Philippines links Myanmar Union Day message to ASEAN Five-Point consensus Implementation

Mizzima

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on 12 February marking the 79th Anniversary of Myanmar’s Union Day, expressing hopes for genuine reconciliation and calling for the release of more political prisoners as a step toward inclusive national dialogue in line with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.

The statement is as follows.

The Philippines extends its felicitations to the people of Myanmar on this auspicious occasion of the 79th Anniversary of the Union Day of Myanmar.

In the spirit of genuine reconciliation, it is our fervent hope that this occasion be marked by the release of more political prisoners.

Thousands of prisoners have already been released since 2021, and many in the international community, including the Philippines, look forward to the release of more political prisoners as further gestures of reconciliation and an initial step towards an inclusive national political dialogue, in line with the Five-Point Consensus and the subsequent ASEAN Leaders’ Review and Decision on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.