What happens when a sanctuary becomes the scene of a harrowing massacre? In 1906, the Battle of Bud Dajô unfolded on the island of Sulu, Philippines. But it wasn't a battle – it was an unspeakable tragedy in the history. A chilling episode where almost 1,000 indigenous villagers were gruesomely massacred by the Americans. 🔔 Subscribe: http://goo.gl/yDgQmK 🎥 Be my Patron: https://www.patreon.com/kirbynoodle 📚 My books, ebooks, coloring books, merch etc. - https://www.kirbyaraullo.com/books Related Videos & Playlists: 🌏 Demystifying Southeast Asia: https://www.kirbyaraullo.com/seahistory 🔥 Philippine Revolutions & Independence: http://bit.ly/KalayaanPH 📜 “Who Really Owns Sabah?” Playlist - https://bit.ly/SabahHistory Salámat! ❤️💛💚 Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:54 Unveiling Bud Dajo 01:43 The Seeds of Conflict 03:58 Tension Rises 06:13 The Siege of Bud Dajo Begins 08:02 Day of the Massacre 09:15 Official Records? 10:17 The Tausug Warriors 10:57 Special Thanks & Shoutout 11:

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What happens when a sanctuary becomes a scene of a bloodbath, a harrowing massacre?

In 1906, the Battle of Budaho unfolded on the island of Sulu.

But it wasn't really a battle. It was a genocide.

A chilling episode where almost a thousand indigenous villagers were gruesomely massacred by the Americans.

An unspeakable tragedy in the history of what is now the Philippines.

But why is it that very few today have heard of this tragedy?

Mabuhay or in Kapampangan, Luwid kayo.

Welcome to my channel. It's me, Kirby Aralio, your friendly Pinoy historian.

And in today's video, we'll dive deep into a forgotten chapter of Philippine and American histories.

The tragic first battle of Budaho, also known as the Mora Crater Massacre.

So without further ado, let's begin. Let's dig deeper into our people's untold history.

Picture Budaho, once a tranquil refuge, later the backdrop of unspeakable tragedy.

Today, we explore this stark transformation.

A narrative rich in courage, loss, and the undying spirit of resistance.

Budaho, rising above Holo Island, is more than just a mountain.

With its lush green slopes, Budaho is a peaceful giant standing tall against the sky.

You know, this place, with its deep forests and hidden paths, was once a safe haven for the indigenous Tausug people.

Throughout their history, they found peace and protection here, away from the troubles of the world.

It held a great importance because of its location.

This mountain, with its breathtaking views and strategic importance, was a symbol of safety and resistance.

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.

Okay, now for some background, let's look at the seeds of the conflict.

In the lush landscapes of Sulu and Mindanao, a story of resistance and struggle unfolded.

It was a time when the Philippines, you know, freshly under American rule after the Spanish-American War,

found its new rulers eager to invade.

It was a time when the Philippines, you know, freshly under American rule after the Spanish-American War,

found its new rulers eager to invade.

The diverse indigenous Muslim communities in the southern islands of Sulu and Mindanao.

The Moros, known for their fierce independence, stood against the tide of American colonization,

marking the beginning of a deep-rooted conflict with its impact still being felt to this very day.

Now unknown to many, despite centuries of Spanish colonization and conquest in the Philippines,

the regions of Sulu and Mindanao remained steadfastly independent.

And this is thanks to the fierce resistance of the Moros.

Their resilience against colonialism persisted until the Philippine-American War,

marking the beginning of American conquest and a new chapter of struggle for the Moros,

who fought to maintain their sovereignty and way of life.

Now back to Sulu, Buddaho, a dormant volcano in Holo, became more than just a natural landmark.

It was a fortress for the indigenous Tausug people, a community caught in the crossfares of imperial ambition.

Here in Buddaho, amidst the dense jungles and steep slopes,

people sought refuge.

It was a safe haven from the encroaching forces of a foreign power.

And their stance was clear.

It was not one of aggression, but of a determined plea for peace

and the right to live freely on their ancestral land.

But sadly, peace was far from reach.

The American military under General Leonard Wood viewed the Moros' resistance as a challenge to their authority.

You know, words like extermination began to surface, a chilling prelude to the violence that was to come.

The Tausug people who sought refuge in Buddaho were,

merely seeking to protect their homes and their way of life.

But sadly, they found themselves branded as rebels by the Americans.

And their peaceful sanctuary in the crater of Buddaho was suddenly on the brink of becoming a battleground.

This was a seed of conflict sown on the slopes of Buddaho,

where American imperialist policies collided with the unwavering spirit of the indigenous Tausug people.

A tale not just of confrontation, but of the enduring struggle for dignity, identity, and liberation.

