The Preservation of the Sulu Sultanate History and Rights reposted the write up as it narrated fairness and a mechanism that may create the path, re-establish, revive the love for unity, comaraderie, solidarity and interdependence of the TWO BRANCHES OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, 31st SULTAN ESMAIL KIRAM 1 and 32nd SULTAN PUNJUNGAN KIRAM.
The write up will surely bring the Two Royal Families to remember the days how the Two Royal Brothers valued their love for each other and for the Sulu Sultanate. Empathy prevailed in the hearts and minds over their vested interest.
With fervor to Almighty Allah (SWT), we the descendants must emulate and follow their acts which surely had relevance to the Hadith of Our Beloved Prophet Mohammad (SAW) and guidance of Allah (SWT) in promoting the light of unitty.
For the sake of eventual unity, let us ponder to make the sacrifices of our ancestors and the raayat that saw their sacrifices more valuable than their precious lives in the preservation of existence of the Kingdom since 600 years ago today.
Sultan Punjungan Kiram (1980-83) is the younger brother of Sultan Esmail Kiram I (1950-74) and one of the 9 principal heirs of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II (1894-1936).
After Sultan Jamalul II’s death in 1936, the British consul in Manila recommended the suspension of payments to the Sultanate of Sulu for Sabah because President Quezon did not recognize Sultan Jamalul II’s successor, thus prompting Punjungan Kiram to demand the resumption of payments for Sabah.
By virtue of the 1939 Macaskie Decision of the Sessions Court of North Borneo, Punjungan Kiram was recognized as one of the nine principal heirs of Sultan Jamalul II and was granted letters of administration over the estate territory of North Borneo (Sabah).
In 1947, Sultan Esmail's eldest son, Datu Mahakuttah Kiram, was still a young boy of six and therefore not yet "akil baligh" or equipped with the comprehension of an adult. Hence, he was not named Rajah Mudah (Crown Prince). Because of the urgency to complete his Royal Cabinet, Sultan Esmail named then Datu Punjungan as Rajah Mudah or heir apparent.
Prior to his death in 1973, Sultan Esmail reportedly announced on the occasion of Mauludin Nabi in Maimbung, Sulu that in the event of his death, his successor would be his son, Datu Mahakuttah, and not his named heir apparent, Datu Punjungan.
While the Rajah Mudah Datu Punjungan was in Sabah as administrator, President Marcos issued Memorandum Order No. 427, s. 1974 which stated that "the Government has always recognized the Sultanate of Sulu as the legitimate claimant to the historical territories of the Republic of the Philippines" and recognized Datu Mahakuttah as the successor of the late Sultan Esmail.
In 1974, Datu Mahakuttah was crowned as the next Sultan of Sulu during a public event in Plaza Tulay in downtown Jolo.
According to one source, however, the Ruma Bichara (Royal Council), under the leadership of Princess Tarhata Kiram, contested and filed a petition to have Jamalul Kiram III proclaimed as the interim Sultan while waiting for his father, Datu Punjungan, to return from Sabah. The proclamation of Sultan Mahakuttah was reportedly retracted later on by the government after considering the Macaskie Decision which named Crown Prince Datu Punjungan Kiram as the legal heir of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II.
On his return from Sabah in 1980, Datu Punjungan was proclaimed Sultan by the people of Sulu and the government. According to one source, Sultan Mahakuttah was present during said gathering and willingly renounced the sultanry in favor of his uncle, Sultan Punjungan. Nevertheless, Mahakuttah still styled himself as sultan.
The event was witnessed by thousands of Bangsa Suluk people, most prominently by Jolo Mayor Aminkadra "Barlie" Abubakar, Councilor Jayari Hawari, Judge Rene Tulawie, members of the MNLF Magic 8, religious leaders and Rear Admiral Romulo Espaldon.
Note: The admin is aware of the existence of opposing claims to the throne of the Sultanate of Sulu. This post is merely for historical purposes and does not make any declaration as to the legitimacy of any particular claim.
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Sources:
Inquirer article: bit.ly/3mAVBmh
Manila Times article: bit.ly/2VDvXl8
FB posts: bit.ly/3oqXgeF & bit.ly/39KnYL2
Ibrahim S. Omar, Diary of a Colonized Native: Years of Hidden Colonial Slavery
Photos from Preservation of Sulu Sultanate History and Rights FB page
