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Bells of Balangiga: Why they matter

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<figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1419366" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>MANILA - After over a century, the church bells taken by the US Army from Balangiga, Eastern Samar in 1901 may soon find their way home to the Philippines. </p><p>But what do the bells symbolize and why did the Philippine government seek their return for decades? </p><p>In the midst of the Filipino-American War, the tolling of the bells on the morning of September 28, 1901 signaled the start of a sneak attack by dozens of Balangiga villagers against US soldiers. </p><p>Some 50 Americans, many of them eating breakfast or just waking up, were killed in the incident that handed Filipinos one of their greatest victories in the war. </p><p>The church bells, in turn, became a &quot;source of pride&quot; symbolizing the Filipinos&#x27; ability to resist foreign invaders, Dr. Rolando Borrinaga of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) said Tuesday. </p><p>But in retaliation for the American defeat, US General Jacob Smith ordered the killing and burning of all men above the age of 10, leaving some 2,000 Samareños killed. </p><p>US forces also took 3 Balangiga church bells as war booty, displaying 2 of them in a museum in Fort Russell, Wyoming and another at a museum in South Korea. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1mK_Vg-cmVk?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>In a visit to the US in 1998, then President Fidel V. Ramos sought the return of the bells from US President Bill Clinton. </p><p>Clinton failed to grant the request due to the National Defense Authorization Act, which prohibits &quot;the return of veterans&#x27; memorial objects to foreign nations without specific authorization in law.&quot; </p><p>In the 14th and 15th Philippine Congress, 4 Senate resolutions were filed urging the US government to return the bells to the country. The resolutions reached only the committee level.</p><p>President Rodrigo Duterte, during his State of the Nation Address last year, asked the US to return the bells, saying: &quot;They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage.&quot; </p><p>&quot;Isauli naman ninyo. Masakit yun sa amin,&quot; he added.<br/> <br/>(Return it. It is painful for us.) </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kwyxv-OXxAw?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Last August, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis signed documents favoring the return of the war booty. </p><p>A ceremony will be held on Nov. 15 (Manila time) at the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming for the repatriation of the Balangiga bells, NCCA&#x27;s Borrinaga said. </p><p>&quot;This will mark the beginning of the journey of the 2 Wyoming bells back to the church from which they were taken. The Wyoming bells will now be able to begin their journey home,&quot; the prominent Eastern Visayas historian said. </p><p>The third Balangiga bell at a US Army museum in South Korea, he said, had also been crated and is ready for repatriation. </p><p>The 3 bells may arrive in the country by mid-December, he told radio DZMM.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/12/18/us-to-return-balangiga-bells-to-philippines">Balangiga Bells to begin journey home to Philippines</a></li></ul><p>Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace welcomes the repatriation of the historical icons, but declined to comment further until the bells are delivered.</p><p>&quot;In the words of the President himself: &#x27;It ain’t here until it’s here,&#x27;&quot; he said in a statement. </p><p>Sources: Senate website, Ramos Peace and Development Foundation </p>

<p>After over a century, the church bells taken by the US Army from Balangiga, Eastern Samar in 1901 may soon find their way home to the Philippines. </p>

After over a century, the church bells taken by the US Army from Balangiga, Eastern Samar in 1901 may soon find their way home to the Philippines.