The outbreak of WWII disrupted Commonwealth operations. Christians and Muslim officers and men of the military district in Mindanao and Sulu shifted to guerilla activities against the Japanese. A civil government called Free Sulu Government administered activities in the locality. The Japanese Occupation forces established a government in Basilan to govern both Zamboanga and Basilan. The Japanese Occupation of Basilan was rather uneventful; it barely disturbed Yakan society, except in terms of Japanese demand for food for their military.
Towards the end of the war, Dipilog, Zamboanga became very important for the US invasion plans, as outlined here – not really currency related, but an interesting read about the importance of guerrilla forces.
Municipal notes:
Provincial notes:
The Japanese invaded Zamboanga City March 2nd, 1942. At that point the provincial government was moved to Dipolog. Gen. Roxas authorized the provincial treasurer to pay for the continued operation of local governments. Funds for this were to initially be obtained from the Mindanao Emergency Currency Board, but barring that it was to be printed locally.
A Currency Committee was formed, and operated from May 21st, 1942 to June 15th, 1942. The notes issued by this Committee were printed by Rev. Angel Soto on a small hand-operated printing press. 44,000 Pesos were issued in total.
