Another interesting place to go when you're in the Province of Maguindanao is the tomb of Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun located in the town named after him.
A historical marker by the National Historical Commission was installed in the tomb honoring Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun and his many significant contributions to the country.
A historical marker by the National Historical Commission was installed in the tomb honoring Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun and his many significant contributions to the country.
According to BCH-ARMM, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun was a lawyer, military officer, legislator and national leader of many “Firsts”.
He was the first and only Muslim who headed a combined Muslim Christian-American guerilla army, the first Filipino Muslim to be conferred the rank of Brigadier General, the first Muslim elected senator, the first to hold three Senate Committee Chairmanship at the same time, the first Muslim delegate to the United Nations and the first Muslim to become Speaker Pro-Tempore of the House Representatives.
He was also a champion of the unification of the free world and exponent of the cause that a combination of Christian and Muslim free countries can successfully resist Communist aggression and domination.
General Pendatun was a descendant of Sharif Kabunsuan, son of the Sultan of Jahor, Malaya and the first ruler of the Empire Province of Cotabato with the title of Sultan sa Maguindanao.
Senator Pendatun, better known as “Sali” to friends, was born in Pikit, Cotabato, on December 3, 1912, of pure Filipino-Malayan Muslim parentage.
Senator Pendatun was the first and only Muslim who was married in a Catholic Church and retained his Islamic faith with Pope’s dispensation. Senator Salipada K. Pendatun who died on 1985 is a martyr and hero for the Muslims.
