THE three bells taken as booty by American troops in Balangiga, Eastern Samar, during the Filipino-American war more than a century ago were finally returned on Tuesday, further cementing US-Philippine relations, officials said.
The bells, loaded on an American C-130 plane, arrived at Villamor Air Base and were turned over by US officials to Filipinos, led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, in simple but stirring rites.
The bells will be taken to the town of Balangiga on Friday following a two-day “public viewing” at the camp.
“After 117 years, the bells of Balangiga are coming home and will once again take [their] place in the Balangiga Church,” said Lorenzana, who signed the transfer and acceptance certificate from US Ambassador Sung Kim in the full view of Filipino officials.
“There was once a time a time when the bells of Balangiga pealed to a different beat, encompassing a dark and painful episode in history, which nonetheless teaches a lesson that nobody wins in war,” he said, as officials, including Reps. Ben P. Evardone and Raul A. Daza—both lawmakers from Samar—intently listened.
After they were taken by American soldiers, two of the bells were enshrined at the Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming while the other bell was taken to Camp Red Cloud in South Korea. This week, the three bells made a stopover at the Kadena Air Force base in Japan before they took the final voyage to the country.
Lorenzana said the return of the Balangiga bells symbolizes the two countries’ “shared histories and ideals, new beginnings, renewed friendships and a stronger brotherhood.”
During his speech, Ambassador Kim said the return of the bells underscored the enduring friendship between the two countries along with their shared values and sacrifices.
“Our shared history is enduring and deeply personal. Our relationship has withstood the tests of history and flourishes today. And every day our relationship is further strengthened by our unbreakable alliance, robust economic partnership and deep people-to-people ties,” he said.
“Having now served over two years as US ambassador to the Philippines, I am convinced that our relationship remains ironclad, consecrated by the service and sacrifice of the Americans and Filipinos who fought side by side for freedom,” he said.
Bishops’ statement
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the bells’ return marked the start of the healing process.
“We also appreciate the very wise gesture of the US Government in finally bringing back the bells of Balangiga to where they should belong,” CBCP President Romulo G. Valles said.
Valles said the “priceless religious treasures” will help foster “deeper sense of justice and respect” between Filipinos and Americans.
In 1957, the Philippines submitted its first petition to the US government for the return of the bells. The effort, together with the two more other attempts of the Philippine government in 1989 and 1994 to bring back the bells, failed.
It was only in 2017 when the US government finally agreed to return the bells after such was demanded by President Duterte.
“We thank in particular our present government, with the leadership of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, for bringing a most successful and happy conclusion to all these efforts,” Valles said.
‘Watershed’
Malacañang said the return of the Balangiga bells on Philippine soil marks a “watershed in the nation’s history” as it hoped that the historic event will be a constant reminder of the people’s gallantry, heroism and strong sense of national pride.
The Palace also expressed its gratitude to all stakeholders from both the Philippines and the United States who worked tirelessly and selflessly for the return of the bells.
“This unprecedented gesture is well appreciated and will surely forge a stronger and more enduring relationship between the two long-time allies and friends as we finally close a tragic chapter in the two countries’ shared history,” Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement on Tuesday.“
It was the President himself who demanded the return of the Balangiga bells to the Philippines during his second State of the Nation Address last year. However, he skipped the handover of the Balangiga bells at the Villamor Air Base on Tuesday.
No reason was provided yet on the sudden change of plans, but Malacañang said the President’s absence in the event was upon the recommendation of Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana. Moreover, Panelo earlier said that the President will instead be in Samar on Saturday to turnover the bells to Balangiga officials.
With Bernadette D. Nicolas and Samuel P. Medenilla
Image credits: Nonie Reyes