61-841: Cotabato , formerly and still commonly referred to as North Cotabato and officially the Province of Cotabato , is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Soccsksargen region in Mindanao . Its capital is the city of Kidapawan , the most populous in the province. Some of its municipalities are under the jurisdiction of the nearby Bangsamoro Autonomous Region . The name Kuta Watu in Maguindanaon (or Kota Batu in Malay ) means "stone fortress". According to Maguindanao royal records, Islam
122-685: A Federal Government, where Bangamoro will be realized into a State of the Philippines wherein Carmen will be included in Bangsamoro. Plans to establish a new municipality in the south of Carmen so that the indigenous and Christian central and northern part of Carmen will be retained in North Cotabato has yet to be confirmed. The idea arose because once the entire municipality of Carmen is included in Bangsamoro ,
183-583: A barangay government is the mandate of the mayor and the Sanggunian of the component city or municipality of which the barangay in question is a part. Provinces are classified according to average annual income based on the previous 4 calendar years. Effective July 29, 2008, the thresholds for the income classes for cities are: A province's income class determines the size of the membership of its Sangguniang Panlalawigan , and also how much it can spend on certain items, or procure through certain means. When
244-563: A district of the huge Moro province. During the American period, large companies were established in Cotabato to exploit the vast timber resources of the region. By the 1930s, settlers from Luzon and Visayas established homesteads in Cotabato. In December 1941, Japanese planes bombed and invaded Cotabato. In 1942, Cotabato was occupied by the Japanese Imperial forces . A military headquarters of
305-555: A term of three years and limited to three consecutive terms and appoint the directors of each provincial department which include the office of administration, engineering office, information office, legal office, and treasury office. The vice governor acts as the president for each Sangguniang Panlalawigan ( SP ; "Provincial Board"), the province's legislative body. Every SP is composed of regularly elected members from provincial districts, as well as ex officio members. The number of regularly elected SP members allotted to each province
366-532: Is a mass movement for the preservation and development of Islam in the Philippines". The advocacy of Ansar El Islam would, later on, inspire the creation of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the MILF. There has been a long-standing allegation that Malaysia provided the initial training and arming of the first batch of MNLF cadres known as "Top 90" in 1969. It has been alleged that Malaysia
427-625: Is a political organization in the Philippines that was founded in 1972. It started as a splinter group of the Muslim Independence Movement . The MNLF was the organization most active in the Moro conflict for about two decades beginning from the 1970s. In 1996, the MNLF signed a landmark peace agreement with the Philippine government under the administration of President Fidel Ramos that saw
488-470: Is a secular movement, unlike its splinter group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front . The MNLF was the leading organization among Moro separatists for about two decades beginning from the 1970s. However, discontent on Nur Misuari's leadership caused the group to unravel especially after the 1996 peace agreement. Integration of former rebels in the society was also a factor in the weakening. At
549-506: Is autonomous of other provinces within the republic. Each province is governed by two main elected branches of the government: executive and legislative. Judicial affairs are separated from provincial governance and are administered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines . Each province has at least one branch of a Regional Trial Court . The provincial governor is chief executive and head of each province. Provincial governors are elected to
610-526: Is considered a major food basket in Mindanao. It is a top producer of cereals, tropical fruits, vegetables, sugarcane, coconut, coffee, freshwater fish and livestock. It is also one of the country's leading producers of raw and semi-processed rubber and industrial trees, with markets in Asia and Europe. Among its major natural assets are Mt. Apo , the country's highest peak at 9,692 feet (2,954 m) above sea level,
671-465: Is determined by its income class. First- and second-class provinces are provided ten regular SP members; third- and fourth-class provinces have eight, while fifth- and sixth-class provinces have six. Exceptions are provinces with more than five congressional districts, such as Cavite with 16 regularly elected SP members, and Cebu , Negros Occidental and Pangasinan which have twelve each. Every SP has designated seats for ex officio members, given to
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#1732869827964732-522: Is elected at an at-large basis and not apportioned through territory-based districts. Those classified as either "highly urbanized" or "independent component" cities are independent from the province, as provided for in Section 29 of the Local Government Code of 1991. Although such a city is a self-governing second-level entity, in many cases it is often presented as part of the province in which it
