Maguindanao
Encyclopedia
Maguindanao is a province
Provinces of the Philippines
The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial...

 of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

 located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...

 (ARMM). Its capital is Shariff Aguak
Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao
Shariff Aguak is municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Maguindanao.On July 30, 2009, upon the ratification of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts No...

. It borders Lanao del Sur
Lanao del Sur
Lanao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Its capital is Marawi City and borders Lanao del Norte to the north, Bukidnon to the east, and Maguindanao and Cotabato to the south. To the southwest lies Illana Bay, an arm of the Moro Gulf...

 to the north, Cotabato to the east, and Sultan Kudarat to the south.

Geography

Maguindanao is composed of 26 municipalities, which are further subdivided into 492 barangays. Cotabato City
Cotabato City
The City of Cotabato is one of the cities of the Philippines located in Mindanao. Cotabato City is an exclave of the SOCCSKSARGEN region found within the boundaries of Maguindanao province, but is independent of that province...

 is often grouped with Maguindanao, but it actually independent from the province.

The province is divided into two congressional districts. In October 2006, the first congressional district was split off into a new province, Shariff Kabunsuan
Shariff Kabunsuan
Shariff Kabunsuan was a province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that existed from 2006 to 2008. The law establishing the province was nullified by the Philippine Supreme Court in 2008.-History:...

. However, the ARMM's Act creating the province was nullified by the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...

 in July 2008, on the basis that creation of a province is a function of the Philippine legislature. The area has since reverted to the province of Maguindanao.
Municipality
Municipalities of the Philippines
A municipality is a local government unit in the Philippines. Municipalities are also called towns . They are distinct from cities, which are a different category of local government unit...

 
No. of
Barangays 
Population
(2007)
Area
(km²)
Pop. density
(per km²)
Ampatuan
Ampatuan, Maguindanao
Ampatuan, Maguindanao is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.-Barangays:Ampatuan is politically subdivided into 11 barangays.* Dicalongan * Kakal* Kamasi* Kapilpilaan* Kauran* Malatimon* Matagabong* Saniag* Tomicor...

11
33,702
Buluan
Buluan, Maguindanao
Buluan is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.-Barangays:Buluan is politically subdivided into 7 barangays.* Digal* Lower Siling* Maslabeng* Poblacion* Popol* Talitay* Upper Siling* Dilag* Salendab* Malangit* Tumbao...

  7
32,310
Datu Abdullah Sangki
Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao
-References:...

10
33,259
Datu Anggal Midtimbang
Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao
Datu Anggal Midtimbang is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.-Barangays:Datu Anggal Midtimbang is politically subdivided into 7 barangays.*Adaon*Brar*Mapayag*Midtimbang *Nunangan *Tugal*Tulunan-History:...

  7
23,713
Datu Hoffer Ampatuan
Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Maguindanao
Datu Hoffer Ampatuan is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of at least 22,471 people ....

11The number of barangays includes two barangays (Macalag and Tuntungan) that have been divided between this municipality and Datu Unsay. However, the population count does not include inhabitants from these divided barangays.
22,471
Datu Paglas
Datu Paglas, Maguindanao
Datu Paglas is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.-Barangays:Datu Paglas is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.* Alip * Bonawan* Bulod* Damalusay* Damawato* Datang* Elbebe* Kalumenga * Katil* Lipao...

23
29,979
Datu Piang
Datu Piang, Maguindanao
On July 30, 2009, upon the ratification of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts No. 225 and MMAA 222 , the municipalities of Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Datu Salibo, respectively, were created from a total of 5 entire barangays and portions of 10 barangays from Datu Piang, in addition to other barangays...

16The number of barangays includes ten barangays (Alonganan, Balakanan, Buayan, Dado, Damabalas, Duaminanga, Kalipapa, Liong, Magaslong and Masigay) that have been divided between this municipality and Datu Salibo. However, the population count does not include inhabitants from these divided barangays.
18,995
Datu Salibo
Datu Salibo, Maguindanao
Datu Salibo is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of at least 13,876 people ....

