Palace: No word yet on Duterte’s US visit

Malacañang remains uncertain whether or not President Duterte will finally consider visiting the United States following the return of the Balangiga bells on Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after all three Balangiga bells were finally returned to the Philippines after 117 years.

The return of the historic artifacts was one of Duterte's conditions before visiting the US.

In his press briefing, Panelo said that even as a close friend of the President, he still cannot tell if Duterte will now want to visit the country which he has slammed repeatedly since the beginning of his presidency.

"I haven't asked him that. I will ask him when we go to Samar to turnover the Balangiga bells," Panelo said, referring to the turnover that will take place on Saturday.

"I really don't know. I cannot read his mind as of this time, with respect to that," he added.

According to Panelo, one of the possible reasons why Duterte does not want to visit the US is the cold temperature.

"What I know is he really doesn't want to go to the US, apart from whatever reasons he has in mind, [is] he cannot stand the temperature, the coldness," he said.

"Talagang ayaw niya pag sobrang lamig (He really hates it if it gets so cold)," he added.

The Balangiga bells were finally returned to the Philippines Tuesday over a century after it was taken by American soldiers as war booty in 1901.

Panelo, meanwhile, credited Duterte's strong political will for the return of the artifacts.

Last month, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., said that the return of the historic bells may finally prompt President Duterte to visit the United States.

"Well, they're coming back so he (President Duterte) will have to go there, to the United States. I would think. If that's the condition he made," he said.

President Duterte first made an appeal to the US to return the Balangiga Bells during his two-hour State of the Nation Address (SONA) last year. He said the bells are "reminders of the gallantry and heroism of our forebears who resisted the American colonizers and sacrificed their lives in the process."

"Give us back those Balangiga bells. They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage. Isauli naman ninyo. Masakit ‘yun sa amin (Please return it. It is painful for us)," Duterte had said.

Last year, Duterte said assured that no more bells will be taken from the Philippines, even a single ice cream bell.