Myanmar President extols Bangsamoro peace pact

President Benigno Aquino III meets with Myanmar President U Thein Sein (center) during the 25th ASEAN Summit in Myanmar (Malacanang Photo Bureau)

NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar — The historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was one of the developments in the ASEAN region that was acknowledged by Myanmar President U Thein Sein during the opening ceremony of the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit here Wednesday.

President Thein Sein is the chairman of this year’s ASEAN Summit, which carries the theme “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community”.

“We also welcomed the successful outcome of Philippines Government’s Bangsamoro peace agreements,” he told fellow ASEAN leaders and other delegates of the summit.

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here on Tuesday to participate in the biannual gathering of ASEAN leaders to discuss regional issues and other challenges faced by the association’s 10 member states.

The President just came from his successful visit to China, where he attended the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

Last March, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, ending decades of conflict in the southern Philippines.

“Our unity and centrality have further expounded our voice in regional and global issues of common interests and projected ASEAN as a united and credible regional organization in the international community,” President Thein Sein said.

“It is very encouraging that the ASEAN’s norms and principles we have set for interstate relations are contributing toward peace, security and stability in the region. This is why countries are showing interests in our regions to promote engagement with ASEAN,” he added.

President Thein Sein further noted the ASEAN’s efforts in combating terrorism, disaster preparedness, and resiliency against infectious diseases, including the Ebola virus.

The opening ceremony was attended by heads of state/government of ASEAN member countries, namely Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Cambodia, and the Philippines.