And as we know,

As we dive deeper into the heart of Holo, we find Buddaho, a silent guardian rising above.

This mountain, once a shield against invaders, became a refuge for the indigenous Tausug people under the new threat of American imperialism.

Now imagine families, their lives woven into the fabric of this land,

seeking solace in the crater of Buddaho from the storm of American colonization.

The indigenous Tausug, known for their strength, courage, and deep connection to the sea,

found themselves at odds with imperialist policies and practices alien,

to their way of life.

They sought not conflict, but the freedom to live on their own terms,

in the lands of their ancestors.

Now Buddaho, with its dense forests and hidden paths,

has for centuries promised safety.

It was a place to continue their traditions undisturbed.

Now enter General Leonard Wood and the American military,

viewing the Tausug Sanctuary in Buddaho not as a plea for peace,

but as a defiance that needed to be crushed.

To the Americans, the mountain's embrace was,

seen as a rebellion, needing stern suppression.

A rebellion that must be quelled at all cost.

They need to be exterminated, the Americans said,

setting the stage for a confrontation that would echo through history.

Now unknown to many, the Tausug stand in Buddaho was more than just a fight for territory.

It was a struggle for identity, for the right to decide their destiny.

In the shadow of Buddaho, two worlds collided.

One fighting to preserve their indigenous culture,

and the other pushing to expand.

It's imperialism, igniting tensions that would lead to a tragic crescendo.

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Now back to our topic, what exactly happened in the crater of Buddaho?

As dawn broke over Hulo, the tranquility of Buddaho was about to be shattered.

American troops under the command of General Leonard Wood

began their silent ascent towards the crater,

a place where nearly a thousand indigenous Tausug villagers had sought refuge.

These were people who were not yet able to escape from the crater.

These were people who were not yet able to escape from the crater.

These were people who were not yet able to escape from the crater.

These were people who were not yet able to escape from the crater.

These were people who had chosen peace over conflict,

cultivating their crops and living in harmony with the land they called home.

The American military viewed Buddaho not just as a strategic challenge,

but as a symbol of defiance against their authority.

And as mentioned earlier, the mountain's rugged terrain,

with its steep slopes and dense forest,

made it a fortress in the truest sense.

But unknown to the Americans,

the indigenous Tausug people had an intricate network of trails,

a testament to their deep connection,

which allowed them to move freely, undetected,

and to keep their sanctuary safe.

But on the morning of March 5, 1906,

the element of surprise was in the air.

The Americans, equipped with heavy artillery,

approached from all sides,

ready to launch an assault that would go down in history for its sheer brutality.

Sadly, the Tausug, unaware of the impending attack,

found themselves encircled and trapped,

their sanctuary about to become a battleground.

Now imagine,

being one of the 900 indigenous villagers in Buddaho

looking up as an army,

you know, armed with heavy artillery,

surrounds their sanctuary from above.

This moment of reflection brings us to the heart of the conflict,

where the two worlds collided.

One fighting for control and power,

and the other fighting for the right to exist peacefully

on their own ancestral land.

And if we think about it,

the siege of Buddaho was more than just a military operation.

It was a clash of ideologies,

a clash of cultures,

a clash between an ambitious empire against the indigenous people.

As the sun rose on March 7th,

the silence of Buddaho was pierced by the first shots

of what would become one of the darkest days in our history.

The American forces positioned around the crater's rim,

you know, up above the villagers,

began their assault on the unsuspecting Tausug villagers below.

Sadly, within moments,

the peaceful sanctuary of Buddaho turned into a scene of bloodbath,

a scene of gruesome,

unimaginable horror.

The Americans had prepared for a decisive strike.

Underestimating the indigenous Tausug's resolve

to protect their homes and families,

the air filled with the sound of gunfire

and the cries of the innocent,

men, women, and children,

none were spared in the chaos that ensued.

The battle quickly turned into a massacre,

with the indigenous defenders outnumbered and outgunned,

yet fighting valiantly against the overwhelming might of their attackers.

Eyewitness accounts and historical records

paint a grim picture of the two days that followed.

The once vibrant community inside the crater was decimated,

its people subjected to indiscriminate killing.

The ground, soaked with the blood of innocent civilians,

bore witness to the cruelty of the conflict,

the cruelty of imperialism.

Official records reported that the battle was fought

with prodigious energy on both sides,

a glorified report assuming that it was,

as General Leonard would claim it to be,

a dangerous armed rebellion.

But the truth of the matter remains,

it was not an armed rebellion.

If anything,

the indigenous Tausug encampment in Budahol

was an act of resistance,

an act of survival,

a seemingly harmless act

that got into the nerves of the American general.