17The number of barangays includes ten barangays (Alonganan, Balakanan, Buayan, Dado, Damabalas, Duaminanga, Kalipapa, Liong, Magaslong and Masigay) that have been divided between this municipality and Datu Piang
Datu Piang
Piang popularly known as Datu Piang was a Maguindanao leader, often referred to as the Grand Old Man of Cotabato....

, and one barangay (Pagatin) that have been divided between this municipality and Datu Saudi-Ampatuan. However, the population count does not include inhabitants from these divided barangays.
13,876
Datu Saudi-Ampatuan
Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Maguindanao
Datu Saudi-Ampatuan is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.-Barangays:Datu Saudi-Ampatuan is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.*Dapiawan*Elian*Gawang*Kabengi*Kitango*Kitapok*Madia...

9The number of barangays includes one barangay (Pagatin) that has been divided between Datu Salibo and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, and possibly this municipality too (as legislation is unclear as to whether any portion of Brgy. Pagatin actually remains with Datu Saudi-Ampatuan). However, the population count does not include inhabitants from this barangay.
25,249
Datu Unsay
Datu Unsay, Maguindanao
Datu Unsay is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.-Barangays:Datu Unsay is politically subdivided into 7 barangays.*Bulayan*Iganagampong*Macalag *Maitumaig*Meta*Panangeti*Tuntungan -History:...

7The number of barangays includes two barangays (Macalag and Tuntungan) that have been divided between this municipality and Datu Hoffer Ampatuan. However, the population count does not include inhabitants from these divided barangays.
22,622
Gen. S. K. Pendatun
Gen. S. K. Pendatun, Maguindanao
General Salipada K. Pendatun is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.-Barangays:General Salipada K. Pendatun is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.* Badak* Bulod* Kaladturan* Kulasi* Lao-lao* Lasangan* Lower Idtig...

19
36,038
Guindulungan
Guindulungan, Maguindanao
Guindulungan is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.The first appointed mayor during its creation as a new municipality was Hadji Datu Antao Midtimbang, Sr., a well known religious leader who also served as mayor of Talayan and as vice governor of Maguindanao Province...

11
23,777
Mamasapano
Mamasapano, Maguindanao
Mamasapano is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 23,830 people .-Barangays:...

14The number of barangays includes one barangay (Libutan) that has been divided between this municipality and Shariff Saydona Mustapha. However, the population count does not include inhabitants from this barangay.
23,830
Mangudadatu
Mangudadatu, Maguindanao
Mangudadatu is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.It was created out of 8 barangays of Buluan, Maguindanao, by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 204, which was subsequently ratified in a plebiscite held on December 30, 2006....

  8
24,300
Pagagawan
Pagagawan, Maguindanao
Datu Montawal is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 27,010 people in 5,466 households.-Barangays:...

11
32,995
Pagalungan
Pagalungan, Maguindanao
Pagalungan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 25,908 people in 4,715 households.-Barangays:Pagalungan is politically subdivided into 12 barangays.* Bagoenged...

12
31,052
Paglat
Paglat, Maguindanao
Paglat is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 5,832 people.The first appointed mayor was Bai Zulaika Pendatun-Langkuno, however, her appointment was recalled by then ARMM Governor Nur Misuari to give way for her cousin...

  8
23,432
Pandag
Pandag, Maguindanao
Pandag is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.It was created out of 8 barangays of Buluan, Maguindanao, by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 203, which was subsequently ratified in a plebiscite held on December 30, 2006....

  8
20,557
Rajah Buayan
Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao
Rajah Buayan is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.The municipality of Rajah Buayan was created under Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 166 dated October 28, 2002 and was ratified through plebiscite on September 4, 2004. It was carved out of the town of Sultan sa...

11
24,973
Shariff Aguak (Maganoy)
Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao
Shariff Aguak is municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Maguindanao.On July 30, 2009, upon the ratification of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts No...

