In 1862 Mohammed Pulalun, who had been sultan since 1844, was followed by his son, Jamalul Alam. Alam proved to be an able 

administrator, and he introduced several reforms. 


In 1876, Sulu was finally occupied by Governor-general Malcampo, who used some 9000 troops and considerable artillery in besieging the well-fortified town of 

Jolo. The use of steamboats, against which the Moro vintas proved ineffective, made it possible to stop the importation of guns and ammunition by the Sulus, The 

Sulus fought to a finish, but they were overwhelmed by the invaders. Not only Jolo, but almost all the other important fortified places were destroyed. 


Jolo was occupied by a garrison consisting of two regiments of infantry, one company of artillery, and one company of engineers, under the command of Captain P. 

Cervera, who was designated as politico-military governor of Sulu. Cervera fortified Jolo. He was succeeded on December 31, 1876, by Brigadier-general Jose 

Paulin, the second governor of Sulu. 


For one year, 1877 to 1878, the Moros constantly made attempts to overcome the Spanish garrison but were always defeated. Moros became juramentado almost daily, 

and the garrison suffered considerably. 


Colonel Carlos Martinez was appointed governor of Sulu on September 28, 1877. He concluded a treaty of peace, the last that was drawn between Spain and Sulu. 

This treaty was fairly well observed. It was recognized by other nations, and with it their interference came to an end. Governor Martinez enlarged the town of 

Jolo and established a hospital. 


In 1878 Sultan Jamalul Alam ceded (some accounts noted this as leased) the remaining Sulu possessions in Borneo to the Sabah North Borneo Company in consideration of a yearly subsidy of 5000 Mexican pesos. In the same year Sulu became a part of the new administrative division of Mindanao and Sulu. 


Colonel Rafael Gonzales de Rivera became the fourth governor of Sulu on February 3, 1880. During his administration the Spanish forces were several times 

attacked by disaffected parties. But General La Corte, with the cooperation of the sultan and the datus, defeated and punished the disturbers. In 1881 La Corte 

completed the walls for the defense of Jolo. 


On the death of Jamalul Alam, Badarud Din III became sultan in April, 1881. Badarud was the first sultan to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Colonel 

Isidro G. Soto was appointed governor on November 15, 1881, and was relieved on June 2, 1882, by Colonel Eduardo Fernarndez Bremon. Before Colonel Soto's term 

expired, Bongao and Siasi were garrisoned.


The disturbances which marked the term of Colonel Bremon were put to an end by General Paulin and by Colonel Julian Gonzailez Parrado. Colonel Parrado, who 

became governor in August, 1882, showed unusual vigor and punished districts where juramientados - Moros sworn to die killing Christians had succeeded in 

dispatching several soldiers. He constructed a cement market place, established a water system, and made Jolo an open port. 


On the death of Badarud Din on Feruary 22, 1884, the succession to the sultanate was contested by Raja Muda Amirul Kiram of the house of Jamalul 

Kiram I, by Datu Aliyud Din of the house of Shakirul Lah, and by Datu Iarun ar-Rashid. Datu Harun, not having a direct claim to the throne, withdrew his candidacy and went to Palawan. Datu Aliyud Din, with headquarters at Patikul, went so far as to proclaim himself Sultan, and then attacked 

Amirul Kiram at Maimbung. Amirul Kiram had the greater following, and after considerable fighting Aliyud Din fled to Basilan. 


Governor Parrado was relieved by Colonel Francisco Castilla, who was succeeded by Colonel Juan Arolas in January, 1886. Arolas continued the work of sanitation 

and furthered public improvements with remarkable success. 


Amirul Kiram asked the Spanish government to recognize him as sultan, and Governor Arolas was directed to send him and Datu Harun, who was to be appointed sub-sultan, to Manila. Amirul Kiram, however, refused to go to Manila. Datu Harun went alone, and on the recommendation of Governor Arolas was 

recognized as sultan by Governor-general Terrero. 


Sultan Harun arrived at Jolo in October, 1886, and established his headquarters at Maubu. He was stoutly opposed by nearly all the datus, who supported Amirul Kiram, the logical heir to the sultanate. Sultan Harun and his followers, with the aid of Governor Arolas and the Spanish forces, waged war against Amirul Kiram 

and nearly all the datus. But he failed to receive recognition from the people as sultan, in spite of Governor Arolas' brilliant military achievements. 


Arolas' term ended in 1893. Among all the Spanish governors of Sulu, he had the longest and most eventful administration. He was relieved by Colonel Cesar 

Mattos, and the latter was soon replaced by General Venancio Hernarndez. Sultan Harun did not receive consistent support from Arolas' successors and was sent 

back to Palawan, where he died a few years afterward. 


Toward the end of 1893 Amirul Kiram finally received official recognition from the Spanish government as sultan, and assumed the name of Jamalul Kiram II. It is a comnon belief that his mother who was intelligent and had considerable influence, promised the governor to exact tribute from the people if 

her son should be appointed sultan. It is also said that Jamalul Kiram, unable to collect the tribute, paid P10,000 out of his own funds. 


Colonel Luis Huerta was the last Spanish governor of Sulu. Spain evacuated Sulu in May, 1899, when an American garrison relieved the Spanish garrison at Jolo. 


On August 20, 1899, General J. C. Bates concluded a treaty with Sultan Jamalul Kiram II. This treaty is known as the "Bates Agreement". Under it the sovereignty of the United States over Sulu was recognized. 


The Sulus have always made first-class fighting men, and among them every able-bodied man might act as either soldier or sailor. After the first 

occupation of Sulu in the sixteenth century, the Spanish garrisons were not strongly maintained, and Spain's influence was little felt beyond the limits of the 

town of Jolo. The datus and the people recognized no head other than the sultan. One hundred years before the time of Legaspi the Sulus had become fanatically 

Mohammedan. They maintained an independent state and had customs of their own. It was impossible and absurd to attempt to change their religion and character at one stroke. 


The Sulus always opposed the payment of tribute, and withstood any interference in their internal affairs. No effort worth mentioning was made by the 

Spanish government to transform them gradually. 


Evil was dealt with by evil. The governors, although some were good post commanders, were generally poor civil administrators, and they were frequently changed. No definite policy was ever pursued. No attempt was made to study local customs and peculiarities, and no governor could speak the dialect. The Sulus hated any foreign aggression, as was but natural, and Spain's final military victories were neutralized through the tenacity, valor, and patriotism of the Sulus.






-United States Colonies and Dependencies 
William D. Boyce, 1914 
-The Sulu Archipelago and its People 
Sixto Y. Orosa, 1931

The Decline of Sulu - A Brief History of the Throne of Sulu