Barung; weapon, tool or tourist piece?

[migueldiaz]

Spunjer/ Dan, below is the last pic I got of the reactivation of the Ilagas in 2008.

To all -- the Ilagas are supposedly the only group that the Moros are wary about.

In fact last year when the Moro rebels went on a rampage in Mindanao, the reactivation of the Ilagas by the government as one of the countermeasures made the Moro rebels complain something to the effect that "It's not fair!".

Originally Posted by Spunjer

miguel, hehe, now we're talking ilonggo here. some of the Ilagas (literally meaning Rat) still carry blades, in the form of Binangon, but it's more of a utilitarian than primary weapon. but you can bet on this: lots of them has some form of anting-anting. used to be a lot of Ilagas in the outskirt of gensan.

Spunjer, am really glad you can make it

At last, we have an Ilonggo who can shed more light on what his Ilaga uncles are made of Hey, I didn't know that the name means rats.

By the way, are the notches on the rifle (left photo) supposed to mean number of kills? The right photo on the other hand shows the big boss of this Ilaga group. Does that barrel look like it's an M-16-A4?

Last but not the least, thanks for the comment on the binangon! And yes, I do know that the Ilagas are deep into anting-antings (talismans).

As a last point, unlike the Moros, it is apparent that the Ilagas (and Ilonggos, in general?) don't have any sentimentality and symbolism for the tenegres and ginuntings of their forefathers ...

[kino]

I wonder where the Tommy Gun will be in the hierarchy?

I wonder where that Thompson came from, Danao?
Are those BAR's I see.

Miguel, I'm always enjoying your photos, good work Bro.

[Spunjer]

Ilagas were notorious back in the 70's. lots of bloody clashes then. use to hear stories were they would lop off the ear of their kills and made a necklace out of it.
didn't know they were deactivated...

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by kino

I wonder where that Thompson came from, Danao? Are those BAR's I see. Miguel, I'm always enjoying your photos, good work Bro.

Kino, thanks! The Thompson could have been Danao [Cebu], or it could have also been a WW2 piece, just like the BARs.

Suddenly, that reminds me of Vic Morrow, Rick Jason, & "Kirby" ... and hey, where's that music coming from?

Originally Posted by Spunjer

Ilagas were notorious back in the 70's. lots of bloody clashes then. use to hear stories were they would lop off the ear of their kills and made a necklace out of it. didn't know they were deactivated...

Spunjer, actually they weren't deactivated. I should have not used "reactivated" Yes, they are still pretty much around in Mindanao I heard ...

[wilked aka Khun Deng]

Well the Thompson would have rated pretty well up there - remember the caliber, .45, was designed originally cause the .38 wouldn't stop the Jura mentados (sp?). You got a caliber specifically designed to kill your ancestors cause they're as tough as nails - that's got to carry some prestige.

Yes that's a M-4 carbine sticking into the picture - in sore need of some maintenance I might add.

And Yes to most of them being WW2 pieces, ammo and spare parts are definite limiting factors in todays "skirmishes".

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by wilked aka Khun Deng

Well the Thompson would have rated pretty well up there - remember the caliber, .45, was designed originally cause the .38 wouldn't stop the Jura mentados (sp?). You got a caliber specifically designed to kill your ancestors cause they're as tough as nails - that's got to carry some prestige.

Yes that's a M-4 carbine sticking into the picture - in sore need of some maintenance I might add.

And Yes to most of them being WW2 pieces, ammo and spare parts are definite limiting factors in todays "skirmishes".

Thanks Dan for the additional info

I've finally found a pic of an Ilaga[?] with a blade, per below. The article from which the pic came from is also a good read ...

[migueldiaz]

Going back to barongs as used by present-day Moros, at the Phil. Military Academy (PMA) there's this barong captured from an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) commander in 2000.

The description of the piece is --

"A Barong previously owned by Abu Sayaff Commander Mujib Susukan. It was seized on May 7, 2000 in Barangay Bandang, Talipao, Sulu by elements of Taskforce Sultan (104th brigade), 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army under then Col. Romeo P. Tolentino during its first encounter in the attempt to rescue 19 foreign hostages kidnapped in Sipadan, Sabah, Malaysia. Now on Display at the Philippine Military Academy Museum."

The ASG is the one responsible also for the kidnapping of the American missionary couple, Martin & Gracia Burnham.