I seem to recall that they wanted us out of Subic Bay because they thought they were going to get a pre-built port ready for massive commercial shipping. Did I remember this correctly?
Yep. Been back there a couple times since the base was converted to the "Subic Bay Freeport Zone". It's nothing special. Olongapo was supposed to become a modern city, tourism was going to boom. Didn't really happen as expected.
You did indeed. The problem was that the Chinese have their own shipyards and they pay pennies compared to what the Filipinos were asking. The guys in Olongapo - I knew a couple - saw it coming but the guys in Manila thought it would be free money.
Dutarte wants the American to pay for the privilege of protecting him. That didn't work on Trump and I don't think Beijing Joe's paymasters will allow it.