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Sulu (), officially the Province of Sulu (Tausug language: Wilaya' sin Lupa' Sūg; ), is a province of the Philippines in the Sulu Archipelago and part of the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
It was part of the Bangsamoro (BARMM), until the Supreme Court of the Philippines on September 9, 2024, declared its inclusion to be unconstitutional because of the province's simple majority vote against it during the 2019 Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite.
Its capital is Jolo on the Jolo. Maimbung, the royal capital of the Sultanate of Sulu, is also located in the province. Sulu is along the southern border of the Sulu Sea and the northern boundary of the Celebes Sea.
The advent of Islam around 1138 through merchants and traders had a distinct influence on Southeast Asia. The coming of Arabs, Persians and other Muslims paved the way for the arrival of religious missionaries, traders, scholars and travelers to Sulu and Mindanao in the 12th century.
A landmark born of the social process was the founding of the Sultanate of Sulu. Year 1380 CE, The Sunni Sufi Scholar Makhdum Karim came to Sulu and introduced Islam to the Philippines. In 1450 CE, Johore-born Arab adventurer Sayyid Abubakar Abirin came to Sulu and lived with Rajah Baguinda. The Sunni Sufi Teacher and Sayyid Abubakar eventually married Ali's daughter, Dayang-dayang Paramisuli, and inherited Rajah Baguinda's polity (which was a principality before), which he turned into the Sultanate of Sulu and become its first Sultan. To consolidate his rule, Sayyid Abubakar united the local political units under the umbrella of the Sultanate. A Sultanate that followed the Ash'ari Aqeeda, Shafi'i Madh'hab and Sufism. He brought Sulu, Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan, and Basilan under its aegis.
The Department of Mindanao and Sulu under Gov. Carpenter was created by Philippine Commission Act 2309 (1914) and ended on February 5, 1920, by Act of Philippine Legislature No. 2878. The Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes was organized and briefly headed by Teofisto Guingona Sr. With the enactment by the US Congress of the Jones Law (Philippine Autonomy Law) in 1916, ultimate Philippine independence was guaranteed and the Filipinization of public administration began. Sulu, however, had an appointed American governor until 1935, and the Governor General in Manila had a say in Sulu affairs.
At any rate, the essence of local governance forged by Rajah Baguinda continued to permeate the ethos of Sulu politics despite centuries of colonial presence. History points to a local government in Sulu that antedates other similar systems in the country.
The province hosted the Daru Jambangan (Palace of Flowers) which was the royal palace of the Sultan of Sulu since historical times. The palace, located in Maimbung was made of wood, and was destroyed in 1932 by a huge storm.
It was during this period that the fighting 21 of Sulu rose with Lt. Abdulrahim Imao and Sayyid Captain Kalingalan Caluang who distinguished himself through extraordinary valor and leadership, earning widespread recognition and commendation. The Fighting 21 of Sulu was narrated by Ernesto M. Espaldon in his book. Among Sayyid Captain Kalingalan Caluang's notable accolades was the prestigious Bronze Star Medal, awarded on February 4, 1944, under Executive Order No.9419 by the Commanding General of the 41st Infantry Division, for his meritorious achievements in the Sulu Archipelago, Philippine Islands. His exceptional acts of leadership, strategic resourcefulness, and decisive initiative during pivotal moments were highly praised. Despite facing harsh conditions and relentless enemy engagement, Captain Caluang demonstrated unwavering courage, sound judgment, and a steadfast commitment to duty.Espaldon, E. M. (1997). With the Bravest: The Untold Story of the Sulu Freedom Fighters of World War II. Pilipinas: Espaldon-Virata Foundation.
In 1948, Hadji Kamlon, a World War II veteran, started an uprising on Luuk, Sulu. He surrendered in 1949 but started another uprising in 1952. He then surrendered on July 31, 1952, to Secretary of Defense Ramon Magsaysay. However, he started a third uprising a week later. He surrendered again on November 9, 1952, but would start another uprising in early 1953. He would then surrender on August 11, 1953, after an encounter with Philippines Government troops. He violated the terms of his surrender a week later. Two years later, on September 24, 1955, he would then surrender after an encounter with government troops in Tandu Panuan, Luuk.
In 1973, the municipalities of South Ubian, Tandubas, Simunul, Sitangkai, Balimbing (Panglima Sugala), Bungao, Cagayan de Sulu (Mapun), and Turtle Island were transferred from the jurisdiction of Sulu to the newly formed province of Tawi-Tawi pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302 of September 11, 1973.
