00:44.9
The tragic first battle of Budaho, also known as the Mora Crater Massacre.
00:49.4
So without further ado, let's begin. Let's dig deeper into our people's untold history.
00:54.7
Picture Budaho, once a tranquil refuge, later the backdrop of unspeakable tragedy.
00:59.3
Today, we explore this stark transformation.
01:02.5
A narrative rich in courage, loss, and the undying spirit of resistance.
01:07.2
Budaho, rising above Holo Island, is more than just a mountain.
01:11.1
With its lush green slopes, Budaho is a peaceful giant standing tall against the sky.
01:16.3
You know, this place, with its deep forests and hidden paths, was once a safe haven for the indigenous Tausug people.
01:22.0
Throughout their history, they found peace and protection here, away from the troubles of the world.
01:26.0
It held a great importance because of its location.
01:29.3
This mountain, with its breathtaking views and strategic importance, was a symbol of safety and resistance.
01:36.2
It tells us of a story about a community, their connection to the land, their strength, and their struggle for peace in a turbulent time.
01:44.1
Okay, now for some background, let's look at the seeds of the conflict.
01:47.3
In the lush landscapes of Sulu and Mindanao, a story of resistance and struggle unfolded.
01:52.3
It was a time when the Philippines, you know, freshly under American rule after the Spanish-American War,
01:57.5
found its new rulers eager to invade.
01:59.5
It was a time when the Philippines, you know, freshly under American rule after the Spanish-American War,
02:01.7
found its new rulers eager to invade.
02:01.9
The diverse indigenous Muslim communities in the southern islands of Sulu and Mindanao.
02:06.7
The Moros, known for their fierce independence, stood against the tide of American colonization,
02:11.9
marking the beginning of a deep-rooted conflict with its impact still being felt to this very day.
02:17.2
Now unknown to many, despite centuries of Spanish colonization and conquest in the Philippines,
02:22.4
the regions of Sulu and Mindanao remained steadfastly independent.
02:27.3
And this is thanks to the fierce resistance of the Moros.
02:29.3
Their resilience against colonialism persisted until the Philippine-American War,
02:34.9
marking the beginning of American conquest and a new chapter of struggle for the Moros,
02:40.4
who fought to maintain their sovereignty and way of life.
02:43.4
Now back to Sulu, Buddaho, a dormant volcano in Holo, became more than just a natural landmark.
02:49.3
It was a fortress for the indigenous Tausug people, a community caught in the crossfares of imperial ambition.
02:55.1
Here in Buddaho, amidst the dense jungles and steep slopes,
02:59.3
people sought refuge.
03:00.6
It was a safe haven from the encroaching forces of a foreign power.
03:04.1
And their stance was clear.
03:05.5
It was not one of aggression, but of a determined plea for peace
03:09.5
and the right to live freely on their ancestral land.
03:12.7
But sadly, peace was far from reach.
03:15.0
The American military under General Leonard Wood viewed the Moros' resistance as a challenge to their authority.
03:20.6
You know, words like extermination began to surface, a chilling prelude to the violence that was to come.
03:26.4
The Tausug people who sought refuge in Buddaho were,
03:29.4
merely seeking to protect their homes and their way of life.
03:32.6
But sadly, they found themselves branded as rebels by the Americans.
03:37.0
And their peaceful sanctuary in the crater of Buddaho was suddenly on the brink of becoming a battleground.
03:42.7
This was a seed of conflict sown on the slopes of Buddaho,
03:45.8
where American imperialist policies collided with the unwavering spirit of the indigenous Tausug people.
03:52.1
A tale not just of confrontation, but of the enduring struggle for dignity, identity, and liberation.
03:59.3
As we dive deeper into the heart of Holo, we find Buddaho, a silent guardian rising above.
04:05.0
This mountain, once a shield against invaders, became a refuge for the indigenous Tausug people under the new threat of American imperialism.
04:12.8
Now imagine families, their lives woven into the fabric of this land,
04:16.6
seeking solace in the crater of Buddaho from the storm of American colonization.
04:20.9
The indigenous Tausug, known for their strength, courage, and deep connection to the sea,
04:25.1
found themselves at odds with imperialist policies and practices alien,
04:29.3
to their way of life.
04:30.5
They sought not conflict, but the freedom to live on their own terms,
04:34.2
in the lands of their ancestors.
04:36.3
Now Buddaho, with its dense forests and hidden paths,
04:38.7
has for centuries promised safety.
