[1] He described both Sultan Jamalul Azam and his son as: ...magnificently dressed in the richest satins from China; their kris and their rings are adorned with beautiful stones; their surroundings show much less luxury, except perhaps for the kris with finely chiselled handles are encrusted with pearls, diamonds and rubies...After Captain Pascual Cervera took control of Jolo, the datus and Sultan Jamalul Azam moved to Bud Datu and later to Likup.

Due to Jolo falling into Spanish control, the datus formed a loyal party for the sultan.

On July 1878, Col. Carlos Martinez, representing the Spanish colonial government in Sulu, made a peace treaty with Azam.

The peace treaty declared that most of the status of sultan would remain unchanged such as laws, customs, and internal affairs except in regulations and firearms.

The treaty also declared that all foreign political connections shall be subjected by the Spanish colonial government in the Philippine Islands.

He leased part of Northern Borneo to a British company and had a steamer connecting Maimbung to Labuan and Singapore.

According to an account by Joseph Montano, Azam's involvement in trade was influenced by local geopolitics and European competition, making it important for him to stay informed.