Palace awaits official word on Balangiga bells’ return

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is awaiting formal communication from the United States on the return of the Balangiga bells that were taken by American troops from Eastern Samar during the Philippine-American War in 1901.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque yesterday said they only learned about the plan to return the bells from news reports. 

“We are happy to hear that there’s this development, although we will await final word from relevant authorities both the Philippines and US,” Roque said at a press briefing.  

“We don’t have even formal confirmation from our own DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) so we continue to await... advice on this regard from the DFA. That’s why our statement is we’re hoping it will happen, but we await official word,” he added. 

US troops seized three Balangiga bells as war booty during the Philippine-American War. 

A total of 48 American soldiers were killed during an attack by Filipino guerrillas in Balangiga, Eastern Samar in 1901. 

The US armed forces retaliated by ordering its troops to turn Samar into a “howling wilderness.” More than 2,500 Filipinos were killed during the retaliatory attacks. 

Two of the bells are now in a US military base in Cheyenne, Wyoming while one is in a museum in South Korea.

Duterte asked the US to return the bells during his second State of the Nation Address last year. 

The US embassy in Manila announced over the weekend that the US defense department is open to returning the bells.