President Rodrigo Duterte has acknowledged that the return of the Balangiga bells “[was] upon the demand of the Filipino people.”“Let me be very clear on this here and now. One of the bells was used to signal the attack, according to historian Rolando Borrinaga. The President said he would skip the High Mass today celebrating the bells’ return and just ceremonially receive the artifacts from US government representatives. He would then turn over the bells to “the people of Balangiga and the priest there,” he said. In Malacanang, Panelo said that President Duterte’s remarks declining credit for the return of the bells was further proof of his “humility” in public service.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 14, 2018 23:26 UTC