04:40.7
It was a place to continue their traditions undisturbed.
04:44.2
Now enter General Leonard Wood and the American military,
04:48.0
viewing the Tausug Sanctuary in Buddaho not as a plea for peace,
04:53.0
but as a defiance that needed to be crushed.
04:56.7
To the Americans, the mountain's embrace was,
04:59.3
seen as a rebellion, needing stern suppression.
05:02.8
A rebellion that must be quelled at all cost.
05:05.9
They need to be exterminated, the Americans said,
05:08.8
setting the stage for a confrontation that would echo through history.
05:13.0
Now unknown to many, the Tausug stand in Buddaho was more than just a fight for territory.
05:17.7
It was a struggle for identity, for the right to decide their destiny.
05:21.6
In the shadow of Buddaho, two worlds collided.
05:24.7
One fighting to preserve their indigenous culture,
05:27.3
and the other pushing to expand.
05:28.9
It's imperialism, igniting tensions that would lead to a tragic crescendo.
05:34.8
By the way, if you are new to my channel,
05:36.7
in this channel, I make videos about our people's history,
05:39.7
cultures, and everything in between.
05:41.6
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05:44.2
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05:48.0
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05:51.4
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05:55.5
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05:57.9
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05:58.9
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06:01.0
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06:02.4
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06:03.3
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06:05.4
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06:07.3
Every bit of support is very much appreciated.
06:09.8
Now back to our topic, what exactly happened in the crater of Buddaho?
06:13.9
As dawn broke over Hulo, the tranquility of Buddaho was about to be shattered.
06:18.4
American troops under the command of General Leonard Wood
06:21.2
began their silent ascent towards the crater,
06:23.9
a place where nearly a thousand indigenous Tausug villagers had sought refuge.
06:28.0
These were people who were not yet able to escape from the crater.
06:28.5
These were people who were not yet able to escape from the crater.
06:28.6
These were people who were not yet able to escape from the crater.
06:28.6
These were people who were not yet able to escape from the crater.
06:28.7
These were people who had chosen peace over conflict,
06:31.7
cultivating their crops and living in harmony with the land they called home.
06:36.2
The American military viewed Buddaho not just as a strategic challenge,
06:40.7
but as a symbol of defiance against their authority.
06:44.3
And as mentioned earlier, the mountain's rugged terrain,
06:46.8
with its steep slopes and dense forest,
06:49.0
made it a fortress in the truest sense.
06:51.5
But unknown to the Americans,
06:52.9
the indigenous Tausug people had an intricate network of trails,
06:56.7
a testament to their deep connection,
06:58.7
which allowed them to move freely, undetected,
07:02.8
and to keep their sanctuary safe.
07:05.0
But on the morning of March 5, 1906,
07:07.7
the element of surprise was in the air.
07:10.3
The Americans, equipped with heavy artillery,
07:13.0
approached from all sides,
07:14.7
ready to launch an assault that would go down in history for its sheer brutality.
07:19.5
Sadly, the Tausug, unaware of the impending attack,
07:22.5
found themselves encircled and trapped,
07:24.9
their sanctuary about to become a battleground.
07:28.3
being one of the 900 indigenous villagers in Buddaho
07:31.7
looking up as an army,
07:33.2
you know, armed with heavy artillery,
07:35.0
surrounds their sanctuary from above.
07:37.2
This moment of reflection brings us to the heart of the conflict,
07:41.4
where the two worlds collided.
07:43.0
One fighting for control and power,
07:45.0
and the other fighting for the right to exist peacefully
07:48.1
on their own ancestral land.
07:50.3
And if we think about it,
07:51.3
the siege of Buddaho was more than just a military operation.
07:54.7
It was a clash of ideologies,
07:56.8
a clash of cultures,
07:58.4
a clash between an ambitious empire against the indigenous people.
08:02.8
As the sun rose on March 7th,
08:04.8
the silence of Buddaho was pierced by the first shots
08:08.2
of what would become one of the darkest days in our history.
08:12.2
The American forces positioned around the crater's rim,
08:15.4
you know, up above the villagers,
08:17.1
began their assault on the unsuspecting Tausug villagers below.
08:21.1
Sadly, within moments,
08:22.9
the peaceful sanctuary of Buddaho turned into a scene of bloodbath,
08:26.6
a scene of gruesome,
08:28.5
unimaginable horror.
08:30.0
The Americans had prepared for a decisive strike.
