United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson visits the Balangiga bells in Eastern Samar which were returned to the Philippines after they were taken by American soldiers as a war booty in 1901. (Photo courtesy of the US Embassy)
TACLOBAN CITY — The United States ambassador to the Philippines on Wednesday visited Balangiga town in Eastern Samar to see the controversial bells taken in 1901 as a war booty by American soldiers.
In a statement, MaryKay Carlson said the bells were not just historical objects but represent the pursuit of sovereignty and freedom.
“These bells have witnessed the entire arc of history between our countries—from the painful conflict of the early 1900s, when we were adversaries, to the moment four years ago when they were finally returned to the Filipino people with whom we now stand as friends, partners, and allies,” she said.
“The return of the bells reflects the strong bonds and mutual respect between our two nations and our peoples,” she added.
The three bells, now enshrined at the grounds of the St. Lawrence the Martyr Church, were returned to the country on December 11, 2018, 177 years after American soldiers took them from a church in Eastern Samar as war booty.
During her visit, Carlson was accompanied by U.S. Army Col. Edward Evans, the senior U.S. defense official in the Philippines.
The ambassador is in Leyte to attend Thursday’s 78th Leyte Gulf Landing in Palo town. She was welcomed by Balangiga Mayor Dana Flynch de Lira and parish priests Fr. Serafin Tybaco and Fr. Manuel Lunario.
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