Urbex – Abandonned U.S. barracks
US MILITARY BARRACKS
The American troops first set up camp in Angeles, Pampanga in tents and temporary shelters inside the town itself back in 1899. Their stay was supposed to be temporary. It lasted ninety two years and at the height of their stay in 1990, they had a permanent population of 15,000.
They officially started constructing dormitories in September of 1919. Originally these were 20-man tents but were later replaced by a 200-bed capacity single enlisted quarters. After the establishment of Clark Field, new family and bachelor officers quarters were needed and in the middle of the 1920s they have completed enlisted barracks, bachelor officers quarters and eight “barns.” Post World War II, Clark Field saw a construction boom for a youth center, operation and storage facilities. Since the turnover of the American base to the Philippine government in 1991, all of the buildings were abandoned and among these were the 30 apartments for bachelor officers and 294 rooms for transients.
As of August, 2019, there were still a number of abandoned officers quarters. A few of them have been renovated but several were still overtaken by weeds and foliage. Most are home to bats and a number of insects specially mosquitoes, ants and termites. A few have also provided temporary shelters for the construction crew now redeveloping the properties.
We chanced upon a compound that seemed better maintained than the rest which had at least 8 abandoned apartments and a decaying van. This compound was cared for by a couple tasked to keep out looters and vandals. The caretakers’ pets, in particular their goats, have definitely had a run of the area. With their watchful gaze following us as we explored the apartments, we felt like we were trespassing into their domain.
According to the caretakers, the compound used to house top US Air Force personnel and their families. They also mentioned that the property was bought out by a developer and they are waiting on word as to when development will start.
Warning for those who will attempt to go around the base to explore the barracks and officers’ apartments: make sure you have a car at your disposal or be ready for the long walk or to hitchhike back to the main road.
We couldn’t connect to the internet at the time to order a car to pick us up (Uber/Grab). We tried to hitch a ride from a few passing cars but they weren’t having us, maybe because hitchhiking is pretty uncommon in the Philippines specially in the base. Fortunately, the couple from the compound were on their way to pick up their kid outside the base and they allowed us to hitch a ride, letting us off on the main road.
AP.2019
