ROYAL HOUSE OF KAPATAGAN VALLEY

By Sultan Ali Ampaso Umpa

According to the local historian, a certain Shariff Ali Zayn al-Abedin of Malaysia married to Potri Diosol Asikin, daughter of Sultan of Escandar Jul-Karnayn of Malacca had four sons Shariff Alioden, Shariff Bong, Shariff Kabongsuan, Shariff Alawi and one daughter Potri Magenando and adopted Potri Tomanina. One time the two were missing where the four brothers asked the father to look for the sisters by using their old awing [boat] but each of them equipped themselves with their own cawa [big basin made of metal] in case of emergency. In short, a big storm typhoon came along their way where their boat was broken into pieces and they wildly separated from each other going to different directions using each cawa for uncontrollable situation.  So they had gone through the waves until Shariff Kabongsuan had gone unintentionally to Maguindanao, Shariff Alioden had accidentally gone to Johor, Shariff Bong had gone to Jolo Sulo and Shariff Alawi had unexpectedly gone to Tagoloan, Misamis where all of them permanently settled down to places where they were brought by their own faith.

After everybody learned each other places, one time they had occasionally conducted a grand reunion in Zamboanga where Shariff Kabongsuan asked the two brothers to exercise the sultanate law of succession and rights to their territorial jurisdiction adopting the same what he had previously done in Maguindanao where he had been enthroned as first Sultan of Maguindanao at the same time named Shariff Bong as Sultan of Jolo and Shariff Alawi as Sultan of Pantar a Kapatagan.

Shariff Alawi had never been heard after that reunion because he denied to the brothers that he got Christian girl which was against their traditional practice as Muslim and practically inclined to Christianity then communication had been cut off until nobody verified and identified other generation from Shariff Alawi especially using Christian name not even Datu Palawan [Saber sa Radapan] and Datu Pagbuayan a recognized community leaders and guerilla fighters along the coastal area of Iligan Bay and Zambonga Bay.

Accordingly, Pantar a Kapatagan was named after the discovery of a plain and wide portion [pantar or patag in vernacular] or upland along Tagoloan to Zamboanga which after the American liberation came all datus, sultans, chieftains community leaders and guerilla fighters were recognized by giving military positions as part of the peace and order campaign nationwide like Datu Umpa Ampaso who was personally recognized by General Morgan and appointed him as President of said Pipentaran a Kapatagan or Kapatagan Valley as interpreted by the American General. From that this was traditionally called as KAPATAGAN VALLEY instead a vernacular name with the same area as identified territorial jurisdiction by the Shariff brothers sokot [end] a Tagoloan go sokot [end] a Zambonga [end to end of Tagoloan Misamis and Zambonga then to Maguindanao Cotabato for Shariff Kabongsuan]. That was how they identified and claimed the territorial jurisdiction in respect and recognition to the occupation of the Shariff brothers in Mindanao Sulo and Palawan.

Some historical events during the Japanese occupation had never been mentioned by some local historian where meranao recognized guerilla fighters who died for their own homeland or ancestral domain like late Datu Amai Mindalano who fought the Japanese troops killing the machinegun operator of the Japanese artillery tank fighter [tanke de guira] then Datu Amai Pakpak in Dansalan, Datu Palawan [saber sa radapan] in Linamon, Lanao del Norte who died for their homeland.

During the American occupation, massive education and socio economic campaign movement had been introduced and even distribution of relief goods all over the country. This was the remarkable events among us meranao because the first congressman of undivided lanao late Congressman Manalao Amer Ampaso Mindalano and cousin Ret. Col. Late Sultan Malamit Ampaso Umpa were sent to school together by American missionaries by forced because parents were thinking for the Christianity conversion then followed by another cousin Ret. Col. Late Datu a Dalomangkob Macaponggis [Luba] Ampaso Sarangani then late Aleem Edres Ampaso Mindalano an eyewitness in killing the father by a Japanese troops, the first Arabic educator from the clan, late Atty. Mangorsi Ampaso Mindalano, late Lt. Macabero Ampaso Umpa then first educated and professional ladies Ditma Ameril Macarambon and Mrs Ameril Magayoong until everybody followed their footsteps and that was the time also that the two cousins organized this AMSUDA CLAN an acronym of Ampaso, Saumay, Umping, Diwat and Ameril who said to be the 7th generation from Shariff Kabongsuan and another 5th generation form AMSUDA to the grand parents of Sultan Ali Ampaso Ump asps Sambuat/Dekolan in the mother side and asps Galacal/Biringo in the father side.

