(Eagle News)–The Palace on Sunday, Aug. 12, welcomed the United States’ supposed plan to return the Balangiga bells to the Philippines, years after they were seized by the Americans from the Eastern Samar town as war loot.
“We welcome this development as we look forward to continue working with the United States Government in paving the way for the return of the bells to the Philippines,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has already supposedly informed the US Congress of the plan, but no turnover date was specified.
The alleged plan came after President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at the Americans for seizing the bells Duterte said were part of Filipino heritage in several speeches.
Two Balangiga Bells are displayed as a memorial to US troops killed by Filipinos at an air base in Wyoming, while a third one is with the US Army in South Korea.