The only caves in the country that is right in the
heart of the city are the Kutawato Caves. It’s various
entrances; all within traffic is a rarity that can
only be had in the “ Heart of Mindanao- Cotabato
City”.
These caves were also the source of the city’s present
name for “kuta” means fort and “wato” means stone
hence the name fort of stone, which later became
cotabato. Kutawato caves with its walls of white,
beige and brownish shade glitters in the dark and
echoes a colorful past dating back to the days when no
foreign foot yet trampled upon this island.
This caves had given sanctuary to the natives when the
Spaniards tried to convert them into the castillan
faith and has thus served the purposed when Filipino
guerillas fought the invading force of the Japanese
Imperial Army during the Second World War.
When the Japanese firepower proved superior to that of
the natives, the caves then used as an armory and even
as a garrison. Within its confines, tortured and
oppressed souls that thirst for freedom and democracy
echoed their faint moans and cries that were buried in
its bosoms, muted for over half a century.
Formally re-opened and blessed on September 19, 1996,
the outwait caves of cotabato city has once again
reverberated the voices of the cotabateños; this time
however, in a peacefully happy tone.
Located at the foot of the “Tantawan” or P.C. hill,
the cave is reputed to be seven kilometers long and of
formidable, solid rock. Having four major entrances,
each gaping mouth offers unique experience to its
visitors.
PROVINCIAL CAPITOL
CAVE
At the back of the historic Old Provincial Capitol
building and descending a plight of steps that was
build for access to its bottom the cave welcomes the
visitor to an awesome sight of stalactites and
stalagmites. In addition, it likewise offers an
impressive display of rock and mineral formations and
deposits.
Ideal for adventurous, one can scale its wall that
rises to a height of 50 feet and discover chambers and
caverns that the untrained eye would easily miss.
Ideal for spelunking and simply nature tripping, the
cave will definitely meet the expectations.
BAGUA CAVE
Located along San Vicente Street, thus cave offers the
visitor another kind of thrill. Greeting you at a
entrance is a natural pond of salty spring water
flowing clearly towards its length. Bounded by two of
these ponds is a gallery, that serves as a launching
pad for art and photo exhibits intimated theatre and
musical presentations.
This tunnel-like cave boast also of an awesome rock
and mineral formation, an army of fruits bats, a fresh
water well and hidden chambers believed old folks to
still hide the treasures left behind by the retreating
Japanese forces.
CAVERNA ESPAñOL
Named its interior of Spanish dungeons, complete with
inscriptions, torch holders alongside its chambers and
iron grills. Used as a jail by the Japanese Army in
the height of war, it offers three separate tunnels
inside which can be reach after going down twenty-one
plights of concrete stairs.
KWEBA NI SATUR
Situated aloft within the Tantawan or P.C. hill this
L-shaped cave offers two entrances, either vertically
through a gaping hole by way of clinging vines or a
rope, and horizontally after scaling another plight of
stairs. Believed then to be the mouth of hell, as it
was reputed to be a pit of snakes; thus was feared by
the natives and generations that followed through
there by earning the moniker “Kweba ni Satur”.
