SUBIC BAY : The End of an Era

Shortly after noon today, the U.S. assault ship Belleau Wood is to raise anchor and set sail from this once-mighty U.S. Navy base, ending an era in Philippine--U.S. relations. The ship will carry the last U.S. military forces from the Philippines, 94 years after America seized its only colony in its first foreign war. Washington once had dozens of bases here, but the Philippine Senate last year refused to permit further deployment, calling the troops a violation of national sovereignty.

The huge Subic port, airfield and base facility is perhaps the impoverished country’s best hope for an economic recovery. President Fidel V. Ramos’ government has ambitious plans to create a complex of industrial estates, duty-free shops and tourist resorts.