The Sulu Archipelago and its people, by Sixto Y. Orosa ...

THE SUJLTANATE

65

A vinta under sail

in eradicating the old system of punishments up to the
advent of America
Murder was punished by a fine of P105. If one found
guilty could not pay the fine, he became a slave of the
sultan. If he committed this crime a second time, he
was tied to a tree and his body was hacked until he was
dead.
For robbery a fine of T75 was imposed, and whatever
was stolen was required to be returned; or else the
culprit became a slave of the sultan A second offense
was punishable by death in the same way as a second
nTmurder.
For theft a fine of P70 was imposed If the offender
was caught stealing again, hirs right hand and foot were
first immersed in hot oil and then amputated. In the
discretion of the judge, theft was punishable by death
when the value of the property stolen was great
A convicted adulterer was struck fifty times witl a
piece of rattan in the presence of at least three witnesses