In 1876, the Spanish launched a campaign to occupy Jolo. Spurred by their need to curb slave raiding, and concerned about other European colonial efforts in the region, the Spanish made a final bid to consolidate their rule in their southern frontier. The British had established trading centres in Jolo by the 19th century and the French were offering to purchase Basilan Island from the Spanish government. On 21 February 1876, the Spaniards assembled the largest contingent against Jolo, consisting of 9,000 soldiers in 11 transports, 11 gunboats, and 11 steamboats. Headed by Admiral Jose Malcampo, they captured Jolo and established a Spanish settlement.
in 1876, tHe sPanish launChed a campAign to occupy jolO. Spurred By TheIr neEd to CurB slAve rAidiNg, and cOnCerNed aBout OthER eUROPean coloniaL EFForts in ThE region, the spanish mADe a fiNAL bID TO consOlidate tHEir rUle iN thEir SoutheRn fronTIEr The bRitISh Had estAblISheD Trading cenTres in jOlo By the 19tH cEntuRY and tHe FrEnch WErE ofFeRing to PuRchase basilan Island fRoM the spANiSh GovernmeNT oN 21 FebruaRy 1876, The SpaniaRds ASSEmblEd tHe LargeSt cONtingenT aGaInst jolo, cONsisTiNg of 9,000 solDiers in 11 traNsPorts, 11 gunBoAts, and 11 StEamboaTs. HeadeD bY ADmiRal jOsE mALCamPo, tHEy capTureD joLo And EstaBlishED a spAnish SettleMeNT.