The Rat Strikes and the Mindanao-Sulu Crisis

The Rat Strikes

Emerged due to the threats posed by MIM to the Christians in Cotabato.

Chose to be known as Ilaga/rat because of the widespread proliferation of their gory activities
throughout mindanao.

Later deciphered as Ilonggo Land Grabbers Association

ILAGA

Believed to be the Ilaga Chief: Feliciano Luces

September 1970 (The Magnificent Seven)

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Wenceslao de la Cerna of Alamada

Nicolas Dequina of Midsayap

Pacifico de la Cerna of Libungan

Bonifacio Tejada of Mlang

Condrado Lemana of Tulunan

Jose Escribano of Tacurong

Esteban Doruelo of Digkawayan

Leader: PC capt. Tronco of UPI

Lt. Carlos B. Cajelo, Governor of cotabato and Deputy Defense minister for civil relations, was
popularly known to be the real leader after a series of assassinations of the previous ILAGA
leaders.

The ILAGA rampage started in 1970:

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First killing fields is in UPI, cotabato.

Led by commander Feliciano Luces AKA toothpick

Composed of tiruray tribesman, mostly teens required to wear amulets and other charms
to ward off evil and harm.

Left horrifying trademarks: cut ears, slashed nipples, plucked out eyes and a cross
marking on the body.

Served as storm troopers for the government when the moros built a solid defense against the
govt siege attacks.

Fueled the political and short sighted of muslim problems under the marcos reign which reached
its zenith when the authorities sanctioned and believably helped arm the ILAGA.

ILAGA summary

Founded in 1970 by Feliciano Luces.

Formed because of the threats posed by MIM.

Sole purpose is to kill muslim rebels and whoever they believed to be their sympathizer.

Possibly pardoned by the Philippine government.

The Mindanao-Sulu Crisis

The Corregidor incident (Jabidah Massacre)

Rocky islands of Corregidor, ph.

28 muslim recruits were allegedly killed in late march 1968 by the Phil Army.
This incident angered the malaysian government especially Tun Mustapha, chief minister of
Sabah as this was the time President Macapagal had formally put forth the philippine claim to
sabbah.
This led to the formation of MIM (Muslim Independent Movement) that aimed for the
establishment of an Islamic Republic of Mindanao and Sulu.
Rekindled the minds and hearts of the moros claim over mindanao.
Later led to the formation of MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front)

Manili Massacre

On June 19, 1971, some moro men, women and children were massacred by Ilagas at a mosque in
barrio Manili, Carmen, North Cotabato.

In early August, a battle between Constabulary troops and Blackshirts occurred at Buldon and
later that month, an Ilaga attack was made in Ampatuan.

In this atmosphere, the November elections are near and an ex-Philippine Constabulary
commander, a christian ran against the incumbent muslim governor of North Cotabato.

On July 4, 1971, over 60 muslim homes were evacuated and soon after, Christians in Wao were
ambushed and killed.

Tacub Massacre

As bad as the situation in Lanao del Sur, the situation in the province of Lanao del Norte was
worse.

There the most powerful political leaders were a Muslim congressman and Christian governor.

In 1971, a group of armed muslims called Barracudas began depredations in towns on the
northern coastline in support of a muslim candidate running for governor against christian
incumbent.

By September, the conflict between the two had greatly escalated that led to the evacuation of
both muslims and christians.

In late October, 17 men and 22-man constabulary patrol were killed in an ambush by Barracudas
in the town of Magsaysay.

This was followed by the next day revenge slaughter of 66 muslims also in Magsaysay.

Due to this, voters flee that a special election has to be re-scheduled.

On the day of the special election, a tragedy happened which shocked the nation.

A group of armed moro voters, returning after dark in several trucks from special election in
magsaysay, were fired upon by government troops in Barrio Tacub in the municipality of
Kauswagan, hence the name Tacub massacre.