After adoption of the American form of government all present guerilla fighters, chieftains datus, sultans and other community leaders were recognized, giving military rank or position to have qualified one anothers were utility workers or supporting farming just to give works to everybody as part of the peace and order campaign throughout the country like chieftain Datu Umpa Ampaso being venerable and community leader guerilla fighter, he was first appointed by General Morgan as President of this so called Kapatagan Valley then followed by appointing government positions nationwide down to municipal level until political election had been applied to select the best leaders then Datu Umpa Ampaso was the first appointed and elected mayor in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte after congressional district or provinces subdivision down to municipal with identified territorial jurisdiction or area of responsibilities for every provinces and municipalities.

That was the time that Sultanate had been restored to some other places dominantly occupied by Muslim tribes in Mindanao, Sulo and Palawan and Sultanate of Kapatagan Valley or Royal House of Kapatagan Valley was formally organized and patterned the same composition and objectives of the Sultanate of Maguindanao and Sultanate of Jolo thinking to have been recognized as the third Royal Houses in Mindanao Sulo and  Palawan as an aborted plan of the Shariff brothers to affiliate said Three Royal Houses of Mindanao and to have been recognized by the Royal House of Brunei Malaysia but it was not materialized because of the war.

Sultanate of Kapatagan Valley or Royal House of Kapatagan Valley was organized through the so called PAT [4] A LUMBA, and NUM [6] A PANOROGANAN was named in respect and in recognition to areas dominantly occupied by native tribes, community leaders and guerilla fighters like Sultan Gaos Tawantawan, Datu Sominsang, Sultan Guinar Ampaso Mindalano and Datu Ayaon Ampaso Alando recognized as the most wanted criminals in undivided Lanao who formally returned to the fold of the law through the negotiation of the First Congressman of undivided Lanao late Congressman Manalao Amer Ampaso Mindalano and Military Governor of undivided Lanao Ret. Col. and Sultan Malamit Ampaso Umpa during President Ramon Magsaysay regime.

PAT A LUMBA are the areas identified as hideout [kota] of said four radical community leaders like; a) Pagayawan, b) Buntong, c) Karekum, and d) Sapad, then NUM A PANOROGANAN whose leadership had never been questioned and recognized as community and traditional leaders and guerilla fighters are 1) Bandara sa Rarab, 2) Adoman sa Pagayawan, 3) Adonkay sa Lala, 4) Tomanggong sa Karekum, 5) Ansabo sa Sapad, and 6) Maynad sa Uyaan then Datu Umpa Ampaso stand as the Chairman of the group representing the Sultanate of Kapatagan Valley as an umbrella of the Pata Lumba and Num a Panoroganan Clan on a life time term of office except disability or incapacity within the Num [6] a Panoroganan family tree like Sultan Ali Ampaso Umpa where his successional right to this Sultanate of Kapatagan Valley formally received from Bandara sa Rarab in the person of Sultan Macasamat Omar on November 27, 2005 at the Mindanao Convention Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte attended by the three Provincial Vice Governors like Vice Governor Irma Umpa-Ali of Lanao del Norte, Vice Governor Arsad Marohombsar of Lanao del Sur and Vice Governor Atty. Francis Hamoy Olvis of Zamboanga del Norte, relatives and friends from the said three provinces. Sultan Ali Ampaso Umpa was enthroned in the sultanate of Kapatagan Valley through successional rights representing Maynad sa Uyaan where he can even either represent or entitled to represent Adongkay sa Lala or Ansabo sa Sapad. In other words, Sultan Ali Ampaso Umpa has three successional rights out of the six or Num [6] a Panoroganan.

 Anyway, everybody believed that because of political dynasty, sultanate had been actively restored through political affiliation or popularity and even used as a milestone to some politician for their political career and even offered to non Muslim who was in the government position in order to maintain their political career although the so called Royal Blood Line was no longer even observed, no more. Like Iligan City acknowledged every Barangay with Muslim residents to have their own sultan for peace and order campaign but the question what authority does the City Mayor that made him a traditional authoritarian recognizing this barangay sultan.

