Philippines voices concern over Myanmar airstrike deaths
MANILA - The Philippines has expressed concern over an airstrike in Myanmar that caused about 50 civilian deaths, saying it stands ready as the Asean chair to facilitate discussions on how the bloc can best pursue peace in Myanmar.
“The Philippines is closely monitoring developments and expresses concern over the attacks which resulted in destruction, loss of lives and injuries to those affected,” Ana Marie Hernando, secretary for Asean Affairs at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said in a statement on Saturday.
As Asean chair, Manila said it remained mindful of the views of all member states and would continue to be guided by the regional bloc’s consensus-based approach.
The Philippines said it stood ready to facilitate discussions within Asean on ways to assist Myanmar, in line with the common aspiration of finding a solution that is “Myanmar-owned and led”.
The airstrike on Monday at a market in Kyauktaw in Rakhine state killed 50 people and wounded dozens more. It was the deadliest such attack since a hospital bombing in December that took 33 lives.
Myanmar has been locked in a nationwide civil war since a 2021 coup, with an alliance of armed groups, including the Arakan Army in Rakhine, fighting against the military.
The protracted conflict has killed around 100,000 people and displaced more than 3.5 million.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/3330753/philippines-voices-concern-over-myanmar-airstrike-deaths. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.
Comments