MANILA: The Philippines, chair of the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), expressed concern over an airstrike in Myanmar’s Rakhine state that brought about deaths, accidents and destruction, and stood able to facilitate discussions throughout the regional bloc on how greatest to help Myanmar.
“The Philippines is intently monitoring developments and expresses concern over the assaults which resulted in destruction, lack of lives and accidents to these affected,” International Affairs Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Ana Marie Hernando mentioned in an e mail response on Saturday (Oct 3).
As ASEAN chair, Manila mentioned it remained aware of the views of all member states and would proceed to be guided by the regional bloc’s consensus-based method.
The Philippines mentioned it stood able to facilitate discussions inside ASEAN on methods to help Myanmar, consistent with the widespread aspiration of discovering an answer that’s “Myanmar-owned and led”.
Monday’s Kyauktaw airstrike, Rakhine’s deadliest such assault since a December hospital bombing, killed 50 folks and wounded dozens extra.
Myanmar has been locked in a nationwide civil battle since a 2021 coup, with an alliance of armed teams, together with the Arakan Military, preventing towards the navy.
The protracted battle has since killed round 100,000 folks and displaced greater than 3.5 million within the impoverished Southeast Asian nation.
