THE PHILIPPINES, as this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairman, is pushing for faster implementation of the regional bloc’s five-point consensus (5PC) on Myanmar and will lead a humanitarian assistance mission to the conflict-hit country later this year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro discussed the implementation of the five-point consensus with Myanmar Foreign Minister U Tin Maung Swe during a meeting on July 12, with both sides discussing Myanmar’s relations with ASEAN.
“They had a candid and constructive discussion on advancing the implementation of the five-point consensus and how ASEAN may assist Myanmar in its aspiration of normalizing its relations with ASEAN,” the DFA said in a statement.
Ms. Lazaro also headed an informal meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers on July 13, where the Philippines committed to lead a humanitarian assistance mission to Myanmar later this year.
The ministers also discussed Myanmar’s 100-day peace plan and regional efforts to combat transnational crime.
“The ASEAN foreign ministers underscored the 5PC as the main reference in addressing the situation in the country, particularly in promoting concrete and measurable progress in the 5PC’s implementation,” the DFA said.
The agency described the meetings as significant because they marked ASEAN’s first in-person engagement with Myanmar since the military seized power in a 2021 coup.
The Philippines also welcomed recent steps taken by Myanmar’s military government, including the release of thousands of political prisoners.
The DFA noted that Myanmar granted amnesty to about 4,500 prisoners on July 1.
Earlier this month, the department urged Myanmar to continue releasing detainees, including former civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, saying such measures are essential to advancing meaningful political dialogue.
“As Myanmar takes steps in a positive direction, we reiterate the importance of releasing all other prisoners, particularly the elderly and infirm, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Such actions are essential to advancing meaningful political dialogue as envisioned in the 5PC,” the DFA said in a July 1 statement.
The five-point consensus, adopted by ASEAN in 2021 following Myanmar’s military takeover, calls for an immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special ASEAN envoy, humanitarian assistance and the envoy’s access to all stakeholders to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the crisis. — KPBG
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