Surigao

Short story of Surigao

Surigao is nestled on the northern tip of the province of Surigao del Norte, where peaks and valleys dot the entire coastline. The Hinatuan Passage borders it to the northeast, Surigao Road to the westerly side and Tagana-an to the southern side.

It has an area of 245.34 sq. km and a total of 35,855 residents in 1970. There are also good streets to Butuan in Agusan del Norte and Lianga in Surigao del Sur. Surigao was a flourishing village governed by Chief Solibao.

The Spaniards came and named the place "Surigao", but during the early Christians' missionary arrivals in the provinces, it was better known as "Caraga", from the name of its people - the "Caragas" of the Wesayan tribe - bellicose, courageous and wild. Bilang-bilang harbour, where the present day town is situated, became an excellent centre for trading, business and religious life.

From then on, the city of Surigao became a centre of Spain's religious and religious powers in the area, competing only with Tandag on the province of Surigao's south shore. It was badly hit by Islamic muggings. After the devastation of the city in 1752, almost all of its 2,000 residents were either slaughtered or taken as servants by the Muslims.

On May 23, 1942, during the Second World War, the Japonese armed force under Captain Yusee Surigao invaded Surigao. Later on, after the US aircraft bombarded the port of Bilang-Bilang on 9 September 1944, the US army and guerilla squads force the withdrawal of Japan until Surigao was freed on 12 April 1945. In accordance with Law No. 2786 of 19 June 1960, the old province of Surigao was split into Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte, with the municipality of Surigao as the capitol.

It became a charter town under Law 6134 of the Republic, adopted on 31 August 1970. Well-known for its close vicinity to the almost unfathomable Philippine Deep canyon, one of the Pacific Ocean's lowest points, as well as all the other seas in the hemisphere.