Antique: A 127-year-old Philippine flag is set to be turned over to the provincial government of Antique this month by its current owner. In an interview on Friday, local historian Errol Santillan said the descendants of the late 2Lt. Ruperto Abellon have already informed him of their willingness to donate the flag to the Antique provincial government.

According to Philippines News Agency, Abellon's great-grandson, who is based in Australia, is currently in Antique to personally coordinate with Santillan regarding the turnover ceremony. He added that the Abellon family wishes for the flag to remain in Antique under the care of the provincial government so that residents will always remember the province's part in the struggle for Philippine independence.

A memorandum of agreement is now being drafted by the Antique Provincial Legal Office with the Abellon family to ensure that the flag will be properly taken care of. "The flag can be placed at the old Antique capitol building for the historians and other people to see it," Santillan said.

A resolution declaring the flag as an important historical and cultural heritage is also being proposed with the Antique Provincial Board. Fullon headed the armed expedition dispatched by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo from Luzon to reclaim Antique from the Spaniards on Sept. 6, 1898. With him was a team of 140 officers and 340 men who arrived in Pandan, Antique on Sept. 21, 1898.

The group hoisted the flag, which measures 53 inches in width and 93 inches in length, in Libertad upon their arrival to signify their important mission.