Jolo, Sulu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the municipality. For the island, see Jolo Island.Municipality of Jolo
Bayan ng Jolo
— Municipality —
Map of Sulu showing the location of Jolo.
Municipality of Jolo
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°25′26″N 120°56′20″ECoordinates: 15°25′26″N 120°56′20″E
Country Philippines
Region Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
Province Sulu
District 1st District
Founded 1952
Barangays 8
Government
- Mayor Hussin U. Amin
Area
- Total 150.89 km2 (58.3 sq mi)
Population (2007)
- Total 87,998
- Density 583.2/km2 (1,510.5/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code
Income class 3rd class; rural
Jolo is the capital and a developing city on the island of Jolo in the province of Sulu. it is the largest town in the province. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 87,998 people in 12,814 households. Part of its population is of Chinese descent, mainly from Singapore.[1] Of the population, 90% are Muslim, the remaining 10% are Christian.[2]
Jolo was the center of the government of the Sulu Sultanate. While Manila was just a small settlement, Jolo was already a developing city.Contents [hide]
1 Location
2 Barangays
3 History
4 Religion
5 Language and Dialects
6 Economic Condition
7 Political and Societal Significance
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
Location
Jolo is Located at the western part of the mindanao in the northwest side of the jolo Island. The Jolo Island is situated between the Province of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, sulu sea to the North and Celebes sea to the south.
Barangays
Jolo is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.
Alat
Asturias
Bus-Bus
Chinese Pier
San Raymundo
Takut-Takut
Tulay
Walled City
History
The Sulu Archipelago is an island chain in the Southwest Philippines between Mindanao and Borneo; it is made up of 900 islands of volcanic and coral origin covering an area of 2,688 km2. Jolo is a volcanic island, which lies in the center of the Sulu Archipelago covering 890 km2. There are numerous pyroclastic volcanoes and craters around Jolo, and the last known eruption took place in 1897.[3]
Origin of the name.
It is said that the Chinese traders who frequented the place named Jolo after ho lâng (好人). Ho lâng meaning ‘Good People’ reflects the Chinese perception of the natives. Chinese traders would leave goods on Jolo’s shore, and find them undisturbed on their return. The phrase was eventually extended to ho ló (好佬) meaning ‘Good Community’.[4] The native inhabitants on the island are the Tausug. The Tausug are part of the larger Moro group which dominates the Sulu Archipelago. The Moro had an independent state known as the Sulu Sultanate, which was politically and economically centered on Jolo. Jolo was the regional entrepot and developing city years before The Philippines was even a country. The Sulu economy formed its base around commerce and through the network of nearby trading partners.
In the 14th century, Arab traders landed on the island to introduce and convert its inhabitants to Islam. The town of Jolo became the residence for Sulu Sultanates, until the Sultanate was abolished in 1936. The Seat of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu was in Astana Putih, which is Tausug for ‘White Palace’. In 1521, the explorer Ferdinand Magellan claimed the Philippines for Spain. The Spanish failed to conquer and convert the Muslim areas in the south. After consolidating the northern part of the Filipino islands, the Spanish failed to take over the well-organized Muslim Sultanates. However, in 1876, the Spanish attempted to gain control of the Muslims by burning Jolo and were successful.[5] In March 1877, The Sulu Protocol was signed between Spain, England and Germany which recognized Spain’s rights over Sulu and eased European tensions in the area. In 1899, Spain sold the Philippines to the USA who attempted to forcibly incorporate the Muslim areas into the Philippine state. The American colonizers eventually took over the southern regions with force.
