian political victory In 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal renewed the Philippines' claim over Sabah although the territory has been incorporated into Malaysia . Operation Merdeka is a follow-up to this claim. The plan was for trained commandos to infiltrate Sabah and destabilize the state by sabotage which would then legitimize
2701-558: The United States acquired the Philippines from Spain in 1898, the islands were divided into four gobiernos (governments), which were further subdivided into provinces and districts. The American administration initially inherited the Spanish divisions and placed them under military government. As insurgencies were pacified, civil government was gradually organized. Jabidah massacre The Jabidah massacre on March 18, 1968,
2774-458: The Visayas and Luzon, while the remaining 18% belong to the communities of Magindanaons, Iranuns, Ilianens, Dulangan Manobo, Obo, Tagabawa, and Tboli. The major languages spoken are Hiligaynon (46%), Maguindanao (38%), Cebuano (8%), and Ilocano (4%). Cotabato's population is predominantly Catholic. According to the 2020 census, 52.77% of the population are Roman Catholic . Muslims form 26% of
2847-627: The armed secessionist group known as the Moro National Liberation Front to consolidate power, and the decades-long Moro conflict began in earnest. One major event of Martial law which took place in Cotabato was the Manili massacre , which saw the mass murder of 70 to 79 Moros , including women and children, committed in a mosque in Manili, Carmen , North Cotabato , Philippines on June 19, 1971. The Muslim residents of
2920-432: The aspects where interpretations the massacre differ is in the motivation of the recruits for ending their training. One version states that they mutinied because they were angered by the delay in receiving their allowance, the poor living conditions on Corregidor, and the experience of having to live on miserable rations for three months. Another school of thought posits that the project, code-named Jabidah involved
2993-424: The barangays which voted to join the Bangsamoro made their exit from the province and their respective mother municipalities and were officially turned over to the Bangsamoro government as an interim province within the autonomous region divided into several clusters. Based on the 2020 census, Cotabato has an overall population of 1,275,185. The average population growth rate was 2.27% in the period 2010–2015, which
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3066-452: The east by Davao City and Davao del Norte , on the west by Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur , on the south by Sultan Kudarat , and on the southeast by Davao del Sur . Cotabato is strategically linked to the major "Arterial Road System" that traverses and connects the province to Davao City - Soccsksargen - Cotabato Corridor. The Cotabato via Kabacan - Maramag - Kibawe, Bukidnon Sayre Highway meanwhile serves as its link to
3139-444: The entirety of the Philippines, including Muslim Mindanao, under Martial law . While Matalam's MIM was already defunct, one of its former members, Nur Misuari , established the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) a month after the declaration of Martial Law, on October 21, 1972. Lucman's BMLO eventually expressed support for the MNLF. Proclamation 1081 dissolved the various political groups that had been previously established in
3212-465: The facts of the massacre, historians agree that the Jabidah Massacre was one of the most important flashpoints that ignited the Moro insurgency during Marcos' regime. Despite undergoing numerous trials and hearings, the officers related to the massacre were never convicted which served as a clear indication to the Muslim community that the Christian government had little regard for them. This created
3285-559: The first time that a ruling President had acknowledged the massacre as having taken place. Aquino also directed the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to designate the Mindanao Garden of Peace on Corregidor as a historical landmark. Ground was broken to construct the landmark during a ceremony marking the 45th anniversary of the massacre. During a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of
3358-469: The following conclusion: This morning, the Manila Times, in its banner headline, quoted me as saying that I believed there was no mass massacre on Corregidor island. And I submit it was not a hasty conclusion, but one borne out by careful deductions. What brought me to this conclusion: 1. Massacre means, to my mind, the wanton killing of men—maybe premeditated, but definitely committed according to
3431-495: The formation of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and continued armed struggle in the Southern Philippines. Another organization founded in response to the Jabidah Massacre and the account of Jibin Arula was Ansarul Islam (also spelled Ansar El Islam, lit. Helpers of Islam), under the leadership of Domocao Alonto , Salipada Pendatun and Sayyid Capt. Kalingalan Caluang. When Rashid Lucman's call for
3504-536: The gist of the Jabidah massacre narrative is that for one reason or the other, the trainees refused to continue their training and demanded to be returned home. One batch of recruits were disarmed, with some of the trainees returned home and some others transferred to a regular military camp in Luzon . But another batch of recruits were killed by army troops, with only one survivor, Jibin Arula, managing to escape. One of
