KAGAN Sultan Abdul Mawla Camamara III of Davao City was chosen via consensus by reigning sultans in the Davao region as the Prime Sultan (equivalent to king or president) of the Sultanate of Region 11, also known as the Davao region.
The other sultans reigning in the provinces of Region 11 were present during the historic selection process held last Saturday at Grand Menseng Hotel, Davao City.
Notable and regally prominent were Sultan Comara Manuel, Sultan Baser Bago-Dawami and Sultan Racman Maug.
Also present were royal bais led by octogenarian Bai Sonia Upo and Davao City Indigenous Peoples’ representative Councilor Halila Sudagar.
Before present Kagan datus and sultans, Prime Sultan Camamara vowed to lead by actions than words, as he thanked fellow sultans for their confidence in his leadership. He also asked them for their continued support.
Sultanate Secretary-General Datu Joel Bustamante steered the selection process smoothly and well.
In an interview, he said the Sultanate of Region 11 has promising endeavors for the greater benefit and development of the sultanate’s people, such as forging ties with investors and development agencies from Muslim countries with which the old sultanates in Mindanao in yesteryears had historical bonds, kinship and ties.
IPMR Councilor Sudagar, a Kagan princess, also pledged her support to the sultanate.
The Sultanate of Region 11, largely of Kagan ethnicity from being the pioneer majority tribe in Davao City, is one of the sultanates in Mindanao that has survived the onslaught of time.
Sultans are successor progenies of or have blood lines from the first Sultan of Mindanao, who introduced Islam in the island in the later part of 16th century, Sharif Muhammad Kabungsuwan, a generation progeny of Holy Prophet Muhammad.