Maguindanao History
Profile of Maguindanao Province (Geography)
Location –> Central Mindanao (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Region), Philippines (See map below)
Neighboring Provinces –> Maguindano Del Norte, Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat
Capital –> Buluan
Area –> 4,871.60 km2 (1,880.94 sq mi)
Population –> 1,173,933 (2015 census)
Terrain –> Flat land and marsh land with some mountains on the southwestern section of the province
Industries –> Agriculture
Major Products –> Rice, corn, banana, coconut
People/Language –> Maguindanao
Government Officials
Go here to see the elected provincial officials of Maguindanao Del Sur.
Municipalities (Towns) –> (24) Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, General Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, South Upi, Sultan sa Barongis, and Talayan
Maguindanao History
Maguindanao Del Sur was formerly part of the huge and undivided Cotabato province. On November 22, 1973, the old Cotabato was split into the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat through through Presidential Decree No. 341 issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos.
The new province of Maguindanao first gained separate representation in the Batasang Pambansa (National Legislture) in 1984 with the election of Simeon A. Datumanong and Salipada K. Pendatun as Mambabatas Pambansa (MP).
On October 31, 2006, the people of Maguindanao voted to divide their own province into two, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201 passed by the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly. However, the Supreme Court of the Philippines decided that the law was unconstitutional for only the Philippine Congress has the power to create a province.
Maguindanao has a history of violence. In 2000, the province experienced intense fighting between the Philippine Military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) culminating in the capture of Camp Abubakar located in the vicinity of Barira municipality. On November 23, 2009, fifty-seven people were killed, including governatorial candidate ESmael Mangudadatu’s wife and sisters, supporters, local journalists, and bystanders in the so-called Maguindanao massacre. On January 25, 2015, 44 members of the Special Action Force were killed in what is now termed as “Mamasapano Clash” between members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
On May 21, 2021, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11550 which divided Maguindo into del Norte and del Sur with Maguindanao del Sur inheriting the former provincial government.
Read the history of Maguindanao Del Sur in Tagalog here.
Economy of Maguindanao Province
The people of Maguindanao depend largely on agriculture for their livelihood. Farming rice and corn in addition to the raising of chicken are the main economic activities in the province.
RELATED: Profile of Bohol Province
See also: List of Philippine Provinces and Capital by Region
Map of Province