Tulunan
Tulunan is an active municipality in Cotabato province, Philippines, known for its agricultural economy and culturally diverse communities.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Tulunan, officially the Municipality of Tulunan, is a municipality in the province of Cotabato in the Philippines. It lies in southern Cotabato, approximately 31 kilometres from Kidapawan City, the provincial capital. The municipality is bordered by M'lang to the north, Datu Paglas in Maguindanao del Sur to the south, the Ligawasan Marsh area to the west, Makilala to the northeast, and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur to the east. Its territory is organized into 29 barangays. The name Tulunan is generally traced to the Maguindanaon word “tulun,” associated with abundance or a place where grace falls. Local historical traditions describe an early settlement shaped by Muslim communities in the lowlands and by Blaan and Bagobo groups in the surrounding uplands. Before the municipality was formally established, governance followed local datu-based systems. Datu Enok is remembered in local accounts as an early ruling leader, while later figures including Datu Mangko Ambag and other local leaders influenced settlement, agriculture, intergroup relations, and political organization. The area was historically connected to Kidapawan and M'lang. After the Second World War, administrative changes in the region brought the M'lang-Tulunan area into a reorganized municipal structure. M'lang became a separate municipality from Kidapawan in 1951. Tulunan itself was created through Executive Order No. 441, signed on August 6, 1961, by President Carlos P. Garcia. The order separated 28 barrios and sitios from M'lang in the then-undivided province of Cotabato and established Tulunan's seat of government in the barrio of Tulunan. Datu Ibrahim Paglas Jr. served as provisional mayor, and Datu Catong Madidis as provisional vice mayor. Godofredo Laluyan became the first elected mayor in 1963. Tulunan's modern history includes periods of social hardship, political violence, natural disaster, and institutional change. During the early 1980s, a prolonged drought contributed to food shortages affecting many families in the municipality and elsewhere in Mindanao. In 1985, Italian Catholic missionary priest Tullio Favali was killed in Barangay La Esperanza by members of the Ilaga paramilitary group. The case resulted in a successful murder and arson prosecution during the late Marcos period and remains one of the most significant events associated with the municipality's recent history. Tulunan was also one of the principal locations affected by the 2019 Cotabato earthquake sequence. The magnitude 6.6 earthquake of October 29, 2019, caused deaths, injuries, and extensive disruption across Cotabato and neighbouring areas. The municipality remains exposed to flooding, particularly near the Malasila, Tulunan, and Bual river systems. Heavy rainfall can affect low-lying barangays and damage crops. Agriculture is central to Tulunan's economy. Its reported products include rice, corn, upland rice, legumes, green onions, root crops, tobacco, rubber, vegetables, sorghum, and coconuts. Agricultural production is influenced by seasonal rainfall and flooding risks. According to the 2024 census, Tulunan had a population of 61,901, with a population density of approximately 180.43 people per square kilometre. The municipality continues to function as a local government and agricultural community within Cotabato province.
History
The area now comprising Tulunan was historically inhabited by Maguindanaon Muslim communities in the lowlands and by Blaan and Bagobo groups in the hills and mountains. Traditional local accounts describe governance through datu-based leadership. Datu Enok is identified as an early leader, while later figures such as Sultan Solaiman, Datu Mangko Ambag, Datu Dempon, and other local authorities appear in accounts of settlement, cultivation, fishing, migration, and intergroup relations. The community's name is linked to the Maguindanaon term “tulun,” which conveys abundance or the arrival of grace. Islamic influence reached the area through the wider spread of Islam in Mindanao, traditionally associated with the arrival of Sharif Kabungsuwan and subsequent Maguindanaon settlement. Blaan and Bagobo communities remained important in the eastern uplands. Historical tensions between groups were at times reduced through political and family alliances, including the marriage of Datu Mangko to a Blaan woman in local tradition. Administratively, the territory was connected first with the municipal district of Kidapawan and later with M'lang. After the Second World War, Kidapawan was converted into a municipality in 1947. M'lang was separated from Kidapawan in 1951, and Tulunan subsequently became the subject of local campaigns for separate municipal status. An early petition in 1956, associated with Datu Udtog Matalam, encountered opposition. A later initiative led by local figures sometimes remembered as the “Big Five”—Datu Dabpil Tuden, Arsenio Villamor Sr., Juan Jinen, Mauro Quibrantar, and Jose Ordenia—succeeded. Executive Order No. 441, signed by President Carlos P. Garcia on August 6, 1961, formally created the Municipality of Tulunan from 28 barrios and sitios of M'lang. Datu Ibrahim Paglas Jr. became provisional mayor and Datu Catong Madidis provisional vice mayor, with Datu Mangko Ambag, Roberto Jover Sr., Benito Cabello, and Datu Diadel Kamag among the first appointed councilors. Godofredo Laluyan won the first mayoral election in 1963. Conrado Lemana later served as mayor from 1967 to 1980, followed by Josue Faustino. The municipality experienced serious hardship during the early 1980s, when a long drought contributed to food shortages. On April 11, 1985, Tullio Favali, a Roman Catholic priest serving in Tulunan, was murdered in Barangay La Esperanza by the Ilaga group led by Norberto Manero Jr. Manero was convicted of murder and arson in 1987 and received a sentence of reclusión perpetua. His later release after pardon and escape remained controversial. In the 2019 Bangsamoro plebiscite process, Galidan was the only Tulunan barangay identified as seeking possible inclusion, but it ultimately voted to remain outside the Bangsamoro territory. Later that year, Tulunan became one of the principal areas affected by the Cotabato earthquakes. The October 29 magnitude 6.6 earthquake caused extensive damage and casualties across the region. Tulunan's present economy is predominantly agricultural. Rice, corn, upland rice, legumes, green onions, root crops, tobacco, rubber, vegetables, sorghum, and coconuts are among the products associated with the municipality. Seasonal rainfall, river overflow, and flooding can substantially reduce yields in vulnerable barangays. The 2024 census recorded a population of 61,901.
