In 1842 the Hpanisli Oovernment built the stone fort at Isabehi de
Basilan. The BalangiDgi and Basilan Moros appear about this time
to have become a menace to tlie peace and to tlie commerce of nations.
To punisli Datu Usak of Malusu for depredations committed against
French vessels, Basilan was blockaded by a French fleet in 1843. As-
piring for C/hinese trade and for the possession of a port in the neiglibor-
ing seas the French in 1844 concluded a treaty with the Sultan of Sulu for
the cession of the Island of Basilan for a considerable sum of money.
The terms of this treaty do not appear to have been carried out, but
this act and the frequent appearance of English, Dut<'h, and French
vessels in Sulu waters aroused the Spaniards to active mesisures for the
subjugation of the Sulu Archipelago.
This year Jamalul Kiram I died, and his son Mohammed Pulahin
succeeded to the sultanate. The "Luntar'* or "Snln Annals'^ begin
Januar}% 1844, and appear to have been started by Sultan Pulalun.
In 1845 a frigate attacked the Island of Balangingi, but it was repulsed
and gained no advantage except that of ascertaining the strength of
the enemy. The shores of Basilan and the principal islands lying
between it and the Island of Sulu had numerous forts, the strongest of
which were on the island of Balangingi, the chief stronghold and head-
quarters of the Samal pirates. Realizing the seriousness of the situation
Governor Claveria took the matter in hand and with energy and enthu-
siasm made every effort to strengthen the fleet and increase its eflBciency.
In 1848 he secured three steam war vessels called Elcano, Magallanes,
and Reina de Costilla, which were built by the English and were the
first steam gunboats the Philippine Government ever employed. Steam
was certainly destined to mark a new epoch, one which saw the beginning
of the end of Moro piracy.
With two additional pilot boats and three transport brigs the expe-
dition, headed by Governor Claveria in person, left Manila in January
and, coming by the way of Dapitan, reunited at Caldera Bay, where it
received additional troops from Zamboanga.
The Island of Balangingi is scarcely 6 square miles in area, low,
flat, surrounded by shoals, and covered to a great extent by mangrove
swamps. Most of its settlements had their houses built over the water
anl little dry land could be seen in the vicinity. Part of this land was
covered with coconut trees. A labyrinth of small, narrow channels led
to the various settlements and divided the island into four distinct parts.
Four strong forts were built by the Moros at points difficult of access
and surrounded by swamps. These forts were constructed of thick
trunks of trees driven into the soil as piles and set close to each other
and in 3 rows of varying heights, to afford suitable positions for the
artillery, part of which was set in covered inclosures commanding the
channel leading to the fort. The walls of these forts were 20 feet high
and could not be scaled without ladders. The immediate vicinity of the
fort was set with sharpened bamboo sticks and pits to hinder and trap
the attacking forces. The fort of Sipak, the strongest of the four, was
provided with redoubts and towers and showed considerable skill in its
construction.
The Spanish trooi)8 consisted of three regular companies of infantry,
two of volunteers, and detaclimeuts of artillery, pikemen, engineers, and
laborers. They experienced some difficulty in landing and attacked the
most accessible fort fii*st. The fighting was heroic and desperate on both
sides. The Moros, it is said, fought like fiends; but they were com-
plet<?ly overpowered in the end. In the fort of Sipak many women and
children were gathered and considerable property was stored. The Moros
had hoped to save all within its impregnable walls. When these walls
were entered, some of the defenders in their desperation thrust their
speai-s and krises into their wives and children, killed them first, and
then dashed themselves against sure death at the point of Spanish
bayonets. The Moros consider such action most valorous and honorable
and do it in order not to allow their wives and children to fall into slavery
or be killed by the hand of the enemy.
In the fight at the fii-st fort 100 Moros perished and 14 pieces of
artillery were captured. The Spaniards lost 7 dead and 50 wounded.
After the reduction of the second fort at Sipak 340 Moros were burned
in one pile and 150, mostly women and children, were taken as prisoners;
others, who sought refuge in the swamps or tried to swim away, were
killed by the fire of the fleet and their bodies were washed ashore by
tlie waves. Tlie Spanish losses in tliis engagement amounted to 17 dead,
4 officers and 13 men, and 155 wounded. Three hundred slave captives
were rescued and 66 pieces of artillery were captured. Quantities of
ammunition, silks, silver and gold vessels, bracelets and other ornaments,
jewels, utensils and arms of all sorts, and books of prayer were found
inside the fort.
The troops investing the third fortification at Sungap found the fort
evacuated, but the fii-st Spaniard who scaled the wall fell dead from a
kampilan blow at the hand of the only Moro who refused to run away
and remained at his post to meet what he considered an honorable death.
Thirteen cannons of small caliber were found in this fort. The Moros
who had fled to the fourth fort at Bukutingal did not make any de-
termined stand, but soon fled leaving several cannons behind. The
Spaniards desolated the island, burned its forts and settlements, and
cut down more than 8,000 coconut trees.
The conquest of the Balangingi Samals w^as complete and the ex-
pedition returned to Manila in triumph. Here great rejoicings, parades,
and festivities were held in honor of the event. Governor Claveria was
decorated and promoted by the Queen and many of the officers and men
were variously rewarded.
The Balangingi Samals rivaled the Sulus in power, bravery, and wealth,
but the signal victory of Claveria crushed them so completely that they
have never since had any considerable force. The Samals who were
carried away were transplanted to the Province of Kagayan in northern
Luzon, where they remained until a late date.
