Balangiga bells back in Philippines

Mare ours... Isauli naman ninyo. Masakit yun sa amin (Return them to us. This is painful for us)," said Duterte during his Sona.

Former President Ramos also made the same request to the US in 1994.

The bells were taken after villagers in Balangiga killed 48 US troops on September 29, 1901 during the US occupation of the Philippines. The US troops also burned the San Lorenzo de Martir church where the bells hang and killed the townspeople. The incident became known as the Balangiga massacre.

Before their return to the Philippines, one of the bells was housed at the 9th Infantry Regiment at Camp Cloud in South Korea, and the two others were placed in a former base of the 11th Infantry Regiment at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenee, Wyoming.

Mapagu said Tuesday, December 11, that the bells' return was made possible through the efforts of both the Filipinos and Americans, who worked together "to defend our common interests."

He said the bells will be transported back to Balangiga in Eastern Samar before the Misa de Gallo or Christmas dawn masses begin.

"The sound of the bells will once again ring not just for the Balangiga people, but for all Filipinos across the world," Mapagu said.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim is hoping that the return of the bells will close that "painful chapter in our history" and reflect the "strong balance and mutual respects between our two nations and people."

"The return of the bells demonstrates our determination to honor the past and sacrifices made together by Americans and Filipinos and it heralds a bright future as friends, partners and allies," he said.

"The bells of Balangiga are now home, in the Philippines where they belong," Sung added.

"It's time for healing. It's time for closure. We should look ahead as two nations and allies," said Lorenzana.

"Let the bells toll strong and loud for our countries," he added.

The bells will be made available for public viewing at the Philippine Air Force Museum before they will be flown back to Balangiga.

ANILA (Updated) -- The bells that were taken by American soldiers from a church in Balangiga, Eastern Samar are finally back in the Philippines after 117 years.