By Genalyn Kabiling The Filipino nation will always assert its sovereignty and reject any subjugation by any foreign power, the Philippine government told the international community following the historic return of the Balangiga bells to the country. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the church bells, seized by US troops as war trophies more than a century ago, served as a reminder of the Filipinos' courage and national pride. "As we recall this dark page of our history, let the world know that our race will not allow itself to be subjugated by any foreign power and we Filipinos will always assert our sovereignty against those who will attempt to subvert it,” he said. "As we move forward in our history, we hope that the bells of Balangiga will become constant reminders of our people’s gallantry, heroism, and strong sense of national pride,” he added. The three church bells, taken by American troops from Balingaga, Eastern Samar during the Philippine-US war in 1901, were formally turned over by US embassy officials to the Philippine government during a ceremony at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City Tuesday. Another turnover ceremony of the iconic bells is scheduled on December 15 in Balangiga town where President Duterte is expected to attend. Panelo lauded the handover of the church bells, saying it was expected to further enhance the country's alliance with the United States. He likewise credited the stakeholders from both countries "for working tirelessly and selflessly" for the return of the bells . "Today marks a watershed in our nation's history. The Balangiga bells are now in Philippine soil," he said. "This unprecedented gesture is well appreciated and will surely forge a stronger and more enduring relationship between the two long-time allies and friends as we finally close a tragic chapter in the two countries’ shared history," he said. He also cited the role of President Duterte in facilitating the return of the church bells. "Many have tried but it is our President’s strong political will and unquestionable dedication in asserting the rights of our country and its people which significantly contributed to this event coming into fruition," he said. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint session of Congress last July, the President called on the United States to return the bells seized from Balangiga, saying they were part of the Filipino nation’s heritage. “Give us back those Balangiga bells. They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage," Duterte said during the SONA event attended by government officials and diplomats including US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. The President, in his speech, recalled the the 1901 massacre of Filipinos in Balangiga, Eastern Samar where American soldiers took the church bells as spoils of war. He said US troops launched a retaliation against Filipinos who were just defending their homeland following the death of 48 fighters belonging to the invading forces. He said US gunboats and patrols were sent to Balangiga, with the order to make a desert of the area and to reduce the island into an “island of howling wilderness.” "Those bells are reminders of the gallantry and heroism of our forebears who resisted the American colonizers and sacrificed their lives in the process,” he said.