ANGELES CITY– US military presence is again being felt in Olongapo City, where the Subic Freeport used to host an American naval base until 1991.
Officials and employees of Olongapo City led by Mayor Rolen Paulino, recently played a basketball game with the crew of USS Emory S Land “as symbol of goodwill with the visiting American servicemen.”
The game ended with the Navy personnel beating homegrown players 48-43. “It is important that we extend friendship with them and this is one way to do it, although I did not score any points during the game what matters here is that we sent a message that they are welcome here in our city,” Paulino said in a statement.
The American crewmen have been holding a series of “community relations activities” in areas near Subic Bay Freeport as their ship undergo necessary maintenance work and replenish supplies at the port.
There are proposals to again allow US military to use Subic under a “rotational presence” scheme.
