Pikit, Cotabato

Pikit is a first class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. The so-called Pikit War
between Muslim separatists and the Philippines army took place there in early 2003.
According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 154,441 people, [3] making it the most populous
municipality and local government unit in the province.

History.
Pikit was the oldest settlement ever founded in Cotabato province. The landmark which will
eventually became the town's namesake, Fort Pikit, was established in 1893 by the Spaniards who
have by then just recently conquered what is now the province of Cotabato from the Sultanate of
Maguindanao. The name "Pikit" was given to the place by the Spaniards.[4] It was formerly called by
the natives "Malasiquit" because it was situated within the shadows of hills situated to each other.
The fort was built to consolidate their hold in the region.
The Spaniards abandoned Fort Pikit at the end of the 19th century, which paved the way for the
eventual American occupation in 1902.
Under the Osmea Colony Act of 1912, Pikit was founded on June 17, 1913 by the first Christian
Filipino colonists from the Province of Cebu. About one hundred twenty Cebuanos came under the
Colony Agent, Vicente Lozada. The first batch of colonists from Cebu arrived at Fort Pikit after two
days of sailing on board a river boat called "Hall", followed the Rio Grande de Mindanao.
The Rio Grande where the colonists landed is now a corn field. It became dry land due to the cut-off
river found in Kulanguan, Tunggol, Pagalungan, Maguindanao.
The first batch of colonists were distributed at Ladtingan, Calawag, Ginatilan, Panicupan, Manding
and Inug-ug .They belonged to Colony No. 1, while other colonists followed in 1914 up to 1915 and
they were assigned in the following colonies, Colony No. 2 (Paidu Pulangi) Colony no. 3 (Silik)
Colony No. 4 (Makasendeg) Colony No. 5 (Pagalungan) and Colony No.7 (Talitay).
Those who came in 1918 from the Visayas and Luzon were called homeseekers, immigrants, and
settlers because the government did not give them anymore free transportation and ration in their
coming.

During the Colony days the Colonies had a special government under the administration of the
Colony Superintendent; Mr. Maximo Abad was then appointed. Mr. Miguel Jacosalem, Asst. Supt. for
Colony No. 3, Datu Abdula Piang, Asst. Supt. for Colony No. 3, Mr. Tuan Afdal, Asst. Supt. for
Colony No. 4, Mr. Ruperto Gemarino, Asst. Supt. for Colony No. 5 and Mr. Primo Curo, Astt. Supt.
for Colony No. 7.
Schools were opened in the Colonies. The first school opened was Ladtingan which James E.
McCall was assigned as Supervisor. The first teachers were Frucosa Lucero and Ponciana Lucero.
In 1924, the colonists began to fight for the townsite and local autonomy, for the creation of Pikit into
a regular municipality.
In 1928, the Colony Administration was turned over to the Bureau of Lands. Pikit was created a
Municipal District, including the new municipality of Pagalungan.
In 1935, the construction of the Cotabato-Davao national Highway helped enhance the progress of
this town. This road passes through the heart of Pikit. It afforded a faster and more convenient
means of transportation and shipment of farm products.
In the early part of 1947 this Municipal District was created into a regular municipality, as the
Municipality of Pagalungan and Pikit as a barrio, Mr. Gorgonio P. Initan was the first appointed mayor
who was also the first elected mayor because this year was also the election of the municipal
officials. The seat of Government was in Pagalungan.
On May 9, 1948, the Barrio Planning Personnel accompanied by Atty. Sergio F. Tocao, came to Pikit.
This marked the triumph of the colonists for the establishment of Manding as a townsite.
In Sept. 29, 1949, Pikit was created a regular municipality by Executive Proclamation with Manding
as the seat of the municipal government. This ended the struggle of the colonists and marked the
fulfillment of their aspirations. Pikit was created out of the municipality of Pagalungan.
Pikit was proclaimed into a regular municipality thru the efforts of the late Congressman Gumbay
Piang and Governor Duma Sinsuat by virtue of Executive Order No. 270 with its townsite at
Manding.