By Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — An official of the Diocese of Borongan said they are ready for the impending return of the Balangiga Bells.
“It’s a welcome development. The parishioners of Balangiga have been patiently waiting for its eventual return,” Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, chairman of the Mass Media and Communications section of Borongan diocese, said in an interview Wednesday.
The bells will be returned to the St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in Eastern Samar.
“The physical church of Balangiga is ready for the return of its bells. It was reconstructed after it was devastated by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013. It has two belfries. The other one is empty, but awaiting for the return of its bells,” the Catholic priest said.
Quitorio, however, noted that they have not received any official communication regarding the supposed return of the bells.
“Except from what is read in the news, the parish of Balangiga, or the Diocese of Borongan where Balangiga parish belongs, do not have any information regarding the veracity of the November 14 event or any arrangements regarding the bells’ return,” he said.
The United States is expected to start the process of returning the bells to the Philippines on Thursday (Manila time).
US troops have taken the bells as war booty after the Balanginga Massacre in 1901.
Two of these are displayed at the former base of the 11th Infantry Regiment at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base while another one is displayed at the 9th Infantry Regiment at Camp Cloud in South Korea.
