Subanen Governorate of Zamboanga Sibugay

Governorate of Zamboanga Sibugay

Map of the Subanen Governorate in Zamboanga Sibugay. 

History of Zamboanga del Sur & Sibugay (Be'noa or Benwa S'helatan Sembwangan/Sembwangan dapit Shelatan)

Subanen people are among the biggest Lumad or indigenous people of  Mindanao that settled the Island since 4,200 B.C., or during the Neolithic period. Subanen are mixed blooded of Negrito, early Austronesians and Indo-Austronesian that could be considered as the first settlers of Mindanao Island who used advance technology and knowledge in living during such period compared to the earlier ancestors (Negrito and early Austronesian).  

Subanen are peaceful people but characterized by two flexible natures; if their number is in the majority position then they will dominate and control the areas but if they are outnumbered then they would either move or migrate to the other places to avoid any conflict or tend to blend and even acclimatized with the majority settlers. Subanen people are willing to share their land or territory and allow migrants to settled in because of the belief that "Land is owned by all not by just only one" which should be shared to all.  Having visitors or having new migrants to settled the territory does not constitute as "invasion" in Subanen law but forcibly coercing the belief and culture are equivalent to war.  

The continuous migration of different tribes and different migrants from different directions to the Subanen territory had severely destroyed the Subanen culture as people’s nature to either migrate to other places to avoid the new incoming migrants or assimilate that even tried to hide their identity to merge and blend with the majority that following generations would not be familiar anymore with the culture and could no longer speak the Subanen language.

Zamboanga Del Sur and Sibugay were united as one governorate under the ruler Datu G'motan (Gomotan) Since 4,000 B.C. He grown several Datu and T'muays to rule several areas including Pagadian, Olutanga, and Sibugay. His brother Datu N'wang (Nawang) a trading minded Datu ruled Zamboanga, his youngest brother Basilan went to Datu N'wang in Zamboanga then later when grown up then he eventually ruled as Datu of basilan Island. His elder brother Datu Tangkilan ruled most part of Zamboanga del Norte while the Eldest Brother Mis'samis ruled  Malindang to Lanao, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro until Gingoog. 

Zamboanga del Sur and Sibugay remains to be among the most solid and intact  for Subanen people's Cultural practice compared to any other part of  Zamboanga Peninsula. In spite of the continuous migration of the people from Borneo heading north between during 300 to 200 BCE, and the migrating Cebuano or known as Bisaya from Visayas provinces during the 1940's,  Some Subanen people in Zamboanga del Sur were pushed to the inner part but remain to be the most intact compared to the other places in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Subanen Government in Zamboanga del Sur

Subanen territory is under the Philippines government and systems co-exist with Subanen People's Monarchy with the republic since the Subanen did not and well not insist for independence but mutual respects of co-existence. Pursuant to RA 8371, Subanen People's government as lumad are recognized by the Republic of the Philippines.

The center of the Subanen People's government is focus on governing the Subanen People and protection of the natural resources and its territory from destruction due to human activities.

Reigning Datu 

While different political setup was established by the Philippine government even inside the Subanen People's Kingdom, the Subanen rulers for the Governorate of Zamboanga del Sur would co-exist to rule the Subanen People of in the territory without any conflict.

The reigning Datu Mangura Roselito Bala is not appointed by the Subanen Council or the Great His Majesty Datu but based on the interest and capability of the Subanen Datu to rule his people and  the territory. He is ruling his Timuay's and Datu's under him and the Subanen people in the entire Zamboanga del Sur Governorate. The Reigning Datu is reporting for guidance from the Subanen Council and the "Great Datu" the highest ruler of the Subanen People who established to reorganized and reunited the Subanen People . 

Zamboanga del Sur Governorate is ruled by Datu Mangura Roselito Bala with his Datu in capacity. His authority is recognized by he highest ruler his Majesty Datu Gendao and his chosen name would be published in the website as the Subanen Traditional ruler's name of the Governorate as soon as His highness Datu Mangura Roselito Bala  would finally choose his Subanen Traditional Name as required by the Subanen Culture. 

The ruler Datu Mangura Roselito Bala is recognized by the highest ruler his Majesty Datu Gendao based on his experience to rule and for fighting for the rights of the Subanen People that served as  his proof  and capacity to rule based on the traditional standards of qualification for a ruler. The Process of recognition is based on the ancient practice of enthronement. See the enthronement process based on the ancient practice. His official enthronement date: _______.

His highness Datu Mangura Roselito Bala is the ruler of the Governorate of Zamboanga Del Sur bearing one of the "Stars" in his emblem that symbolizes the entire governorate. His highness Datu Mangura Roselito Bala is also automatically a member of the highest Council and among the council and advisers of the Subanen People's Kingdom (SPK).

Subanen respects the freedom of belief and the Datu ruler of Zamboanga del Sur could be either a Traditional faith, a Muslim or a Christian follower as long as from the root of the Subanen people would be recognized by his Majesty Datu Gendao.

Honorarium & Salary of the Ruler

His highness Datu Mangura Roselito Bala adapted and accepted the Subanen People's Kingdom (SPK) government traditional practice of not receiving any monetary rewards for any of his services rendered. All and every services are Free of charge and purely voluntary. The heart of the service is "the passion to serve the people" without expecting any monetary rewards in return. His highness Datu Mangura Roselito Bala  believe that this practice is effective to avoid any unnecessary competition of power to gain riches. This is also to make sure that only capable people to rule would lead and serve the people base on his capability and to help and protect his people. His highness Datu Mangura Roselito Bala conformed the policy that collecting of payments from his people as taxes or payment for his services is prohibited and is considered as a serious violation from the Subanen People's norm and a crime that could cause to expulsion and forever ban to rule the people.