793-402: Is geographically located, or in the case of Zamboanga City , the province it last formed part the congressional representation of . Local government units classified as "component" cities and municipalities are under the jurisdiction of the provincial government. In order to make sure that all component city or municipal governments act within the scope of their prescribed powers and functions,
854-469: Is higher than the national average of 1.72%. The province had a density of 140 inhabitants per square kilometre or 360 inhabitants per square mile. Cotabato is an ethnolinguistically diverse province. The first Visayan settlers reached the town of Pikit in 1913, and since then, Christian migrants have moved and lived in Cotabato, cohabitating the province with the local indigenous groups. 71% of Cotabato's population descended from settlers who migrated from
915-634: Is limited by the Philippine Constitution. The President of the Philippines however coordinates with provincial administrators through the Department of the Interior and Local Government . For purposes of national representation, each province is guaranteed its own congressional district . One congressional representative represents each district in the House of Representatives . Senatorial representation
976-915: Is one of the root-causes of the Moro conflict . Poverty, grievances of the Muslim population , weak rule of law and difficult terrain have made counterterrorism challenging against insurgents in the Southern Philippines. On March 18, 1968, there was an alleged massacre of Moro soldiers in Corregidor Island . This eventually led to the establishment of the Bangsamoro Liberation Organization (BMLO). Bangsamoro Liberation Organization (BMLO) and Ansarul Islam founders were Domocao Alonto , Sayyid Sharif Capt. Kalingalan Caluang , Rashid Lucman, Salipada Pendatun, Hamid Kamlian, Udtog Matalam, and Atty. Macapantun Abbas Jr. Accordingly, "it
1037-622: The Cagayan de Oro - Iligan City Corridor. The Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26) traverses through the municipalities of Midsayap , Libungan and the Pigcawayan . Cotabato stretches from the east at Mount Apo , which separates it from Davao, to the Piapayungan Range on its boundary with Lanao in the west. Between these highlands is the basin of the Pulangi River or Rio Grande de Mindanao ,
1098-552: The Mount Apo Geothermal Power Plant at the foot of Mt. Apo in Ilomavis, Kidapawan City which produces 97 megawatts of electricity. Power distribution is handled by Cotabato Electric Cooperative , Inc. (COTELCO). The province has a 4,131.32-kilometre (2,567.08 mi) road network connecting the major centers to each other and the outlying barangays, and communication linkage through NDD-IDD, fax, cellular phone and
1159-558: The National Capital Region , as well as independent cities , are independent of any provincial government. Each province is governed by an elected legislature called the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and an elected governor . The provinces are grouped into eighteen regions based on geographical, cultural, and ethnological characteristics. Thirteen of these regions are numerically designated from north to south, while
1220-737: The Philippine Commonwealth Army existed in Cotabato from January 3, 1942, to June 30, 1946, and the Philippine Constabulary 10th Constabulary Regiment was stationed in Cotobato from October 28, 1944, to June 30, 1946. Moro guerrilla fighters operating in the province of Cotabato helped local forces of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the Philippine Constabulary 10th Constabulary Regiment fight against
1281-535: The Pulangi River which is a major contributor to Mindanao's irrigation system and hydro-electric energy, and the vast Liguasan Marsh which not only supplies a bounty of freshwater fish and organic fertilizer but considered as a possible source as well of natural gas . Power utility in the province comes from two energy sources - the NAPOCOR Agus Grid in Iligan transmitted through its Tacurong Substations and
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#17328698279641342-736: The 13 provinces agreed upon in the Tripoli Agreement. A referendum was held on each province to be included in the autonomous region. Decades after the government's resettlement of un-landed settlers in Moro Ancestral Lands in Mindanao, the Moros became the minority in their own homeland. The referendums however did influence Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao by creating its predecessors. MNLF decided to continue armed struggle. The MNLF shifted from demands of full independence to autonomy in
1403-417: The 1950s and 1960s. The former province of Cotabato was once the largest in the Philippines. In 1966, South Cotabato was created as a separate province. Mindanao, including Cotabato, was relatively peaceful in the 1950s and the mid-1960s. While there were some ethnic tensions, there was essentially no presence of secessionist groups in Mindanao yet. The relative peace of the postwar era began to change in
1464-425: The 1980s. In 1986 a ceasefire and attempts to have a peace agreement were made, but they failed. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was established in 1989, despite opposition from the MNLF. OIC, Libya and Indonesia mediated peace talks which were restarted in 1992. Statements of Understanding and Interim Agreements were made between 1992 and 1996. Jakarta Peace Agreement was signed in 1996. Tensions between
