In photos: Balangiga bells depart Wyoming

MANILA, Philippines — The Balangiga bells, which were taken by American soldiers as war booty in 1901, will finally return home to the Philippines in December.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that the church bells will arrive in the country by next week.

"On December 11, the Balangiga bells will arrive in Villamor Air Base aboard [United States Air Force] aircraft. We don't know if it's a C-130 or another aircraft but 9 a.m.," Lorenzana said in a recent interview with CNN Philippines.

According to the US Embassy in the Philippines, the bells departed Wyoming on Nov. 15, 2018.

One of the Balangiga Bells from F. E. Warren AFB is prepared for transportation. US Embassy in Manila/Released

The two Balangiga Bells from F. E. Warren AFB are prepared for transportation. US Embassy in Manila/Released

One of the Balangiga Bells from F. E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is removed from its display. US Embassy in Manila/Released

One of the Balangiga Bells from F. E. Warren AFB is packaged for transportation. US Embassy in Manila/Released

The two Balangiga Bells from F. E. Warren AFB are loaded onto a FedEx truck. US Embassy in Manila/Released

One of the Balangiga Bells from F. E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is removed from its display. US Embassy in Manila/Released

One of the Balangiga Bells from F. E. Warren AFB is packaged for transportation. US Embassy in Manila/Released

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Balangiga bells back in the Philippines on December 11