Now, my purpose and objectives receiving this successional rights is to bring the people closer to the government and stand as Public Assistance Unit in the area of responsibilities and exercise the law of succession and rights of all recognized sultan in the country and assist the government to maintain peace and order and Sultanate Council of the Royal Houses from every province be organized to work closely together in reviving said traditional and successional rights from their family tree to identify whose term is the next and on top of it discouraging political intervention or political application like the Sultanate Council of the Royal House of Kapatagan Valley which Sultan of Kapatagan Valley stands as the Chairman and the Num a Panoroganan as members or authorized representatives who can maybe implement and apply this so called law of succession as part of the peace and order campaign through Muslim law.

SULTANATES OF RANAO

The Sultanate of Ranao or Lanao del Sur where they have PAT [4] A PUNGAMPONG and 16 Royal Houses and every Pungampong has Municipalities under it and I am mentioning all municipalities dominantly occupied by our clan as record like:

PUNGAMPONG SA MASIU – because of political struggle and motivation, there are right now four crowned Sultan of Masiu at the same time including, Sultan sa Masiu, the late Congressman Mohammad Ali Dimaporo, the recognized traditional political leader in two Lanaos, practicing this political dynasty during the time of Marcos regime up to present succeeded by son Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo but it never works in Lanao del Sur because there are more smart than their group. Their political dynasty networking have been successful in Lanao del Norte because of financial capability established during the time of Marcos Regime who was considered also as the closest Muslim leader ever to President Marcos then Congressman Abdullah Dimpaoro during President Gloria Arroyo.

a)      Under this are Madalum Lanao del Sur after politics had been restored from Marshall Law of Marcos Regime a nephew of mine DAR-ARMM Secretary Usman Sarangani, Sultan of Uyaan was elected undefeated Municipal Mayor of Madalum after his term of office, a wife who is also my niece former Municipal Mayor Zoraida [Pinamili] Mindalano Sarangani replaced him as elected Municipal Mayor of Madalum succeeded by elder son Usman "Palao" Sarangani Jr. as elected Municipal Mayor up to the present.

b)      Madamba, Lanao del Sur – Uyaan Madamba, Lanao del Sur is my birth place with another undefeated Municipal Mayor uncle and brother in law late Sultan Guinar Mindalano during Marcos Regime and First Sultan of Uyaan and succeeded by another undefeated son Dagoruan Amol Mindalano elected as the Municipal Mayor of Madamba and current Sultan of Tabaran and after him is the wife who is also a niece Liela Umpa Mindalano. Then another undefeated Vice Mayor nephew Abdul Hamid Amerbitor. Madamba is a small town but we are proud to say that the most productive educated and professional both Arabic and English ever in two Lanaos. This is where the first congressman of undivided Lanao late Manalao Amer Ampaso Mindalano whose name is engraved in the flagpole in Luneta, Ermita, Manila, another uncle late Ret. Col. Malamit Ampaso Umpa, the first Sultan of Tabaran who had been a Military Governor of undivided Lanao, the appointed as Provincial Commander in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte until he was persuaded to politics where he was elected as Vice Governor of Governor Arsenio Quibranza during Marcos regime.

This is the town of the first congressman of undivided Lanao late Manalao Amer Ampaso Mindalano whose name was engraved at the flagpole in Luneta Park, the first Military Governor undivided Lanao late Col. and Sultan Malamit Ampaso Umpa, Ret. Col. Macaponggis [luba] Ampaso Sarangani, the first educated and professional ladies late Ditma Ameril Macarambon, late Ameril Magayoong whose footsteps followed by everybody, daughters and sons like Atty. Camar Mindalano and Atty. Dimatimpos Mindalano, Former Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Rengia Umpa, the close political opponent to Dimaporo and Atty. Dimnatang Umpa and undefeated and present Vice Governor Irma Umpa-Ali of Lanao del Norte, former MSU System President Dr. Camar Ampaso Umpa, MSU Executive Vice President Dr. Datumanong Sarangani, MSU Director Cosain Ampaso Umpa, DENR ARMM Secretary Sultan Usman Sarangani, former PNP Regional Director General Paisal Umpa, PMA Major Acmad Omar, Jr., Regional State Prosecutor Atty. Jaime Umpa, Atty. Superman Ampaso Usop, Judge Aldonie Umpa, Atty. Alghandi Umpa, Atty. Laarni Umpa, Atty. Gamal Umpa…

PUNGAMPONG SA BAYABAO – under these are Ramain or Marawi City some local historian is saying that our clan is entitled to become as Sultan of Ramain.