3577-532: The incident and varying accounts of the number of trainees killed, from 11 to 68. This eventually sparked calls for Moro independence and is acknowledged by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as a key moment in Bangsamoro history. The north-eastern part of Sabah had been under the rule of the Sulu Sultanate since it was given to them by the Sultanate of Brunei in 1658 for
3650-498: The incident as indicative of the regime's poor overall administration and neglect of the country's Muslim diaspora. Widespread press coverage of Aquino's denouncements caught the ruling government off-guard. Nevertheless, Senator Aquino did not consider the incident a massacre. In his privilege speech entitled "Jabidah! Special Forces of Evil?" delivered at the Legislative Building on March 28, 1968, Aquino submitted
3723-643: The internet is available. President Benigno Aquino III signed the law dividing to new 3 legislative district of Cotabato on September 14, 2012. The representative shall continue to serve until next national election. Download coordinates as: Provinces of the Philippines In the Philippines , provinces ( Filipino : lalawigan or probinsiya ) are one of its primary political and administrative divisions . There are 82 provinces at present, which are further subdivided into component cities and municipalities . The local government units in
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#17327972585453796-468: The jurisdiction of Bangsamoro as part of its special geographic area . During the 2001 Referendum for inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 2 out of 28 barangays of Carmen, Cotabato chose to be part of ARMM, but were excluded because they are not connected to the main region of ARMM. During 2010-2016 Administration, the Bangsamoro ideal sprouted and a newly proposed region
3869-549: The last years of President Ferdinand Marcos ' first term , when news about the Jabidah massacre ignited a furor in the Moro community, and ethnic tensions encouraged with the formation of secessionist movements. None of these groups had enough followers to form a viable opposition until Marcos declared Martial Law, but when political parties were dissolved upon the proclamation of Martial Law in September 1972, it became easy for
3942-437: The massacre, a symbolic peace marker: 'Mindanao Garden of Peace: Corregidor Island' was turned over to the families of the survivors of the massacre. A 1990 film based on the event starred Anthony Alonzo , sharing the same name. However, details are fictionalized for the sake of artistic license . Business sector opposition Political sector opposition Religious sector opposition Student activists Reform
4015-529: The new administrative autonomous region of Bangsamoro after the results of the region's formation plebiscite were confirmed three days later on February 9. These barangays are to join either the adjacent province of Maguindanao as parts of the said province's nearby and respective municipalities or to cluster on their own as new municipalities within the said province after the national midterm elections on May 13, 2019. The size and population of Cotabato province had officially diminished on November 20, 2019, as
4088-399: The officers involved in the massacre. Diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Malaysia were severed as this event also further indicated to Malaysia that the Philippine government still had strong determination in its territorial claim to Sabah. In general, this affair had increased the international community's awareness of the Moro issue in the Philippines. In spite of disputes about
4161-611: The population. In 2015, the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded Islam followed by 39.28% of the population. Later in 2020, Islam form 19% of the population. The other significant minorities are Evangelical Christians at 8.4% of the population, Southern Baptist Church with 3.7% of the population, and Iglesia Ni Cristo which forms 2.2% of the Province population. Poverty incidence of Cotabato Source: Philippine Statistics Authority Cotabato
4234-423: The province currently administers after the national midterm elections on May 13, 2019. Cotabato now comprises the capital city of Kidapawan and 25 municipalities. Cotabato covers a total area of 9,008.90 square kilometres (3,478.36 sq mi) occupying the northeastern tip of Region XII and is centrally located in Mindanao . It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon , on
4307-455: The province of North Cotabato will be cut into half, leaving three towns ( Banisilan , Alamada , and Libungan ) at its west without connection to the center of North Cotabato, isolating these towns in the process. The issue was partially resolved when the second part of the plebiscite was conducted on February 6, 2019, when 63 barangay from the towns of Pigkawayan , Libungan, Midsayap , Aleosan , Carmen , Banisilan and Pikit opted to join
4380-406: The recruitment of Muslims trainees who were supposed to be trained to infiltrate and cause chaos in Sabah to strengthen Philippines' territorial claim. These trainees were informed beforehand that they were joining the AFP to fight " communists ", but subsequently learned the true nature of their mission during the latter part of their training. Within this camp, some scholars argue that the massacre
4453-409: The recruits were for infiltration in Sabah and that the massacre, as stated in the Manila Bulletin , occurred because the trainees could not endure hardship during the training. With the lack of substantial evidence, it proved difficult to convict the officers involved in the massacre and thus they were acquitted, which further angered the Muslims. Some time after Jibin Arula was found in Cavite, he
