Another U.S. Submarine Cancels Subic Port Call

The USS Columbus is the second U.S. submarine in two weeks to cancel its port call here at the Subic Bay Freeport, former largest U.S. military installation outside the U.S. mainland which was shut down in 1992 after the Philippine senate voted to abrogate the RP-US Military Bases Agreement that allowed America to maintain military bases in the Philippines.

Earlier, USS Tucson, another U.S. submarine similar to USS Columbus, cancelled its port call in Subic after the first submarine, the USS Carolina, that docked in the freeport, in May generated negative media and cause-oriented groups’ reactions.

Residents and businessmen of Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan and the Subic Bay Freeport, however, favor the visit of U.S. ships because of the business activities they generate. Others also view the U.S. military’s presence in Subic as a deterrent to China’s moves to encroach on Philippines territory, particularly, the Scarborough or Panatag Shoals and the Spratleys, all in the West Philippines Sea, also known as South China Sea. (Photo by Jaime P. Mendoza/Text by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.)