This statue of Sultan Kudarat was created by Jose M. Mendoza in 1973. Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat was the Sultan of Mindanao during the first half of the 17th century. He united the Muslims of Lanao, Cotabato, Davao, Sulu, Zamboanga and North Borneo, and resisted bitterly the Spanish Invasion of his domain. He was a fearless fighter and Filipino hero in defense of Islamic faith and Philippine liberty. Kudarat died around 1650.