Return of Balangiga bells to help heal wounds of PHL-American War — expert

The return of the Balangiga Bells to the Eastern Samar town they were taken from could put an end to the “unresolved last issue” of the Philippine-American war, an expert said.

It is also seen as an opportunity to heal the wounds of both Filipinos and Americans caused by a war that took place almost 117 years ago, said historian Rolando Borrinaga, an advocate for the return of the bells and author of the book “The Balangiga Conflict Revisited.”

“The return of the Balangiga bells is virtually the unresolved 'last issue' pertaining to the Philippine-American War. In the past, the bells have been overly used by Filipino activists to 'smash' the Americans. With this issue settled, Philippine-American relations would have to assume a new posture, at least a less hysterical one,” Borrinaga told GMA News.

The US Embassy in Manila on Sunday confirmed the US State Department's intention to return the bells to Balangiga.

“Secretary of Defense [James] Mattis has notified Congress that the Department intends to return the bells of Balangiga to the Philippines. No specific date has been identified for the return of the bells,” a US Embassy statement sent by Press Attache Molly Koscina to GMA News said.

Three bells were seized from the church of Balangiga by US soldiers in 1901 as war trophies.

To this day, the church's bell towers are kept empty to symbolize the longing of the people for the return of their bells.

Father Serafin Tybaco Jr., parish priest of Balangiga Church, told GMA News that church goers have been informed of the development. “We are hoping that sooner or later we can discuss the preparations so that the parish can participate. I am very happy and I shared the news right away with our parishioners,” he said.

Balangiga Mayor Randy Graza foresees a big celebration to welcome the bells.

“The return of the bells is very important to us. I am very sure that this will be a big celebration if this happens,” he said.

Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone said the bells “rightfully belong to us as a symbol of freedom and justice.”

“I hope they will be returned to us in time for the anniversary of the Balangiga encounter on September 28. The return will hopefully finally erase the remaining irritant or vestiges of the Philippine American War,” he said.

Borrinaga warned, however, that the return of the bells may still face opposition.

“I took the news in a matter-of-fact way.  I took a deep breath, teared up a bit, and then felt a deep sense of relief that an advocacy I held on to for 24 years now had borne fruit. I can no longer be over-excited about this, because on the other hand, I was always open to the possibility that this event would not happen,” he said.

Over the years, efforts have been made by various groups and individuals to get the bells.

Adding a big boost to the campaign, Borrinaga added, was the endorsement of the veterans community in the US.

“The Veterans of Foreign Wars approved the resolution to return the bells during their national convention some three weeks ago. And if the American Legion will approve the same resolution during their national convention on August 24, then the voice of two major veterans organizations would become very loud and clear,” Borrinaga explained.

In an earlier interview with documentary program I-Witness,  retired US Navy Captain Dennis Wright, another advocate for the return of the Balangiga Bells explained the hesitance of some American veterans.

“They do not want the bells used to denigrate the role of the American soldiers who served here [the Philippines], not because they wanted to be here but because they were assigned to be here,” Wright stated.

The US Embassy also pointed out that the bells have “deep significance for a number of people, both in the United States and in the Philippines.”

Attack

On the morning of September 28, 1901, the women of Balangiga gathered inside the church in the guise of mourning their dead. Unknown to the Americans, men dressed as women were part of the group. Their weapons—bolos and arnis—were hidden inside two coffins they carried to church.

Residents of Balangiga interviewed by I-Witness said that the one of the bells was rung to signal the attack.

However, Borrinaga said that based on the research done by the Balangiga Research Group, the bell was rung after the attack had started.

At least 28 Filipinos and 48  American soldiers from the Company C of the 9th Infantry Regiment died in the attack.

“This was the biggest victory of Filipinos against the Americans during the Philippine- American war,” Borrinaga said.

Borrinaga said the 11th Infantry Regiment was deployed to Balangiga a day after the attack to provide support for American troops.

In October 1901, another group headed by General Jacob Smith arrived.

Smith reportedly ordered the killing of all males as young as 10 years old who were capable of carrying firearms.

Based on accounts from his court martial proceedings, Smith allegedly ordered his men to turn Samar into a “howling wilderness.”

Two of the Balangiga bells are currently at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, the former base of the 11th Infantry Regiment while another bell is still with the 9th Infantry Regiment now based at the Camp Red Cloud in South Korea. — BM, GMA News