PH calls for dialogue, de-escalation of tension in Myanmar

MANILA – The Philippine government has called for the de-escalation of tension and dialogue among concerned parties in Myanmar, as it reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) efforts in improving the situation on the ground.

“With Myanmar as lead, let us launch a process towards reconciliation. Towards this, a commitment to end violence on all sides and to de-escalate tension and unrest is vital. Reason cannot be heard above the shouting and shooting; the provocation and reaction,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. who represented President Rodrigo Duterte during the Asean Leaders’ meeting on April 24.

The top Filipino diplomat urged security forces in Myanmar to exercise restraint and refrain from using excessive force against unarmed citizens and demonstrators, especially against the children.

Locsin emphasized the need to return to dialogue as he reiterated his previous calls for the release of the political prisoners in the coup d’etat.

“We urge a return to dialogue. The release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other political detainees sets a conducive environment for this,” he said.

“We are cognizant of the Army’s role in preserving Myanmar’s territorial integrity and national security, ever under threat from those who wish to break her apart and feast on her dismembered parts. But even so, we equally recognize the unifying role of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in her country’s history and its destiny,” he added.

Describing Myanmar as “a big part of the two hands that together make up the family of the Asean 10,” Locsin said the rest of the bloc must stand by the country and extend help if asked.

“To them I reaffirm the Philippines’ strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Myanmar and its return firmly and irreversibly to the path of democracy,” he said.

He said Manila supports a mediation through an Asean special envoy accepted by Myanmar and the proposal for the Chair and the Asean Secretary-General to visit the nation to initiate talks among all concerned parties; “with the view to improve the situation on the ground.”

“Brunei Darussalam, as Chair, is in the position to accomplish significant and steady steps toward the restoration of peace, the return of political normalcy; most urgently, ending the violence,” he said.

Locsin, meanwhile, recalled how Asean came together in support of the Philippines when it went through similar experiences during the 1986 Edsa Revolution.

“In 1986, during the Edsa Revolution, soldiers and civilians faced-off on the avenue that now proudly bears that name. In that tense moment, when the avenue could have been awash with the blood of fellow countrymen, Asean came together,” he said.

“It called ‘on all parties to restore national unity and solidarity so as to maintain national resilience.’ It reminded us that ‘There is still time to act with restraint and bring about a peaceful resolution of the crisis’. The protagonists in the Philippines listened. Not a drop of blood was shed. That prompting by family helped the Philippines tread the path towards the democracy that we are today,” he said.

Quoting Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Myanmar army chief affirmed that his country is “focused on restoring peace and stability to improve the current situation” and that they would consider “Asean’s positive and sound proposals, taking into account their domestic situation.”

The DFA said the Asean Leaders’ meeting was conducted in a “candid, family-style manner where Asean member states expressed their concerns on the mounting death toll and the escalating violence against civilians following the takeover of the government by the Myanmar Armed Forces, locally known as the Tatmadaw.”