Datu Harun went to Manila alone and Governor Arolas recommended
his appointment as sultan. Governor-General Terrero cabled to Madrid
and obtained authority for this action on September 11, 1886. Harun
was officially announced in Manila as Sultan of Sulu, and his appointment
on the 24th of September was made the occasion of some formality.
Sultan Harun placed his hands upon the Quran, his Minister Sheikh Mustafa
bin Ahmad officiating, and his high Excellency the CJovernor-Greneral adminis-
tered to him the oath in the following form: "Do ye swear to uphold stead-
fastly all the stipulations covenanted in the capitulations and to give faithful
obedience to His Majesty, the King?" To this Sultan Harun answered: "I swear
to comply with the terms of the capitulations and with the commands of His
Majesty, the King." And His Excellency replied: **May God and men help ye
if ye do this and if ye do not, then may God and the Government punish you!"
Sultan Harun arrived at Jolo in October, and, escorted by 200 Spanish
soldiers, one gunboat, and one steam launch, he proceeded to Parang
where he expected the Sulus to declare their allegiance to him. However,
their reception was not ^ warm as he expected and he soon found it to
his advantage to retire to Jolo. The Sulu chiefs appealed to arms and
prepared to defend the rights of Amirul Kiram at the cost of their lives.
Desiring to support his nominee in the sultanate Governor Arolas visited
Parang in company with Sultan Harun on the 2d day of November and
an additional number of chiefs, including Panglima Damang, swore
allegiance to Sultan Harun.
Such measures aroused the activity of Amirul Kiram and his party
and several places in Parang were attacked by the Maymbung forces and
considerable unrest prevailed. Harun's sultanate seemed unacceptable
to the great majority of datus, and liostilities arose in many localities.
Murders and juramcntado attacks occurred in the vicinity of Jolo. The
kuta of Bwisan and Timahu were attacked and reduced, the settlements
burned, and much blood was shed. Hostilities extended to Siasi and the
kuta of Datu Hiyang was attacked. In February, 1887, a force of 3,000
Sulus started from Maymbung and attacked Jolo. The garrison repulsed
the attack, but juramentados and hostile bands harassed the town. Small
expeditions reconnoitered Tapul, Lugus, and Siasi ; but no active meas-
ures could be taken against Maymbung until reenforcements could arrive
from Zamboanga and Kotabato.
At that time General Terrero headed a campaign in the upper Min-
danao Valley against Datu Utu and forces were drawn from Zamboanga
and Jolo to cooperate at Kotabato. With the return of the troops in
April the war vessels which operated on the Mindanao River also came to
Jolo and Governor Arolas began preparations at once to fight Ami ml
Kiram who was strongly intrenched in Maymbung. The gunboats,
some marines, and Sultan Harun's small force attacked the settlement by
sea. Governor Arolas led the land troops himself and marched against
Maymbung at night. The Moros of the interior harassed the advancing
troops from all sides, but everything that could be reached was burned
and more than 40 Sulus were disabled or killed before the fort of Maym-
bung was reached. The latter was a square 75 meters on each side, built
partly on land and partly in the water. The walls on the land side were
constructed of coral rock, while those toward the sea were built of double
rows of piles filled behind with stone and earth. Large cannon and
breech-loading rifles were abundantly used by the Sulus and one rapid-
firing gun commanded the main approach on the land side. The fighting
was fierce and heroic on both sides. Out of a large force of Sulus
defending the fort and town 250 lay dead after the battle was over. The
Spaniards lost 17 dead and 96 wounded. The sea forces, after caring for
the Chinese population, set fire to the whole town and reduced it to ashes.
Governor Arolas was highly praised in Manila and Madrid and was later
promoted to be a brigadier-general.
