President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for the quick resolution of the Myanmar situation is important for Southeast Asia’s interest, as the world considers the region at the forefront of democracy and human rights, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.

In an interview, DFA Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu was asked why President Marcos chose to bring up the Myanmar issue in the 41st ASEAN Summit Retreat Session, as well as the urgency of his call.

“Because it’s very important not only to the President but to us and to the entire region. In the sense, tinitingnan pa rin tayo bilang isa sa mga nasa forefront of democracy and human rights in the region,” Espiritu told reporters covering the President at the ASEAN Summit.

During the retreat session, President Marcos raised the need for the speedy implementation of the Five Point Consensus peace plan to address the deepening crisis in Myanmar.

In his intervention, he called on his fellow ASEAN leaders to heed the call for the welfare and protection of the people of Myanmar.

“The Philippines thus reiterates the need for the speedy implementation of the Five Point Consensus, which Myanmar agreed to in the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting held in Jakarta in April 2021,” Marcos pointed out.

The peace plan sought to call for an urgent end to violence as well as step up dialogues between the military and the opposition movement.

Espiritu said that so far, ASEAN ministers discussing Myanmar haven’t reached a consensus but expressed hope that they can secure one in the future.

However, in case a consensus isn’t reached, a mechanism under the bloc’s Charter allows them to elevate the issue to the ASEAN leaders for a decision, according to the DFA official. #