In the early period following the arrival of Sharif Kabunsuan in Mindanao, Palimbang had not yet emerged as a recognized settlement on the island’s maps. At the time, the area was inhabited by indigenous communities living in relatively isolated conditions. According to Tarsila, there was a tremendous change in the society due to the spread out of Islam in the coastal areas widely known as Biwang, which later paved a way toward Islamic Civilization of the inhabitants. Palimbang at that time was locally known as Pula a tree widely grown in the place. A group of fishermen from
Palembang, Indonesia was lifted by strong winds and accidentally docked at the mouth of Pula River. They were warmly welcomed by the native datus headed by Sondalo Tambuto. The hospitality shown to them reigned in their hearts and drawn the visitors to settle and intermarry with the native Muslims. A new community was developed and later named Palimbang, in honor of the fishermen's hometown, which now remained the name of the municipality. Attempts to create Palimbang into municipality was thrice first, by the energetic leadership of Dr. Julio Sarayba in the 1940s; second, on July 24, 1953, by the seventeen influential leaders of PAT-A-INGED (four communities) (1) Kraan, (2) Kanipaan, (3) Pula and (4) Maganao, namely: • Dr. Julio Sarayba, chairman; • Sixto Quijano, Vice Chairman; • Mr. Remegio Managad, • Mr. Pedro Mamon, • Mr. Pedro Bonifacio, • Mr. Cresencio Geneza, • Mr. Felipe Tunngala, • Datu Pasay Ayao, • Datu Manti Pangansayan, • Mr. Lomontod Latip, • Datu Talicop Lidasan, • Datu Sundalo Tambuto, • Haji Salik Manan, • Hadji Druz Ali, • Mr. Cecilio Domingo, • Mr. Gorgonio Bagang, • Mr. Dominador Durendez, • Datu Sumana Sulog. Others are Datu Padasan Macut, Datu Obpon Dipatuan, Datu Pelangking Bayang and Mr. Dominador Garcia. It was a blast to the petitioners as they were regarded mentally unable to run their own government and the income of the barrios in the coastal portion was insufficient to meet the requisite of creating a new municipality. Third, by the same petitioner who collectively agreed to support candidates that will ascertain a seat of government in Palimbang in case they get elected. Fortunately, the well-supported Datu Udtog Matalam faction won. Subsequently, headed by the Provincial Governor of Cotabato Datu Udtog Matalam, the Provincial Governor of Cotabato recommended by the Members of the Board, sponsored by Congressman Salipada K. Pendatun, and supported by Datu Guiwan Mastura and Kiamba Mayor Cornelio Falgui, Palimbang was proclaimed municipality on August 14, 1959, by virtue of Executive Order No. 350, pursuant to Section 68 Revised Administrative Code, issued by President Carlos P. Garcia. From its creation up to the present, Palimbang was served by twelve generations of municipal officials. In spite of the exceptional development potentials of Palimbang, the municipality is somehow left in terms of physical development. The municipal government is exploring strategies and pouring its meager resources to meet and welcome new challenges. With the private sector at the helm of its economy, coupled with its supportive citizenry and strong political leadership committed to the full development of its human and natural resources, the municipality will certainly make its vision for development.
Palimbang was organized into a municipality through
Executive Order No. 350, issued by
President Carlos P. Garcia on August 14, 1959. It consists of forty-six
barrios of
Lebak and
Kiamba, both then part of the
old Cotabato province. Upon the division of the province in 1973 through
Marcos'
Presidential Decree No. 341, the municipality became part of newly-created province of
Sultan Kudarat. ==Malisbong massacre==