The Balangiga bells have finally arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 10:35 a.m. December 11, 2018.
PASAY CITY, Philippines – Exactly 117 years, two months and 11 days, the Balangiga bells have finally returned to its rightful owner, the Philippines on Tuesday (December 11).
Considered national treasures, the century-old Church bells were immediately checked right after they were unloaded from US Air Force C-130 plane at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim personally led the handover of the bells to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
‘The decision to return the bells clearly reflects our shared values, shared history and our commitment to this relationship, relationship of equals, independence of our nation and mutual respect,” Ambassador Kim said.
It was in September 28, 1901 when the brave residents of Balangiga town in Eastern Samar attacked the 9th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army. The ringing of the bells signaled the attack. The incident, which was later dubbed as the Balangiga massacre, left 48 soldiers dead.
In retaliation, the US soldiers ambushed and killed all Filipino men aged 10 and above from the said town. They burned down the entire municipality and took the bells as war booties.
In US history, the bells symbolize the bravery of American soldiers who fought during the Philippine-US war. However, contemporary officials believe they should be returned in respect to the Philippines.
‘We made this decision in respect to the Philippines in honor of our long tradition of shares sacrifice, we fought in every war together, blood together, we have no closer ally anywhere than the Philippines, this is a gesture that we hope viewed possibly as an investment in relationship and allies, this is allies do, this is friends do,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Secretary Joseph Felter.
For Nemecio Candilosas Duran, a great grandson of Vicente Candilosas who rang the bells and signaled the attack in 1901, the bells indeed are symbols of the gallantry and heroism of Filipinos during that time as well as the liberty of the Philippines from U.S. rule.
“Ang pagkabalik ng bells sa Balangiga ay isang chapter ng panibagong relationship deepening of the relationship between the Americans and Filipinos. Masayang masaya ang mga taga Balangiga…ang simbolo ng kampana sa amin ay ang pagligtas sa sarili namin sa mga mananakop, freedom,” Duran said.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana believes the return of the bells just shows the level of respect both the Philippines and the U.S. have for each other. Through the bells, the bitter chapter in both countries’ history will finally be put to a close.
‘This is a happy day for all of us and the bells are back home. We join the people of Samar in rejoicing for the return of the bells,” Lorenzana said.
Residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces will be given the chance to view the three pieces of history starting Wednesday (December 12) to Thursday (December 13) at the Air Force Museum in Villamor Air Base. The two-day public viewing will be open to all, free of charge.
The bells are set to take their final journey to their hometown in Balangiga on Saturday (December 15). – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Lea Ylagan)
The post Air Force Museum opens two-day public viewing of Balangiga bells on Dec. 12 and 13 appeared first on UNTV News.