By APD writer Carmelo M. Acuña

MANILA, Nov. 16(APD) – What has been considered part of the “spoils of war,” the Balangiga Bells, taken by American soldiers after a bitter battle with the residents of the sleepy town in Eastern Samar, will be returned to the Philippines after 117 years.

The bells were considered taken form the Catholic church in Balangiga which followed the massacre of local residents in response to the attack launched by Filipino militants against soldiers from 9th US Infantry Regiment early morning of September 28,1901.

It was reported that 48 of the American soldiers were killed while 22 others were wounded of the 78-man contingent. Only four Americans escaped unhurt. Some accounts disclosed more than 20 Filipino militants were killed in the attack with almost the same number wounded after taking away weapons and ammunition from the American camp.

General Jacob Smith ordered to convert Samar into a “howling wilderness” and ordered the killing of males above ten years old, capable of bearing guns.

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez was at the Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming for a Veterans Remembrance Ceremony where United States Defense Secretary James Mattis announced the official return to the Philippines of the Balangiga Bells. The controversial yet mute witnesses to the daring attack by Filipino militants against American troopers in Balangiga, Eastern Samar led to the killing of 48 American solders and he wounding of over 20 troopers. (Photos from the Philippine Embassy in Washington)

American soldiers, after retaking the town back from the militants, took the Balangiga Bells which according to then was their prize. According to some accounts, the bell was used to signal the attack on the American military installation.

General Smith, according to military records was subjected to military court martial proceedings.

From Samar, the bells were taken to the United States and was put on exhibit at a military camp in Wyoming.

Then President Fidel V. Ramos began recovery efforts as the US Military considered the bells their property. It was said it would take an Act of Congress to have the bells returned.

Accordingly, the Catholic Church in the Philippines said it has the right to claim the bells. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines maintained its position that it is inappropriate to consider the bells as “trophies of war.”

Earlier this morning, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the United States announced it would be returning the historic bells to the Philippines.

In a statement, the DFA said the Philippine Government and the Filipino people appreciate this gesture.

“Today is a time of solemn remembrances as we pay tribute to all those who gave up their lives during the Filipino-American War,” the statement said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to the executive and legislative branches of the United States government, “most specially” Secretary of Defense James Mattis and US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and the concerned Filipino and American friends and the US-Philippines Society who worked together over the years to have the bells returned to where they rightly belong.

No date has been mentioned as to the exact date for the bells’ return to Balangiga in Eastern Samar.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)