unsung

Philippine
Heroes:
The Tale of the Lumads
and Moros

Work Group 6 • Dadula • Emfimo • Ibrahim • Labastida •

Navarro • Opanis • Solmayor
 The History
In Philippine History, there is an account that is
frequently overlooked by the popular narrative–the one
with the Moro people and the Lumad communities. The
islands of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan bear witness
to the continuing stories of these often-overlooked
heroes.

Deeply rooted in their cultural identities, the Lumad

communities and Moro people have persevered
through the adverse consequences of both Japanese
and Western colonization. Their centuries-long efforts
have not only influenced their individual fates but have
also had a lasting effect on Philippine history as a
whole.
Through carefully examining historical documents, this paper attempts to
add to the current conversation about indigenous perspectives in
Philippine history. This discussion intends to create a space for
recognizing and remembering the Moro people and the Lumad
communities for their continuous contributions to the tale of collective
resistance against external aggressors by highlighting the colonial
legacies in Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan.
 Who are the Moros?
the moro people
indigenous peoples in the PH united by a common
religion, Islam
IN THE PHILIPPINES reside on the islands of Mindanao, Sulu, and
Palawan
comprise 13 ethnic groups, with Maranaos,
Maguindanaos, Tausugs, and Samals being the
largest (Fianza 2002)
“Moro” was coined by Spaniards; linked to the
Moors; viewed as derogatory before; is now
accepted by Moros and is used to represent their
collective identity
has been tested for a long time since the arrival of
the Spaniards
resistant to invading colonial forces, such as that of
Western and Japanese.
 The Moro people have played a significant role in
Lasting contribution of
the complex tapestry of resistance against Western
the moro people and Japanese colonialism and imperialism in the
against western colonialism country. For more than three centuries, the Moro
and imperialism people in the Philippines strongly opposed Spanish
colonial attempts. Although the Spanish successfully
conquered a large portion of the northern
Philippines, they encountered great difficulties in
defeating the Moro Sultanates in the southern
region. The overall decentralization of Spanish
control in the Philippines was contributed to by the
Moro resistance. From this, it can also be said that
the Moro people have been essential in preserving
and cultivating Islamic culture and religion in the
country. They were able to preserve their distinctive
Islamic identity and customs in spite of centuries of
oppression from the colonizers, therefore, adding to
the archipelago's cultural diversity.
 Lasting contribution of
The history of the Moros defending their own land
the moro people and culture, however, was not a peaceful endeavor.
against western colonialism The Spanish colonizers perceived them as enemies
and imperialism against their goal to spread Christianity.
It became a crusade for them to prevent the spread
of Islam across the Philippines. Spanish colonizers
began to antagonize them, referring to them as
Moros, a Spanish term for "Moors", which refers to
the Muslims that resided in the Iberian Peninsula from
711 - 1492.
The Moors were expelled during the Spanish
"Reconquista" (or reconquest) and influenced their
tactics to expel Islam in territories that the Spaniards
aimed to conquer. After years of attempted
conquest, the Spaniards were not successful, but the
ill-conception against the Moros remained the same.

Iberian Peninsula
 Hence, when the US colonized the Philippines, they
capitalized on the distance that the Moros had
Lasting contribution of created with the Hispanized territories of the
the moro people Philippines (i.e., Luzon and Visayas).
against western colonialism The divide has allowed the US to ally itself with Datus
and imperialism and refused to make amends against the Hispanized
regions of Luzon and Visayas, which allowed the US to
have a territory in Mindanao. It also allowed the US to
control the Moros while maintaining a relationship with
them.
Nevertheless, Moro conflicts remained, and it only
worsened their being, not only being subjected to
inhumane treatment by the US government. (Bud Dajo
Massacre)
According to Hernandez (2017), the Moro conflict is a
multifaceted, highly complex matter, emanating from
centuries of profound societal fragmentation and
divisions.
he prevailing protagonists of this conflict are the
liberation groups, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF),
and the Philippine government.
 The highlight of what the Moro contributed during
Japanese colonialism and imperialism is mainly
realized during the Battle of Tamparan.

