By Benjamin Cuaresma
BALANGIGA, Eastern Samar — The legacy of the Balangiga Encounter remains deeply woven into the identity of Eastern Samar, with leaders marking its 125th anniversary by urging communities to draw lessons from the historic conflict on courage, unity, resilience and service.
Cabinet Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said the Balangiga bells should continue to remind Filipinos of the strength that comes from standing together for a common purpose.
“The bells of Balangiga remind us of a call to resistance. Today, the lesson of this shrine is our unity. Not for war, but for unity, courage, preparedness and service,” Abalos said during Monday’s commemoration.
Eastern Samar Gov. Ralph Vincent “RV” Evardone also called on Estehanons, particularly the younger generation, to understand how the province’s history helped shape the character, values and resilience of its people.
The Balangiga Encounter occurred on Sept. 28, 1901, during the Philippine-American War, when Filipino fighters and residents of the town attacked American troops stationed in Balangiga.
The clash resulted in the deaths of dozens of American soldiers and was followed by a punitive campaign by American forces in Samar, making the episode one of the most consequential and painful chapters of the war in the region.
At the center of that history are the Balangiga bells, which were taken from the town by American forces following the encounter and brought to the United States.
Their removal became a longstanding issue between the Philippines and the United States, as Philippine officials, local leaders, historians, religious groups and communities continued efforts to have the bells returned.
After more than a century abroad, the bells were finally brought back to the Philippines in December 2018 following years of efforts by Philippine and American officials and other advocates.
Their return marked a significant moment in the long history of Philippine-American relations and restored the historic bells to the community where their story began.
The 125th anniversary commemoration was attended by Abalos, Evardone, House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan, other provincial officials, and Balangiga municipal officials led by Mayor Dana Flynch De Lira.
More than a century after the encounter, Balangiga continues to carry its history forward—not simply as a memory of conflict, but as a reminder of the endurance of a community and the values its leaders say should continue to guide future generations.
IA/XF
