[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2167-E2168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              WHEN SHALL THE BELLS OF BALANGIGA TOLL ANEW?

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 14, 1998

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I have stood many times before this body 
to advocate the return of at least one of the Bells of Balangiga to its 
rightful owners, the people of Samar in the Philippines. To this 
effect, I introduced House Resolution 312, calling on the transfer of 
the one of the bells from F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Today, I am proud 
to transmit to this body the remarks of Congressman Marcelino ``Nonoy'' 
C. Libanan, a distinguished colleague from the Republic of the 
Philippines House of Representatives. Congressman Libanan represents 
the Lone District in Eastern Samar.

              When Shall the Bells of Balangiga Toll Anew?

                     (By Hon. Marcelino C. Libanan)

       I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege.
       Mr. Speaker, many have tried and just as many have failed. 
     But this will not stop this representation from singing in a 
     louder tune that very same refrain for the return of the 
     Bells of Balangiga to where they belong; to the belfry of 
     Balangiga Church, to the faithful of our Christian community; 
     and, to the heart of every Samareno.

[[Page E2168]]

       On September 28, 1998, the people of Eastern Samar will 
     once again observe a date of remembrance and commemorate a 
     victorious past when our forebears, ill-equipped and ill-
     armed, fought gallantly and won a battle in defense of our 
     country's freedom and independence. And this makes this year 
     very significant as we are celebrating the Centennial of our 
     Philippine Independence.
       The reprisal of the United States Army under Col. Jacob 
     Smith need not be recalled in this august chamber when they 
     killed ``every Filipino capable of bearing arms and burned 
     Samar and made it a howling wilderness.'' In fact he said, 
     ``the more you kill and burn, the better you will please 
     me''. This savagery of unparalleled notoriety had earned him 
     the monicker ``Hell Roaring Jake''.
       Yes, Colonel Smith was court-martialed, reprimanded and 
     cashiered after the U.S. Congress conducted a searching 
     inquiry. But, this is not enough. The Bells of Balangiga, our 
     most symbolic civic treasure, which they carted away must be 
     returned.
       Lifeless and motionless, these bells are kept in an Air 
     Force Base in Wyoming, USA. Few Americans attach significance 
     to these relics. These have no value to them. They care less 
     about these bells for very few of them know their importance. 
     In a privilege speech delivered before the House of the U.S. 
     Congress, Guam Representative Underwood, said: ``There was a 
     time when the officers of F.E. Warren wanted to get rid of 
     the bells. These brass relics have no relevance for F.E. 
     Warren Air force Base, which is a missile base. Few people 
     seem to know or care about these bells. But, to us, freedom 
     loving Filipinos, these represent not only national pride but 
     also as memorial for the brave men who offered their lives so 
     that others may graciously live under the blessings of 
     independence.
       Eight (8) years have passed since our people and our 
     government started making serious efforts to repossess these 
     bells. Filipinos from a broad spectrum composed of 
     legislators, religious, governors, peasants, professionals, 
     business leaders and even the President of the Republic have 
     joined the nationalistic chorus demanding for nothing less 
     than the return of these historic bells.
       To us, Eastern Samarenos, these bells are not mute for they 
     are capable of making sound; they are not captives for they 
     cannot be imprisoned; neither can they be silenced for they 
     are forever shouting for freedom and yelling the sentiments 
     that every Filipino have been wanting to.
       These are enough considerations that should not fall on 
     deaf American ears. Indeed, for so many long years, it has 
     been the dream of every freedom-loving Filipino to have these 
     bells returned to our motherland and hear them toll once 
     more. Representative Underwood can never be more correct when 
     he said: ``For almost 100 years, the Philippines has been our 
     closest friend and ally, and in the name of friendship and 
     cooperation it would only be fitting and proper for the 
     United States to share the Bells of Balangiga with the people 
     of the Philippines for their centennial celebrations.'' Well 
     said; said well. As I have intimated earlier, many have tried 
     and many have failed.
       To the mind of my constituents, the return of the Bells of 
     Balangiga could be an opportunity for the Americans to show 
     that they have indeed changed; for the homecoming of these 
     inanimate relics which are symbols of our forebears' blood, 
     flesh and tears, will at the very least, show a screaming 
     message that America is now sensitive to our national 
     freedom, liberty and dignity and is ready to value 
     international comity and goodwill. In short, only when we 
     hear these Bells of Balangiga toll anew, and its sound 
     reverberates over our land, can we, the Filipino people, say 
     that we are ready to talk about this animal called VFA.
       Mr. Speaker, in the name of international understanding, 
     national pride and dignity, I respectfully appeal to my 
     colleagues in this chamber to join me champion this good 
     cause so that the bells of Balangiga shall be returned to its 
     rightful owners the Filipino people. Hence, this 
     representation filed House Resolution No. 145 entitled: A 
     Resolution Demanding from the Government of the United States 
     of America (USA) for the Immediate Return of the Bells of 
     Balangiga to the People of the Republic of the Philippines'', 
     co-authored by twenty-seven of my colleagues, I earnestly 
     urge this august chamber for its immediate adoption.
       Thank you very much.

       

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