If military operations, war, Und death are efficient and suitable
measures to daunt the Sulus, coerce their will, and make them yield to
superior authority, this Maymbung campaign should certainly have pro-
duced the desired result. Many thought that the moral effect of this
victory was excellent beyond measure and for that reason entertained
great hopes. Governor Arolas felt the cause of Spanish sovereignty and
suzerainty to be amply vindicated and Spanish honor strongly and
proudly upheld, but as early as the 9th of May another fight stared him
in the face. Arolas and Sultan Harun had to march against Parang and
invest the kuta of Panglima Damang. After the surrender of Damang
an expedition was sent to Lati and another to Tapul Island. This latter
campaign was extremely difficult and trying. The country was rough,
the forest thick, and the enemy fierce. Panglima Sayadi would not
recognize Harun's sultanate and would not obey the mandates of the
governor of Sulu, so his chastisement was decreed and Tapul was attacked.
Sayadi and his men fought like tigei-s at bay, and Governor Arolas was
compelled to lead his troops in person. Sayadi was defeated after two
days' fighting, 90 of his men were killed, and the fort was demolished.
The Spanish casualties were 13 dead and 155 wounded. Sultan Harun
reconnoitered the shores and interior of the island, destroyed small forts,
and obtained the surrender of several chiefs.
On the 29th of July, 1887, Pangian Inchi Jamila presented herself
at Jolo and expressed her submission and that of Raja Muda Amirul
Kiram to the governor of Sulu and to Sultan Harun. Governor Arolas
insisted that Amirul Kiram should come personally and express his
surrender, and allownl Uini ten days in which he could come with safety
and impunity. After lier return Pangian Inclii Janiila sent Sultan
llarun the seal of the sultanate; but neither the chiefs nor Amirul
Kirani liimself agreed to tlie personal surrender rwjuested. Governor
Arolas was disposed to make Spanish sovereignty over Sulu a fact,
absolute and complete, and required implicit obedience. The Sulus had
a different view of the respective rights of the two governments and
continued their resistance. Another campaign was necessary on Siasi
Island, and Datu Hiyang and many Moros were killed.
Another expedition was directed against Kadungdung and southern
Lu'uk and another against the Island of Pata. Innumerable hardships
were sustained by the troops and many Sulus were killed. Sultan Harun
and his forces cooperated with the Spanish forces and reconnoitered
inaccessible places. The partisans of the young Raja Muda Amirul
Kiram were supposed to have been completely vanquished and the young
prince was expected to humiliate himself before Sultan Harun at any
time. Such hopes were, however, false, for on October 30 Bwal and the
northern Lu'uk district had to be punished. After some fighting the
Sulus evacuated Bwal and fleil to the mountains and 53 houses were
reduced to ashes ; nor was this sufficient, for in 1888 expeditions amount-
ing in some cases to 1,500 troops, comprising from two to four com-
panies of artillery, were conducted against Purul, Tambang, Patikul,
Taglibi, Buhanginan, Pandan, Sari*ul, and Pigi-Dahu. Hundreds and
probably thousands of Sulus were killed, but notwithstanding, Arolas's
cruel efforts to force Sultan llarun upon the people resulted in failure.
The Sulus scorned Sultan llarun and his apparent supremacy, persisted
in their resistance, and kept their allegiance to Amirul Kiram. True
to their traditions they remained faithful to the candidate whose right
to the succession was in their estimation and conviction stronger than
any other claim backed by the forces of (Jeneral Arolas.
Before the end of the year 1886 Datu I yung invited Datu Aliyud Din
back to Patikul, where he remained for about one year. Datus Kalbi
and Julkarnayn joined the party of Aliyud Din and defended him
against Amirul Kiram and Sultan Harun.
In 1887 Patikul and Lati were attacke<l by Governor Arolas and
Datu Aliyud Din fled to Siasi and Laminusa, from there he returned,
late in 1888, to Bunbun and Patikul; there he lived quietly until his
death, about 189'^.
