Kalinaw News: Sulu Sultanate revives traditional martial arts “Kuntao and Silat”

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 16, 2021): Sulu Sultanate revives traditional martial arts “Kuntao and Silat”



Kuta Heneral Teodolfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – The Sulu Sultanate, in collaboration with the local government units of Sulu and the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Division is pushing for the revival of the century-old Kuntao & Silat — a traditional arts practiced by Sulu warriors– through a program specifically targeted towards the youth, March 16, 2020.

“Yesterday afternoon, I was in Bgy Taglibi, Patikul with Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo Muedzul-Lail T Kiram, Patikul Mayor Kabir E Hayudini and Sulu Governor representative Jullkipli Ahijon, where we witnessed the first leg of the demonstration of the historic martial arts Kuntao & Silat led by Grandmaster Said Musa and his students” said MGen William N Gonzales, Commander of Joint Task Force – Sulu.

1102nd Infantry Brigade Commander Col Benjamin G Batara, who was also at the event, explained that Grandmaster Said conducted an orientation and basic training on the historic martial arts among the youth in from different barangays in Patikul. “The representative from the 30 barangays of Patikul (7 students each) will be the core group of their respective Kuntao & Silat organizations on the barangay level. After Patikul, we plan to do the same in the Municipality of Maimbung.”

Meanwhile 1102 Bde Deputy Commander Col Tarahuddin Ampatuan explained the rationale of this project, “The Norweigan embassy is also supporting this endeavor by provision of training fund. What we want is to revive that the identity of Tausug as noble warriors. Warriors who are God-fearing and respectful of the law. Warriors who have discipline and who only uses force to protect the innocent.”

For his part, Grandmaster Said, stressed that the students of Kuntao & Silat are mandated to undergo a review of the Qu’ran and are constantly guided by spiritual advisers such as himself. He shared that Kuntao & Silat training was formalized on 1969.

As part of the program, Sultan Kiram led the oath of discipline and subsequently delivered his speech. “Malaki ang responsibilidad ang kaakibat ng Kuntao at Silat dahil mayroon spiritwal na obligasyon at respeto sa kapwa. Meron din itong mga ipinagbabawal, lalo na Kung ikakapahamak ng indibidwal o nakakarami. Ito rin ay gabay sa mga estudyante upang sila’y magkaroon ng takot sa Diyos , masunurin sa magulang,at respeto sa pamahalaan,” said Sultan Kiram.

MGen Gonzales expressed his gratitude to all commanders and other stakeholders who made the event possible. He shared that he himself is an avid fan of various martial arts and will always have high regard to those who practice it.

“Ang inyong uniporme ay simbolo na kayo ay parte ng isang layunin. Kaisa niyo ako, kaisa niyo ang buong 11th Infantry Division sa muling pagpapalaganap ng Kuntao at Silat. Una dito sa Patikul, tapos isusunod natin ang iba pang munispyo. Kay Sultan Kiram at kay Grandmaster Said, saludo po ako sa inyo sa hangarin niyong ito,” said MGen Gonzales.

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