During the American period (1901, to be exact), the natives of Balangiga, Samar "surprised" aka ambushed the American soldiers, killing many. The soldiers, in an effort at reprisal (a lousy one at that), stole (yes, they did) the bells (there were three; one big and two smaller ones) of the town church.
Now, after 107 years of that fateful day ("the ambush"), the bells are not yet in Samar (neither are they in the country) despite the government's efforts to "persuade" the (hard-headed) US Military. Presently, "the smallest bell is on permanent display at the traveling museum of the 9th US Infantry, now stationed in Korea while the two bigger bells are displayed at the Trophy Park at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming".
Balangiga town mayor Viscuso de Lira said, “Our wish of getting back the church bells remain,” as he expressed belief that this could only be done through diplomatic way.
Mayor de Lira and, maybe, the whole town of Balangiga are still hoping (not wishing because wishes tend to be "impossible") to hear the church bells.
Kamown. These bells, old and rusty they maybe, signify the town's, and of Samar's, history. These bells signify that once in many battles have the Filipinos won against those arrogant military soldiers. Keeping the bells in their custody (and on display at their museums) shows how childish Americans are, in general.
They can't even give the bells back, for godssakes, when in the first place these bells belong to us. To our country. These bells are, for them Americans, just "war booty". But for the Samareños (and Filipinos) they signify/mean a lot. Not just military history. I know for a fact that these bells mean a lot to the town church, the parish, and the people (being the devout Catholics that they are).
And yet, after years and years of keeping these bells, they (Americans, the US Military at that) refuse to budge. Despite the "diplomatic" efforts to get the bells back, nothing. Goes to show how diplomatic the US can get. They don't.
Well, just a hunch. I think the US Military are not giving (or does not have the intention to) the bells back because in doing so would mean defeat. They were defeated by the natives (maybe, they were even gunless), who had no prior military experience, etc. So giving back the bells, now, would mean that they accepted that they were wrong. Na dati pa, hindi na dapat nila kinuha. Talk about power-tripping.
Bells, bells, bells. Kept or held on to by them people without balls, balls, balls.
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All facts and quoted statements are from: this article.
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