By Roy Mabasa

United States Defense Secretary James Mattis will participate in a ceremony at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming on Wednesday, November 14 (Thursday, November 15 in Manila), marking the beginning of the process to return the Balangiga bells to the Philippines.

FILE -Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis (AP Photo/ MANILA BULLETIN)

However, the US Embassy in Manila said no specific date has yet been established for the return of the historic bells to the Philippines.

“While no specific date has been identified for the return of the bells, the Department of Defense is committed to a timely resolution in accordance with U.S. laws and policy,” US Embassy Press Attache Molly Koscina told the Manila Bulletin in a statement.

The three church bells were taken by the US forces from the town church in Eastern Samar as war trophies following the Balangiga massacre in 1901.

On August 9, Koscina recalled that Secretary Mattis notified the US Congress on the intention of the Department of Defense to return the bells of Balangiga to the Philippines.

“The bells of Balangiga have deep significance for many people in the United States and the Philippines,” Koscina noted.

She explained that the decision follows a year-long consultative process with associated veterans’ organizations and government officials to ensure appropriate steps are taken to preserve the history of the veterans associated with the bells.

Two of the bells are currently located in Wyoming while the other one is inside a US military facility in South Korea.