PH pushes for cessation of violence in Myanmar as coup leader bags presidency

Members of the Burma Solidarity Philippines (BSP) coalition, Akbayan Youth, and Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) hold a protest at the Boy Scout Circle in Quezon City on February 1, 2025, to mark the fourth anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar. The group called on human rights, peace, and democracy movements worldwide to strengthen solidarity in efforts to help overthrow the military junta led by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippines pushed for a “renewed momentum” in the “cessation of violence and… delivery of humanitarian assistance” in Myanmar on Friday, after the neighboring Southeast Asian country picked coup leader Min Aung Hlaing as its new president.

Myanmar marks bitter 5-year anniversary of 2021 coup

In a statement, Malacañang said that it “takes note” of Myanmar’s election, where the former military general was named president.

“The Philippines will continue to engage relevant authorities and stakeholders in Myanmar,” the Palace said.

“The Philippines remains committed to support ASEAN’s collective efforts and encourages renewed momentum toward the full and effective implementation of the Five Point Consensus, particularly in achieving the cessation of violence and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar,” it read.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Five-Point Consensus is a peace plan crafted in 2021 shortly after the military junta — led by Min Aung Hlaing — toppled the democratically elected administration of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The junta claimed that Aung San Suu Kyi — who won via a landslide vote in two elections — won through fraudulent means.

The Five-Point Consensus hopes to resolve the unrest on Myanmar through the following steps:

- Immediate cessation of violence and exercise of restraint in Myanmar

- Constructive dialogue among all parties to seek peaceful solutions

- A special envoy designated by the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate the dialogues

- ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance for victims of the conflict

- Special envoy to visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned

While ASEAN and the Min Aung Hlaing-led junta agreed on the document, geopolitical observers and non-profit organizations underscore that the human rights situation in Myanmar has yet to see major improvements.