- 2024
Population reaches 61,901
[1]The 2024 census recorded a municipal population of 61,901.
- 2019
Bangsamoro plebiscite decision
[1]Galidan voted against inclusion in the Bangsamoro territory during the February plebiscite.
- 2019
Cotabato earthquake sequence
[1]Tulunan was among the areas most severely affected by the October Cotabato earthquakes.
- 1985
Killing of Tullio Favali
[1]The murder of the Italian missionary priest in Barangay La Esperanza became one of the municipality's most prominent historical events.
- 1963
First elected mayor takes office
[1]Godofredo Laluyan became Tulunan's first elected mayor, with Arsenio Villamor Sr. as vice mayor.
- 1961
Tulunan formally established
[1]Executive Order No. 441 created Tulunan from 28 barrios and sitios of M'lang.
- 1951
M'lang separates from Kidapawan
[1]M'lang was established as a municipality separate from Kidapawan, setting the administrative context for Tulunan's later creation.
- 1947
Kidapawan becomes a municipality
[1]The postwar administrative reorganization converted the municipal district of Kidapawan into a municipality, incorporating the broader M'lang-Tulunan area.
Products and positioning
A rural agricultural municipality in southern Cotabato with a mixed cultural heritage, a dispersed barangay structure, and an economy centered on crop production.
Agricultural product
Rice
Rice is one of Tulunan's principal agricultural products, cultivated in lowland and other suitable areas. Production is exposed to seasonal flooding and rainfall variability.
Agricultural product
Corn
Corn is an important crop in Tulunan's farming economy and is produced alongside rice and upland crops across the municipality's agricultural areas.
Agricultural product
Rubber
Rubber is among the commercial crops associated with Tulunan's agricultural output, reflecting the municipality's broader mix of food and plantation products.
Agricultural products
Tobacco and vegetables
Tobacco, vegetables, green onions, legumes, root crops, sorghum, and coconuts form part of Tulunan's diversified crop base. Their production supports local livelihoods but can be affected by drought and flooding.
Controversies
1985
Murder of Tullio Favali
Tullio Favali, an Italian Roman Catholic priest serving in Tulunan, was killed in Barangay La Esperanza on April 11, 1985, by members of the Ilaga armed paramilitary group. Norberto Manero Jr. was later convicted of murder and arson. The case was notable because it was successfully prosecuted during the Marcos presidency.
Brand decisions
2019
Galidan rejects Bangsamoro inclusionOtherBackground
The Bangsamoro territorial reorganization created a plebiscite process for communities seeking inclusion in the new autonomous region.
Action taken
Galidan participated in the February 6 plebiscite but voted to remain outside the Bangsamoro territory.
Aftermath
Tulunan remained outside the Bangsamoro region, while Galidan continued as a barangay of the municipality.
1961
Creation of the Municipality of TulunanStrategyBackground
Local leaders pursued separation from M'lang in response to the area's distinct settlement history, communities, and administrative needs.
Action taken
The national government issued Executive Order No. 441, separating 28 barrios and sitios from M'lang and establishing Tulunan as a municipality.
Aftermath
Tulunan acquired its own municipal government, beginning with provisional officials and followed by its first local election in 1963.
Recent events
- 2019
Tulunan affected by the 2019 Cotabato earthquakes[1]
Other
Tulunan was an epicentre of the Cotabato earthquake sequence, including the magnitude 6.6 earthquake on October 29, which caused deaths, injuries, and widespread disruption in the region.
- 2019
Galidan barangay opts out of Bangsamoro inclusion[1]
Regulation · Other
Although Galidan had sought consideration for inclusion in the Bangsamoro territory, it was among the barangays that voted against inclusion in the February 2019 plebiscite.
- 1961
Tulunan created as a municipality[1]
Other
Executive Order No. 441 established Tulunan by separating 28 barrios and sitios from M'lang in the then-undivided province of Cotabato.
Sources2 sources
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