The Negritoes characterized by Mamanwa Tribe are believed to be the early inhabitants in Malimono. Their origin and the route of their migration to the Philippines is still a matter of great speculation. They have also been shown to have separated from early Asians, suggesting that they are either surviving descendants of settlers from early migration out of Africa considering its physical features with African pygmy populations or that they are descendants of one of the founder populations of modern humans. Today, there at present more than thirty families of Mamamwa Tribe resides in Barangay Binocaran settlement organized by the municipal government.
Malimono was presumably discovered by the Spaniards who ruled the country for more than three centuries. History tells that in 1538, 17 years after the landing of Ferdinand Magellan in Samar, the coast of Mindanao which included the present province of Surigao del Norte was visited by a Portuguese explorer Francisco de Castro, who found the place inhabited by the Caraga tribe who were believed to be of Visayan origin with Manobo and Mamanwa Tribes. Five years later, a Spaniard Ruy Lopez de Villalobos landed in the same region with his navigator, Bernardo de la Torre. It was during this time that Malimono was discovered when the Spaniards established its command post in Surigao and Butuan of which their voyage to these places for their activities will pass through Malimono seawaters.
Legend has it that the name MALIMONO was derived from the Spanish word “MAL MONO” when one day, the Spaniards visited the place. Feeling weary and tired, they took rest by the side of the cool spring at the foot of the coned-shape rock facing the Bohol Sea now called Punta Beach. While enjoying the tranquility of the place and soothing sea breeze, a smart giant monkey from the top of lauan tree jumped over and grabbed the provisions the Spaniards brought for themselves for that day. Quite smarter than the monkey and worried of getting starved, the Spaniards engulfed with rage shouted at the top of their voices “MAL MONO’ which means “bad monkey”. Amid of this event, the native Mamanwas strolling nearby amazingly heard these words ‘MAL MONO”. Knowing then that the place has no name yet, they started calling the place “MAL MONO’. As years evolved, the name MAL MONO was transformed into “MALIMONO’.
Malimono was created into a municipality on July 31, 1956 through Fortunato de Leon, Executive Secretary of the then President Ramon B. Magsaysay, Sr. However, it was only on October 16 of same year that Malimono was functioned officially as a municipality by virtue of the installation of the first set of municipal officials with Mayor Porferio Quinto as the first appointed chief executive of the town; the latter is the incumbent Vice Mayor of the town of Surigao prior his appointment to Malimono. The first municipal officials in Malimono:
Nature blessed Malimono with rich marine and land resources; these attracted the neighboring communities of Leyte and Bohol to establish trade between the inhabitants which consequently gave rise to the population thus forges the creation of Malimono into a Barangay on February 13, 1924 with Esteban Sebosa as the first Teniente Del Barrio. Malimono was one of the barangays of the town of Surigao and part of the civil government of Surigao del Norte.
The Barangay Tribunal was constructed during the time of Teniente del Barrio Geronimo Sinaca in 1932. Among the known barangay captains before Malimono was transformed into a municipality were Joaquin Pamador, Leon Senados and Placido Macarine.
In the early 1950s, seven Malimonhon named Perfecto Amper, Beato Salado, Teodoro Sinaca, Sr, Victor Canoy, Sr, Gaudencio Mantilla, Placido Macarine and Feleciano Macarine pushed the transformation of the place from a barangay into a municipality.
And it was on July 31, 1956 under Executive Order No. 195 Malimono was created into a municipality. Hereunder are the mayors of Malimono from 1956 to present in the following order:
