Jolo, Sulu

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This article is about the municipality. For the island, see Jolo.

Jolo
Sg / Lupah Sg
Municipality

Municipality of Jolo

Sulu Provincial Capitol

Map of Sulu with Jolo highlighted

Jolo
Location within the Philippines

Coordinates:

0603N 12100ECoordinates:

Country

Philippines

Region

Autonomous Region in Muslim

0603N 12100E

Mindanao (ARMM)
Province

Sulu

District

1st district of Sulu

Founded

1952

Barangays

Government[1]
Mayor

Kerkhar S. Tan (May 9. 2016) - current

Area
Total

126.40 km2 (48.80 sq mi)

Population (2010)[2]
Total

125,564

Density

990/km2 (2,600/sq mi)

Time zone

PST (UTC+8)

ZIP code

7400

Dialing code

+63(0)68

Income

1st

class

Jolo (Tausg: Lupah Sg, Filipino: Bayan ng Holo) is a municipality on the island of Jolo, and the
capital of the province of Sulu, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of
125,564 people,[2] making it the most populous municipality in the province. Part of its population is
of Chinese descent, mainly from Singapore.[3] Of the population, 90% are Muslim, the remaining 10%
are Christian.[4] Jolo was the center of the government of the Sulu Sultanate.
Contents
[hide]

1Geography
1.1Barangays

2Etymology

3History
o

3.1Pre-Colonial period

3.2Spanish Colonial Period

3.2.1Trading center

3.2.2Chinese immigration

3.2.3Spanish control

3.2.4Trading decline
3.3American Colonial Period
4Demographics

4.1Language and dialects

4.2Religion

5Culture

6Economy

6.1Industry

6.2Banking

6.3Economic growth
7Peace and order

7.1Clan feud

7.2Abu Sayyaf

7.3War on Terror

8Political and societal significance

9References

10External links

Geography[edit]
The town of Jolo is located on the north-west side of the Jolo Island, which is located south-west of
the tip of Zamboanga Peninsula on Mindanao island. The island is situated between
the provinces of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, bounded by Sulu Sea to the north and Celebes Sea to the
south.
Jolo is a volcanic island, which lies at the center of the Sulu Archipelago covering 890 square
kilometres (340 sq mi). The Sulu Archipelago is an island chain in the Southwest Philippines
between Mindanao and Borneo, which is made up of 900 islands of volcanic and coral origin
covering an area of 2,688 square kilometres (1,038 sq mi). There are
numerous volcanoes and craters around Jolo with the last known activity (an earthquake assumed
resulting from a submarine eruption from an undetermined location) taking place on September 21,
1897 causing devastating tsunamis in the archipelago and western Mindanao.[5][6][7]

Barangays[edit]
Jolo is politically subdivided into eight barangays.

Alat

Asturias

Bus-Bus

Takut Takut

Tulay

San Ray Mundo

Chinese Pier

Walled City

Etymology[edit]
It is said that the Chinese traders who frequented the place, named Jolo after ho lng (). Ho
lng meaning Good People reflects the Chinese perception of the natives. Chinese traders would

leave goods on Jolos shore, and find them undisturbed on their return. The phrase was eventually
extended to ho l () meaning Good Community.[8]

History[edit]
Pre-Colonial period[edit]
In the 14th century, Arab traders landed on the island to introduce and convert its inhabitants to
Islam. The native inhabitants on the island are the Tausg people. The Tausugs are part of the
larger Moro group which dominates the Sulu Archipelago. The Moro had an independent state
known as the Sultanate of Sulu, which was politically and economically centered on Jolo, the
residence for Sulu Sultanates. The Seat of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu was in Astana Putih, which is
Tausug for White Palace in Umbul Duwa in the municipality of Indanan on Jolo Island.[7]

Spanish Colonial Period[edit]

