Member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) appeared to have reached a consensus to address the situation in Myanmar, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Thursday

In his statement after the 42nd ASEAN Summit Retreat Session in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, President Marcos said members of the regional bloc have appeared to reach an agreement to ease the growing tension in Myanmar, formerly Burma.

“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,” the Philippine leader said.

“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,” the President added.

“The Philippines agrees with this view,” Marcos pointed out.

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.

Myanmar has been struggling with military rule, civil war, governance issues and widespread poverty through its several years of independence.

In February 2021, a military coup in Myanmar frustrated democratic reforms in the Southeast Asian country. (PND)