BEYOND SULU SEA
O. S. Miharbi

 

The Martyrdom Of Feruza

       NOT BEYOND SULU SEA but within the blue ocean’s southernmost part lies a group of exotic islands, which became the center of civilization before the advent of the piratical Spanish expedition in the early 1500s.

       The Bangsamoro Sultanate State of Lupah Sug comprised then of the group of islands belonging to presently known Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Its political and moral authority as well as influence extended to the islands of Basilan, Palawan, Sabah and mainland Zamboanga as well as far beyond.

       Thus, when the contemporary Bangsamoro people’s liberation struggle was launched by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to decolonise Mindanao after 22 years from its illegal annexation by the American-created Philippine State, Lupah Sug served the base of the struggle. In turn, Sulu (Turkish word for watery land) also was the main target of “pulverization” by the Philippine military.


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