The Philippines has joined the Association of Southeast Nation's (ASEAN) position in condemning the execution of four opposition activists in Myanmar.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday, July 26, that the country supports its fellow ASEAN countries in denouncing the act and "is strongly disappointed by it"
This came after Myanmar's military junta executed two prominent pro-democracy activists, Kyaw Min Yu and Phyo Zayar Thaw, as well as two other men accused of terrorism, which earned criticism from human rights advocates.
In a statement, which was supported by the Philippines, the ASEAN chairmanship said the association takes the issue "seriously".
"While the complexity of the crisis is well recognized and the extreme bellicose mood can be felt from all corners of Myanmar, ASEAN as a whole has called for utmost restraint, patience and efforts to avoid escalating the situation," the statement read.
"The implementation of the death sentences, just a week before the 55th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting is highly reprehensible as it created a setback to and present a gross lack of will to support the efforts," it added.
The chairmanship said it remains committed to the principles of the ASEAN and calls on "all parties concerned to desist from taking actions that would only further aggravate the crisis...not only in Myanmar, but the whole region".
"ASEAN remains resolved to assist Myanmar's return to normalcy and democratic transition and to find a peaceful political solution to the current crisis through inclusive dialogue," it added.