Secretary Lazaro with Acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
NAY PYI TAW 07 January 2026 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, who was appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, visited Myanmar to meet with the senior leadership of the State Security and Peace Commission in Nay Pyi Taw on 06 January 2026.
In these introductory meetings with Acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe of the State Security and Peace Commission, Secretary Lazaro had warm and constructive exchange of views on geopolitical developments, the political situation in Myanmar particularly the ongoing elections, and the priorities of the Philippine chairship of ASEAN, as well as the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
The officials recognized the role of the Philippines as the ASEAN Chair and expressed support for its chairship under the theme “Navigating our Future, Together.”
“As Chair of ASEAN, the Philippines will continue to build on the efforts of previous Special Envoys of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar in advancing the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus,” Special Envoy Lazaro emphasized.
On a bilateral level, Secretary Lazaro thanked Myanmar for the prompt assistance in facilitating the repatriation of more than 600 Filipinos who are victims of human trafficking. The Myanmar officials, on the other hand, expressed appreciation for the deployment of an 89-member Filipino military/humanitarian contingent and the financial assistance in response to the earthquake that devastated certain areas in March last year.
On the occasion of the Secretary’s visit, Acting President Min Aung Hlaing granted amnesty to a Filipino national convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Both sides further welcomed that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Myanmar relations, and agreed to the convening of political/economic consultations to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation. END
Secretary Lazaro with Prime Minister U Nyo Saw.
Secretary Lazaro with Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe.
