Mocier's recollections were entirely consistent with historical fact. Zamboanga, once the most prosperous city on Mindanao, had seen its productive activities nearly paralyzed by a cliff-like collapse in population. Only plantations, factories, and workshops run by Spaniards and Chinese had escaped disaster.
But after losing so much of its population, Zamboanga's industries had essentially been cut off at the root. Without people, the city's supply of raw materials and market demand had both been slashed in half. East Africa had destroyed for destruction's sake.
For some time afterward, Zamboanga's population continued to drain away in great numbers, mainly Spaniards who had originally worked in commerce and trade. Since East Africa had destroyed both the raw materials and markets they depended on, there was no money to be made by staying, so they might as well leave outright.
This was not the end. East Africa's struggle against the local Moros continued for nearly twenty years. In the end, through an unceasing stream of immigrants and military suppression, East Africa had essentially wiped out the Moros. The Green Religion population across the entire island was directly cleared out. Of course, those who converted would naturally be left safe and sound.
Naturally, the East African Central Government had also received news of the Zamboanga tragedy, but no one cared much about it. First, the region was an overlooked colony. Second, East Africa's purge of the Moros was a response to the Moros' own attitude toward East Africa.
After all, as a nation born of colonization, East Africa had still shown the local natives some mercy and would not necessarily drive them all to their deaths. The main reason was that, since its emergence, East Africa had never encountered natives who resisted it as fiercely as the Moros did.
Finally, Mindanao's population was