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, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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, focusing on Myanmar's relations with ASEAN. The two leaders had a candid and constructive discussion on advancing the implementation of the 5PC and how ASEAN may assist Myanmar in its aspiration of normalizing relations with the regional bloc.
The Philippines committed to lead a humanitarian assistance mission to Myanmar later this year, as agreed upon during an informal meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers on July 13. The ministers also discussed Myanmar's 100-day peace plan and regional efforts to combat transnational crime.
The ASEAN foreign ministers underscored the importance of the 5PC in addressing the situation in Myanmar, particularly in promoting concrete and measurable progress in its implementation. This marks ASEAN's first in-person engagement with Myanmar since the military seized power in a 2021 coup.
The Philippines welcomed recent steps taken by Myanmar's military government, including the release of thousands of political prisoners. The Department of Foreign Affairs noted that Myanmar granted amnesty to about 4,500 prisoners on July 1, a move that is seen as a positive step towards advancing meaningful political dialogue.
The five-point consensus, adopted by ASEAN in 2021 following Myanmar's military takeover, aims to promote 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.