General Leonard Wood himself was present at Budahol

and ordered his men to kill or capture the 900,

calling them savages.

They made no distinction nor consideration

for the innocent women, children, and the elderly.

Using bayonets and 19th century machine guns,

the Americans charged down on the surviving villagers.

They slaughtered the people of Budahol one by one.

Snipers targeted and shot down moral defenders from afar,

while those charging down the civilians below

slashed their bodies into pieces.

Like slashing down weeds and bushes,

the people of Budahol were mowed down

to make way for American rule.

The indigenous Tausug, known for their bravery,

fought with everything they had,

you know, from the traditional weapons

to sheer determination.

But sadly, the advantage of modern,

heavy artillery was insurmountable.

Now, in the wake of Budahol,

photographs of the gruesome massacre

unveiled the tragedy's depth,

steering a divided American public

and challenging justifications of the battle.

Yet, this story transcends conflict,

embodying the indigenous Tausug people's

profound resilience.

And although met with adversity,

their stand against imperialism

to protect their people

shines as a testament to their indomitable spirit

and a beacon of their unwavering commitment

to their rule.

Now, before we continue,

I just want to give a special shoutout

and a heartfelt thank you

to the Sulu Cultural and Historical Society

and to the University of the Philippines

Institute of Islamic Studies.

You know, for all your hard work

in uplifting the history and the culture of our people.

Magsukultuod kay mo.

Now, back to our topic,

what exactly happened in the aftermath

of the massacre in Budahol?

Now, in the wake of the harrowing events

or the massacre at Budahol,

the American imperialist narrative

sought to justify the massacre,

as a necessary action against rebellion.

Despite the fact that

the villagers at Budahol were peaceful.

Despite the fact that

they were not rebels.

They were simply seeking refuge

away from the Philippine-American war.

Away from the bloodshed

brought about by the American conquest of the Philippines.

And this rationale,

which in the modern day is basically,

you know,

labeling the peaceful indigenous villagers

as rebellious terrorists,

was steeped in the era's prevalent racism.

And it failed,

to acknowledge the profound injustice

inflicted on the indigenous Tausug people.

Now, this tragedy sparked outrage

among notable figures in America,

like Mark Twain,

who vehemently criticized the imperialist actions,

underscoring the moral dissonance

between the ideals of liberty

and the reality of oppression.

Amid the outcry over the Moro Crater Massacre,

W.E.B. Du Bois stood as a loud vocal critic

against the imperialist actions

of the United States.

Du Bois,

a central figure in the struggle

for African-American civil rights,

was particularly struck by the photograph

capturing the massacre's aftermath.

He found it not just shocking,

but profoundly revealing.

He described this haunting image

as the most illuminating he's ever seen,

a haunting testament to the massacre's brutality.

Du Bois considered making this haunting image

a permanent fixture in his classroom

to starkly convey the grim realities of imperialism.

The grim realities of imperialism

The grim realities of imperialism

The grim realities of imperialism

The grim realities of imperialism

The grim realities of imperialism

The grim realities of imperialism

The grim realities of wars of conquest

The grim realities of wars of conquest

The grim realities of wars of conquest

to his students.

Du Bois' perspective emphasizes

the importance of solidarity,

the importance of moral and intellectual resistance

in confronting the injustices

brought by American imperialism.

His reaction underscores

a broader, deeply felt opposition

to imperialist endeavors,

highlighting the moral

and the intellectual resistance

against the injustices

of American expansionism.

Okay, sidebar,

this was not part of the original video.

This was not part of the original video.

But,

unknown to many,

after the massacre,

despite the fact that we now have

this gruesome picture of the aftermath,

General Leonard Wood

actually tried to burn

all of the evidence,

all of the photographs

that exposes the gruesome

and brutality of the massacre.

In short,

they tried their hardest

to eliminate any evidence,

anything that would expose

how bad, you know,

how bloody and gruesome

this massacre was

of indigenous

and peaceful innocent villagers.

And another thing

I forgot to mention earlier

was that

was that

unknown to many,

General Leonard Wood

actually got orders

from Washington, D.C.,

you know,

from the White House itself

to hold back.

He got orders

not to attack,

but he insisted

on attacking

and eliminating

the innocent people

seeking refuge

in Budahol.

In fact,

99% of the people

living in Budahol

were brutally massacred.

You know,

innocent women,

children,

and men and the elderly

were butchered

indiscriminately.

If one were to even imagine,

you know,

within just one and a half day,

an entire village

of freedom-loving

indigenous people

were massacred

in one of the worst acts

of carnage

in the history

of the United States

and the Philippines.

Yet those who insisted

to undertake

such unnecessary bloodshed

returned home

to America

as war heroes.

