I think the Philippines government was shocked when the Americans left when they were told. They were just trying to negotiate a more lucrative treaty. They didn’t expect their bluff to be called.
It didn’t help the Filipinos that the volcano significantly impaired the airbase at a critical point in the process.
Yeah, while the runways and parking aprons at Clarke could have been cleared of volcanic ash with some effort, once the hangers and other buildings began collapsing from wet ash loads, the base was essentially a write off.
Post-departure looting also trashed a lot of the less valuable facilities at
Subic. Believe the shipyard and maintenance shops are still operational.
Remember the training grounds in Vieques, Puerto Rico? They even got Al $harpton down there protesting, so they closed it...and the money dried up. Then there were complaints that we did what they asked...