Thinking about it, I wouldn't rule out this being the original hilt. While not a exact match, Moro Swords/Cato has examples in fig. 37 & 47, neither which is the norm, but Moro Swords have a tendency to break the norm.
There is definitely a possibility that the hilt was a trade piece, carved else where & ended up in the markets of the PI.
The sword & the hilt both have age & appear to have been around together for a long time.
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