Trading and Chinese Immigration
Since the 15th century, the Sulu Sultanate traded local produce with neighbors and with countries as far as China by sea. In 1870, the Tausug lost much their redistributive trade to the Chinese because of the Spanish cruising system and Chinese immigration from Singapore. Mostly originating from the Fujian province, it was these Chinese who dominated trade in Jolo. Singapore had served as a training ground from which they learned the Malay language and became experienced in dealing with Southeast Asians. Prior to this, most of the Chinese in Jolo worked as craftsmen, skilled and unskilled laborers and domestic servants for wealthy Tausug and Chinese. The Chinese benefited greatly from Jolo’s status as an entrepot, and exercised profound influence over the Sulu Sultanate. Most of the import and export trade was done with Singapore which was estimated to be worth half a million dollars annually. The Sultanate also benefited from importing rice from the Philippines, as the Sulu region had a chronic rice shortage. The Sultanate was unable to bring agriculture to its full potential because the area was prone to erratic rainfall and drought. However, the Sultanate was not keen on the Chinese monopoly. By 1875, Sultan Amal ul Azam wanted an English merchant to establish himself in order to break the monopoly at Jolo. However, trade suffered heavily in 1892, when three steamers used for trade were lost in a series of storms on the trade route between Singapore and Jolo. The traders in Singapore lost so heavily as a result that they refused to accept trade unless it was paid for in cash. Along with the fear of increased taxation, many Chinese left to other parts of the Archipelago as Jolo lost its role as the regional entrepot. The Tausug had already abandoned trading when the Chinese arrived. Thus, Jolo never fully gained its previous trading status. However, the Chinese continued to dominate trade throughout the Archipelago and Mindanao.[6]
Religion
The majority of the people living in Jolo practice Islam, but there are also some who practice Christianity including Roman Catholics and Protestants.
Tulay Central Mosque is the largest mosque in town and in the province, there were also numerous mosques located in different areas and barangays around Jolo. The Our lady of mount Carmel church is a Roman Catholic church located in the town center and is the biggest church in town.
Language and Dialects
Majority of Joloanos speak the native Tausug. English and Tagalog(Filipino) are also being used specially in school and different offices within the town. Mandarin Chinese is also being used by Chinese Businessman. Other languages include Samal/Badjao.
According to the 2000 Philippine census by the National Statistics Office, the Tausug language ranks number 14 with 1,022,000 speakers all over the country, the speakers mainly coming from Western Mindanao.
==Cultural Distinctions== TENGABangsamoro or Moroland is the homeland of the Moro, which is a Spanish term used for Muslims. The majority of Jolo’s people are Tausugs - the ethnic group that dominates the Sulu Archipelago. Tausug derives from the words tau meaning “man” and sug meaning “current”, which translates to “ people of the current”, because they were known to be seafarers with military and merchant skills. The Tausugs are known as the warrior tribe with excellent fighting skills.[7] The principal dialect of the natives of Sulu is Tausug. English is also spoken widely in Sulu.
Before the Tausugs adopted Islam, the Tausugs were organized into kauman and were governed by a patriarchal form of government with the individual datus as heads of their own communities. The source of law was the Adat which the Tausugs followed strictly.[8]
The majority of Filipinos are Roman Catholic. Tausugs were the first Filipinos to adopt Islam when the Muslim missionary Karim ul-Makhdum came to Sulu in 1380. Other missionaries included Raja Baguinda and the Muslim Arabian scholar Sayid Abu Bakr, who became the first Sultan of Sulu. The family and community relations are based on their understanding of Islamic law. The Tausug are also heavily influenced by their pre-Islamic traditions.
Tausug woman in traditional garb, performing the Pangalay
A large portion of the population in Jolo is of Chinese descent. Between 1770 and 1800, 18,000 Chinese came from South China to trade and many of them stayed. In 1803, Portuguese Captain Juan Carvalho reported that there were 1,200 Chinese living in the town. The reorientation of the Sulu trade patterns caused an influx of Chinese immigrants from Singapore.[9]
The Tausug arts and handicrafts have a mix of Islamic and Indonesian influences. Pangalay is a popular celebratory dance at Tausug weddings, which can last weeks depending on the financial status and agreement of the families. They dance to the music of kulintangan, gabbang, and agong. Another traditional dance of courtship is the Pangalay ha Agong. In this dance, two Tausug warriors compete for the attention of a woman using an agong (large, deep, brass gong) to demonstrate their competence and skill.[10]
In present day Sulu, there is a degree of lawlessness and clan-based politics. These clan lines are based along family ties, which started after Arthur Amaral proposed marriage to a woman from a rival clan. The rejected proposal caused a family feud which forced families to take sides. There are 100,000 rifles circling the Sulu archipelago. Almost every household owns a gun, and the clans often settle disputes with violence. Most of the disputes between clans revolve around land. The clan-based society makes it extremely difficult for police to impose law. There are several gun shootings and the Filipino Army is often called in to settle disputes.[11] In April 2008, the Jolo Zone of Peace, which was supported by the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), was established where firearms were restricted to mediate conflicts between clans. The Sulu government is attempted to spread this zone of peace into the countryside.[12]
Economic Condition
Industry
In Jolo, most of the residents are in the agriculture industry. Agricultural products include coconut, cassava, abaca, coffee, lanzones, jackfruit, durian, mangosteen and marang. Jolo is the only municipality in Sulu that does not farm seaweed. Fishing is the most important industry; otherwise people engage in the industries of boat building, mat weaving, coffee processing, and fruit preservation.[13]
Economic development in Jolo has been hampered by instability, violence and unrest caused by the presence of several Islamist separatist groups in the Bangsamoro. The long-running separatist insurgency has made these Muslim-dominated islands some of the poorest regions in the nation. Jolo has faced a large degree of lawlessness and poverty.[14] Jolo is a main stronghold for the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, and these conditions are ideal for militant recruitment. However, the situation has improved since the US has invested in developing the region.
