Balangiga martyrs’ kin welcome bells

MANILA, Philippines — The descendants of the martyrs of Balangiga as well as local residents stood proud yesterday as President Duterte led the turnover of the historic bells.

Eighty-one-year-old Nemencio Candelusas Duran beamed as he recalled to journalists the role his great-grandfather played during World War II.

“Without Vicente Candelusas the bell would not have rang,” Duran said. The ringing of the bell signaled the attack of the Filipinos against the American invaders.

Duran is a descendant of Vicente, the elder brother of his grandfather Julian.  

Narrating the story told to him through generations, Duran said Vicente was the bell caretaker who was tasked to toll the bells that signaled the attack of the townsfolk. About 48 members of the US 9th Infantry were killed by the local residents, supported by guerrillas.

The Americans retaliated in what has come to be known as the Balangiga Massacre, killing every Filipino male in the town 10 years old and above. They then took the bells as war booty.  

“It was all planned, part of the plan... My grandfather, then 18 years old, was given the responsibility to ring the bell,” he said.

Duran attended the event along with Papal Nuncio Gabriel Giordano Caccio, Balangiga Mayor Randy Graza and Philippine-American war veterans.

The Balangiga massacre referred to the killing of about 48 members of the US 9th Infantry by the local residents, supported by guerrillas in this town.

Historians described the attack as the US Army’s worst defeat since the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.

“I am very happy about it,” Duran said, adding that the bells’ return signified closure for this chapter of the Filipino people’s history. “This is very important for us.”

“(This signifies) the deepening relations between the US and the Philippines,” he said.

In another interview, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella underscored the importance of the return of the bells, both for the Philippines and the US.

“(It is) significant especially for the Filipino people… it is a truly historic moment. The return of the bells is a concerted effort by everybody as the President has said,” Abella added.

Abella, who represented Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., said the bells reflected the unity of the Filipino people in fighting for their sovereignty. 

Vice Mayor Samuel Inciso welcomed the guests prior to Duterte’s arrival, saying it was a proud moment for the locals.