Shore Leave Ban for US Sailors Lifted
US SAILORS may now go on “shore leave” after the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) has eased liberty restrictions on American troops in the Philippines.
First to benefit from the lifting of the liberty ban effective May 29 were the 360-person crew of USS Shiloh, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, which docked in Subic Bay recently.
However, in Subic, the lifting allowed the sailors to go on pass or shore leave only within the fenced area of the former US Naval Base turned Freeport.
Olongapo Mayor Rolen C. Paulino said the “no liberty policy” has been causing the city and the country as a whole, to lose millions of dollars in opportunities.
Paulino said, however, that the limited lifting of the ban is still “welcome.” “While US sailors are confined within the fenced area of the Freeport for rest & recreation, they are allowed to go out into the city in groups for humanitarian projects like medical-dental missions, school repairs, friendly basketball games and the likes.”
He still urges US authorities, ‘though, to totally lift the ban saying “US personnel are safe in Olongapo, as they have always been when they still had a military base here.”
With 31 Filipino-American sailors aboard, the USS Shiloh made the port visit as part of an ongoing patrol in the region.
“The routinely scheduled port visit will permit the ship to replenish supplies, strengthen people-to-people ties through community outreach,” said a statement from the US embassy.
The port visit afforded Shiloh’s crew “the opportunity to briefly experience Filipino culture, which is reflective of strong historic, community, and military connections.”
In a message on May 27, USPACOM announced the plan to reopen liberty in the Philippines commencing May 29.
The Message said US servicemen will adhere to the USPACOM liberty/pass policy which states that a curfew of 2400-500 (12mn-5:00 a.m.) shall be strictly enforced in all areas of the Philippines.
All U.S. military personnel are required to observe the buddy system, wherein one has to be accompanied by another service member, DoD civilian, contractor, spouse or adult family member when on liberty pass.
“All service members who are on temporary duty or on a port call to the Philippines shall strictly comply with liberty zones posted on the Foreign Clearance Guide”
Liberty policy has been tight in the Philippines since the killing of a Filipino homosexual Jeffrey Laude alias “Jennifer” allegedly at the hands of a US serviceman in October last year.