In 2007, United States Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney visited Jolo to learn about US government-sponsored projects for ‘development, peace and prosperity’ in the region. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded a ‘farm-to-market’ road between Maimbung and Jolo to help farmers transport agricultural produce to the market. On her visit, Kenney announced the $3 million plan to improve the Jolo Airport.[15] Since 1997, USAID has spent $4 million a year in the region.[16] Other institutions involved are the World Bank, JICA and AusAID.
Sulu governor Benjamin Loong supports the US Special Forces projects “Operation Smiles” of providing medical care, and building roads and schools. The US Special Forces and Governor Loong hopes that winning respect and alleviating poverty from the people will stop terrorist recruitment. Governor Loong claimed that many residents have already turned away Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiah members.[17]
The Filipino government has spent over P39 million for development and infrastructure in TENGA ni George.[18] In October 2008, the Provincial Government of Sulu in cooperation with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) and the Jolo Mainland Water District (JMWD) started the construction of a 54 million pesos project to upgrade the water supply system in Jolo.[19]
Banking
There were different banks operating in Jolo and serving the people of Jolo for their needs. These included the Philippine National bank, Metro Bank, Allied Bank, Islamic Bank, Land Bank and Development Bank of the Philippines. Automated teller Machines (ATMs)are also available is selected bank branches.
Political and Societal Significance
The Moros are geographically concentrated in the Southwest of the Philippines. Moros identify mostly with the majority Muslim nations of Indonesia and Malaysia because of their geographic proximity, and linguistic and cultural similarities. Moros have faced encroachments from the Spanish, Americans and now face the national Philippine government. Thus, the struggle for the Moro independent state has existed for over 400 years.
Jolo has been the center of this conflict. Between 1972 and 1976, Jolo was the center of the Muslim Separatist Rebellion between the Muslim militants and the Marcos regime which killed 120,000 people. In 1974, fighting broke out when the government troops stopped the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)from taking over the town.[20]
Currently, the Moro National Liberation Front is the Ruling Party of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). In 1996, the MNLF was granted leadership of the ARMM in response to the calls for Muslim autonomy. Abdusakur Tan is the governor of Sulu and Husin Amin is the mayor of Jolo. Politicians in these regions rose to power with the help of clan connections.
The most radical separatist Islamic group Abu Sayyaf claims to be fighting for an Islamic state independent of the Roman Catholic Philippine government. The group has strongholds in Jolo and Basilan. Driven by poverty and high rewards, a significant number of local residents are suspected to work for them. The Abu Sayyaf has committed a series of kidnappings. On April 23, 2000, the Abu Sayyaf raided the Malaysian resort island of Sipadan and kidnapped 21 tourists from Germany, France, Finland and South Africa and brought them back to Jolo, asking for $25 million in ransom money. The Abu Sayyaf has also kidnapped several journalists and cameramen in Jolo. The US has already spent millions of dollars for information leading to the arrest of militants; and offered up to $5 million in bounty with Manila as much as P10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Abu Sayyaf leaders.
The island was considered dangerous for foreigners, especially Americans, as militants threatened to shoot or abduct them on the spot. Much of the anger comes from when American colonizers killed 600 men, women and children who had retreated up Mount Dajo in 1906 after refusing to pay taxes during the Philippine–American War, in the First Battle of Bud Dajo.[21] However, the American image has improved since American development plans for the region were carried out.
Three months after September 11, George W. Bush announced the US was opening a second front in the War on Terror in the Philippines. The Archipelago became the testing grounds for The Philippine anti-terror plan “Clear, Hold and Develop”. In August 2006, Operation Ultimatum was launched and 5,000 Philippine marines and soldiers, supported by the US Special Forces began clearing the island of Jolo, fighting against a force of 400 guerillas. By February 2007, the town of Jolo was deemed cleared of terrorists.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the municipality. For the island, see Jolo Island.Municipality of Jolo
Bayan ng Jolo
— Municipality —
Map of Sulu showing the location of Jolo.
