After Palace withholds comment, DFA says Philippines concerned with Myanmar, Suu Kyi

The Philippines is viewing with concern the recent developments in Myanmar particularly the detention of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The DFA statement came a day after President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. withheld comment on the military takeover in Myanmar,  saying the event was an internal matter.

"The Philippine government is following with deep concern the developing situation in Myamar and is especially concerned with the safety of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," the statement read.

Roque on Monday declined to comment on the political unrest.

“Inaasahan po natin na sa lalong mabilis na panahon sana po bumalik sa normal iyan bagama’t ang pangyayari po sa Myanmar ay isang bagay na internal at hindi po natin pinanghihimasukan,” Roque said.

Roque said the government’s primary objective is to ensure the safety of over 1,200 Filipinos in Myanmar.

“At naka-standby naman po ang ating Hukbong Sandatahan kung kinakailangan na ma-airlift or kaya [gamitin] ang mga bapor ng ating Philippine Navy kung kinakailangan na pauwiin ang mga Pilipinong nandiyan sa Myanmar.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said earlier in the day that Roque’s “internal” matter remark was his “personal opinion.”

“[Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque] does not express foreign policy,” Locsin said on Twitter. “And the last thing we will do is assemble our Armed Forces to evacuate our nationals.”

Locsin added that he and Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Eduardo Kapunan Jr. were “strategizing what successively well-thought-out positions to take as circumstances change.”

“He and I are veterans of coup attempts on opposite sides. Only the President can override our moves,” Locsin said.

Myanmar’s military seized power on Monday and imposed a state of emergency for one year after it alleged fraud in last November’s election that Suu Kyi’s party won by a landslide. -NB, GMA News