Section 2

Raiders of the Sulu Sea

I. Identify (5) Examples of Material Culture of Moros as
presented in the documentary, and explain their
significance to the Moro Population.
VESSELS
• These vessels were primarily utilized by the Ilanun for sea
expeditions, for piracy or slave raiding.

• It is used by the Moro strategic forces to raid the coasts of

Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon between July and October
and was called the Pirate Monsoon.

• Salisipan, Lanong and Garay are some of theses vessels

EXAMPLES OF VESSELS MADE BY MOROS

Salisipan Lanong Garay

SWORDS
• These weapons served not only for raiding, protection, and
defense but also as indicators of one’s authority, wealth,
and social rank based on the quality and embellishments of
the blades, handles, and sheath or scabbard.

• the swords were usually decorated with the hair of victims,

and the holes on the handle denoted the number of victims.

• The sharp edges of the swords were a symbol of the Moro

people's valor and intrepidity and were often present in
traditional dances and ceremonies.
EXAMPLE OF SWORDS MADE BY MOROS

Kris Barong

Panabas Gunong Kampilan

SHIELDS
• Alongside their lethal weapons, the Moro carried
shields called Jilolo or Tobello.

• These shields served to mitigate damage taken on the

battlefield, blocking every ranged and melee attack
from the enemies
EXAMPLE OF SHIELD MADE BY MOROS

Tobello
CANNONS
• The cannons, which are classified as a type of
artillery, were used by the Marauders to nuke
enemy ships and kill hordes of enemies.

• War vessels were equipped with cannons or swivel

guns called Lantaka.
EXAMPLE OF CANNON MADE BY MOROS

Lantaka
ARMOURS
• The Moros were also heavily equipped, albeit with those
crafted from inferior or less durable materials such as brass
and oyster shells.

• Only the torso was protected by the armour, with the vital
organs such as the heart and lungs being shielded by the
plates. Never did the mail portion reach the arms. It did,
however, have a skirt-like extension to cover the hips and
lower torso.
EXAMPLE OF ARMOUR MADE BY MOROS

Kurab-a-kulang
II. In July 2018,the historical signing into law of the long-
awaited Bangsamoro Organic Law finally took place. It was
always been the goal of every administration to put end the
Moro conflict which has its origin in the country’s colonial
period. Look into the identified causes of Moro conflict in
the country in relation to the documentary, raiders of the
Sulu Sea and analyze how Bangsamoro Organic Law can
possibly address the issue.
 IDENTIFIED CAUSES OF MORO CONFLICT IN
RELATION TO THE DOCUMENTARY
• The Moro conflict is linked to the Bangsamoro people's long history of
struggle against foreign control, notably their annexation of the
Philippines by the United States in 1898; Moro resistance against the
Philippine government has lasted ever since.

• With the arrival of the Spanish government, the Moros were regarded
as a threat to their Catholic mission in the Philippines and worked to
prevent the spread of Islam throughout the archipelago. These men,
either ratified by their respective Sultanates or their tribal leaders,
defied colonial occupation and rule, instigating a wave of hysteria
throughout the archipelago for more than 300 years.
• Historians would question the true identity of the Moro tribes, as
their methods were savage and brutal, and Sulu was an open zone
in the ancient past, some have argued that these were indigenous
people merely defending their way of life from the conquering
colonial forces.
 HOW BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW ADDRESSES
THE ISSUE
• With the signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2018, Bangsamoro
is now considered an autonomous region here in the Philippines.
Through the implementation of this law, the long-running Moro
conflict in our country finally came to an end. Now, the Bangsamoro
Organic Law enables the Muslim population to achieve some degree of
independence and freedom.
• The law entitles them to freely determine their political status and
pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. Subsequently,
the signed law addresses their demands by allowing them to elect their
members of the parliament, who represent different parties, districts,
and sectors, including indigenous people, and take a leading role in the
allocation of the nation's tax revenues.
III. Give three (3) reasons why the documentary,
Raiders of the Sulu Sea, is important to the Grand
narrative of Philippine History
1. It leads to understanding the origins of modern
conflicts in the southern Philippines.
• By examining these historical occurrences, the
documentary contributes to a fuller understanding of the
intricate social, political, and cultural factors that
continue to affect the Philippines today.
2. It showcases the maritime culture and history of the
Sulu region.
• It highlights both the combat and sea navigation skills of
the Moro group, which contributed heavily to the
development of trade and cultural exchange in the
region.
3. The documentary advances a more inclusive and
diverse vision of the nation's history.
• by focusing light on the stories of the native Muslim
tribes and recognizing the contributions of these groups
to the development of the country.
 
 connecting the dots: Raiders of the sulu sea
(A Depiction of Garay Warships Used by Sulu Pirates, ca.)
Mistakes of Moro People in the 19th Century
The Moro people, who are great worshippers of Allah, were known to be savage and
fearsome in war, raiding the coasts of the Sulu Archipelago to fetch Christians for
slavery and torture. Even though this was a legal practice back in the past, it is
morally wrong and would be considered a heinous crime—a violation of human
rights—if carried out in the present.
Value Needed to Avoid Such Mistake in the 21st Century
The prosperity of the Moro was facilitated by Islam and the sultanate system, but
these harmonious communities were destabilized by the arrival of the Spanish. The
Moros had been fighting relentlessly for their sovereignty against the Spanish
conquest, putting everything on the line primarily for their religion. For this reason,
it is vital that the present-day Moros continue to uphold the teachings of the Qur’an,
which call for fighting injustice while upholding moral, ethical, and spiritual
principles. 
(2018)
Achievement of Moro People in the 19th Century That Was Retained
Until the 21st Century
The Moro population was never conquered by the Spanish government, successfully
resisting Christianization and retaining Islam as their religion in the 19 th century until the
21st century.
Value Needed to Sustain Such Achievement in the 21st century
With the existence of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Muslim population has now
achieved some form of freedom and independence economically, socially, and
culturally. Thence, they need to foster cooperation and solidarity with the national
government to establish peace and order despite differences in religion.
 discovery

The conflict between the Moro raiders and Spaniards was

more about beliefs and religions than business and trade.
Subsequently, the chief motivation of the marauders for fighting
is to preserve their freedom and independence from the
colonizers, especially since there is an observable dichotomy
between their religion, Islam, and the religion practiced by the
Spaniards, Christianity.

REFERENCES
(2018, July 27). Duterte made the pronouncement during his visit for the 69th anniversary of Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay. Philstar.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/27/1837208/duterte-signs-bangsamoro-organic-law

A depiction of garay warships used by Sulu pirates. (ca.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracy_in_the_Sulu_and_Celebes_Seas

Aira Lamera. (2021, January 25). Raiders of the Sulu Sea (Presenter 10) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RETYV3osNNs