Municipality of Jolo
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°25′26″N 120°56′20″ECoordinates: 15°25′26″N 120°56′20″E
Country Philippines
Region Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
Province Sulu
District 1st District
Founded 1952
Barangays 8
Government
- Mayor Hussin U. Amin
Area
- Total 150.89 km2 (58.3 sq mi)
Population (2007)
- Total 87,998
- Density 583.2/km2 (1,510.5/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code
Income class 3rd class; rural
Jolo is the capital and a developing city on the island of Jolo in the province of Sulu. it is the largest town in the province. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 87,998 people in 12,814 households. Part of its population is of Chinese descent, mainly from Singapore.[1] Of the population, 90% are Muslim, the remaining 10% are Christian.[2]
Jolo was the center of the government of the Sulu Sultanate. While Manila was just a small settlement, Jolo was already a developing city.Contents [hide]
1 Location
2 Barangays
3 History
4 Religion
5 Language and Dialects
6 Economic Condition
7 Political and Societal Significance
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
Location
Jolo is Located at the western part of the mindanao in the northwest side of the jolo Island. The Jolo Island is situated between the Province of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, sulu sea to the North and Celebes sea to the south.
Barangays
Jolo is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.
Alat
Asturias
Bus-Bus
Chinese Pier
San Raymundo
Takut-Takut
Tulay
Walled City
History
The Sulu Archipelago is an island chain in the Southwest Philippines between Mindanao and Borneo; it is made up of 900 islands of volcanic and coral origin covering an area of 2,688 km2. Jolo is a volcanic island, which lies in the center of the Sulu Archipelago covering 890 km2. There are numerous pyroclastic volcanoes and craters around Jolo, and the last known eruption took place in 1897.[3]
Origin of the name.
It is said that the Chinese traders who frequented the place named Jolo after ho lâng (好人). Ho lâng meaning ‘Good People’ reflects the Chinese perception of the natives. Chinese traders would leave goods on Jolo’s shore, and find them undisturbed on their return. The phrase was eventually extended to ho ló (好佬) meaning ‘Good Community’.[4] The native inhabitants on the island are the Tausug. The Tausug are part of the larger Moro group which dominates the Sulu Archipelago. The Moro had an independent state known as the Sulu Sultanate, which was politically and economically centered on Jolo. Jolo was the regional entrepot and developing city years before The Philippines was even a country. The Sulu economy formed its base around commerce and through the network of nearby trading partners.
In the 14th century, Arab traders landed on the island to introduce and convert its inhabitants to Islam. The town of Jolo became the residence for Sulu Sultanates, until the Sultanate was abolished in 1936. The Seat of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu was in Astana Putih, which is Tausug for ‘White Palace’. In 1521, the explorer Ferdinand Magellan claimed the Philippines for Spain. The Spanish failed to conquer and convert the Muslim areas in the south. After consolidating the northern part of the Filipino islands, the Spanish failed to take over the well-organized Muslim Sultanates. However, in 1876, the Spanish attempted to gain control of the Muslims by burning Jolo and were successful.[5] In March 1877, The Sulu Protocol was signed between Spain, England and Germany which recognized Spain’s rights over Sulu and eased European tensions in the area. In 1899, Spain sold the Philippines to the USA who attempted to forcibly incorporate the Muslim areas into the Philippine state. The American colonizers eventually took over the southern regions with force.
Trading and Chinese Immigration
Since the 15th century, the Sulu Sultanate traded local produce with neighbors and with countries as far as China by sea. In 1870, the Tausug lost much their redistributive trade to the Chinese because of the Spanish cruising system and Chinese immigration from Singapore. Mostly originating from the Fujian province, it was these Chinese who dominated trade in Jolo. Singapore had served as a training ground from which they learned the Malay language and became experienced in dealing with Southeast Asians. Prior to this, most of the Chinese in Jolo worked as craftsmen, skilled and unskilled laborers and domestic servants for wealthy Tausug and Chinese. The Chinese benefited greatly from Jolo’s status as an entrepot, and exercised profound influence over the Sulu Sultanate. Most of the import and export trade was done with Singapore which was estimated to be worth half a million dollars annually. The Sultanate also benefited from importing rice from the Philippines, as the Sulu region had a chronic rice shortage. The Sultanate was unable to bring agriculture to its full potential because the area was prone to erratic rainfall and drought. However, the Sultanate was not keen on the Chinese monopoly. By 1875, Sultan Amal ul Azam wanted an English merchant to establish himself in order to break the monopoly at Jolo. However, trade suffered heavily in 1892, when three steamers used for trade were lost in a series of storms on the trade route between Singapore and Jolo. The traders in Singapore lost so heavily as a result that they refused to accept trade unless it was paid for in cash. Along with the fear of increased taxation, many Chinese left to other parts of the Archipelago as Jolo lost its role as the regional entrepot. The Tausug had already abandoned trading when the Chinese arrived. Thus, Jolo never fully gained its previous trading status. However, the Chinese continued to dominate trade throughout the Archipelago and Mindanao.[6]
Religion
The majority of the people living in Jolo practice Islam, but there are also some who practice Christianity including Roman Catholics and Protestants.
