The Philippines has called on Myanmar to allow an ASEAN special envoy to meet detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi, urging greater transparency following recent developments in her detention status.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Philippine government, which currently chairs ASEAN, described the move to place Suu Kyi under house arrest for the remainder of her sentence as a potential step towards rebuilding confidence.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said Myanmar should also allow Suu Kyi to communicate with her family as part of efforts to demonstrate a genuine commitment to national reconciliation.
It added that granting access to ASEAN’s special envoy would facilitate engagement with all stakeholders and help advance an inclusive political dialogue in the country.
Manila stressed that recent developments should be used to build momentum for broader reconciliation efforts under ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus framework, aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
Suu Kyi has been in detention since the military ousted her elected government during the Myanmar coup 2021. She is currently serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted on multiple charges, which her supporters have described as politically motivated.
Her sentence was recently reduced by one-sixth under a mass amnesty that also led to the release of her ally, former president Win Myint.
