Zamboanga is the chief military station and the residence of the commandant-general of the island.
Mindanao is divided into five districts:—
- 1st. District chief town Zamboanga (capital of the island).
- 2nd. District chief town Misamis (includes Lake Lanao).
- 3rd. District chief town Surigao (includes the whole kingdom of Caraga, also the valley of the Agusan).
- 4th. District chief town Davao (shores of the bay and peninsula of San Agustin).
- 5th. District chief town Cotta-bato (valley of the Rio Grande and ancient Sultanate of Buhayen).
The island of Basilan forms a sixth district under the commandant-general of Mindanao.
Each of these districts was under a politico-military governor and other officials, as follows:—
- 1st District, Major, Naval Lieutenant, Captain of Port.
- 2nd District, Lieut.-Colonel.
- 3rd District, Lieut.-Colonel.
- 4th District, Major.
- 5th District, Lieut.-Colonel.
- 6th District, Naval Lieutenant, Naval Station.
Besides these politico-military governors there were the following officers in charge of military districts:—
- Mumungan in 2nd district (Fort Weyler and vicinity to look after the Moros of Lake Lanao) Major.
- Dapitan in 2nd district (To look after the Moros of Sindangan Bay) Major.
- Bislig in 3rd district (To look after the Mandayas and Manobos) Captain.
To attend to the administration of justice there was a third-class judge in each district. From their decisions there was an appeal to the Audiencia at Cebú, and from there to the Supreme Court, Madrid.
In Zamboanga where there is (or was) a custom-house, there resided a Treasury delegate of the second class. In each of the other districts there is one of the fourth class.