Tulay Central Mosque is the largest mosque in town and in the province, there were also numerous mosques located in different areas and barangays around Jolo. The Our lady of mount Carmel church is a Roman Catholic church located in the town center and is the biggest church in town.
Language and Dialects
Majority of Joloanos speak the native Tausug. English and Tagalog(Filipino) are also being used specially in school and different offices within the town. Mandarin Chinese is also being used by Chinese Businessman. Other languages include Samal/Badjao.
According to the 2000 Philippine census by the National Statistics Office, the Tausug language ranks number 14 with 1,022,000 speakers all over the country, the speakers mainly coming from Western Mindanao.
==Cultural Distinctions== TENGABangsamoro or Moroland is the homeland of the Moro, which is a Spanish term used for Muslims. The majority of Jolo’s people are Tausugs - the ethnic group that dominates the Sulu Archipelago. Tausug derives from the words tau meaning “man” and sug meaning “current”, which translates to “ people of the current”, because they were known to be seafarers with military and merchant skills. The Tausugs are known as the warrior tribe with excellent fighting skills.[7] The principal dialect of the natives of Sulu is Tausug. English is also spoken widely in Sulu.
Before the Tausugs adopted Islam, the Tausugs were organized into kauman and were governed by a patriarchal form of government with the individual datus as heads of their own communities. The source of law was the Adat which the Tausugs followed strictly.[8]
The majority of Filipinos are Roman Catholic. Tausugs were the first Filipinos to adopt Islam when the Muslim missionary Karim ul-Makhdum came to Sulu in 1380. Other missionaries included Raja Baguinda and the Muslim Arabian scholar Sayid Abu Bakr, who became the first Sultan of Sulu. The family and community relations are based on their understanding of Islamic law. The Tausug are also heavily influenced by their pre-Islamic traditions.
Tausug woman in traditional garb, performing the Pangalay
A large portion of the population in Jolo is of Chinese descent. Between 1770 and 1800, 18,000 Chinese came from South China to trade and many of them stayed. In 1803, Portuguese Captain Juan Carvalho reported that there were 1,200 Chinese living in the town. The reorientation of the Sulu trade patterns caused an influx of Chinese immigrants from Singapore.[9]
The Tausug arts and handicrafts have a mix of Islamic and Indonesian influences. Pangalay is a popular celebratory dance at Tausug weddings, which can last weeks depending on the financial status and agreement of the families. They dance to the music of kulintangan, gabbang, and agong. Another traditional dance of courtship is the Pangalay ha Agong. In this dance, two Tausug warriors compete for the attention of a woman using an agong (large, deep, brass gong) to demonstrate their competence and skill.[10]
In present day Sulu, there is a degree of lawlessness and clan-based politics. These clan lines are based along family ties, which started after Arthur Amaral proposed marriage to a woman from a rival clan. The rejected proposal caused a family feud which forced families to take sides. There are 100,000 rifles circling the Sulu archipelago. Almost every household owns a gun, and the clans often settle disputes with violence. Most of the disputes between clans revolve around land. The clan-based society makes it extremely difficult for police to impose law. There are several gun shootings and the Filipino Army is often called in to settle disputes.[11] In April 2008, the Jolo Zone of Peace, which was supported by the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), was established where firearms were restricted to mediate conflicts between clans. The Sulu government is attempted to spread this zone of peace into the countryside.[12]
Economic Condition
Industry
In Jolo, most of the residents are in the agriculture industry. Agricultural products include coconut, cassava, abaca, coffee, lanzones, jackfruit, durian, mangosteen and marang. Jolo is the only municipality in Sulu that does not farm seaweed. Fishing is the most important industry; otherwise people engage in the industries of boat building, mat weaving, coffee processing, and fruit preservation.[13]
Economic development in Jolo has been hampered by instability, violence and unrest caused by the presence of several Islamist separatist groups in the Bangsamoro. The long-running separatist insurgency has made these Muslim-dominated islands some of the poorest regions in the nation. Jolo has faced a large degree of lawlessness and poverty.[14] Jolo is a main stronghold for the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, and these conditions are ideal for militant recruitment. However, the situation has improved since the US has invested in developing the region.
