The Balangiga Bells will soon be transferred back to the Philippines as the United States (US) has expressed its intention to return them.
In a statement on August 11, Saturday, the US embassy in Manila said that: “Secretary of Defense (James) Mattis has notified Congress that the Department intends to return the Bells of Balangiga to the Philippines.”
These significant bells are three church bells from Balangiga Church in Eastern Samar which were reportedly taken by the US army as war booty during the Balangiga Massacre.
At present, one of the church bells is at the American’s military base in South Korea, while the other two is at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The US embassy said that they have received assurances that “the Bells will be returned to the Catholic Church and treated with the respect and honor they deserve” adding that the bells are significant to both Filipinos and Americans.
However, the embassy said that there is no specific date yet for the return of these bells.
Moreover, Malacañang on August 12, Sunday welcomed this plan of US. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said that the Philippine government “will continue working with the US government in paving the way for the return of the bells to the Philippines.”
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 08/ 13 /18)