An aerial view of ships moored at the station. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) is in the foreground. Jan. 1993. Wikipedia
Shadows of an Old Military Base -- New York Times
SUBIC BAY, Philippines — Abraham Parungao watched hopefully as three American sailors walked through his souvenir shop full of T-shirts, decorative beer mugs and placards with cheeky slogans. After haggling for a while over a $5 wood carving, the young men left without buying a thing.
“Before, the Americans had so much money,” said Mr. Parungao, 64, in his small stall in front of where the U.S. submarine tender Emory S. Land was tied up for a visit. “These new American sailors are cheap.”
The thousands of big-spending sailors have been gone for more than two decades — since the United States turned over the Subic Bay Naval Station to the Philippines in 1992 — but the sprawling former military base still receives regular visits from U.S. Navy ships.
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My Comment: It is strange how the passage of time changes everything. 20 years ago Filipinos were protesting and demanding that the U.S. leave Subic Bay .... and now today .... with threats from China on their sovereignty coupled with tough economic times .... they want them back.
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