President Rodrigo Duterte has urged all parties in Myanmar to engage in constructive dialogue with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to end internal conflict.
“The Philippines urges all parties in Myanmar to engage in constructive dialogue with ASEAN. We are, after all, an ASEAN family. And if we cannot trust each other and work together, then who can Myanmar trust and work with?” Duterte said during the 38th and 39th Asean Summits and Related Summits virtually via video conference.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since Aung San Suu Kyi’s government was ousted by the military in February, sparking a nationwide uprising that the junta has tried to crush.
“We stress that Asean’s Special Envoy must be able to visit Myanmar soon and meet all the parties involved,” Duterte said
All sides should be heard for the Asean community to be able to “effectively assist Myanmar in pursuing enduring peace and stability,” Duterte said, noting history has shown that taking the consultative approach paves the way for democratization.
According to the President, the Asean should collectively address the Myanmar issue “as a responsible community.”
Duterte said the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly has also strongly condemned the crackdown on peaceful protesters and civil society.
“They called for the immediate and unconditional release of arbitrary detainees and an end to restrictions on freedom of expression,” he said.
Expressing his concern, Duterte said Myanmar’s rejection of Asean’s sincere offers of assistance might undermine the mutual trust and confidence that Asean-member states shared, as well as that of key external partners and other international organizations.
At the same time, the President encouraged stakeholders to continue providing humanitarian assistance to all in need, especially Rohingya and citizens of Myanmar who seek refuge.
The Philippines, he said, would commit to help individuals caught up in “situations beyond their control.”
“Our doors are open to our Rohingya brothers and sisters and other peoples of Myanmar who seek refuge,” he added.