The municipality was the capital of the province of Cotabato, during the time which it encompasses the present-day provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, from 1966 to 1973. During that time, at an estimated population of 30,000-40,000 in 1960, it was also the most populous municipality in the province, almost to be converted into a city during the decade, but internal conflicts and sporadic rebellions in its vicinity especially during 1970s and 1980s resulted in the somewhat stagnant population growth of the town until the foundation of ARMM in 1990 as some of its inhabitants fled towards parts of what was now the Soccsksargen region, particularly in what is now the Cotabato province, to avoid strife. The municipality ceased to be the capital of Cotabato province in 1973 as it was included as an integral part of the newly created province of Maguindanao, where it currently belongs today.