Duterte to lead handover of Balangiga bells — Palace

Two of the three Bells of Balangiga, considered war trophies by the United States, are displayed at FE Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. The third bell is with the US Air Force in South Korea. —AP

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to lead the scheduled handover of the Balangiga bells on December 11, Malacañang said Sunday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement said that the Palace awaits “enthusiastically” for the return of the bells.

READ: LOOK: Balangiga bells on their way back to Philippines

“We consider the occasion as an affirmation of our strong and enduring relations with our long-standing ally, the United States,” Panelo said.

“We thank them for this gesture that would formally put a closure to a tragic and contentious episode in both our countries’ history,” he added.

READ: Balangiga Bells to return to PH on Dec. 11 – Lorenzana

Last August, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis signed the document which allowed the bells to be returned to the Philippines.

The bells will be displayed at the St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish Church which underwent repairs after it was devastated by the Supertyphoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in 2013. /je