In 2007, United States Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney visited Jolo to learn about US government-sponsored projects for ‘development, peace and prosperity’ in the region. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded a ‘farm-to-market’ road between Maimbung and Jolo to help farmers transport agricultural produce to the market. On her visit, Kenney announced the $3 million plan to improve the Jolo Airport.[15] Since 1997, USAID has spent $4 million a year in the region.[16] Other institutions involved are the World Bank, JICA and AusAID.
Sulu governor Benjamin Loong supports the US Special Forces projects “Operation Smiles” of providing medical care, and building roads and schools. The US Special Forces and Governor Loong hopes that winning respect and alleviating poverty from the people will stop terrorist recruitment. Governor Loong claimed that many residents have already turned away Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiah members.[17]
The Filipino government has spent over P39 million for development and infrastructure in TENGA ni George.[18] In October 2008, the Provincial Government of Sulu in cooperation with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) and the Jolo Mainland Water District (JMWD) started the construction of a 54 million pesos project to upgrade the water supply system in Jolo.[19]
Banking
There were different banks operating in Jolo and serving the people of Jolo for their needs. These included the Philippine National bank, Metro Bank, Allied Bank, Islamic Bank, Land Bank and Development Bank of the Philippines. Automated teller Machines (ATMs)are also available is selected bank branches.
Political and Societal Significance
The Moros are geographically concentrated in the Southwest of the Philippines. Moros identify mostly with the majority Muslim nations of Indonesia and Malaysia because of their geographic proximity, and linguistic and cultural similarities. Moros have faced encroachments from the Spanish, Americans and now face the national Philippine government. Thus, the struggle for the Moro independent state has existed for over 400 years.
Jolo has been the center of this conflict. Between 1972 and 1976, Jolo was the center of the Muslim Separatist Rebellion between the Muslim militants and the Marcos regime which killed 120,000 people. In 1974, fighting broke out when the government troops stopped the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)from taking over the town.[20]
Currently, the Moro National Liberation Front is the Ruling Party of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). In 1996, the MNLF was granted leadership of the ARMM in response to the calls for Muslim autonomy. Abdusakur Tan is the governor of Sulu and Husin Amin is the mayor of Jolo. Politicians in these regions rose to power with the help of clan connections.
The most radical separatist Islamic group Abu Sayyaf claims to be fighting for an Islamic state independent of the Roman Catholic Philippine government. The group has strongholds in Jolo and Basilan. Driven by poverty and high rewards, a significant number of local residents are suspected to work for them. The Abu Sayyaf has committed a series of kidnappings. On April 23, 2000, the Abu Sayyaf raided the Malaysian resort island of Sipadan and kidnapped 21 tourists from Germany, France, Finland and South Africa and brought them back to Jolo, asking for $25 million in ransom money. The Abu Sayyaf has also kidnapped several journalists and cameramen in Jolo. The US has already spent millions of dollars for information leading to the arrest of militants; and offered up to $5 million in bounty with Manila as much as P10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Abu Sayyaf leaders.
The island was considered dangerous for foreigners, especially Americans, as militants threatened to shoot or abduct them on the spot. Much of the anger comes from when American colonizers killed 600 men, women and children who had retreated up Mount Dajo in 1906 after refusing to pay taxes during the Philippine–American War, in the First Battle of Bud Dajo.[21] However, the American image has improved since American development plans for the region were carried out.
Three months after September 11, George W. Bush announced the US was opening a second front in the War on Terror in the Philippines. The Archipelago became the testing grounds for The Philippine anti-terror plan “Clear, Hold and Develop”. In August 2006, Operation Ultimatum was launched and 5,000 Philippine marines and soldiers, supported by the US Special Forces began clearing the island of Jolo, fighting against a force of 400 guerillas. By February 2007, the town of Jolo was deemed cleared of terrorists.
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