DATU ALAMADA

Datu “Amaibuliok” Alamada was an Iranun datu of “Idalemen” tribe (Idalemen: meaning people of the woods). He was the son of Rajah Muda Makod and Bai Gansing. Bai Gansing was from Malalis, Butig, a town in Lanao. His rule spans the lower part of Buldon, northern part of Nuling (now Sultan Kudarat Muncipality) up to Manuangan, Pigcawayan, Banilsilan and Kitacubong. He is a loyal ally of Rajah Muda Ali, he was even considered a son by the Rajah Mudah. A fierce “magical” warrior. He was described by Bai Dayang “sampurna”, the wife of Datu Sansaluna, the son of Rajahmuda Ali as the “Bandalen a takena, datu na wai aki” which means The man of few word and the leader of the Iranuns. Rajah Muda Ali, gave him a vest which is believed to posses powers that bullets cannot pass.Many also believed he  can jump from one mountain to another. He is a smart warrior who built cottas or kutas (forts)  in the mountains. It was also believed that he had “magical” powers” In a very short time he can go from one fort to another.

He even named this cottas: 1. Bager- (meaning strength) 2. Piagangugan- from the word agong, in this fort there is a special made agong to warn him in case of an attack. 3. Kalilidan- (meaning to roll) 4. Dasumangcop-(meaning no surrender) It is his last line of defense, in this fort he told his men it’s better to die than surrender. In fort Kalilidan, in the mountain of Agkiragkir, the americans suffered dafeat when they attacked this fort, big boulders and logs fell upon the americans.

He continued the fight even after the fall of Rajah Muda Al for more than 9 years. but the policy of attraction is slowly creeping in the bangsamoro land. They brokered peace with the datus. Datu sa Kutawatu Ortuoste a christian (an honorary title given by Sultan Mastura of Maguindanao ) was tasked to talk to Datu Alamada by the datus to negotiate for his surrender. He was given safe passage and invited to go to malacanang to meet the american governor in Manila (Gowing 1983). He obliged but demanded that he will not wear american clothes but his native attire and of course his “magical” vest, he will bring his sword and his trusted “talibunos” (from the root word “buno” meaning to kill, this is only applied to men whom the datu trusts and skilled in the art of killing).

In May 19, 1914, Datu Alamada surrendered. He met Governor Harrison in 1915 in malacanang.his sword always half drawn whenever he sensed danger. One american writer wrote “he was like a bird ready to fight”. He was asked what does he want and he answered in jest “let my men eat”. He was entertained and even brought to carnivals. One peculiar characteristic of the man was that he never touches money, it is as if a taboo for him. Some observers believe that his powers forbid him to do that.

He retired and died peacefully in Pigcalagan during world war II. To honor the datu, a municipality was named after him     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamada,_Cotabato . Today October 22, 2011, the 106th year of the death of his “father” and brother in arms Rajah Muda Ali, let us also honor the Iranun Warrior Datu “Amai buliok” Alamada of the Idalemen tribe..The man who fought the Americans for 20 years. THE LAST MAN STANDING.

Photo: The cottas of Datu Alamada was similar to the image shown. It was a moro cotta in Lanao that was overrun by American soldiers in the early 1900’s.