MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines expressed its appreciation for the United States (US) government after announcing the return of the Balangiga bells, which were taken by American soldiers as war booty more than a century ago.
Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez attended a ceremony at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, together with US Defense Secretary James Mattis, which officially began the repatriation of the three bells to the country.
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"Today is a time of solemn remembrance as we pay tribute to all those who gave up their lives during the Filipino-American War," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Thursday morning.
“Bear these bells home, back to their #Catholic #church, confident that #America’s ironclad alliance with the #Philippines is stronger than ever.”— US Defense Secretary Mattis to Ambassador Romualdez on the return of the #BalangigaBells @DFAPHL @teddyboylocsin @USEmbassyPH pic.twitter.com/8u6lc0QeYQ
— Elmer G Cato (@elmer_cato) November 15, 2018
The Philippines also honored Filipino and American soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War II.
The DFA also expressed its gratitude to the US government, particularly Mattis and US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who worked for the return of the church bells.
The government also acknowledged the help of Filipino and American friends, including Hank Hendrickson, Dennis Wright, Henry Howard, Dan McKinnon and others from the US-Philippines Society.
Romualdez noted that President Rodrigo Duterte had mentioned the return of the Balangiga bells to Mattis during the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting in Clark, Pampanga last year.
"That one was the beginning of the real strong process into getting things done and Secretary Mattis did promise that he will do everything he can to get those bells back," Romualdez said.
In a speech during the military ceremony, Mattis said the return of the war-trophy church bells to the Philippines would help cement ties between the two countries.
"In returning the Bells of #Balangiga to our ally and our friend the Philippines, we pick up our generation’s responsibility to deepen the respect between our people," Mattis said.