Datu Uto

Datu Uto (reigned: 1875–1902), also known as Sultan Anwarud-din Utto or Sultan Utto Anwaruddin, alternatively spelled as Datu Utto, was the 18th Sultan of Buayan, one of the major sultanates of Mindanao. As a military leader he distinguished himself in many battles against the Spanish.

Early life and career Datu Uto was born Anwarud-din Uto to Sultan Bangon Marajanun Sa Didagen and Tuan Bai Sa Buayan. During his father's reign as sultan Uto led a force of 500 men sent as assistance to the Spaniards against Talayan rebels in 1864. This included the four guides who escorted the combined force headed by Colonel La Hoz, Governor of Cotabato. However, instead of helping the Spaniards, he went against his father's orders and sided with the Talayan datu (ruler). Although inferior in numbers and equipment, the Spaniards having the advantage of possessing artillery, they triumphed and chased the Spaniards as far as Taviran.

It was during this battle that he lost his eye, earning himself the title "one-eyed man", but he became a recognized leader in Buayan as a result. Sultan Bayao, Bangon's brother,

History

Rise to power

Uto ruled Buayan from the inland town of Sapakan. He married the daughter of Maguindanao's Sultan Qudratullah Untong, Rajah Putri Bai-labi. In 1874, he joined forces with Sultan Jamal ul-Azam, the Sultan of Sulu, to take the offensive against the Spanish. Evidently, Sulu needed the slave shipments Uto had been able to provide. In the same year he stated in a letter to the Governor of Mindanao, Colonel Carraga, that he has a large contingent to accompany him, which included at least 18 datus and 600 men. At the peak of his power he had as many as 5,000 slaves. Included in the areas where Uto's influence grew were Talayan, Buluan, and Tumbao. He solidified his alliances by friendship and marriage. For instance, he had a total of 60 wives. His domain extended from Lake Buluan to Sarangani Bay. On 20July 1878, Sultan Jamal ul-Azam signed a treaty recognizing Spanish sovereignty, but the Tausug made an issue of testing the limits of the treaty. By 1880 other sultanates began to emerge in the Pulangi River Basin. With this development, Uto made plans to defend the area against the Spanish. The Tausug and the Chinese began to supply him with arms in exchange for slaves. In particular, Buayan began to receive Enfield and Spencer rifles, as well as assorted pistols. Therefore in 1885 the succeeding Governor-General, Emilio Terrero y Perinat, launched yet another military offensive in Mindanao, personally leading the Spanish forces. This prompted Federico Roldan, Governor of Cotabato, to attack Buayan. In 1886, two Spanish corps under General Serina razed Bakat to make way for the construction of a new fort and a railway from Iligan to Lake Lanao. The project was abandoned as Uto's forces harassed the Spaniards, gathering the metal used in construction to produce krises. Nevertheless, it was apparent that Uto would not dare to take the offensive. boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc; boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9; boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc; boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc; 1= 1. Sultan Anwarud-din Uto 2= 2. Sultan Bangon Marajanun Sa Didagen 3= 3. Tuan Bai Sa Buayan 4= 4. Sultan Maguindanao Sa Buayan 5= 5. Bai Mayong 6= 6. Rajah Twa sa Maguindanao 7= 7. Putri Kabayan bint Rajah Buayan Alimuddin 8= 8. Sultan Muhammad Alimudin Paki Maulana 9= 10= 11= 12= 13= 14= 15=