08:33.9
Underestimating the indigenous Tausug's resolve
08:36.2
to protect their homes and families,
08:38.3
the air filled with the sound of gunfire
08:40.4
and the cries of the innocent,
08:42.1
men, women, and children,
08:43.8
none were spared in the chaos that ensued.
08:46.1
The battle quickly turned into a massacre,
08:48.7
with the indigenous defenders outnumbered and outgunned,
08:51.9
yet fighting valiantly against the overwhelming might of their attackers.
08:56.1
Eyewitness accounts and historical records
08:57.8
paint a grim picture of the two days that followed.
09:01.4
The once vibrant community inside the crater was decimated,
09:05.4
its people subjected to indiscriminate killing.
09:08.4
The ground, soaked with the blood of innocent civilians,
09:11.5
bore witness to the cruelty of the conflict,
09:14.7
the cruelty of imperialism.
09:16.7
Official records reported that the battle was fought
09:19.3
with prodigious energy on both sides,
09:21.4
a glorified report assuming that it was,
09:24.0
as General Leonard would claim it to be,
09:25.9
a dangerous armed rebellion.
09:27.4
But the truth of the matter remains,
09:29.3
it was not an armed rebellion.
09:31.9
the indigenous Tausug encampment in Budahol
09:34.1
was an act of resistance,
09:35.8
an act of survival,
09:37.3
a seemingly harmless act
09:38.9
that got into the nerves of the American general.
09:41.8
General Leonard Wood himself was present at Budahol
09:44.6
and ordered his men to kill or capture the 900,
09:48.0
calling them savages.
09:49.6
They made no distinction nor consideration
09:52.0
for the innocent women, children, and the elderly.
09:54.7
Using bayonets and 19th century machine guns,
09:57.4
the Americans charged down on the surviving villagers.
10:00.7
They slaughtered the people of Budahol one by one.
10:03.8
Snipers targeted and shot down moral defenders from afar,
10:07.6
while those charging down the civilians below
10:09.8
slashed their bodies into pieces.
10:11.9
Like slashing down weeds and bushes,
10:14.2
the people of Budahol were mowed down
10:16.0
to make way for American rule.
10:17.9
The indigenous Tausug, known for their bravery,
10:20.5
fought with everything they had,
10:22.3
you know, from the traditional weapons
10:23.6
to sheer determination.
10:24.8
But sadly, the advantage of modern,
10:27.4
heavy artillery was insurmountable.
10:29.8
Now, in the wake of Budahol,
10:31.2
photographs of the gruesome massacre
10:33.2
unveiled the tragedy's depth,
10:35.0
steering a divided American public
10:37.0
and challenging justifications of the battle.
10:40.2
Yet, this story transcends conflict,
10:43.0
embodying the indigenous Tausug people's
10:45.5
profound resilience.
10:47.0
And although met with adversity,
10:48.7
their stand against imperialism
10:50.5
to protect their people
10:51.6
shines as a testament to their indomitable spirit
10:54.4
and a beacon of their unwavering commitment
10:58.0
Now, before we continue,
10:59.9
I just want to give a special shoutout
11:01.3
and a heartfelt thank you
11:02.5
to the Sulu Cultural and Historical Society
11:04.9
and to the University of the Philippines
11:06.9
Institute of Islamic Studies.
11:08.8
You know, for all your hard work
11:10.0
in uplifting the history and the culture of our people.
11:13.3
Magsukultuod kay mo.
11:14.8
Now, back to our topic,
11:16.2
what exactly happened in the aftermath
11:18.2
of the massacre in Budahol?
11:20.7
Now, in the wake of the harrowing events
11:22.3
or the massacre at Budahol,
11:23.9
the American imperialist narrative
11:25.6
sought to justify the massacre,
11:27.4
as a necessary action against rebellion.
11:30.7
Despite the fact that
11:31.9
the villagers at Budahol were peaceful.
11:34.3
Despite the fact that
11:35.5
they were not rebels.
11:36.9
They were simply seeking refuge
11:38.6
away from the Philippine-American war.
11:40.9
Away from the bloodshed
11:42.3
brought about by the American conquest of the Philippines.
11:45.4
And this rationale,
11:46.6
which in the modern day is basically,
11:48.8
labeling the peaceful indigenous villagers
11:51.3
as rebellious terrorists,
11:53.4
was steeped in the era's prevalent racism.
11:57.4
to acknowledge the profound injustice
11:59.9
inflicted on the indigenous Tausug people.
