Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today welcomed the action taken by the House of Representatives of the United States Congress in filing House Resolution No. 268, which urges President George Bush to facilitate the return of one of the bells stolen from the belfry of Balangiga Church in Samar and taken by American forces during the American occupation of the Philippines in 1901.

“The action of our friends in the US Congress is a manifestation of the continuing growth and vitality of our relationship.  This resolution, which brings us one step closer to the return of one of the bells, is a dividend of the vigorous efforts of both countries to strengthen our relationship,” Secretary Ople said.

“Philippine Ambassador to the US Albert del Rosario informed me of this most welcome news and he has committed to pursue our quest for the return of the Balangiga bell,” the Secretary said. “With the introduction of House Resolution 268, members of the US House of Representatives have proven their sensitivity to the shared history and good relations between our two countries,” he added.

Secretary Ople further stated that the return of even just one of the 3 Balangiga bells would make Filipino veterans happy after over five years of negotiations. According to Dr. Jose Abueva, who is designing the construction of the monument in Samar, the good news will be an inspiration to the people of Samar.

The bells are considered to be war trophies and have been on display at  the F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  The bells were used by Philippine revolutionaries to signal the outbreak of hostilities with the incoming American troops.

The House Resolution makes mention of the symbolic significance with the return of one of the bells.  According to House Resolution 268 the acts of cruelty and conflict (the inhabitants of Balangiga were massacred by American soldiers) that surround US possession of the Balangiga bells is not consistent with the friendship and cooperation exhibited in Philippine-American relations.  Filipino veterans fought along with American troops during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

“While there are many reasons why President Bush should visit the Philippines, I am hoping that one of the reasons is to personally turnover one of the bells when he visit this October, although I understand that this might be quite difficult.  Such a turnover would be a resounding symbol of the importance the US gives to our relationship and to the maturity of that relationship,” the Secretary said. END.