PUNGAMPONG SA UNAYAN – under this are:

a)      Barangay Mabul, Malabang, Lanao del Sur where uncle late Manalao Amer Mindalano settled until he become the first congressman of undivided Lanao, on record even engraved his name in the Flag Pool in Luneta Park, Malate, Manila, up to the present. Sultan sa Pikong Balindong is also undefeated mayor in Malabang whose son Atty Pangalian Balindong is was elected Congressman of Lanao del Sur 2nd District for several years whose son Assemblyman Yasser Balindong married to the daughter of my nephew and neice Secretary Usman Sarangani.

b)      Nunungan, Lanao del Norte – first Municipal Mayor is a nephew late Mayor Ayaon Alando- then succeeded by son late mayor Samo Alando and now Mayor Abdul Manamparan also a nephew.

c)      Sapad – first Sultan of Sapad is an uncle late Ret. Col. Malamit Ampaso Umpa, and succeeded by a grandson Sultan Tingagun Ampaso Umpa Sultan of Sapad up to the present. It was late Col. Malamit Ampaso Umpa together with a nephew late Macalatas Ampaso Umpa, a former Municipal Vice Mayor of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte who applied for the creation of Sapad Municipality and total separation from Kapatagan but late Macalatas Umpa never enjoy the approval because the war dramatically motivated in Mindanao between Barakuda [private military] and Ilaga [organized group of a certain Totpik a displaced military personnel from Iloilo] war between Muslim against Christian these but these are all dramatically political motivation in order to qualify the enforcement of Marshall Law and Military takeover in the whole country and that was the biggest contribution of Congressman Dimaporo to Marcos Regime and that is why he was the only Meranao closest to Marcos regime ever and it was Late Macalatas Umpa who was first murdered Muslim official on duty that time with unknown assailant then followed by the burning out all houses and even mosques along the coast taking everything and personal properties belonging to Muslim evacuees. Then peace and order had been eventually restored in the country, through a military takeover of all provinces and municipalities like late Ret. Col. Datu Dalomangcob Macaponggis Luba Sarangani was appointed as Military Mayor to Sapad, Ret. Col. Late Sultan Malamit Ampaso Umpa as Military Mayor to Salvador, Lanao del Norte then Col Paisal Umpa as Military Mayor in Karomatan, Lanao del Norte and now with rank of General but a frozen general because he was assigned in Cotabato during the Maguindanao massacre aside no political affiliation because he doesn't believe in the political saying that to whom you know to have better position in the government but not what you know.

After Martial Law had been recalled, political election followed and a nephew and undefeated Municipal Mayor Riga Langi Azis then succeeded by another undefeated son Farouk Langi Azis up to the present.

PUNGAMPONG SA BALOI – is immediately next to Iligan City maybe [5 kilometers away] then next to Marawi City after Pantar and maybe [nine kilometers away]. It is very close to two cities while Kapatagan is a neutral area of Lanao del Norte, geographically.

a)      Magsaysay, 2nd Municipal Mayor was uncle Sultan Macasamat Omar a former Sultan of Kapatagan Valley, father of Brigadier General Acmad Omar who is now Ambassador to Oman and married to my cousin Jaharah Galawan Umpa-Omar with educated and professional children like son PMA Major Acmad Umpa Omar, Jr. after Macasamat Omar succeeded by son Haron "Dondon" Omar who was then elected as Party List Congressman of Lanao del Norte then succeeded by younger brother Hayroni "Ronron" Omar who was also a son in law of a nephew Sultan Usman Sarangani and niece former Municipal Mayor Zoraida Mindalanao Sarangani.

b)      Munai, Lanao del Norte – is also dominated by relatives from Uyaan- headed by uncle Mama sa Munai then the father of Secretary Usman Sarangani then late former Mayor Danny Ampaso and many many more.

c)      Lala, Lanao del Norte – first Sultan of Lala and appointed mayor is uncle Sultan Boleg Ampaso Umpa the brother of Datu Umpa Ampaso, and after he died the son Ret. PNP-SPO Cabsaran Umpa succeeded the position as Sultan sa Lala up to the present.

d)     Salvador, Lanao del Norte – former Municipal Mayor is a cousin late Mayor Pangantapan Tawantawan and succeeded by Ret. Col. Malamit Ampaso Umpa then succeeded by nephew Johnny Tawantawan up to present.

