European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 09, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Filipino ambivalence Over . Bases 8\ by Steve Lohr new York times r Ichard Gordon the mayor of themous Luin rimmed Harbor City of Olon Gapo inthe Philippines puts it bluntly Olon Gapo Isa company  Lang Apo Scase the company happens to be the Pentagon. The town s nightclubs bars hotels restaurants Massage Parlours and 250,000 people Are almost wholly dependent on the huge United states naval base at Sulc Bay. Whose grounds cover an area slightly larger than Manhattan and whose Gates open onto the City s main Street. Yet even in Olon Gapo and even in the mayor s office there is a hint of the ambivalence filipinos increasingly express toward the presence of two big american military bases on their soil Subio Bay and the nearby Clark a. Gordon recognizes that the american base is his town s Lifeblood and at a time when the philippine Economy is depressed and businesses Are closing Down to notes with Relief no one is being Laid off Here thanks to the .  Gordon also Speaks knowledgeably of the soviet buildup in Cam Ranh Bay. Vietnam a 70-m Nule Jet Rida across the South China sea and what he terms the need to balance soviet Power in the  yet As a filipino he acknowledges that he has Oiler tee Lenasa Well. As a principle Noons wants the Fon bases  said Gordon. 40. Whose father a former mayor of Olon Gapo fought for the town s sentence. 959 � �"8ap�. 50  of Manila was part of the Subic base and was Tun by an american administrator. Backing for president Marcos. At anti government demonstrations in Manila the removal of the american bases is a rallying Point along with Calls for the overthrow of the ".-Marcos  moreover As opposition to the Marcos government has stepped up and the influence of the left has increased. More centrist politicians Havn also come out against t he bases. Last december a dozen prominent opposition leaders signed an agreement staling that foreign bases on philippine territory mus be removed and no foreign military bases shall hereafter be  the agreement Between Manila and Washington permitting american Uso of the bases does not expire until 1991. But the health of Marcos 67 years old is Uncertain and the position of any successor government toward the bases is unpredictable. Accordingly the United Stales is concerned about the future. The loss of the bases in the Philippines would be a body blow to Western strategic interests in the Pacific and globally an american Diplomat said. A a Wolback the United states is trying to lease possible alternative Sites in Guam and on the islands of Micronesia and the Northern Marianas. Military estimates of the Cost and time that would be required to replace Sulc and Clark Range 1rom $2 billion and three years to a billion and eight years. Moreover almost any replacement would be a significant loss militarily. It would be impossible to equal the location or the inexpensive skilled workforce at Sulc the Center of support operations for the 90 ships 550 Al crafts and 70,000 troops of the seventh Fleet in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Sulc lies at the Center of the vital Ocean lanes running from the sea of Japan to the East coast of Africa the Marianas by contrast Are far More peripherally situated being four Days steaming time from Sulc. Guam too is far More Remote. Take away Subic and you double and triple the distances and greatly reduce the time Lor operations in key areas said it. Cmdr. James Van sickle a briefing officer at the base. Monday decembers 1985 the Philippines also Oiler the Penl Arjon skilled if ibor at a yarn Afes. Trio Navy estimates that n any s work shift at Subic costs about Ono sixth the rate in Japan and one seventh that in the United Stales. The Central indictment of american Loreyn policy in Fie Philippines Hoard frown both Marcos opponents and congressional critics is that Washington is focused single min deity on the bases. Washington s Lix Alion they argue undermines its Elloris to press the Marcos government Tor political and economic changes. Although opposition to hip bases is vocal and growing. It does not yet appear to be the majority opinion. In an Independent nationwide poll issued last month. 43 percent of filipinos surveyed agreed hat he american bases should be kept or  and 23 percent disagreed. The movement against the bases has gained most among younger better educated filipinos the poll indicated. And even some of those who oppose the bases appear willing to Compromise. Significantly the Call lot their removal signed by opposition leaders in december was Vaque leaving out such details As a timetable. Foreign diplomats suggested that the declaration was a harmless gesture of nationalism which allowed the still divided opposition to agree on a largely theoretical Issue while sidestepping Hornier matters such As choosing a single candidate to run against Marcos. I m against the american bases but there Are practical cons durations that must be taken into account said Aquilino Pimentel an opposition Leader who signed the declaration. Of these practical matters the first Elmo Noel mentioned was employment. About 43,000 filipinos work at Clark and Subic and the american government is the third largest employer in the country after the philippine government and the san Miguel corporation. Besides not even Castro could kick the . Out Otvis base at Guantanamo Pimentel said. There s not much Chang we will get rid of these bases anytime  the stars and stripes Page 13