14
41,725The population count does not include inhabitants from two barangays (Lapok and Tapikan), because at the time of the 2007 Census these two barangays still included the population of recently-created Brgys. Datu Bakal and Datu Kilay, now part of Shariff Saydona Mustapha.
Shariff Saydona Mustapha
Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao
Shariff Saydona Mustapha is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of at least 20,463 people ....

16The number of barangays includes one barangay (Pagatin) that has been divided between this municipality and Datu Salibo, and another barangay (Libutan) that has been divided between this municipality and Mamasapano. However, the population count does not include inhabitants from these divided barangays.
20,463
South Upi
South Upi, Maguindanao
South Upi is a 4th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,186 people in 5,533 households.-Barangays:South Upi is politically subdivided into 11 barangays.* Kuya* Biarong...

11
32,014
Sultan sa Barongis (Lambayong)
Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao
Sultan sa Barongis is a 4th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 34,709 people in 6,426 households.-Barangays:Sultan sa Barongis is politically subdivided into 12 barangays....

12
25,767
Talayan
Talayan, Maguindanao
Talayan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 33,129 people in 5,573 households....

15
25,753
Talitay
Talitay, Maguindanao
Talitay is a 4th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 17,026 people in 2,789 households.-Barangays:Talitay is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.* Adaon...

  9
21,964

Government

Maguindanao is divided into two congressional districts, which elect members to the House of Representatives. For the brief period that the province of Shariff Kabunsuan
Shariff Kabunsuan
Shariff Kabunsuan was a province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that existed from 2006 to 2008. The law establishing the province was nullified by the Philippine Supreme Court in 2008.-History:...

 existed, Maguindanao became a lone-district province. Since the appointment of a new set of provincial officials for the reunified province of Maguindanao by the ARMM Governor in January 2009, the provincial government has reverted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan setup (coterminous with the restored 1st and 2nd Congressional districts of Maguindanao) from before Shariff Kabunsuan was created.

Having elected to join the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...

 (ARMM), Maguindanao also sends six representatives (three per district) to the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao has a unicameral Regional Legislative Assembly headed by a Speaker. It is composed of three members for every congressional district...

 that convenes in Cotabato City.

History

Shariff Mohammed Kabungsuwan of Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...

e introduced Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and .   : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...

 in the area at the end of the 15th century. He subsequently married a local princess from the Iranun Tribe of Malabang and Maguindanao Province, and established the Sultanate of Maguindanao. The Cotabato Valley formed the sultanate's heartland but its influence extended from the Zamboanga Peninsula
Zamboanga Peninsula
Zamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...

 to Sarangani Bay
Sarangani Bay
Sarangani Bay is a bay located on the southern tip of Mindanao in the Philippines. It opens up to the Celebes Sea on the Pacific Ocean. General Santos City, one of the Philippines most important cities and ports, is located on the bay, making the bay one of the busiest and often the sight of...

 and Davao
Davao
Davao refers to several closely related places in Mindanao in the Philippines. The term is used most often to refer to the city.*Davao Region, an administrative region*Davao del Norte province*Davao del Sur province*Davao Oriental province...

.

The Spaniards
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

 launched expeditions to subdue the area throughout the colonial era but they never gained control of the region until the middle of the 19th century.

During the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 period, Cotabato
Cotabato
Cotabato , is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao...

 became a district of the Moro Province created in 1903 and a province of the Department of Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...

 and Sulu in 1914.

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces entered what is now Maguindanao.

In 1945, Maguindanao was liberated by allied Philippine Commonwealth troops and Maguindanaoan guerrilla units after defeating the Japanese Imperial forces in the Battle of Maguindanao during the Second World War.

The old province of Cotabato was divided in 1966 into Cotabato
Cotabato
Cotabato , is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao...

 and South Cotabato
South Cotabato
South Cotabato is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal City, and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and east, and Davao del Sur to the east...