The Japanese arrived on May 2, 1942, at the

Lasting contribution of provincial capital of Lanao Del Sur, namely,
the moro people Dansalan. The Maranaos of Lake Lanao have been
against japanese colonialism known to fight for their land even way before the
and imperialism Japanese occupation. It is known that the U.S. has
attempted to “pacify” the Maranao communities
through overwhelming force. The campaign was
launched by U.S. Captain John J. Pershing and
resulted in the death of 400 Maranao people by
artillery fire.
Lasting contribution of
the moro people
against japanese colonialism BATTLE OF TAMPARAN
and imperialism
The Japanese then attempted their own “pacification
program” during their arrival in 1942. They have created
strict rules that prevent people from owning firearms and
limiting their chopping tools. Not only did they create strict
rules but they also threatened the people of the lake by
shooting any Maranao they found with a firearm, executing
them in public spaces. Their public executions were the
initial spark to what eventually led to the Maranaos
retaliating.

The retaliation was finally made clear when the Japanese

commander sent an order to find the first leader of the
Maranao, Manalao Mindalano. They conducted the
expedition in a small village on the western shore of the
lake called Watu. The soldiers then killed 24 Maranao
people in total who had no relation to Mindalano; during
their search for the leader.
Lasting contribution of
the moro people
against japanese colonialism BATTLE OF TAMPARAN
and imperialism

On the morning of September 12, the first day of the Muslim

holy month of Ramadan, the patrol of ninety Japanese
infantrymen landed in the little lakeside hamlet of Tamparan in
three launches. They were searching for a commander of the
Maranao resistance who had left the hamlet and who had
resorted to using mortars and other weapons in battle when
confronted. It was a deadly error to attack a Maranao
settlement on the first morning of the most holy month in the
Islamic calendar. Selflessness and mutual aid were hailed as
the community's finest moral ideals during the fasting month in
Tamparan. It was from these ideals that a horrible resolution for
complete resistance was born on that tragic morning.
Lasting contribution of
the moro people
against japanese colonialism BATTLE OF TAMPARAN
and imperialism

Maranaos from Tamparan and the nearby villages raced to the

site with their weapons drawn at the sound of the shelling.
Rifle-bearers crept into the marsh vegetation and opened fire
from behind the Japanese ranks. The vast majority of those with
only blades in their hands charged directly down the road
toward the invaders, only to be met by a hail of gunfire and
shrapnel. The Japanese soldiers eventually found themselves
encircled on three sides and suffering casualties from both
gunfire and blades. Their ammunition ran out, so they broke and
fled towards the pier and the launches, only to become
entangled in the marshlands bordering the lake. They were
fighting without ammunition now, boots pulling them into the
mud as they furiously parried blades with their bayonets while
the peasants, all on their bare feet, charged in from all sides.
Lasting contribution of
the moro people
against japanese colonialism BATTLE OF TAMPARAN
and imperialism
The only modern chronicler of the conflict, Edward Kuder, an American colonial
officer living among the Maranaos, claims that a young Maranao remembered a
Japanese liutenant's boasting and cried out, "No surrender, Takeuchi!", then slaying
him with his sword. Takeunchi’s body was later found heavily mutilated as Edward
took into account that the Maranaos believe that “before a weapon can become fit
to use, it must many times taste blood.”

Out of the 90 Japanese infantrymen who marched to Tamparan that morning, 85

died on the muddy lakeshore. The Japanese rifle and mortar fire also inflicted heavy
damage on Tamparan's defenders. The Japanese were completely surrounded by
Maranaos; a brutal sight surrounded by the bodies of the villagers lying around the
lakeshore. The families took the bodies of their loved ones and carried them for
proper burial. Lieutenant Colonel Yoshinari Tanaka, stationed in Dansalan, offered a
reward for the return of the bodies of his soldiers. Some opportunistic Maranaos
stole the bodies despite the stench and sold them to the Japanese.