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#17327972585454526-416: The respective local presidents of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), Philippine Councilors' League (PCL), and Sangguniang Kabataan ( SK ; "Youth Council"). The vice governor and regular members of an SP are elected by the voters within the province. Ex officio members are elected by members of their respective organizations. National intrusion into the affairs of each provincial government
4599-414: The second longest in the Philippines at 373 kilometres (232 mi), which rises in Bukidnon and flows south to Maguindanao and Illana Bay . The province's fertile plains are traversed by tributaries of this great river. Typhoons do not pass through Cotabato and rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. Cotabato comprises 25 municipalities and one city . However, 8 municipalities are under
4672-409: The town had gathered in their mosque to participate in a supposed peace talk with Christian groups when a group of armed men suspected to be part of the Ilaga militant group opened fire on them. On November 22, 1973, through Presidential Decree No. 341 , what remained of the old Cotabato was further divided into the provinces of North Cotabato , Maguindanao , and Sultan Kudarat . North Cotabato
4745-722: The truth all along. However, his fears, which in his place may be considered valid, may not be supported by the recent turn of events. Twenty-four recruits have turned up. After the Senate revelations implicated President Marcos as ultimately responsible for the massacre, Lanao del Sur Congressman Haroun al-Rashid Lucman called for Congress to begin proceedings to impeach the President. When his proposal did not receive enough congressional support, he decided not to run again for his post in succeeding elections, becoming convinced that Muslims should rule themselves in Muslim Mindanao. In July 1971, then Prime Minister of Libya, Muammar Gaddhafi , wrote to President Marcos to express his concern. As
4818-405: Was brought to Governor Delfin N. Montano and told the governor his story. Eventually, Arula's story resulted in calls for probes in both the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives. Opposition Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. uncovered Jabidah to the public as a plan by Marcos to ensure his grip on power. Fellow opposition members followed suit and criticized the Marcos Administration's role in
4891-418: Was due to the mutiny of the Muslim trainees who declined orders to infiltrate Sabah because they felt that the sabotage against Sabah was unjustified and that they also felt kinship with fellow Muslims in Sabah. Other scholars argue that the trainees were killed upon learning the truth of their recruitment to ensure that the information was not leaked. The official narrative denied that the reason for training
4964-476: Was established by the Spaniards in 1893 as they continued their conquest of the remnants of Maguindanao Sultanate , which would soon be the site of one of the province's oldest towns, Pikit . The coming of the Americans ushered in the creation of the Moro Province on July 15, 1903, through Act No. 787 of the Philippine Commission . Cotabato, covering what are now the provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao , Sultan Kudarat , South Cotabato and Sarangani , became
5037-419: Was in the making. According to the agreements signed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Administration of Noynoy Aquino, Carmen will be included in Bangsamoro because of the two out of twenty-eight barangays that voted in favor of joining the Muslim region back in 2001. Unfortunately, Bangsamoro was not implemented before the term of Aquino ended. Despite this, the current administration aims to establish
5110-429: Was integrated as part of the Malaysian Federation in 1963 under the Malaysia Agreement . The Philippine government however protested this, claiming the eastern part of Sabah had never been sold to foreign interests, and that it had only been "leased" by the Sulu Sultanate , and therefore remained the property of the Sultan, and by extension, the property of Republic of the Philippines . Diplomatic efforts to Malaysia and
5183-399: Was introduced to the Maguindanaos in the late 15th century by Sharif Muhammad Kabungsuan , a Johorean Malay Muslim noble and missionary of Arab descent. Sharif Kabungsuan invaded Malabang in 1475, facing armed resistance from the principality, nevertheless successfully vanquishing and subjugating it to his Islamic rule through the employment of Samal forces. Cotabato became the capital of
5256-465: Was later renamed Cotabato through Batas Pambansa Blg. 660 approved on March 7, 1984. By the aftermath of the plebiscite to form the autonomous administrative region of Bangsamoro in February 2019, 63 barangays from Cotabato's western municipalities, all of which inhabited mostly by Muslim natives, opted to join the newly formed region. This will result in the reduction of the number of barangays
5329-460: Was the purported assassinations or executions of Moro army recruits who allegedly mutinied upon learning the true nature of their mission. It is acknowledged as a major flashpoint that ignited the Moro insurgency in the Philippines . Author Cesar Adib Majul notes that the administration of Ferdinand Marcos had suppressed press coverage of the affair which led to a lack of documentation about
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