. In 1973, the successor province of Cotabato was split into the provinces of Maguindanao, (North) Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Maguindanao is the only Muslim-majority province of the four created out of the original Cotabato Province. In 1989, majority of its voters opted to join the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...

 but Cotabato City did not, which, ironically, has since served as the provisional capital of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...

 (ARMM).

On October 31, 2006, Maguindanao voters approved the creation of a new province to be composed of 10 towns from the province. Of more than 500,000 voters registered, 285,372 favored the creation of the province, and 8,802 voted against it. The new province, Shariff Kabunsuan
Shariff Kabunsuan
Shariff Kabunsuan was a province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that existed from 2006 to 2008. The law establishing the province was nullified by the Philippine Supreme Court in 2008.-History:...

, became the country's 80th province and the 6th in the ARMM. It was composed of the towns of Datu Odin Sinsuat
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Datu Odin Sinsuat is a 2nd class municipality in Maguindanao province, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 71,569 people in 13,270 households....

, Kabuntalan
Kabuntalan, Maguindanao
Kabuntalan is a 5th class municipality of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 23,137 people in 4,223 households....

, Upi
Upi, Maguindanao
North Upi is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 51,141 people in 9,975 households....

, Sultan Kudarat
Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao
Sultan Kudarat is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of about 94,861 people in 16,996 households....

, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, Sultan Mastura
Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao
Sultan Mastura is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.The town was part of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan from October 2006 until its nullification by the Supreme Court in July 2008.-Barangays:...

, Parang
Parang, Maguindanao
Parang is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. It is bordered to the north is Matanog, on the west by Barira and Buldon, and on the south is Sultan Kudarat. It consists 24 barangays, 15 of which are coastal. It was created on August 18, 1947 through Executive Order No...

, Buldon
Buldon, Maguindanao
Buldon is a 4th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 26,903 people in 4,802 households....

, Matanog
Matanog, Maguindanao
Matanog is a 5th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 19,006 people in 3,125 households....

 and Barira
Barira, Maguindanao
Barira is a 5th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 18,296 people in 3,326 households....

. However, in July 2008, the Supreme Court nullified the province's creation, restoring its municipalities to Maguindanao.

2009 election violence

On November 23, 2009, a 2010 gubernatorial election caravan supporting Esmael Mangudadatu
Esmael Mangudadatu
Esmael “Toto" Mangudadatu or is the Governor of Maguindanao, in the Philippines. Mangudadatu was elected for governor of Maguindanao after defeating his closest rival, Ombra Sinsuat by a margin of 12,705 votes...

, vice mayor of Buluan, was attacked. Fifty-seven people were killed, including Mangudadatu's wife and sisters, supporters, local journalists, and bystanders. On December 4, 2009 a number of homes belonging to the Ampatuan political family were raided in connection with the massacre.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially declared martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...

 in the province of Maguindanao on December 5, 2009, Saturday morning.

In a press conference past 7 am, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita
Eduardo Ermita
Eduardo R. Ermita, was the Executive Secretary of the Philippines, and spokesperson for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was born on July 13, 1935 in Balayan, Batangas. Ermita took his Defense Resource Management Course at Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California, U.S.A...

 announced Proclamation No. 1959 declaring a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao, except for certain areas identified as bailiwicks of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is an Islamist group located in the southern Philippines. It is one of two Islamic militant groups, the other being the Abu Sayyaf, that are fighting against Government of the Philippines...

 (MILF) separatists.

The declaration of martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...

 will lead to the "arrests without warrants" of other members of the Ampatuan clan who have been linked to the November 23 massacre of 58 civilians.

Musical heritage

The native Maguindanaon culture revolves around kulintang
Kulintang
Kulintang is a modern term for an ancient instrumental form of music composed on a row of small, horizontally-laid gongs that function melodically, accompanied by larger, suspended gongs and drums...

music, a specific type of gong music, found among both Muslim and non-Muslim groups of the Southern Philippines.
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