1525-603: The EC-15 got appointed into the Bangsamoro Transition Authority by President Duterte. The Moro National Liberation Front makes use of a flag consist of a golden yellow star and crescent and a kris on a red field. The star represents Truthfulness, Fairness, Equality and Tolerance while the crescent moon symbolizes wisdom. The kris symbolizes strength. The red field represents the Bangsamoro activism, decisiveness, persistence, frugality, and sacrifices in pushing forward
1586-594: The Imperial Japanese Army until 1944. The Moro guerrillas fought the Japanese troops until liberation. In 1945, Cotabato was recaptured from the Japanese Imperial forces by the combined Filipino and American troops together with the recognized Moro guerrilla units. The guerrillas used the traditional Moro Kampilan , Barong and Kris swords as their weapons. The pace of settlement in the region accelerated in
1647-497: The Local Government Code mandates the provincial governor to review executive orders issued by mayors, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to review legislation by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) or Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council), of all component cities and municipalities under the province's jurisdiction. The provincial government does not have direct relations with individual barangays. Supervision over
1708-756: The MNLF declared independence for the Bangsamoro Republik and attacked Zamboanga City . During the MNLF standoff with the Armed Forces of the Philippines , the group was accused by the Philippines of using civilians as human shields , thus leading the Philippine government to label them terrorists. The State Department of the United States included a mention of the siege in its report on "East Asia and Pacific Overview". The Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari had talks with President Rodrigo Duterte . Misuari has been meeting with Duterte ever since
1769-536: The Maguindanao Sultanate. The city became the seat of power of Sultan Muhammad Kudarat in 1619. Christianity was introduced in 1596, but the Spaniards were unable to penetrate into the region until the second half of the 19th century. The district of Cotabato was formed in 1860, covering the areas of what is now Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces with its capital at Tamontaka . Fort Pikit
1830-836: The National Capital Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region , the Southwestern Tagalog Region (Mimaropa), the Negros Island Region , and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are only designated by acronyms. Each province is a member of the League of Provinces of the Philippines , an organization that aims to address issues affecting provincial and metropolitan government administrations. A provincial government
1891-583: The North Borneo dispute and stressing it is a non-issue as Sabah has become the "home-base for different tribal groupings of Muslims from different regions of Southeast Asia that have enjoyed peaceful and harmonious co-existence with the Chinese and Christian populace in the area." European Union and the United States do not use the classification of "terrorist" for the MNLF. In 2013, the Nur Misuari faction of
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1952-804: The Philippine Government and the MNLF have been fueled by mineral wealth sharing, problems of implementing the peace agreement and the Nur Misuari faction's ongoing opposition of the peace agreement. In 2015 Nur Misuari rejected reports on the MNLF involvement in the North Borneo dispute and said only the Sultanate of Sulu can pursue the negotiations for the Sabah claim with the Malaysian sides. The MNLF has asserted that their group are not involved in any part of
2013-770: The Philippines by the Malaysian authorities. The MNLF is internationally recognized by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States (PUIC). Since 1977, the MNLF has been an observer member of the OIC. On January 30, 2012, MNLF became an observer member of the Parliamentary Union of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC), as approved during the 7th PUIC global session held in Palembang , Indonesia . The Philippine government wanted to encourage migration of landless Christians from other parts of
2074-595: The United States acquired the Philippines from Spain in 1898, the islands were divided into four gobiernos (governments), which were further subdivided into provinces and districts. The American administration initially inherited the Spanish divisions and placed them under military government. As insurgencies were pacified, civil government was gradually organized. Moro National Liberation Front Non-state allies Non-state opponents The Moro National Liberation Front ( MNLF ; Arabic : الجبهة الوطنية لتحرير مورو )
2135-453: The Visayas and Luzon, while the remaining 18% belong to the communities of Magindanaons, Iranuns, Ilianens, Dulangan Manobo, Obo, Tagabawa, and Tboli. The major languages spoken are Hiligaynon (46%), Maguindanao (38%), Cebuano (8%), and Ilocano (4%). Cotabato's population is predominantly Catholic. According to the 2020 census, 52.77% of the population are Roman Catholic . Muslims form 26% of
2196-607: The armed secessionist group known as the Moro National Liberation Front to consolidate power, and the decades-long Moro conflict began in earnest. One major event of Martial law which took place in Cotabato was the Manili massacre , which saw the mass murder of 70 to 79 Moros , including women and children, committed in a mosque in Manili, Carmen , North Cotabato , Philippines on June 19, 1971. The Muslim residents of
