Politics · Singapore Bureau
Marcos signals shift in Myanmar strategy as consensus stalls
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has signalled dissatisfaction with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, indicating a new diplomatic approach may be needed to break the deadlock over the political crisis.
LSN Singapore ·
President Marcos told media that while the Five-Point Consensus framework was "absolutely correct" in its foundational principles, its implementation has failed to yield meaningful progress on resolving Myanmar's ongoing political turmoil since the 2021 military coup.
The consensus, adopted by ASEAN in April 2021, calls for an end to violence, dialogue among all parties, humanitarian assistance, and mediation by an ASEAN special envoy. However, the mechanism has faced persistent challenges in gaining traction with Myanmar's military junta.
Marcos's comments reflect growing frustration within ASEAN capitals over the stalled situation in Myanmar and the framework's limited effectiveness in compelling the junta to implement commitments. The Philippine leader's remarks signal potential openness to exploring alternative diplomatic channels or modified approaches to press for progress.
As ASEAN chair, the Philippines has been tasked with leading regional efforts to address the Myanmar crisis. The admission that current tactics are insufficient suggests the bloc may need to reassess its strategy to achieve tangible improvements in the humanitarian and political situation on the ground.