25 Facts About Datu Ali

Datu Ali was the Rajahmuda of Tinungkup within the Sultanate of Buayan before succeeding his cousin, Datu Uto, as Rajah of Buayan formally from Uto's death in 1902 until his death in 1905.

Datu Ali was the cousin of Datu Uto of Buayan and brother of Datu Djimbangan and Sultan Tambilawan of Kudarangan, and as a rising leader, Datu Ali overpowered his brothers to rule over Kudarangan.

Datu Ali attacked the town of Lepanto near the Spanish fort of Bugcaon, killing fourteen and looting the place as the campaign ended.

Buluan was known to have wide expense of fertile plains, and an invigorating climate, which became a subject of interest to Datu Ali, who proceeded to take control of the whole territory.

When Datu Ali learned that the Sultan of Talic and his followers encamped in Talic, Datu Ali assembled his men and gave Sultan of Talic battle and easily put him to flight.

Datu Ali was then the able ruler of Cotabato upper valley and was considered the paramount leader of the Sultanate of Maguindanao in the early 20th century.

Datu Ali headed the revolt with some 3,000 followers against the American government through open battle and guerrilla warfare for 3 years, beginning in 1903.

However, Datu Ali viewed this as an act of deception.

Datu Ali continued to fight until his death on October 22,1905, when he and most of his men were killed in the Battle of the Malala River after a surprise attack by a provisional company of the 22nd Infantry, led by Captain Frank McCoy, the Aide-De-Camp of General Leonard Wood.

Datu Ali was the last, and most formidable Moro chieftain to oppose American rule on the island of Mindanao.

For nearly two years, operations against Datu Ali were carried out by several formations of the US Army and the Philippine Constabulary.

Warfare over slavery began in March and April 1904, when Datu Ali, led his followers to battle in the northern half of the Pulangi River Valley, the sa-raya region that had supported the late Datu Uto's resistance against the Spaniards in 1899.

Meanwhile, the sultan of Maguindanao, Datu Mangigin, fled from the Cotabato valley in fear of his rival Datu Ali and was a refugee in Dumankilas Bay.

Datu Ali assembled the most powerful armed men expert in guerrilla warfare and constructed the largest and most heavily armed Kota in Mindanao in preparation for the American resistance.

Datu Ali married Datu Piang's daughter, bonding their alliance in ties of kinships.

In May 1904, Datu Ali ambushed seventeenth Infantry killing two officers and seventeen men.

Yet, even then Datu Ali showed some spark of noble warfare.

General Wood's analysis of Datu Ali's rebellion reinterpreted the recent history of Maguindanao to suit his identification of abolition with progress, civilization, and colonial authority.

On October 5,1905, Captain Frank Ross McCoy of the 3rd Cavalry, and aide de camp to General Wood, formed the above Provisional Company consisting of volunteers from the 22nd Infantry, specifically to go after the Moro chieftain called the Datu Ali, who was The Last Major Chieftain to oppose American sovereignty on the island of Mindanao.

Datu Ali consistently raided local villages, conducted hit and run attacks on US camps, and continued his campaign of insurrection through terror and fear.

In September 1905, General Wood received intelligence that Datu Ali was encamped on his ranch deep in the mountains along the Malola River.

Piang had tipped off Captain McCoy that Datu Ali, was hiding out in a cabin near Lake Buluan within his large family and had sent most of his men back to their villages.

Datu Ali ran back inside and armed himself and began firing at the Americans.

Remington then charged into the house firing his pistol, hitting Datu Ali and knocking the man down.

The campaign against Datu Ali closed with the death of Maguindanao Chief who, betrayed by his own men.