2257-424: The barangays which voted to join the Bangsamoro made their exit from the province and their respective mother municipalities and were officially turned over to the Bangsamoro government as an interim province within the autonomous region divided into several clusters. Based on the 2020 census, Cotabato has an overall population of 1,275,185. The average population growth rate was 2.27% in the period 2010–2015, which
2318-460: The country in a so-called Homestead Program (1903–1973). There was no land titling system by the natives of Mindanao at that time, and the Christian settlers exploited the situation. Lanao and Cotabato received an influx of migrants from Luzon and Visayas . Tensions between Moros and Christians were caused by disputes about land ownership and disenfranchisement of Muslims. The Homestead Program
2379-477: The creation of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), an area composed of two mainland provinces and three island provinces in which the predominantly Muslim population enjoys a degree of self-rule. Nur Misuari was installed as the region's governor but his rule ended in violence when he led a failed rebellion against the Philippine government in November 2001, and fled to Sabah before being deported back to
2440-452: The east by Davao City and Davao del Norte , on the west by Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur , on the south by Sultan Kudarat , and on the southeast by Davao del Sur . Cotabato is strategically linked to the major "Arterial Road System" that traverses and connects the province to Davao City - Soccsksargen - Cotabato Corridor. The Cotabato via Kabacan - Maramag - Kibawe, Bukidnon Sayre Highway meanwhile serves as its link to
2501-619: The factions. Many splits followed tribal affiliation. United Nations Security Council report stated in 2010 that the splinter groups Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf recruit and use child soldiers in the conflict. Libyan and Muammar Gaddafi 's mediation resulted in the signing of the Tripoli Agreement on December 23, 1976. The agreement aimed to establish an autonomous region for Ethnic-Muslim Filipinos. The agreement failed shortly after signing due to President Ferdinand Marcos ' duplicitous decision to create two autonomous regions instead of only one, which consisted of only 10 of
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2562-636: The internet is available. President Benigno Aquino III signed the law dividing to new 3 legislative district of Cotabato on September 14, 2012. The representative shall continue to serve until next national election. Download coordinates as: Provinces of the Philippines In the Philippines , provinces ( Filipino : lalawigan or probinsiya ) are one of its primary political and administrative divisions . There are 82 provinces at present, which are further subdivided into component cities and municipalities . The local government units in
2623-460: The jurisdiction of Bangsamoro as part of its special geographic area . During the 2001 Referendum for inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 2 out of 28 barangays of Carmen, Cotabato chose to be part of ARMM, but were excluded because they are not connected to the main region of ARMM. During 2010-2016 Administration, the Bangsamoro ideal sprouted and a newly proposed region
2684-586: The last years of President Ferdinand Marcos ' first term , when news about the Jabidah massacre ignited a furor in the Moro community, and ethnic tensions encouraged with the formation of secessionist movements. None of these groups had enough followers to form a viable opposition until Marcos declared Martial Law, but when political parties were dissolved upon the proclamation of Martial Law in September 1972, it became easy for
2745-529: The new administrative autonomous region of Bangsamoro after the results of the region's formation plebiscite were confirmed three days later on February 9. These barangays are to join either the adjacent province of Maguindanao as parts of the said province's nearby and respective municipalities or to cluster on their own as new municipalities within the said province after the national midterm elections on May 13, 2019. The size and population of Cotabato province had officially diminished on November 20, 2019, as
2806-593: The population. In 2015, the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded Islam followed by 39.28% of the population. Later in 2020, Islam form 19% of the population. The other significant minorities are Evangelical Christians at 8.4% of the population, Southern Baptist Church with 3.7% of the population, and Iglesia Ni Cristo which forms 2.2% of the Province population. Poverty incidence of Cotabato Source: Philippine Statistics Authority Cotabato
2867-491: The present there are multiple competing factions. For instance, Hadja Bainon Karon 's faction supported peace deal in 2012, after Nur Misuari had criticized it. There was also a case of defections of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters to MNLF. As of 14 August 2015 , the current chairman of the group is uncertain and the sources, including Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Philippine Government, disagree. Nur Misuari still has support among some of
2928-423: The province currently administers after the national midterm elections on May 13, 2019. Cotabato now comprises the capital city of Kidapawan and 25 municipalities. Cotabato covers a total area of 9,008.90 square kilometres (3,478.36 sq mi) occupying the northeastern tip of Region XII and is centrally located in Mindanao . It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon , on