e)      Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte – where Sultan Ali Ampaso Umpa took up his secondary course at St. Francis Xavier Academy and the uncle was appointed by General Morgan as President of Kapatagan Valley [undivided lanao] in recognition for being venerable and community leader, guerilla fighter along the coast and then appointed as Municipal Mayor then elected Municipal Mayor

f)       Kolambogan, Lanao del Norte – the first appointed and elected Mayor was also in clan Sultan Binasing Macarambon and wife Ditma Ameril Macarambon from Tabaran, Madamba, Lanao del Sur with educated and professional daughter and sons like former Congressman Binasing Macarambon, Jr. Atty. Sindao Macarambon, Engr. Pasayod Macarambon, Engr. Tominaman Macarambon Engr. George Macarambon.

Sad to say that the political career of the clan in Lanao del Norte end after former Ambassador Masaranga Umpa lost his political connection in the present administration. It is the clan who are the first Meranao tribes in Kapatagan Valley with the so called Num a Panoroganan. A substantial portion of the so called Lanao del Norte.

Some Meranao residents in Lanao del Norte have not returned home but the number tremendously increased when Congressman Mohammad Ali Dimaporo married to the one and only daughter of former Mayor Pantaran Macarimbang of Karomatan, Lanao del Norte through Datu Umpa Ampaso who happened to be the brother in law of the Mayor wayback 1968 that was the time Congressman Ali Dimaporo permanently settled in Lanao del Norte with his followers, until when the election came he asked the Father in law Mayor Pantaran not to run anymore because he want his brother Naga Dimaporo to run as the Municipal Mayor of Karomatan. From that relatives and followers from Lanao del Sur transferred and settled in some barangays, like Maganding, Bawiyan, Payong and Poblacion of Karomatan occupying more than three hundred hectares with cassava plantation up to the present and it was a new look municipality because natives tribes and residents in the Municipality who stand as opponent or opposition during the election got scared driving them out by forced until everybody scattered to different places. Late Naga Dimaporo ruled the whole town at his own policies and laws putting laws into his hand until recognized undefeated mayor of Karomatan. Until unfortunately nobody knows that native people who were driven out from their home town have personal grats and uncontrollable anger to the Municipal Mayor so one day on his way to religious mission in Pakistan he was murdered right at the corner of the Golden mosque in Quiapo Manila by his political opponent in Karomatan who was identified as Col. Ingka who was also murdered as a revenge few days after and even killing other relatives seen in Manila and that stand as unsolved case but remained as Rido [traditional mortal enemy] and now succeeded by another undefeated mayor the elders son Mayor Motalib Dimaporo and succeeded by son up to the present. Now Karomatan was renamed after Sultan sa Binidayan Naga Dimaporo or Sultan Naga Dimaporo [SND] Municipality. You cannot blame all traditional politician to build up their own political dynasty because everybody want to stay in the position life time as livelihood program otherwise a come and go of different family all the time is the problem. Like late Ali Dimaporo during his time as congressman the strong political opponent in Lanao del Norte was Provincial Governor Arsenio Quibranza so the only way he can get Governor Quibranza is to ask the son Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo to marry the daughter of Governor Quibranza Imelda Quibranza who had been recognized as Miss Caltex, Philippines so now no more strong opposition although former Ambassador Masaranga Umpa was negotiated by Congressman Ali Dimaporo before to go with their group but the Ambassador has his own stand until both Masaranga Umpa and Abdullah Dimaporo ran at the same time with different political affiliation but Masaranga Umpa didn't make it until he was offered as Ambassador to Nigeria where he accepted as an executive clemency. Ambassador Umpa controlled the whole clan but the problem is financial capability and now just to hold some from the clan, Congressman Dimaporo retained the sister of the Ambassador Vice Governor Irma Umpa-Ali as the undefeated Vice Governor of Lanao del Norte up to this time…

And now Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo as the Congressman of the 2nd District, Wife Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo as Congresswoman in the 1st District, daughter Aliya as Party List Congresswoman, son Kalid Dimaporo is the Provincial Governor.

Submitted Article from Amsuda Clan

With the request of my cousin

Datu Jal-haq Umpa Maruhom Cali grandson of late Ret. Col. Sultan Malamit Ampaso Umpa.

and Sultan Marc ask me to include in my post to let known that Kapatagan remain as part of

Meranao Kingdoms