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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos pushes ASEAN to act, not 'sit back,' on Myanmar crisis

Marcos pushes ASEAN to act, not 'sit back,' on Myanmar crisis

Published May 19, 2026 10:24 am
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. leads the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit Plenary Session in Cebu on May 8, 2026. (PCO)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. leads the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit Plenary Session in Cebu on May 8, 2026. (PCO)
While acknowledging Southeast Asian leaders' frustration over the lack of progress in resolving the crisis in Myanmar, President Marcos said the regional bloc should not just "sit back and wait for something to happen."
In a roundtable with Japanese media on Monday, May 18, Marcos said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to take an active role in resolving the crisis in Myanmar, whose leaders remain blacklisted by the bloc from attending its high-level summits.
The President stressed that he does not support any idea of abandoning the fight for the ASEAN five-point consensus, a framework established by the bloc to resolve Myanmar's political and humanitarian crisis.
"I do not espouse that we abandon the fight for consensus, that we are blind to human rights and the humanitarian cause. But nonetheless, we still have to find something to move the discussion forward. And it is very sad for a family member to be in this status outside the family," Marcos said.
Marcos also revealed that ASEAN decided "to come up with some ideas that we can apply to the discussion with and about Myanmar."
"And hopefully this will push the process a little bit so we can see more progress. A very important point was made in that it is important that ASEAN take an active role, and we should not be complacent, and we should not just sit back and wait for something to happen," Marcos stressed.
The Chief Executive further said that "very little actually happened"; therefore, they are "waiting and hoping" that some changes can come about.
"Myanmar is part of the family. And until this is resolved, it is a wound that has not yet healed," Marcos said.
Marcos also said "there is now an added interest and vitality" to the discussions among ASEAN leaders in terms of resolving the crisis in Myanmar.

Related Tags

President Marcos Myanmar ASEAN ASEAN Summit ASEAN 5-point consensus
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