The recent repatriation by the United States of the Balangiga bells to the Philippines serves as a catalyst to reinvigorate a tarnished U.S.-Philippines relationship. Albeit in a bit of romantic irony, with an anti-American Philippine president at the driver’s seat, the bells’ return nonetheless came in at an opportune and necessary time.

During the Philippine-American War, which occurred from 1899 to 1902, the tolling of the church bells was used as a signal by Philippine insurgents to attack American troops of the 9th Infantry Regiment stationed close to the church. Forty-eight U.S. servicemen were killed. In retaliation, Gen. Jacob Smith ordered his men to “kill anybody over 10” and turn the island of Samar into a “howling wilderness.” This reaction claimed 2,500 Filipino lives.