The United States government will not in any way hold the release of a $2-million military assistance to the Philippines as claimed by a party-list representative, Malacañang assured Friday.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde dismissed as baseless a report that the US has withheld the release of the military aid for next year due to the government’s failure to address human rights concerns in the country.

“There is no basis to this report. In fact, the military assistance has been increased under the Obama administration,” he told a press briefing.

He said even Ambassador Kristie Kenney also rejected the report and noted the continued assistance of her government to the Philippines.

Aside from Kenney, Remonde also talked with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo Friday morning. He said both Cabinet men belied the report about the US withholding military assistance to the Philippines.

Quoting Romulo, he said the government has not received any notice to that effect from the US government.

“Pag merong withhold, there is appropriate notice, but there is no such notice,” the Palace official said.

Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares, who recently met with US State Department officials, said the US House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for deferment of the release of the $2 million worth of military aid to press on the Philippines to address the country’s human rights situation.

Sought for comment the other day, the US Embassy also said there was “nothing new” in the report.