12:03.1
Now, this tragedy sparked outrage
12:05.5
among notable figures in America,
12:09.0
who vehemently criticized the imperialist actions,
12:12.4
underscoring the moral dissonance
12:14.4
between the ideals of liberty
12:16.3
and the reality of oppression.
12:18.8
Amid the outcry over the Moro Crater Massacre,
12:21.6
W.E.B. Du Bois stood as a loud vocal critic
12:24.4
against the imperialist actions
12:26.3
of the United States.
12:28.7
a central figure in the struggle
12:30.4
for African-American civil rights,
12:32.6
was particularly struck by the photograph
12:34.9
capturing the massacre's aftermath.
12:37.1
He found it not just shocking,
12:39.0
but profoundly revealing.
12:40.7
He described this haunting image
12:42.2
as the most illuminating he's ever seen,
12:44.7
a haunting testament to the massacre's brutality.
12:48.1
Du Bois considered making this haunting image
12:50.8
a permanent fixture in his classroom
12:53.1
to starkly convey the grim realities of imperialism.
12:56.5
The grim realities of imperialism
12:56.9
The grim realities of imperialism
12:57.0
The grim realities of imperialism
12:57.1
The grim realities of imperialism
12:57.1
The grim realities of imperialism
12:57.2
The grim realities of imperialism
12:57.4
The grim realities of wars of conquest
12:59.0
The grim realities of wars of conquest
12:59.1
The grim realities of wars of conquest
13:00.1
Du Bois' perspective emphasizes
13:02.2
the importance of solidarity,
13:04.6
the importance of moral and intellectual resistance
13:07.7
in confronting the injustices
13:10.0
brought by American imperialism.
13:12.1
His reaction underscores
13:14.0
a broader, deeply felt opposition
13:16.4
to imperialist endeavors,
13:18.3
highlighting the moral
13:20.0
and the intellectual resistance
13:21.8
against the injustices
13:23.4
of American expansionism.
13:26.4
this was not part of the original video.
13:27.2
This was not part of the original video.
13:29.2
after the massacre,
13:30.2
despite the fact that we now have
13:31.6
this gruesome picture of the aftermath,
13:34.2
General Leonard Wood
13:35.1
actually tried to burn
13:36.6
all of the evidence,
13:37.9
all of the photographs
13:38.9
that exposes the gruesome
13:40.9
and brutality of the massacre.
13:43.1
they tried their hardest
13:44.2
to eliminate any evidence,
13:46.7
anything that would expose
13:48.1
how bad, you know,
13:49.2
how bloody and gruesome
13:50.5
this massacre was
13:52.3
and peaceful innocent villagers.
13:54.9
And another thing
13:55.5
I forgot to mention earlier
13:59.0
General Leonard Wood
14:00.0
actually got orders
14:01.3
from Washington, D.C.,
14:03.3
from the White House itself
14:11.8
the innocent people
14:15.8
99% of the people
14:17.5
living in Budahol
14:18.4
were brutally massacred.
14:21.9
and men and the elderly
14:23.8
indiscriminately.
14:24.9
If one were to even imagine,
14:26.8
within just one and a half day,
14:28.5
an entire village
14:29.6
of freedom-loving
14:30.7
indigenous people
14:32.6
in one of the worst acts
14:35.4
of the United States
14:36.6
and the Philippines.
14:37.7
Yet those who insisted
14:39.6
such unnecessary bloodshed
14:44.8
General Leonard Wood,
14:45.8
despite the shame
14:46.7
of being the mastermind
14:48.8
would be promoted
14:54.0
he served as the governor
14:55.1
of the entire Philippines.
14:57.6
the massacre at Budahol
14:58.6
marked one of the lowest points
15:01.1
of American imperialism.
15:02.8
And along with the rape
15:03.6
of a palate in Pampanga
15:05.6
and the atrocities
15:06.7
surrounding the Balangiga Massacre
15:08.2
in Samar in 1901,
15:10.1
the senseless bloodshed
15:12.1
upon the people of Budahol
15:13.6
remains largely forgotten
15:15.1
in our mainstream consciousness.
15:18.5
in the slightest way,
15:19.7
absolutely necessary
15:21.6
tactical military victory
15:23.3
over the islands.
15:24.5
But they were indeed
15:27.9
and in decimating
15:28.9
the indomitable spirit
15:29.9
of the indigenous people.
15:31.8
Battle of Budahol
15:32.9
revealed one of the worst
15:34.2
face of American presence
15:35.6
in the Philippines.
