THE TRANSITION PERIOD 

          The Commonwealth Government was established on 15 November 1935. Sworn to highest position of the land was Manuel L. Quezon who served as a Sergeant in the Spanish Army. He's inaugural speech pledged alliance with America regardless of consequences to his people. The leader of Dansalan Declaration, Abdulhajid Bongabong launched an armed resistance in Lanao in June 1936 and built fortified cottas around Lake Lanao. On 08 October 1936 Imam Saccam was questioning  the granted Independence for the Filipinos and his armed followers ambushed Constabulary soldiers. the Government fought back and the Imam and his followers perished one after another.

          President Quezon signed the Commonwealth Act #141 with Section 84 declaring all Moro ancestral lands as public lands. The Moros and Lumads became landless and deprived of lands once owned by their forefathers. An individual Moro may apply for a parcel of land not exceeding 4 hectares while Christian settlers was allowed to have 24 hectares and Filipino Corporations may apply up to 1,024 hectares.

          The Government were threaten by the Moros and decided to demolish the cottas or fortification built by Moro leaders. The demolition started on 22 November 1937 until 12 September 1938. Destroyed cottas were in Diluasan in Lanao, Lalabuan, Pindaluman, Tukod, Baltig, Ambulato and Tagayo.

          On June 1939, President Quezon signed Commonwealth Act # 441, another settlement law creating NLSA or National Land Settlement Administration(9). The Act distributed lands but giving priority to settlers who completed a preparatory military training to anticipate the impending Japanese invasion. 3 major settlements were opened with 2 in Cotabato Valley. 200 Christian families from Luzon and Visayas benefitted with 12 hectares each and a financial assistance as a start up.

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