Tag: Balangiga

Pres. Duterte confers Order of Sikatuna on outgoing US Ambassador Kim

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte conferred the Order of Sikatuna on US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim during his farewell call in Malacanang on Monday, Sept. 7. The Order of Sikatuna is an order of diplomatic merit conferred upon diplomats, officials, and nationals of foreign states who have rendered conspicuous service in fostering, developing, and strengthening relations between their country and the Philippines. President Duterte also congratulated the outgoing US ambassador for his […]

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Duterte says return of Balangiga bells a result of demand from Filipino people

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, Dec. 13, said the return of the Balangiga bells to the country was due to the “demand of the Filipino people.” “Let me be clear on this, here and now. The credit of the return of the Balangiga bells does not belong to any worker or officials of government,” Duterte said in a speech during the unveiling of the Las Pinas Drug Rehabilitation Center marker in Pulang […]

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Duterte to attend Balangiga bells turnover in Eastern Samar, after all

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte will attend the official turnover of the Balangiga bells in Eastern Samar on Saturday, after all. This was, according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, after the President himself “made changes in his schedule” due to the “persistent requests from the people of Eastern Samar who look forward” to him personally bringing the bells to  Balangiga. Earlier, Panelo said “pressing matters of governance” would keep Duterte from attending the official turnover in […]

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Palace: President Duterte’s strong political will made return of Balangiga bells possible

(Eagle News) — For the Palace, it was President Rodrigo Duterte’s strong political will that made the return of the Balangiga bells possible. “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,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. It was President Duterte who demanded for the return of the bells–taken by American […]

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Bayan welcomes return of Balangiga bells but calls on US to recognize “atrocities of colonial rule”

(Eagle News) — The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Tuesday, Dec. 12, welcomed the United States’ return of the Balangiga bells to the Philippines, but at the same time called on the country to formally recognize “the atrocities of colonial rule and reparations for the people who bore the burden of colonial occupation.” “Bayan congratulates the people of Balangiga, Samar for the return of the Balangiga Bells. The bells are a reminder of the […]

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After more than a century, Balangiga bells arrive in PHL

(Eagle News) — After 117 years, the Balangiga bells have finally been returned to the Philippines. The bells–two of which had been housed in a military base in Wyoming, the United States, and another in a US military base in South Korea—arrived at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay via a US Air Force C-130 plane. The plane had departed from the US’ Okinawa base in Japan. The bells will remain in the Villamor Airbase until they are […]

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US Ambassador says return of Balangiga bells symbol of US commitment to heal historical wound

  (Eagle News) — United States ambassador Sung Kim said the historic return today of the three Balangiga bells to the Philippines represented the US commitment to “heal a wound that had strained the US-Philippines relationship for too long.” The US military plane carrying the bells are expected to arrive before noon today, Tuesday, December 11, 2018. It had already departed the US Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan this morning. “This morning, a US […]

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DND: Return of Balangiga bells a symbol of US respect for its alliance with PHL

(Eagle News) — The return of the three Balangiga bells to the Philippines is a “symbol of respect” of the United States for its alliance with the Asian country, the Department of National Defense said. “It is not only an act of goodwill,” the DND said in a statement. According to the DND, “it is a laudable historic moment, and a milestone in Philippine-US relations that will mark a promising future between our countries.” The bells–two […]

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In photos: All three Balangiga bells packed for transport back to PHL

    (Eagle News) – A US Air Force plane bearing the three historic Balangiga bells is set to land today, Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at the Villamor Air Force Base in Pasay City to return the bells taken 117 years ago by US forces as war trophies from a Catholic church in Samar. US Ambassador Sung Kim will lead the turn-over ceremonies of these historic bells back to the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte will […]

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In photos: Balangiga bells being readied for transport to PHL

(Eagle News)—-In these pictures released by the US Embassy in Manila, the two Balangiga bells housed in Wyoming are being readied for transport to the Philippines. The preparations took place after a ceremony at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base led by US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. It was President Rodrigo Duterte who called out the Americans for taking the bells from Samar, artifacts he said were part of national patrimony. Another Balangiga bell sits […]

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President Duterte will not go to the US until the Balangiga bells are returned — Locsin

(Eagle News) — According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin Jr., President Rodrigo Duterte will never visit the United States until the Balangiga bells are returned. In a Twitter post, Locsin said this was what he told US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley last year when she asked why the President was still not coming to the US. “She took note and added when we get the bells, no more excuse not to […]

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