2989-455: The province of North Cotabato will be cut into half, leaving three towns ( Banisilan , Alamada , and Libungan ) at its west without connection to the center of North Cotabato, isolating these towns in the process. The issue was partially resolved when the second part of the plebiscite was conducted on February 6, 2019, when 63 barangay from the towns of Pigkawayan , Libungan, Midsayap , Aleosan , Carmen , Banisilan and Pikit opted to join
3050-780: The regular elections for the Bangsamoro Parliament will be held in 2025. Under the Executive Council of 15 , they were part of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Yusop Jikiri and Muslimin Sema along with her wife, former Congresswoman Bai Sandra Sema supports the Bangsamoro Organic Law. After the enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, members of
3111-416: The respective local presidents of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), Philippine Councilors' League (PCL), and Sangguniang Kabataan ( SK ; "Youth Council"). The vice governor and regular members of an SP are elected by the voters within the province. Ex officio members are elected by members of their respective organizations. National intrusion into the affairs of each provincial government
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#17328698279643172-400: The revolutionary struggle for survival, self-determination , and success. The flag design is secular despite having a star and crescent, a symbol often associated with Islam. The flag has not been standardized and many variation exists regarding the scaling of elements in the flag. A variant, with a shahadah on the star and crescent exists. The flag was also used for the Bangsamoro Republik ,
3233-414: The second longest in the Philippines at 373 kilometres (232 mi), which rises in Bukidnon and flows south to Maguindanao and Illana Bay . The province's fertile plains are traversed by tributaries of this great river. Typhoons do not pass through Cotabato and rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. Cotabato comprises 25 municipalities and one city . However, 8 municipalities are under
3294-435: The security and socio-economic problems within Sulu. It also aims to resolve conflicts within Mindanao with the help of MNLF. It also serves as the coordinating committee with the Philippine Government. On August 12, 2022, Abdulkarim Misuari, Nurrheda Misuari along with 4 others have been appointed as Members of Parliament for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority under President Bongbong Marcos . The appointment lasts until
3355-426: The signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in Davao City . Duterte is also considering autonomy to be given to Misuari. Misuari also talked with Duterte about Federalism according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque . The OPAPP under the orders of President Duterte formed the GPH-MNLF Peace Coordinating Committee in order to fulfill the remaining parts of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement. It also tackles
3416-409: The town had gathered in their mosque to participate in a supposed peace talk with Christian groups when a group of armed men suspected to be part of the Ilaga militant group opened fire on them. On November 22, 1973, through Presidential Decree No. 341 , what remained of the old Cotabato was further divided into the provinces of North Cotabato , Maguindanao , and Sultan Kudarat . North Cotabato
3477-399: Was either ignorant or tolerated the illicit arms shipments, mainly from the Middle East, flowing into Mindanao that fueled the insurgency. The founder and one of disputed leaders of the MNLF is Nur Misuari . The MNLF was founded as a splinter group of the Muslim Independence Movement on October 21, 1972. MNLF officially claims that its ideology is egalitarianism , and the organization
3538-476: Was established by the Spaniards in 1893 as they continued their conquest of the remnants of Maguindanao Sultanate , which would soon be the site of one of the province's oldest towns, Pikit . The coming of the Americans ushered in the creation of the Moro Province on July 15, 1903, through Act No. 787 of the Philippine Commission . Cotabato, covering what are now the provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao , Sultan Kudarat , South Cotabato and Sarangani , became
3599-419: Was in the making. According to the agreements signed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Administration of Noynoy Aquino, Carmen will be included in Bangsamoro because of the two out of twenty-eight barangays that voted in favor of joining the Muslim region back in 2001. Unfortunately, Bangsamoro was not implemented before the term of Aquino ended. Despite this, the current administration aims to establish
3660-399: Was introduced to the Maguindanaos in the late 15th century by Sharif Muhammad Kabungsuan , a Johorean Malay Muslim noble and missionary of Arab descent. Sharif Kabungsuan invaded Malabang in 1475, facing armed resistance from the principality, nevertheless successfully vanquishing and subjugating it to his Islamic rule through the employment of Samal forces. Cotabato became the capital of
3721-409: Was later renamed Cotabato through Batas Pambansa Blg. 660 approved on March 7, 1984. By the aftermath of the plebiscite to form the autonomous administrative region of Bangsamoro in February 2019, 63 barangays from Cotabato's western municipalities, all of which inhabited mostly by Muslim natives, opted to join the newly formed region. This will result in the reduction of the number of barangays
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