Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Saturday (April 24) joined leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in their call to recommend the de-escalation of the prevailing conflict in Myanmar.
Among the calls supported by the Philippines regarding the situation in Myanmar are dialogues between concerned parties, delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Burmese people, and mediation through a special envoy appointed by the ASEAN.
The official recalled the harmony of ASEAN nations in support of the Philippines during the 1986 EDSA Revolution, and called for national unity among all parties in Myanmar for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Locsin also expressed support for the ASEAN agreement to appoint the ASEAN Secretary-General or the ASEAN Chair to visit Myanmar to initiate dialogues in a bid to improve the situation.
He said Brunei’s role as chair puts it in a strong position to lead ASEAN, considering its assistance to the country in ending violence, restoring peace, and facilitating its return to political normalcy. He also reiterated calls for the immediate release of political prisoners.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte designated Locsin as the country’s special envoy at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting, in Jakarta, Indonesia which was attended by heads of state and government, high representatives, and other special envoys to discuss urgent matters such as Covid-19, external relations, and regional and international issues.
During the meeting, member-states expressed their concerns on the growing death toll and the worsening violence against civilians in Myanmar following the takeover of Myanmar Armed Forces “Tatmadaw.”
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s chairman of the state administration council, said their focus now is on peace and stability restoration to ease the current state of affairs.
He added that they would consider ASEAN’s positive and sound proposals while taking into account their domestic situation.
Locsin attended a working dinner among some ASEAN Foreign Ministers on April 23 at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in preparation for the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting – their first face-to-face event to be convened since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DFA/AG-jlo
