US Departs the Philippines
24 NOVEMBER 1992
US DEPARTS THE PHILIPPINES
The presence of American military bases in the Philippines was a consequence of our acquisition of that archipelago in 1898 after the Spanish-American war. When independence was granted to the Republic of the Philippines after WWII the US retained control of her military installations under a 99-year lease starting 27 March 1947. However, in deference to growing concerns over the US presence, under the Eisenhower administration in 1959, the 99-year term of the lease was shortened by 56 years to 16 September 1991.
In a Cold War dominated world of the 1980s, America viewed its bases in the Philippines, particularly Naval Station Subic Bay, as, “A vital link in the defense of freedom,” and in 1989 talks began on the possible renewal of the Bases Agreement. However chief negotiators Richard L. Armitage of the US and Raul Manglapus of the Corazon Aquino administration were far apart on the terms of an extension. Too, a growing public movement against the US presence was founded in sentiments dating from WWII, with Franklin Roosevelt’s “Europe first” war policy. Thus, on September 10th, 1991, the 23-member Philippine Senate rejected a final American $2 billion total aid package by a margin of four votes. The best the pro-American Aquino government could achieve was a three-year extension to accomplish a permanent American withdrawal.
The dismantling of our Philippine bases now began in earnest. A decision to abandon Clark AFB, that had been ravaged by the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption in June of 1991, had already been approved by US planners. At Subic, 50,000 tons of ordnance was destroyed or removed, and 5900 servicemen, 3900 dependents and 214 pets were shipped out. The fleet replenishment squadron VRC-50 was relocated to Guam, and the drydocks USS MACHINIST (AFDB-8), RESOURCEFUL (AFDM-5) and ADEPT (ADDL-23) were towed to other Pacific facilities. In what was termed the “biggest yard sale in history,” 450,000 tons of material were sold at 15-cents on the dollar–the Philippine government buying up $26 million in goods. Outside the gates of Subic, the city of Olongapo formed the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to facilitate conversion of the massive 630,300 acre facility into an economic free-trade zone.
On 30 September 1992 Naval Station Subic Bay closed, following the other facilities at Camp John Hay, Camp Wallace, Capas Tarlac and San Miguel. The last remaining US assets were consolidated to NAS Cubi Point. Then on this day, COMUSNAVPHIL officially ceased to exist as RADM Thomas Mercer stepped off Cubi Point’s Alava Pier onto the brow of USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA-3), and the last 800 US sailors and Marines departed the Republic of the Philippines.
Watch for more “Today in Naval History” 1 DEC 25
CAPT James Bloom, Ret.
Branigin, William. “Philippines Sets Compromise on Closing of U.S. Naval Base: Aquino, Senate Agree on 3-Year Withdrawal Period.” The Washington Post, 3 October 1991, p. A-37.
Branigin, William. “U.S. Military Ends Role in Philippines: After 94 Years, Navy Leaves with Parade, Tears, Questions.” The Washington Post, 24 November 1992, pp. A-1, A-17.
Burlage, John. “The End of an Era: Packing Up and Shipping Out at Subic Bay.” Navy Times, 30 November 1992, pp. 12, 14.
Burlage, John. “The Last of the Last to Say Good-Bye.” Navy Times, 30 November 1992, pp. 14-15.
Dutcher, Roger. “Subic Bay’s Last Days.” Surface Warfare, September/October 1992, pp. 20-21.
Gregor, A. James and Virgilio Aganon. The Philippine Bases: U.S. Secuity Risk. Washington, DC: Ethics and Public Policy Center, 1987, pp. 33-47.
Oberdorfer, Don. “U.S. Bases Rejected in Philippines: Cheney Says Subic Bay Facility Will be Closed if Decision Stands.” The Washington Post, 10 September 1991, pp. A-1, A-12.
“Philippines to US: Leases on Bases Will End in ’92.” The Washington Post, 16 May 1990, p. A-7.
Shenon, Philip. “U.S. Will Abandon Volcano-Ravaged Air Base, Manila is Told.” New York Times, 16 July 1991, p. A-6.
Sicam, Paulynn. “Pressure Mounts to End Bases Pact.” Christian Science Monitor, 14 May 1990, p. 3.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: For centuries before the appearance of Europeans, the Philippine islands were economically exploited by Asian powers, largely China. Magellan claimed the islands in March 1526 for his Spanish King Philip. For three hundred years Spain dominated the islands, setting up the famous Manila-Mexico trade. Once a year a gold and treasure laden galleon would leave Manila taking a northerly route through the Pacific. After a voyage of many months, they would make landfall at Cape Mendicino in California, and from there hug the coast to Acapulco. The islands remained under Spanish domination until 1898, when CAPT George Dewey defeated the Spanish Fleet in a decisive naval action in Manila Bay. Along with Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam, the Philippines was ceded to the United States at the close of the Spanish-American war.
The only remaining official US presence in the Philippines is the American Memorial Cemetery outside Manila in which 17,206 American servicement killed in WWII and 36,279 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines whose remains have never been found are memorialized.
