MALACAÑANG welcomed Wednesday the decision of United States (US) to turn over three Balangiga church bells seized by American soldiers over a century ago.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said US's commitment to return Balangiga bells taken from Eastern Samar is a "welcome gesture."
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim earlier said that the US is "deeply committed" to bring back the relics to the Filipino people.
"The Philippines has been working for the rightful return of Balangiga bells to the country for many years," Abella said.
"The statement of US Ambassador Sung Kim that 'the return on the Balangiga bells is the right thing to do' therefore is a welcome gesture," he added.
For decades, the Philippine government has repeatedly appealed to the US to return the church bells but Washington kept being non-committal.
During his second state of the Nation Address on July 24, President Rodrigo Duterte demanded the return of Balangiga bells.
The three church bells were taken by the US forces from Balangiga town in Eastern Samar in 1901 as "war booties" during the Filipino-American war.
Kim said the talks between the two countries are now ongoing to facilitate the quick turnover of the bells.
Abella said the bells seized by the US must be returned because those are part of the Filipinos' national heritage.
"The Balangiga bells form part of our national heritage and the return of these historical relics is important for our national pride, as these bells are reminders of the gallantry and heroism of our forebears," he said. (SunStar Philippines)