ADDRESSING MYANMAR CRISIS. The leaders of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pose for a family photo during the regional bloc's summit in Laos on Wednesday (Oct. 9, 2024). President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (2nd from left) said the ASEAN is looking for new ways to address the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar. (Photo courtesy of Bongbong Marcos Facebook page)
MANILA – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is looking for new ways to address the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.
In a media interview on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos, Marcos said ASEAN is also holding informal consultations, considering that there is no improvement in the situation in Myanmar despite the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC).
“The position of the Philippines remains the same. We are firmly behind the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and we are trying to find ways to move forward,” he said.
“Because we have to admit that although the Five-Point (Consensus) have been out there since 2021, we have not been very successful in actually improving the situation. So, we are trying to think of new strategies.”
The President, nevertheless, said the Philippines remains committed to the implementation of the 5PC to end the political crisis in Myanmar.
The 5PC calls for the immediate cessation of violence and the conduct of constructive dialogue seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict.
It also aims to facilitate an ASEAN special envoy for mediation of the dialogue process; provision of ASEAN’s humanitarian assistance; and a special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.
The military wrested power in Myanmar after a coup in February 2021, triggering mass protests and violence. (PNA)