As a center of regional commerce, Sulu became very prosperous and progressive in the years after the end of World War II and the establishment of the Third Philippine Republic. By 1970, the province ranked 37rd in the Philippines in terms of number of households with piped water, and 38th in terms of households with electricity. As the capital of the province, Jolo even saw international trade with countries like China and Russia. This changed suddenly after the 1974 Siege of Jolo, which destroyed infrastructure and led to capital flight and brain drain. By 1990 Jolo had dropped to 52nd in terms of number of households with piped water and 73rd in terms of households with electricity.
News about the Jabidah Massacre led to the rise of numerous separatist movements in Mindanao, including Sulu, eventually leading to groups engaging in armed conflict with the Philippine government. One of the most destructive clashes, the 1974 Battle of Jolo, was so destructive that it was estimated to have rendered 40,000 people homeless in Jolo, the capital of Sulu.
The Sultan of Sulu, members of the royal family, and the leaders of Sulu were in favor of the People Power Revolution in Manila that successfully toppled the dictatorship and restored democracy in the country.
In 2016, a small replica of Daru Jambangan was built in the neighboring town of Talipao and became a centerpiece for a 'vacation park'. The replica was about 25% of the actual size of the real Daru Jambangan during its heyday. A campaign to restore the Daru Jambangan in its original location in Maimbung is still ongoing. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Museum of the Philippines were tasked to faithfully restore or reconstruct the Daru Jambangan in Maimbung.
In 2019, the Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite led to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to replace the ARMM. The initiative lost by a 54.3% margin in Sulu, but was carried nonetheless because the votes of the entire ARMM were counted as one. However, in September 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that Sulu should have not been made part of Bangsamoro. The status of which administrative region Sulu belonged to was initially unclear although the Commission on Elections en banc had the consensus that Sulu should revert to the Zamboanga Peninsula, the region it belonged to prior its inclusion in the ARMM back in 1989. It was also proposed that Sulu become a "pilot province" under the Office of the President. Sulu's exclusion was challenged but Supreme Court ruled in finality its decision on November 26, 2024.
Sulu was formally reverted to Zamboanga Peninsula by the virtue of Executive Order No. 91, signed by President Bongbong Marcos on July 30, 2025.
Sulu is a part of the Sulu Archipelago, which stretches from the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula on the north to the island of Borneo in the south. The main island and its islets are situated between the island-provinces of Basilan to the northeast, and Tawi-Tawi to the southwest. Sulu is bordered by two seas; the Sulu Sea to the north, and the Celebes Sea to its south. Sulu has over 157 islets, some of which remain unnamed.
The islands are organized into four groups:
Although consisting of a mixed community of , the Tausugs dominate the Sulu Archipelago. The Tausug were among the first inhabitants of the Philippines to embrace Islam as a religion and a way of life. They are referred to as 'people of the current', reflective of their close ties to the sea.
A majority of Sulu's Muslim population practice Sunni Islam of the Shafi'i tradition, as taught by Arab, Persian, Indian Muslim, Chinese Muslim and Malaccan missionaries from the 14th Century onwards.
Relatively newer Islamic sects, mostly brought by returning veterans of the Afghan wars and missionaries from Pakistan's stricter Sufi traditions, referred to as the Tablighi Jamaat, have been active in propagating what they believe to be a "purer" Islamic way of life and worship. A small number who have since married into Persian people or Iraqi people families have converted to Shiite Islam.
The majority of Sulu Christians are Catholics. They are under the jurisdiction of Archdiocese of Zamboanga through its suffragan Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo. Non-Catholic Christians include Evangelicals, Jesus Miracle Crusade, Anglicanism, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and a number of other Protestant denominations. Only the most recent Chinese immigrants adhere to Buddhism or Taoism, while most of the older Chinese families have acculturated and have either converted to Christianity or Islam while retaining many of their Chinese beliefs.
The Bajau-Sama language is also spoken, as are the official languages of Filipino and English. Many locals and barter traders can speak Sabah Malay, while Chavacano is also spoken by Christian and Muslim locals who maintain contacts and trade with the mainland Zamboanga Peninsula and Basilan.
Vice Governors after People Power Revolution 1986:
Fishing is the most important industry since the Sulu Sea is one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. The province also has an extensive pearl industry, with a pearl farm on Marungas Island. The backs of sea turtles are made into beautiful trays and combs. During breaks from fishing, the people build boats and weave mats. Other industries include coffee processing and fruit preservation.
The handicrafts of Sulu have both Islamic and Ethnic Malays influences. Skilled artisans make boats, bladed weapons, bronze and brassware, pis cloth, embroidered textiles, shellcraft, traditional house carvings, and carved wooden .
The province used to be one of the most prosperous in the southern Philippines. However, due to conflicts, terrorism, and the establishment of jihadists groups following Wahhabism such as the Abu Sayyaf, the province's economy has suffered badly and has been reduced to its current state.
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