058 USN to Freeport Zone
Goodbye Subic Bay
Back in 1992 the feeling that the Philippines couldn’t survive without the US Navy Base at Subic Bay was all the news in the USA. Different story in the P. I. There are plaques and statues commemorating the return of Subic. The conversion to a Duty Free Zone may not be as profitable as the USN presence was but it has to be more palatable to most locals. The main source of US dollars to the locals was bars, booze and broads. The age old industry of prostitution that flourished here, at the expense of local parents, for the pleasure of our Sailor Boys. Both my brothers had stories of their drunken love affairs here.
Nida at Subic Tourism
Our search for info led us from one old Navy building to another. Nida’s office, on the second floor, was a hub of activity. She had lots of advice and made calls to local and Bataan authorities to give Cat confidence. We’d heard of NPA (New Peoples Army) activity in the hills. She assured us that there was lots of Police and Philippine Army presence there and we’d be safe. We had lunch a Jolibee, a burger joint, and met a Father and Son team motorcycling in PI. He is a Preacher, wants to retire then ride motorcycle and preach on the road.
