QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

About The
SULTANATE OF SULU DARUL
ISLAM
(S S D I)
What About SSDI?

Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam (SSDI) is a Muslim Kingdom founded by Rajah

Baginda in 1405. The first institutionalized Sultan was Paduka Batara
Mahasari Maulana Al-Sultan Shariful Hashim bin Abubakar. The last
internationally recognized Sultan was Jamalul Kiram II who died in 1936.
Although unconquered by foreign invaders, SSDI was colonized by the USA
through other means from 1900 and passed on to the Philippines in 1946
amidst vehement protests by the Tausug citizens of SSDI. SSDI recognizes
all International Humanitarian Laws and the United Nations Charter.

What is the Form of SSDI Government?

SSDI shall adapt the Parliamentary Sultanate form of government.

Parliamentary system is a responsive government, accountable to the
people at all times, an accountability that is not subject to popular caprice,
rather, one based on major issues of national policy and readily adapts in
the people. When issues are debated in Parliament, thorough scrutiny and
fiscalization of administration, policies are assured. This form of
government is predicted to show the viability of political and economic
development for the entire Tausug peoples – free from all forms of foreign
domination and subjugation.

How will SSDI derive Her Sustenance?

SSDI is known scientifically to be rich in various valuable minerals and

natural resources, such as Oil beneath the Sulu Sea, Gold, Silver,
Manganese, Cooper, Kerosene, etc. in different parts of the archipelago.
These, not to mention the wealth and assets of the SSDI stashed in several
banking institutions worldwide, are enough to ensure the viability and
sustainability of the government and sovereignty of the Sultanate of Sulu
Darul Islam.

What is a Tausug and who are the Tausugs?

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Tausug is the nationality of the citizens of the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam,
whether they are ethnically: Bajao, Baklaya, Banjar, Bisaya, Buranun,
Chavacano, Idaan, Iranun, Jama Mapun, Kalibugan, Molbog, Palawanon,
Sama, Subanon, Tagimaha, Yakan, and others (in like manner that Filipino is
a mixture of scores of ethnic groups throughout the Philippines).

What is UTC and UTP?

UTC or United Tausug Citizen and UTP or United Tausug People are ‘two
faces of the same coin’, both of which signify the citizens of the sovereign
Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam. The only difference, (if at all it is) is that the
UTC was originally formed in Sabah (Malaysia) while the UTP was coined by
a SSDI worker in Jolo to distinguish the Tausugs of Sulu archipelago from
those in Sabah (who are also originally from Sulu). SSDI has resolved not to
recognize those who claimed to be UTP but identified themselves with
splinter groups other than the main or legitimate SSDI led by HRH Sultan
Bantilan Muhammad Muizzuddin II.

What is the Difference Between UTC and other Groups?

Basically a non-combatant group and an advocate of non-violence, the

United Tausug Citizens are the supporters of the SSDI who only want to see
a peaceful transition of their national sovereignty and independence from
the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) to the Sultanate of
Sulu Darul Islam. The UTC, however, reserved the right to retaliate to every
kind of provocation being hurled against them.

How to Achieve SSDI Independence through Peaceful

Transition?

SSDI has been issuing Birth Certificates to all Tausugs, Citizens of the
Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam, who want to reclaim and reassert their
independence from the GRP. SSDI Independence can be achieved when the
TAUSUG CITIZENS unite with one voice to reassert the sovereign status of
the SSDI, and demand the withdrawal of the GRP from their territory. All
historical accounts point to the fact that the SSDI is an unconquered
Kingdom and therefore retains her inalienable rights of sovereignty, self-
determination and independence.

What is the role of the USA in SSDI?

The Americans have a great responsibility to rewrite the history of Tausug

and to give justice where it is due. Not only that the Sulu Archipelago
contains valuable minerals and resources vital for USA and SSDI mutual
interests, the USA have a responsibility to right the wrongs they had done in
this part of the world. They violated bilateral Agreements between SSDI and
USA (Bates Treaty and Carpenter Agreement) by unilaterally abrogating
both and by ceding SSDI without the consent of the Sultan and the Tausugs
to become a colony of the GRP in 1946.

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Will the UN Entertain the Tausug Demands?

The world, through the United Nations, is not averse to the fact that the
Tausugs of the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam are victims of colonial
subjugation. As an unconquered people and kingdom forced by
circumstance to be colonized by the GRP in 1946, amidst vehement
protests and resentments along with other Moro groups in Mindanao, SSDI’s
history is alive in the archives of many older UN-member nations, especially
the superpowers and members of the UN Security Council. The UN
Commission on Decolonization of 1960 fits hand-in-glove with the status of
SSDI that deserved to become independent along with the new States of
East Timor (Timor Leste), Kosovo and others. The UN is a highly esteemed
world organization which will not swallow back a policy that has been
already accepted by its member-nations.

Why SSDI Advocated Non-Violence, No-War Policy?

The Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam is cognizant of the fact that war or
violence has been the main cause for the Tausug being uprooted from their
homes that resulted in the proliferation of internal and external refugees
with as many as half-a-million having crossed over the border to Sabah and
other neighbouring countries. War also gives ample opportunities for the
adversary to decide on whatever course of action deemed necessary by the
colonial government to suppress the inalienable rights of its colony like the
SSDI. The war advocated by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
against the GRP did not achieve any positive gain or relief to the Tausug
and Moro Causes. On the contrary, it only brought more pain and misery to
the SSDI and Moro struggle for self-determination and independence.

Why SSDI Should Lead the Way to Independence?

The Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam is the only recognized sovereign entity of
the Tausug and Moro people of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. Spain
and USA should never have included SSDI in the transactions of the 1898
Treaty of Paris. Spain never had complete sovereignty over the SSDI. The
Bates Treaty and Carpenter Agreement between SSDI and the United States
of America (USA) in early 1900, which the latter unilaterally abrogated, are
testimony to the fact that SSDI is a sovereign state. For that matter, it is
only logical that SSDI lead the Movement for Independence of her own
predetermined parameters and territory.

Why Mindanao Cannot be Included in SSDI?

Mindanao is not a part of the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam. It belonged to a

separate kingdom, the Maguindanao Sultanate which, for around two
centuries, was ruled contemporarily with SSDI by the Sultans of
Maguindanao. The Maguindanao and Maranao peoples of Mindanao are the
proud descendants of the once sovereign Sultanate of Maguindanao, the
coverage of which stretches almost over the whole of Mindanao up to parts

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of the Visayas and was highly recognized by European and Western powers
of that time.

Who Should Govern the SSDI?

Where SSDI is concerned, it should be governed by the legitimate Sultan of

Sulu, as was always the case since its inception in the 15 th Century. The
Sultan has always been acting as the vicegerent of Allah within the
territory. Therefore, unless the Constitution is overhauled, to change the
form of government, the Sultan should always be the head of government
and commander-in-chief of the Rosul Armed Forces, not as any Royal
lineage claimed to be, but as the Constitution and majority of Tausug
citizens indorse and/or decide for themselves.

Who Should be the Legitimate Sultan of SSDI?

No one has the monopoly to be the legitimate Sultan of Sulu. The

succession and the right to ascend the throne have to be determined by
both the Rumah Bichara (Parliament) and the Council of Ministers in
accordance with tradition. For now, the Sultan that the Tausug citizens have
supported is Sultan Bantilan Muhammad Muizzuddin II @ Datu Ladjamura
bin Datu Wasik Aranan, from the lineage of the Second Heir to the SSDI
Throne.

What or who are the Council of Ministers?

The Council of Ministers is composed of senior leaders, prominent Datus

and Sharifs of SSDI who are either nominated by a group of citizens and/or
appointed by the Sultan to the Rumah Bichara or Parliament. They legislate
laws based on the Holy Qur’an, Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and
cultural tradition of Tausugs for the benefit of the people and government
of SSDI.

What is the Status of Sabah within the Sovereign SSDI?

Historically, Sabah belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu. But as it has been

administered and developed by Malaysia for over four decades, its status
shall be the subject of a bilateral negotiation between the brotherly States
of SSDI and Malaysia, in relation to the “Lease Agreement” entered into by
the Sultan of Sulu and the British Company or Institution in the 18 th century
or so ago.

What is the Territory Covered by SSDI?

1. Basilan Islands

2. North Borneo and islands

3. Palawan Islands (including the Spratlys)

4. Sulu Islands

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5. Tawi-Tawi Islands and

6. Zamboanga Peninsula and islands

What is the Significance of November 17, 2010 Declaration?

As a matter of fact, the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam has always been a
Sovereign or Independent nation since inception in the 15th Century, but
was submerged under colonial subjugation, treachery and deceit from the
dawn of the 20th century until formally colonized in 1946. November 17,
2010 marked the 605th Anniversary and Declaration of Reassertion of
Independence and Sovereignty of the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam from
decades of colonial strangulation and subjugation. Having matured over the
years, SSDI is now ready to embark on the full restoration of her
sovereignty as an independent Constitutional Sultanate, free from the
colonial stranglehold of the Republic of the Philippines.

What is the Prospect of UN Recognition of SSDI

Independence?

The UN recognition of SSDI is a certain reality. In fact, the UN must be

wondering why SSDI has not made any effort to reassert her
independence, since the Decolonization Commission was set up in
1960. But whether the UN recognition of SSDI Independence comes
sooner or later, the SSDI has already resolved to implement the
government of her choice within her territorial integrity and national
sovereignty mentioned above. Due to the fact that there are several
Tausug citizens living in quandary as refugees in diaspora abroad and
as “internally displaced people” all over the Sulu archipelago, who
the GRP seemed to have no more concern over their resettlement for
good, SSDI can no longer rely on the GRP whims and caprice to
change the course of the Tausug people’s future, the great majority
of whom no longer wanted to be identified as Filipinos.

What Currency will the SSDI Government Use?

Praised be Allah, the Most Beneficent, Most Merciful, the Government and
People of the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam have decided to use Gold Dinar
and Silver Dirham as her official currency to be known as “PILAK TAUSUG”
or ‘PL’ for short. One Pilak (PL) Dinar is approximately equivalent to
US$200, and One PL Dirham is US$5.00. The exact rate of exchange
of which shall be fixed later.

What About the Status of Non-Muslim Minorities within SSDI?

Christians and the non-Muslim minorities within the Sultanate of Sulu Darul
Islam shall have their rights and privileges duly recognized and protected as
citizens of SSDI. As a matter of policy, no citizen of the SSDI shall be

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discriminated against on account of religion and ethnicity. Those who have
been born and living within the SSDI at the time of Independence for at
least five years and who apply for citizenship on their own accord, shall be
accepted as citizen of the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam upon the
recommendation, concurrence or approval of the State Minister where they
live, with equal rights and privileges as all other Tausugs .

Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam

Banua Buansa, Jolo, Sulu

Email: sulusultanate9@gmail.com

For further info, please log on to the following websites:

http://tausug-global.blogspot.com
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http://theislandofpearls.blogspot.com
http://alltausug.blogspot.com
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