15:37.9
the Americans used
15:38.7
against the Moros
15:39.5
were soaked in pig's blood.
15:41.1
It was their intention
15:42.0
not just to harm the Moros,
15:43.6
but also to humiliate
15:48.3
The legacy of Budahol
15:49.6
is a somber reminder
15:50.7
of the long-term effects
15:53.0
has on communities
15:54.3
like Sulu and Mindanao.
15:55.6
The indigenous Tausug people
15:56.8
people's resilience
15:58.5
of continuous struggle
16:00.8
of their enduring spirit
16:02.1
and the importance
16:03.1
of remembering Budahol
16:04.6
as more than just
16:05.5
a footnote in history,
16:07.1
but as a testament
16:08.7
of acknowledging our past,
16:10.6
no matter how uncomfortable,
16:13.2
the lessons learned
16:15.9
and empathetic understanding
16:19.6
And as we reflect
16:20.4
on the echoes of Budahol,
16:22.4
the cause of freedom
16:23.4
and the price of silence.
16:29.0
of the continuous journey
16:30.5
towards acknowledging
16:32.5
the wrongs of history.
16:34.0
And if you think about it,
16:35.3
the massacre at Budahol
16:37.2
a chapter of the past,
16:38.9
but it's a continuous narrative
16:44.5
that such tragedies
16:45.8
are never forgotten
16:48.1
In the echoes of Budahol,
16:51.5
far beyond its time,
16:54.5
today's global struggles.
16:57.0
historical bloodshed
16:59.5
of the brutal impact
17:01.6
and the dehumanization
17:05.5
the echoes of the past
17:06.6
resonate in the present day,
17:10.0
of the Palestinian people
17:11.5
trapped in the midst
17:13.9
Just as the people of Sulu
17:15.4
endured the humanization
17:16.9
in their homeland,
17:19.7
the relentless burden
17:23.2
The heart-wrenching devastation
17:25.4
of innocent lives
17:26.1
whether in Budahol
17:29.4
to advocate for justice
17:31.7
for lasting peace.
17:33.2
Remembering Budahol
17:34.3
is not just about
17:35.2
honoring the past,
17:36.3
but it's a call to action,
17:37.7
a call for empathy,
17:39.1
a call for understanding
17:42.5
in our world today.
17:45.4
from the resilience
17:46.4
witnessed at Budahol
17:47.8
and the solidarity
17:49.8
in its aftermath.
17:50.9
Let us draw inspiration
17:53.0
against oppression.
17:54.5
together we must carry forward
17:56.6
of the indigenous
17:58.4
not in the spirit
18:00.4
but with a commitment
18:01.5
to forging a world
18:03.1
that genuinely honors
18:06.2
deserved by every soul.
18:08.6
Because honestly,
18:09.8
whether we reflect
18:11.6
and the bloodshed
18:14.5
or on the ongoing
18:19.5
no matter our religion,
18:21.4
regardless of our ethnicity,
18:26.1
and lasting peace.
18:27.8
Because no matter
18:28.5
where we are in the world,
18:29.8
we need to ensure
18:30.7
that such tragedies
18:32.5
must never be repeated.
18:35.7
but if you want to deepen
18:36.5
your understanding
18:37.3
about today's topic,
18:38.4
check out my book
18:39.0
Black Lives and Brown Freedom,
18:40.5
untold histories of war,
18:43.1
And in this book,
18:43.8
I have an entire chapter
18:44.8
dedicated to the Battle
18:47.6
forgotten chapters
18:48.4
of the Philippine-American War,
18:52.4
like the Rape of a Palate
18:53.8
and the Balangiga Massacre
18:56.6
Your support for the book
18:57.6
will also support
18:58.3
my continued research
19:00.9
our people's untold histories.
19:02.7
So make sure to check out
19:04.2
to order your copies today.
19:05.8
Dakal pong salamat.
19:07.7
one last thing before I go,
19:09.1
thank you to all my patrons,
19:11.0
and viewers like you
19:11.8
throughout these years.
19:12.9
Your unwavering support
19:14.0
and love throughout these years
19:17.3
Maraming maraming salamat po
19:18.8
or in Kapampangan,
19:19.8
dakal pong salamat
19:20.8
and in Bahasa Sug,
19:21.9
magsukultuod kayo.
19:23.5
See you next time
19:25.7
and in Kapampangan,
19:27.7
and in Bahasa Sug,
