Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reached a consensus “to do something more” regarding conflict-torn Myanmar, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Thursday, May 11.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. with his fellow leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the 42nd ASEAN Summit Retreat Session in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on Thursday, May 11, 2023. (ASEAN)
In his statement after the 42nd ASEAN Summit Retreat Session in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, the President revealed that members of the regional bloc have appeared to reach an agreement to ease the growing tension in Myanmar, formerly Burma.
He also said that “the Philippines agrees with this view.”
“There seems to be a consensus forming amongst the ASEAN Member States that we need to do something more to try and address the situation in Myanmar,” Marcos shared.
“Since the five-point [consensus] has not been implemented and there seems little progress, the advice or the opinion of the majority of ASEAN members was that we must find ways to re-engage both sides of the conflict, both the military regime and the opposition. And it seems a good idea,” he added.
The five-point plan agreed at a special summit two years ago intended to end violence in Myanmar, but ASEAN leaders lamented how violence has since then intensified.
The five-point consensus included provisions for an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian assistance by ASEAN and a visit by the regional bloc’s special envoy to Myanmar to meet with all parties.
Since gaining its independence, Myanmar had struggled with military rule, civil war, governance issues, and widespread poverty.
In February 2021, a military coup threatened the democratic reforms in Myanmar. — Raymund Antonio
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
