After the fall of Jolo and its destnietion by General Maleampo, Sultan
Jamalul A^lam removed to Bud Datu and later to Likup. The datus
dispersed in all directions, but Datus Asibi and Pula, the strongest chiefs
after the sultan, remained in the neighborhood of Jolo, at Tandu and
Patikul. The Sulus were united at that time and formed one party,
which was faithful and loyal to the sultan. They regarded the establish-
ment of a Spanish garrison at Jolo as an intrusion upon their soil and an
intolerable humiliation and offense. The common people resented the
invasion as bitterly as the datus. A few years before they regarded
themselves the lords of the southern seas. The Bisayan and the Kala-
mian Islands, Palawan, and eastern Borneo were their hunting grounds.
They sailed proudly on the seas and had the dignity of masters of in-
numerable vassals and slaves. But now like fierce tigers driven back
to their dens or packs of hungry wolves ('based to their haunts, they waited
for no word of command or organized resistance, but hurled themselves
recklessly at the Spanish soldiers wherever they encountered them.
Individuals and small, parties lost no chance of firing a rifle from behind
the bushes or throwing a lance from across the ditches. Venders in the
market who saw a chance to strike a blow at the soldiers, could not resist
the temptation, but recklessly darted at the enemy with a kris or barong *
brandished in hand. A vender from Lu'uk who did not have a barong
of his own snatched one from a neighbor and rushed at the guard. The
soldiers were attacked in the forest while cutting lumber or firewood, at
the river while getting drinking water and at the beach while bathing.
Juramentados - crept on the sentinels in the dark and from ditches and
the beach and inflicted considerable loss and damage. Some desperate
characters entered the trenches and fought the soldiers on guard, while
othei^s slipped into the barracks and caught soldiers and officers off their
guard and threw torches on the roofs of the warehouses.
Jamalul AMam discouraged all overtures for peace, and for more than
two years could not be reconciled to the new conditions and political
status. Early in 1877 he encouraged hostilities of all sorts. Jura-
mentados and small attacking parties harassed the garrison frequently.
On the 25th of February a force of more than 2,000 Sulus advanced
against the garrison, but were easily repulsed. Small parties surprised
pickets and attacked laborers. On the 9th of September about 800
Sulus charged the town from the land side and from tlie sea and 300
attacked Fort Asturias. They were repulsed in the afternoon, but
resimied the attack at night and retreated with great loss. Another gen-
eral fight occurred on the 11th, but the Moros were again overpowered and
driven back. Undaunted by these failures, the Sultan called a council of
the datus and planned for another attack in the future. The juramenta-
dos became more treacherous and intrepid. They hid their harongs inside
their trousers and in bundles they pretended to be taking to the market
and attacked the guard unawares and after admission into the plaza.
This state of affairs continued until June, 1878.
