During the last years of British rule in North Borneo, both seafarers and coastal settlements suffered a high numbers of attacks from pirates who were believed to be mainly based on Tawi-Tawi.
Selama tahun terakhir pemerintahan Inggris di Borneo Utara, baik pelaut dan permukiman pesisir mengalami tingginya jumlah serangan dari bajak laut yang diyakini berasal pada Tawi-Tawi.