PH to build on Malaysia's action to address Myanmar situation —Marcos

KUALA LUMPUR - The Philippines will build on what Malaysia has started and done in addressing the situation in Myanmar, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Tuesday. 

Speaking to Philippine reporters, Marcos emphasized that the problem in Myanmar would not be solved in a year. 

“So, what the Philippines proposed, because in any analysis, this problem is not going to be solved in a year's time. And so, I proposed to PM Anwar, which he agreed with, is that let us come to an agreement that since I am the Chair for next year, that we should look – do not limit– you should not limit yourself to making commitments or entering into agreements that may last beyond your chairmanship,” Marcos said. 

“Because so long as you and I agree, you PM Anwar and me, we agree on the principle of what you are committing to for ASEAN and for with Myanmar. And even if it continues beyond your chairmanship, we will pick it up when we become chairman and we will build on that,” he added. 

Marcos expressed hope that with the upcoming elections in Myanmar, there may be stability in the country. 

“It's a ceasefire first that we want because the humanitarian cost has become very, very large. And we cannot see the stakeholders in Myanmar managing to find any kind of common ground,” Marcos said.

The Philippines, which will chair the ASEAN next year, has been in consultation with Malaysia since early this year as regards Myanmar’s situation. 

“I sent a special representative upon the request of Prime Minister Anwar… So, that's the new approach that we are going to bring to the problems in Myanmar,” he said.

To recall, Myanmar has been in crisis since its military overthrew an elected civilian government in 2021, which triggered pro-democracy protests that morphed into a widening rebellion, with more than 3.5 million people displaced. —LDF, GMA Integrated News

Further, a devastating earthquake in March that killed more than 3,800 people led to a series of temporary ceasefires in affected areas, a truce that the military government has violated with continued air strikes and artillery attacks.