The administration of (iovenior Arolas wa.*^ the longest in duration,
tlie most eventful, the most interesting, and the most warlike administra-
tion Sulu had under Spanish rule. The difficult situation the governor
found at his arrival, his misunderstanding of the Sulu character and
underestimation of Sulu public opinion, his integrity, his exalteil opinion
of Spanish sovereignty and honor, his disregard of treaties and precedent,
his ability as a conimaiuler of troops, and his warlike policy, all eoiubine
to make a picture vivid in its colors and unique in its make-up. Gov-
ernor Arolas can not be held responsible for what had transpired prior
to his appointment as governor, and the policy he followed was probably
dictated for him in general from Manila; but it is diflBcult to conceive
of a man executing his duty with such vigor, earnestness, and thorough-
ness as General Arolas did, unless his heart and soul approved of such a
policy and added enthusiasm and zest to the impetus of duty. Further-
more, there are many reasons for believing that Governor Arolas recom-
mended the main lines of the policy he pursued. At all events he im-
personates, as far as the object of this work is concerned, that combined
agency of government which is responsible for the significant events of
his administration of Sulu affairs. In commenting upon his policy
it would therefore be proper to refer to him personally, without the least
intention of fixing the blame on anybody, or indeed of finding fault at
all, but with the sole intention of eliciting the facts and showing the
actual condition of affairs in their proper light.
In going over the long list of expeditions and campaigns conducted by
General Arolas and of the casualties on both sides, one can not help
but express admiration, surprise, or blame as to the justice or advisability
of the policy pursued, its motives, conduct, and effect. For, if the
treaty of 1878 was still in force — and there is no reason to suppose that
it was abrogated — why did Governor Arolas institute new rules and
conditions pertaining to the siUtanate and render compliance with them
necessary for qualification and confirmation? If by virtue of the
prerogative of sovereignty it was deemed necessary to interfere with
Sulu internal affairs and customs for a beneficial and good purpose,
why was it not right then to oppose and check Datu Aliyud Din as soon
as it became evident that the majority of the Sulus wanted Amirul
Kiram as sultan and Ali}iid Din had refused to honor the governor's
proposals and recommendations? Wliy was it not considered right for
the Government to object to war between the contending parties from
the beginning and to assume for itself all the powers and prerogatives of
a protector or arbitrator? If the good of the Sulus was the ultimate
object sought, why was not the rightful heir supported from the begin-
ning and advantage taken of such an opportunity to enlist the sympathy
of one party, at least, on the side of the Government, strengthen the
weak head of the nation, and bring order and tranquillity out of chaos
and anarchy?
Apparently the worthy cause of peace and Sulu welfare were completely
overlooked, while the main object of asserting power and gaining su-
premacy was presstnl and pros(»cuted at the expense .of a thousand souls
and war with every strong chief throughout the whole Archipelago. Gov-
ernor Arolas tramj)led on the treaty, assumed arbitrary and absolute
authority, and treated noncompliance with his wirfies as disloyalty and
insurrection. This attitude might have heen due to his peculiar military
training and ideas, but it was certainly unjust and overbearing. Na-
tions can not be trampled under foot without bringing about resentment
and retaliation and people can not be treated as privates in a company of
duciplinarios or deportados. The result of such coercion is hatred, and
the effect of abuse is enmity. Such methods do not tend to civilize a
country or better its chances of progress. They kill ambition, harden the
heart, and dull the senses. The first step toward the progress of a
subordinate nation is imitation of its superior ; but imitation is generally
engendered by admiration and kindly influences, and cruel warlike
measures are certainly disposed to kill such good agencies.
Sulu military operations ceased soon after the arrival of Governor-
General Weyler in Manila, and some of the Jolo forces were withdrawn.
General Arolas left Jolo in 1893 and was succeeded by Col. Cesar
Mattos, who was in turn followed by Gen. Venancio Hernandez before the
end of the same year. The successors of General Arolas did not have sim-
ilar motives for upholding Harun's sultanate against overwhelming odds.
They saw in him a weak and vacillating sultan who was a burden
to the state. Conseiiuently Sultan Ilarun was relieved in 1894, and he
returned to his home in Palawan. During his incumbency Sultan Harun
lived at Mubu in the vicinity of Jolo. The house he occupied was the
best building ever occupied by a Sulu sultan. He was ambitious and
willing to reform his people, but he never had a strong following and
was very unfortunate in that he had to fight so hard and so often for a
nominal allegiance and false support from his people.
