Three church bells that were taken by the United States from the Philippines in 1901 have been returned. Locals in the central Philippine town of Balangiga celebrated as the bells arrived. As CGTN's Barnaby Lo explains, the return of the relics represents a hard-won victory for activists.

They thought they'd never see it in their lifetime. So they've gone all out with the festivities. Three church bells, taken by Americans as war booty from the church of the small town of Balangiga in the Central Philippines in 1901, are back home.

ERLIN DEGORIO BALANGIGA DESCENDANT "Even if I can't touch them or don't hear them toll, I am just happy to be able to see the bells that signaled the victorious attack of our forefathers against American soldiers."

In his State of the Nation Address last year, President Rodrigo Duterte demanded that America return the bells to the Philippines, just as presidents before him had done. On Saturday, he personally turned the bells over to local officials of Balangiga after the US military flew them into the country's capital Manila earlier in the week.

SUNG KIM US AMBASSADOR TO THE PHILIPPINES "The bells' return reflects the strong bonds and mutual respect between our two nations and our peoples. It demonstrates our determination to honor the past and the sacrifices made together by Filipinos and Americans."

BARNABY LO BALANGIGA, PHILIPPINES "More than a century ago, there was blood between Filipinos and American soldiers here in Balangiga. That monument behind me is a reminder of both victory and sacrifice. Now, on that same monument, the Philippine and American flags are planted together."

With a US law prohibiting the return of war memorial items lapsing in September, the Balangiga Bells' journey back to the Philippines was almost assured. For something this town's people have waited to see for a long time, their one small wish was to be able to hear those bells ring in the Christmas season for them. That wish is now granted. Barnaby Lo, CGTN, Balangiga in the Central Philippines.