Battle of Tamparan


The Battle of Tamparan was a engagement between the Imperial Japanese Army and Maranao irregulars in Tamparan, Lanao, Philippines during the Japanese occupation era of World [War II].

Battle

Forces of the Imperial Japanese Army coming from Dansalan landed in a wharf at dawn in Tamparan on September 12, 1942 which was the first day of the month of Ramadan. They were pursuing Maranao guerrilla Busran Kalaw.
The 90 Japanese soldiers shelled Kota Dimalaang, a kota or fortification in the settlement, which was flying a red flag which alerted the locals.
The Maranao civilians armed with panabas and other bladed weapons from the town and nearby Lanao del Sur|Taraka], Maguing and Gata launched a counterattack.
The Japanese running out of ammunition fled towards the marshland near Lake Lanao and the Tamparan wharf with only five Japanese surviving. It was a Phyrric victory for the Maranaos who suffered 200–300 casualties.

Legacy

The Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage unveiled a marker on September 25, 2025 in Tamparan now under Lanao del Sur province to commemorate the Maranaos who were part of the historic battle.