| When the Americans tried to extend their control in the south, the Muslims fiercely resisted. In 1906, General Leonard Wood led his troops to Jolo where the battle in Mt. Dajo took place. In March 9,1906 600 Muslim men, women and children were killed. The whole town fought hard but the forces of the Americans were much too strong. The Americans lost 18 soldiers and 52 were wounded compared to the 600 casualties. There could have been other ways to force them to surrender. They could have just wounded and taken the people as hostages. The only weapons that the Muslims had were swords and daggers against the modern weapons of the Americans. It was reported that the women, too, were armed and were killed in hand-to-hand fighting (such bravery). But imagine the children, helpless and afraid. |
| MORO MASSACRE |
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| The President, it is true, speaks of it as "a most gallant act and soldiery feat," performed "in a way that confers added credit on the American army, and one that entitles the soldiers to 'the heartiest admiration and praise of all those of their fellow citizens who are glad to see the honor of the flag upheld by the courage of the men who wearing the American uniform." (Killing Women and Children in Jolo - Literary Digest 32, March 24,1906) |
| Anti-Imperialist movements adamantly condemned this act and called it a horrible massacre and an assassination. Nothing could ever vindicate such action. This is a battle that has long been forgotten by many. But I plead to my fellow Filipinos to remember our brave Muslim countrymen who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom. |
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| But Gen. Wood had an explanation to this. He reasoned that they were just exterminating "Moro bandits" who were fanatically fighting to death. Moro bandits? People who fought to stay free were simply called bandits! This act was even justified by calling them "murdering Malays" by some papers. |