Jolo – Sulu – Day 2 of our successful hike Bud tumantangis (See Hiking Question #801) We did another hike this time Bud Dajo (also spelled daho), a reference to the sacred mountain of Tausug and Tausug, the site of many battles, including the first of Bud Dajo in 1906 war. Given the scale of the brutality, many historians describe the infamous battle as a massacre perpetuated by the invading American colonial forces, who killed 800-900 natives, including women and children, even as ” War Trophy” photo. On the other hand, some writers say that it should be called a “battle” to emphasize the fact that the Tausug troops fought against all odds and against all odds. In addition to its historical importance, it is also a natural, sylvan sanctuary and a pleasant hiking destination, while always thinking of the representation of the mountains.
Najib, being a reliable Najib, sought his blessings and valuable support for the 1101st Infantry Brigade, which accompanied us on the trek. After a polite conference call at their headquarters, we headed to Talipo City, one of the many trails on the mountain. As we prepared for the hike around 0915H, I reflected on the fact that the possibility of being able to climb Bud Dajo amazes locals and tourists alike. Even the captain we met at headquarters told us: “A few years ago, that trail you were about to climb was a battlefield”.
The hike is mostly steep but remains densely forested, with impressive forest trees dotting the surroundings. We reach the rim of the crater at 1044 – just over 1.5 hours
We then descend into the crater itself, the site of a historical battle now marked with commemorative signs. We then reached the highest point, which is marked by a wooden bench! There is a military outpost at the top, although in a sign of the times, it was not actively used.
The descent was easy and by 1300h we were back on the trail. Thank you to the 1101st IB, Najib, and everyone who participated in this trek. Overall, it’s very inspiring to see the passion for the outdoors taking root in Sulu and its mountains transforming from war zones to hiking destinations. Inshallahmay peace prevail in Sulu and the rest of the Philippines!
