Philippine history : reassessed / Isidro Escare Abeto.

King Philip Approves Treaty

Sometime in 1744 Sultan Ali Muddin received Fr. Francisco Sazi, S.
J. and Major Sergeant Tomas de Arrevillaga as religious missionaries from
Gov. Gen. Gaspar de la Torre who replaced Gov. Valdes Tamon in July 1739.
The emissaries presented a letter from King Philip V of Spain informing
Sultan Ali Muddin that the Treaty entered into by the latter with Governor
Valdes Tamon was ratified by the Royal Cedula dated June 9, 1742. In
addition to the terms of the treaty, the King of Spain offered arm protection
to the Sultan's territory in case of extraneous attack. Greatly elated, Sultan
Ali Muddin sailed to Zamboanga Fort to which he fetched the Jesuit missionaries to preach Catholicism to his people. On September 21, 1745, Gov. Gen.
Gaspar de la Torre died and Bishop Juan de Arrechederra of Nueva Segovia,
replaced the deceased governor as Acting Governor General of the Philippines. The people of Jolo resented Ali Muddin's acceptance of the Christian
religion and their hostilities forced the Spanish missionaries to return back to
the Fort of Zamboanga. A few days later, Sultan Ali Muddin with his family
had to flee also to Zamboanga following an unsuccessfiul attempt at his life.
Sultan Ali Muddin, with 70 of his loyal followers left for Manila to seek
Government help to restore him back to power.
Royal Welcome for the Sultan
A royal welcome for Sultan Ali Muddin was prepared by Acting
Governor General Juan de Arrechederra. Upon entering Manila, the Sultan
was accompanied by the Captain of the Guards, all houses were decorated, the
streets were lined by 2,000 foot soldiers and patrolled by 800 cavalrymen. Big
guns were fired in his honor. The whole city of Manila was in a festive mood
and the populace stepped out from their homes to witness the grandiose arrival
of the Sultan of Jolo. During his stay, banquets were tendered in his honor,
he was personally visited and greeted by the religious and government
officials and he returned their visits. The Spanish officialdom lavished him
with gifts.

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