The Philippines, as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has called for further prisoner releases in Myanmar, including that of ousted former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, describing a recent amnesty as a positive move towards inclusive national dialogue.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Philippines said it remains committed to helping Myanmar, as a key ASEAN member, achieve a peaceful and lasting resolution to its ongoing political crisis.
“We reaffirm our commitment to assisting Myanmar, as an integral part of ASEAN, to achieve a peaceful and durable solution to the political crisis in the country,” the statement read.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained since the military coup in 2021, which overthrew her elected government. Her situation was among the key topics discussed this week when Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing.
Sihasak said Min Aung Hlaing, who led the coup, claimed that the 80-year-old Nobel laureate was being “well looked after” and that “good things” were being considered for her, though no further details were provided. He added that ASEAN’s concerns over her welfare were conveyed during the meeting.
Aung San Suu Kyi is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted on multiple charges, which her supporters have described as politically motivated. The charges include incitement, corruption, election fraud, and violations of the state secrets law.
Her sentence was recently reduced by one-sixth under a broader amnesty that saw thousands of prisoners released, including former president Win Myint, her close ally and co-defendant in several cases.
The 2021 coup led by Min Aung Hlaing ended Myanmar’s decade-long period of democratic transition, sparking widespread protests and an ongoing civil conflict, which prompted ASEAN to intervene diplomatically and restrict Myanmar’s military leadership from its summits.