In that forgotten history, it was Moro freedom fighters who did most of the fighting
and made most of the sacrifices, and it was they who achieved the most improbable
and inspiring victories against the occupiers of their homeland.
the LuMADs Who are the Lumads?
IN THE PHILIPPINES Lumad, which means “indigenous” or “native” in the
Visayan language, represents the various indigenous
groups in the southern Philippines.
have common forebears, origin stories, and language
roots
"Lumad" has come to distinguish the Island's indigenous
uplanders from the equally indigenous Muslim groups and
the various settlers groups who have moved to Mindanao
(the Visayan plural form being Lumadnon "the Lumads").
the identity of the Lumad as an indigenous social group is
based on historical and contemporary social, political,
and economic processes that are still changing as a
result of contextual factors and new dynamics
Their historical role in resistance against foreign
colonization is often underrepresented but deserves
recognition.
Active Resistance
The Lasting impact of lumad
have historically led resistance movements against colonial communities against Western
rule, actively fighting for their rights and the preservation of colonialism and imperialism
their ancestral lands.
numerous Lumad communities successfully preserved their
unique cultural identities, showcasing resilience against
colonial influences.

Resistance Against Spanish Colonization

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lumad people
resisted Spanish colonization, remaining isolated in difficult-
to-penetrate areas, and engaging in mutinies and uprisings
against Spanish authorities.
The Manobo people fiercely defended their ancestral lands
against Spanish forces, demonstrating an unwavering
determination to protect their way of life from foreign
intrusion.
 The Lasting impact of lumad
communities against Western
colonialism and imperialism
Resistance Against American Colonialism The Contemporary Era and Symbol of Indigenous Resistance
defending their lands against encroachment, cultural assimilation, persist in resisting neocolonial forces, including multinational
and the imposition of land regulations by the U.S. administration corporations and government policies that threaten their lands and
have played a vital role in preserving indigenous cultures, ways of life, emphasizing their ongoing struggle against new forms
languages, rituals, and art forms despite the pressures of of imperialism.
colonialism, serving as a testament to their resistance against Lumad leaders have played key roles in indigenous movements, not
cultural assimilation. only empowering their communities but also inspiring other
engaged in significant events such as the assassination of Governor indigenous groups globally against imperialism and for social
Bolton and the emergence of movements like the Tungud justice and cultural preservation.
Movement. The enduring struggle of the Lumad people stands as a symbol of
remained influential in promoting indigenous rights, self- indigenous resistance, drawing attention to the challenges faced
determination, land rights, and cultural preservation, both during by indigenous communities worldwide and inspiring movements for
and after the colonial period. social justice and cultural preservation.
Along with the Moros, they fought against the brutal
The Lasting impact of lumad
occupiers of their land. the Lumads utilized their communities against Japanese
terrain in order to neutralize the Japanese. colonialism and imperialism
The occupation upended traditional systems and
local power structures. However, the Lumad people
were able to preserve their cultural heritage and
remained resilient amidst the foreign forces.
The Bagobos of Davao (from 1918 - 1935) were one of
the most prominent Lumad people who fended off
the Japanese forces.
The efforts of the Lumad people, even after the
Japanese occupation, became a symbol of Filipino
cultural preservation, resilience, and unity during
times of adversity more that point forward.
 conclusion:
brief synthesis
started discussing Moro people, highlighting their collective
identity and resistance against colonizers that had a pivotal role in
preserving Islamic culture and religion in the face of relentless
opposition
further addressed the ongoing Moro conflict, dissecting its
multifaceted nature involving liberation groups, the Philippine
government, and the enduring biases stemming from colonial
influences that can be resolved by understanding historical
context
article then pivoted to the Lumad communities and outlined their
resistance during the Spanish and American colonial periods
also dicussed the Lumads' active engagement in guerrilla activities
against Japanese forces during World War II
furthermore, their post-war contributions to reconstruction was
noted highlighting their resilience and cooperative spirit in
rebuilding communities
 conclusion:
critical analysis
This discussion underscores to the often-overlooked yet undeniable
impact of both the Moro people and Lumad communities on
Philippine history. Their significant contributions in resisting
colonialism and imperialism, whether Western or Japanese, have
shaped the nation's collective struggle for freedom. However, the sad
reality is that these contributions are frequently disregarded and, at
times, met with discrimination.

This nuanced perspective challenges the misconception that only

Manila fought for freedom. The collective efforts of diverse groups,
including the Moros and Lumads, played crucial roles in shaping the
nation's history, illustrating a united front against colonial oppression.
To truly understand the complexities surrounding these indigenous
communities, we must uncover and share their stories, acknowledging
and celebrating their invaluable contributions to the preservation of
Filipino heritage.
Thank you for
listening!