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
Philippine islands, they failed to take over the well-organized Muslim Sultanates.
Trading center[edit]
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. The Sultanate benefited from importing rice from northern 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.
Chinese immigration[edit]
Since the 15th century, the Sulu Sultanate traded local produce with neighbors and with countries as
far as China by sea. Most of the import and export trade was done with Singapore which was
estimated to be worth half a million dollars annually. In 1870, the Tausug lost much of their
redistributive trade to the Chinese because of the Spanish cruising system and Chinese immigration
from Singapore. Mostly originating from the Fujian province, most of the Chinese in Jolo worked as
craftsmen, skilled and unskilled laborers and domestic servants for wealthy Tausugs and
Chinese. Singapore served as a training ground from which they learned the Malay language and
became experienced in dealing with Southeast Asians. It was these Chinese who eventually
dominated trade in Jolo and benefited greatly from Jolos status as an entrepot, and exercised
profound influence over the Sulu Sultanate. 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.
Chinese who lived in Sulu ran guns across a Spanish blockade to supply the Moro Datus and
Sultanates with weapons to fight the Spanish, who were engaging in a campaign to subjugate the
Moro sultantes on Mindanao. A trade involving the Moros selling slaves and other goods in
exchange for guns developed. The Chinese had entered the economy of the sultante, taking control
of nearly the entire Sultanate's economu in Mindanao and dominating the markets. Though the
Sultans did not like their economic monopoly, they did business with them. The Chinese set up a
trading network between Singapore, Zamboanga, Jolo and Sulu.
The Chinese sold small arms like Enfield and Spencer Rifles to the Buayan Datu Uto. They were
used to battle the Spanish invasion of Buayan. The Datu paid for the weapons in slaves. [9] The
population of Chinese in Mindanao in the 1880s was 1,000. The Chinese ran guns across a Spanish
blockade to sell to Mindanao Moros. The purchases of these weapons were paid for by the Moros in
slaves in addition to other goods. The main group of people selling guns were the Chinese in Sulu.

The Chinese took control of the economy and used steamers to ship goods for exporting and
importing. Opium, ivory, textiles, and crockery were among the other goods which the Chinese sold.
The Chinese on Maimbung sent the weapons to the Sulu Sultanate, who used them to battle the
Spanish and resist their attacks. A Chinese-Mestizo was one of the Sultan's brother in laws, the
Sultan was married to his sister. He and the Sultan both owned shares in the ship (named the Far
East) which helped smuggled the weapons.[10]
The Spanish launched a surprise offensive under Colonel Juan Arolas in April 1887 by attacking the
Sultanate's capital at Maimbung in an effort to crush resistance. Weapons were captured and the
property of the Chinese were destroyed while the Chinese were deported to Jolo. [11]
Spanish control[edit]
In 1876, the Spanish attempted to gain control of the Muslims by burning Jolo and were successful.
[7]
In March 1877, The Sulu Protocol was signed between Spain, England and Germany which
recognized Spains rights over Sulu and eased European tensions in the area.
Trading decline[edit]
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.[12]

Gates of Jolo, circa 1899

American Colonial Period[edit]

In 1899 following the Treaty of Paris of 1898, sovereignty over the Philippines was transferred
from Spain to the United States who attempted to forcibly incorporate the Muslim areas into the
Philippine state. The American colonizers eventually took over the southern regions with force
(see Moro Rebellion). The Sultanate of Sulu was abolished in 1936.

Demographics[edit]
Population census of Jolo

Source: National Statistics Office[2]

Language and dialects[edit]

Majority of Joloanos speak the native Tausug. English and Tagalog (Filipino) are also used specially
in school and different offices within the town. Hokkien and Malay is also used by traders. 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.

Religion[edit]

Tulay Central Mosque, the largest mosque in Sulu

Most of the people living in Jolo practice Islam, but there is also a significant Christian minority
consisting of Roman Catholics and Protestants as majority of the Philippines are Christians. 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.
Tulay Central Mosque is the largest mosque in town and in the province. There are 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. "Jolo Alliance Evangelical Church" (formerly known as Jolo Evangelical Church) of the
Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP) also co-exist along with
the Catholic Church since 1900's, making her the first Protestant church in the archipelago.

Culture[edit]

Tausug woman in traditional garb, performing the Pangalay

Bangsamoro or Moroland is the homeland of the Moro, which is a Spanish term used for Muslims.
The majority of Jolos 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.[13]
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.[14]
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.[13]
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. [12]

Economy[edit]
Industry[edit]
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.[15]

Banking[edit]
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 in selected bank branches.

Economic growth[edit]

View of Jolo, with USNS Mercy in the background.

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.[16] Jolo is a main stronghold for the AlQaeda-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.[17] Since 1997, USAID has spent $4 million a year in the
region.[18] Other institutions involved are the World Bank, JICA and AusAID.
The Filipino government has spent over P39 million for development and infrastructure in Sulu. [19] 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. [20]

Peace and order[edit]

Clan feud[edit]
Main article: Rido
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 clanbased 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.[21] 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 in mediating conflicts between clans. The Sulu
government is attempting to spread this zone of peace into the countryside. [22]

Abu Sayyaf[edit]
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,
in the First Battle of Bud Dajo during the PhilippineAmerican War.[23] However, the American image
has improved since American development plans for the region were carried out.
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 photographers 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.
Sulu governor Benjamin Loong supported 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 turned away Abu Sayyaf
and Jemaah Islamiah members.[23]

War on Terror[edit]
Three months after the September 11 attacks, 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.

Political and societal significance[edit]

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.[8]
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.