The first Muslim that arrived in Kilabaw was Antig Abang. He was accommodated out of pity by my father Timuay Pedro Ampalid in Sitio Kilabaw where he worked and raised his family. Upon learning of the kindness and the good means of living that the Manobos gave him, Antig’s in-laws and relatives soon followed and stayed with him. Eventually, his in-laws asked Antig to make an appeal before my father to extend to them the same act of kindness.
his problem. My father offered to Amay Kugaw the area which was evacuated by some of his subjects. He said, “in the meantime that my men has not returned in Pagalungan, your men can stay and work there. But when my subjects return, and your area in Muleta would be peaceful, your men must leave the area.” Later, due to the influx of more Muslims who followed their relatives occupying lands in Pagalungan, Amay Kugao requested for additional areas for occupation. My father agreed to extend by another kilometer the stretch of land on which he allowed the Muslims to occupy. My father made it clear to them that the additional area was devoted only for work and not given in the same manner as the first kilometer was given, and that land should be vacated upon the return of the original Manobo occupants.
I had an uncle named Pancho who became a friend of Antig’s. They were close friends for a long time. In their closeness they agreed to have one of their children to become part of each of their families. And so it happened that Pancho’s child, Hemistan, became part of Antig’s family and Kasamela, of Pancho’s family. My uncle gave four out of his 10-hectare land to Antig to help him raise his child. Their friendship deepened and they became good leaders. That was how they were able to occupy lands in our territory. My uncle shared and entrusted these lands to them out of friendship.
That was how the Muslims were able to enter Pagalungan. It was based on an agreement between my father and Amay Kugaw.
When the war erupted in the 1970s, Muslims in the Muleta area became targets of the military operations of the 27th Battalion. These operations forced the Muslims to flee to safer grounds, leaving their farms unattended. Because of this, then MNLF’s area commander Amay Kugaw met with my father. He told my father how the people under his leadership lost their livelihoods due to constant harassment by the Military. He asked my father for assistance to solve
In the 1980s, the Manobos started returning to their communities and demanded the return of their lands. This time, the Moro refused to vacate as agreed and insisted that the land was already theirs. Thus, the Manobos sought the help of their Timuay who thereupon went to Amay Kugao and reminded him about their original agreement. The Moro commander assured the Timuay that he would act on the problem. But the Moro families stayed.
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Land Tenure Stories in Central Mindanao
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