General Leonard Wood,

despite the shame

of being the mastermind

of the massacre,

would be promoted

and honored.

In fact,

between 1921

to 1927,

he served as the governor

of the entire Philippines.

And again,

the massacre at Budahol

marked one of the lowest points

in the history

of American imperialism.

And along with the rape

of a palate in Pampanga

in 1899

and the atrocities

surrounding the Balangiga Massacre

in Samar in 1901,

the senseless bloodshed

that descended

upon the people of Budahol

remains largely forgotten

in our mainstream consciousness.

These massacres

were not,

in the slightest way,

absolutely necessary

in securing

tactical military victory

over the islands.

But they were indeed

necessary

in advancing

U.S. imperialism

and in decimating

the indomitable spirit

of the indigenous people.

The so-called

Battle of Budahol

revealed one of the worst

face of American presence

in the Philippines.

It was said

that the bullets

the Americans used

against the Moros

were soaked in pig's blood.

It was their intention

not just to harm the Moros,

but also to humiliate

and insult

the spirituality

and culture

of the people.

The legacy of Budahol

is a somber reminder

of the long-term effects

of such violence

has on communities

like Sulu and Mindanao.

The indigenous Tausug people

people's resilience

in the face

of continuous struggle

speaks volumes

of their enduring spirit

and the importance

of remembering Budahol

as more than just

a footnote in history,

but as a testament

to the necessity

of acknowledging our past,

no matter how uncomfortable,

to ensure that

the lessons learned

guide us towards

a more just

and empathetic understanding

of our people's

shared history.

And as we reflect

on the echoes of Budahol,

let's remember

the cause of freedom

and the price of silence.

It's a call

to honor those

who stood firm

in their beliefs

and a reminder

of the continuous journey

towards acknowledging

and rectifying

the wrongs of history.

And if you think about it,

the massacre at Budahol

is not just

a chapter of the past,

but it's a continuous narrative

that demands

our attention

and our action

to ensure

that such tragedies

are never forgotten

nor repeated.

In the echoes of Budahol,

we find lessons

that reach

far beyond its time,

resonating with

today's global struggles.

This haunting

historical bloodshed

in Sulu

reminds us

of the brutal impact

of imperialism

and the dehumanization

it entailed.

Sadly,

the echoes of the past

resonate in the present day,

such as

in the plight

of the Palestinian people

trapped in the midst

of a genocide.

Just as the people of Sulu

endured the humanization

in their homeland,

the Palestinians

now bear

the relentless burden

of imperialism

and genocide.

The heart-wrenching devastation

and loss

of innocent lives

whether in Budahol

or in Gaza today

urges us

to advocate for justice

and to strive

for lasting peace.

Remembering Budahol

is not just about

honoring the past,

but it's a call to action,

a call for empathy,

a call for understanding

and the pursuit

of genuine peace

in our world today.

So let us draw

inspiration

from the resilience

witnessed at Budahol

and the solidarity

that unfolded

in its aftermath.

Let us draw inspiration

to stand up

against oppression.

And you know,

together we must carry forward

the legacy

of the indigenous

Tawsog people,

not in the spirit

of vengeance,

but with a commitment

to forging a world

that genuinely honors

the dignity

and peace

deserved by every soul.

Because honestly,

whether we reflect

on the tragedy

and the bloodshed

in Budahol

back in 1906

or on the ongoing

bloodshed

in Gaza today,

we all share

a responsibility

no matter our religion,

regardless of our ethnicity,

we all share

a responsibility

to stand up

for justice

and lasting peace.

Because no matter

where we are in the world,

we need to ensure

that such tragedies

of the past

must never be repeated.

And that is it

for me today,

but if you want to deepen

your understanding

about today's topic,

check out my book

Black Lives and Brown Freedom,

untold histories of war,

solidarity,

and genocide.

And in this book,

I have an entire chapter

dedicated to the Battle

of Budahol

and many other

forgotten chapters

of the Philippine-American War,

from Luzon

to the Visayas

and Mindanao.

You know,

like the Rape of a Palate

in Pampanga

and the Balangiga Massacre

in Samar.

Your support for the book

will also support

my continued research

and storytelling

and uplifting

our people's untold histories.

So make sure to check out

the links below

to order your copies today.

Dakal pong salamat.

And of course,

one last thing before I go,

thank you to all my patrons,

subscribers,

and viewers like you

throughout these years.

Your unwavering support

and love throughout these years

is the backbone

of this channel.

Maraming maraming salamat po

or in Kapampangan,

dakal pong salamat

and in Bahasa Sug,

magsukultuod kayo.

See you next time

or in Tagalog,

Kitakit,

and in Kapampangan,

Miki Tix,

and in Bahasa Sug,

Balikisab!