Kutawato Caves

Situated within the city proper, the Kutawato Caves is located at the foot of Pedro Colina Hill.

It has numerous hidden underground passageways, one of these is the tunnel connecting to Tamontaka Church, the oldest church in Cotabato City.

[1] This cave is also the source of the city's present name, wherein kuta means fort and wato means stone, forming the phrase 'fort of stone', which later on became Cotabato.

The cave has given sanctuary to the natives when the Spaniards tried to convert them into the Castillan faith and has served the purpose when Filipino guerillas fought the invading force of Japanese Imperial army during the World War II.

When the Japanese firepower proved superior to that of the natives, the cave was then used as an armory and even a garrison.

Spelunking activity in Kutawato Cave
Signage of Main entrance of Kutawato Cave in Bagua