U s envoy says no american weapons buildup in philippines

You're referring to the recent statement by the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, who clarified that there are no plans to build up American military presence or deploy new weapons systems in the Philippines.

Here's a summary of the situation:

In recent months, there have been concerns in the Philippines about a potential US military buildup in the country, particularly in the wake of the Philippines' decision to terminate its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US. The VFA, signed in 1998, allowed for the temporary deployment of US troops to the Philippines for joint military exercises and training.

However, in response to concerns about the agreement's provisions, particularly on the issue of jurisdiction over US troops involved in crimes, the Philippines announced its decision to terminate the VFA in February 2020.

In the aftermath of this decision, there were reports of a potential US military buildup in the Philippines, which sparked concerns about the country's sovereignty and the potential for increased tensions with China.

In response to these concerns, US Ambassador Sung Kim recently clarified that there are no plans to build up American military presence or deploy new weapons systems in the Philippines. Kim stated that the US is committed to maintaining a strong and enduring partnership with the Philippines, but that this partnership will not involve a significant buildup of US military assets in the country.

Kim emphasized that the US is focused on supporting the Philippines' defense capabilities and promoting regional stability through joint exercises, training, and capacity-building programs. He also noted that the US is committed to respecting the Philippines' sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Philippine government has welcomed Kim's statement, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana saying that the country is open to continuing its defense cooperation with the US, but that any future agreements must be based on mutual respect and benefit.

Overall, while there may be ongoing discussions between the US and the Philippines about defense cooperation, it appears that there are no plans for a significant US military buildup in the country.