Senator to grace Balangiga Encounter Day

SENATOR Edgardo Angara is the expected guest in the 111th year commemoration of the Balangiga Encounter Day in Balangiga, Eastern Samar.

Balangiga Tourism Officer Fe Campanero, in a phone interview, said that among those they are expecting to be part of Senator Angara’s message is the possible return of the Balangiga Bells that was looted by the American troops after they surged the town to avenge the death of about 50 American troops from the hands of Filipinos who were against the American forces in 1901 during Philippine-American War.

The bells were considered as war booties by the military forces of the United States.

Campanero added that they also expect the senator to talk about programs and projects that will benefit the constituents through the local and national level implementation.

Viscuso de Lira, town mayor, will lead the ceremony at the town’s plaza, and will welcome the guest, according to Campanero.

For several years now, numerous efforts were made to ask for the return of the bells which are believed to be in the possession of the 9th Infantry Regiment at Camp Red Cloud based in South Korea while two others are on a former base of the 11th Infantry Regiment at F.E. Warren Air Force in Wyoming, USA.

Campanero added that aside from Angara, they are also expecting a confirmation from Eastern Samar Governor Conrado Nicart Jr. and Congressman Evardone to grace the event.

Aside from the commemorative program on September 28, other activities are the bloodletting on September 25, and the opening of Job Fair and Agri-Fair and Exhibit on September 26. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)