Abstract: This paper presents a biographical and historical account of Salipada K. Pendatun, the first Filipino Muslim Brigadier General and a pioneering political leader in postwar Philippines. Tracing his journey from a young Maguindanaon intellectual to a guerrilla commander during World War II, and later as a lawyer, legislator, cabinet member, and national statesman, the study highlights Pendatun’s multifaceted contributions to both the Moro people and the Philippine nation. It underscores his wartime heroism and his instrumental role in rebuilding democratic institutions, alongside his legislative and executive achievements that advanced social justice, economic development, and Muslim representation.
More importantly, the paper situates Pendatun’s political career within the broader framework of nation-building and peace-building, demonstrating how he consistently sought to bridge divides between the Moro community and wider Filipino society. His leadership reflected a deep commitment to dialogue, inclusivity, and reconciliation—values that shaped his vision of unity amid diversity. Anchored in archival sources, memoirs, and secondary sources, the study accentuates Pendatun’s enduring role as both a champion of Moro aspirations and a statesman of national peace and solidarity.
Ultimately, it argues that Pendatun’s legacy embodies the intertwined goals of governance, inclusivity, and sustainable peace, making him a historical figure whose leadership continues to inspire reflections on political representation, cultural coexistence, and peace-building in Mindanao and the nation.
Keywords: Salipada K. Pendatun; Moro leadership; Mindanao history; Muslim representation; nation-building; peace-building; Philippine politics.
Title: SALIPADA K. PENDATUN: A LEGACY OF STATESMANSHIP AND PEACE-BUILDING IN MINDANAO AND THE NATION
Author: Khadiguia Ontok-Balah
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Vol. 13, Issue 3, July 2025 - September 2025
Page No: 259-273
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 25-August-2025
