Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-08
MINDANAo SLAVERY.
Revival Of Activity of Slave Traders
on the Island.


From the Mindanao Herald
More slave traders have been at work
again In this district. this time in the VIII
iage of Ptacan, short distance south OF
Port Santa Maria. Three Moros arrived at
the village in vinta one morning and in
quired of man named Butus, who, with
his two small children, was standing near
the shore, If they could buy some buyo
(betel nut in the village, and, receiving an
affirmative reply, brought their vinta up on
the beach and came ashore. AS soon as
they landed, two rushed upon Butus and
held him while the third member of the
party seized the children and forced them
to get into the vinta.
Butus struggled with his captors and
tried to draw his bolo, but the Moros held
him tight and threatened to kill him If he
did not drop his weapon, which he finally
did. The two Moros then released him,
and running down to the water jumped
into the vinta, which had been made ready
by the third Moro, and pushed off. Butus
ran into the house and obtained a spear
and then ran after the Moros, but they
were then too far away for him to reach
them.
His arrival had the effect of diverting
their attention from their two captives
and the little boy, taking advantage of his
opportunity, jumped overheard and swan
ashore. The little girl, being too young to
help herself in this matter, was forced to
remain in the vinta, which proceeded in the
direction of Jolo, from which place it is
supposed these Moros came
Similar cases have occurred before at
P1acan and other places along the coast
OF Zamboanga, the perpetrators in every
case being Joloanos, who make regular
business of stealing children and selling
them into slavery.
Rajah Muda Mandi, to whom the case
was reported by the father Immediately
informed Governor Finley of the facts. The
r6n iryh1 fv,1i 1tnn.rt
the matter. AS is well known, this highly
civilized Moro has prohibited slavery
throughout his dominions, and the fact
that the Joloanos had invaded his territory
ADDED fuel to his anger. By direction Of
Governor Finley he instituted a search for
the missing child and the authorities have
been directed to lend every assistance in
their power.
at Masingluc. came into town and COM
planned to Governor Finley that he had
gone to the village of Labuansulu on We'd
nesday night. for the purpose of bringing
his sister, Adjilia, and her husband, Sa-
dian. Kalibugan, with him to Masingluc.
and Salip Abdullah the head man of that
place, refused to allow them to leave Civ
ing as reason that the weather was not
favorable for trip of that kind. The real
cause of his refusal was that Abdullah
claims Sadian his slave, having paid
80 pesos for him about five years ago to
Orang Caya Urang who resides at Cubuan.
Sandican managed to smuggle his sister
away with him. but could not get Sadian,
who, however, managed to make his escape
later and came to Masingluc
Governor Finley has sent messengers to
Salfp Abdullah and Orang Caya Urang de-
handing their presence at his office, and
the matter will probably be adjusted
On the whole slavery in this region, If
1t be compared with the system in
other countries, will appear exceedingly
mild. Master and slave usually live in the
same house, eat the same food and exist on
he same plane. Undoubtedly many of the
'orn servants in this region prefer the easy
life they lead in the house of stron.
fish for them, to the struggle for existence
that would follow their liberation.
Slavery is not merely an institution: it is
also stage Of evolution, and many of the
slaves of this region are yet at the low
stage of development at which the mild
slavery in which they live suits them bet
ter than freedom.
hcult problem, being a religious institu-
tlon Speaking on this subject, one of the
most Intelligent dattos said:
fo our government can take away our
slaves; our own religion teaches that 1t IA
wrong to ensiave Mohammedans; but po-
lygamy, on the contrary is a part Of our
religion. and the government ought to leave
1t alone.'
Laws passed with the intent of abolish
Ing 1t would only make matters worse If
anything could precipitate a fight between
these tribes and the Americans, such laws
would do so. and after the tumult was over
the institution would survive, active.
Ing majority of these people are mon
ogamous already. The number of men
supporting more than one wife in all this
district, is only about forty or forty-five.