Philippine minister’s ‘premature’ Myanmar visit casts doubts over Asean’s role

Critics say the visit may be viewed as the bloc’s new chair endorsing a controversial junta-led election in Myanmar

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A woman casts a ballot during the second phase of Myanmar’s election in Yangon on Sunday. Photo: EPA

Published: 4:02pm, 14 Jan 2026Updated: 3:00pm, 25 Jan 2026

A visit by the Philippines’ foreign minister to Myanmar has raised concerns over how Asean will be perceived under Manila’s chairmanship this year, with critics arguing it risks appearing as tacit support for the junta amid an election widely condemned as a sham.

Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro met Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and other junta leaders in Naypyidaw on January 6 in her capacity as special envoy from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ 2026 chair, according to official statements from both sides.

She was appointed to the role in November by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to “facilitate a peaceful solution to the Myanmar crisis” after Malaysia had symbolically passed the torch to the Philippines at October’s 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Lazaro reportedly led a delegation to Naypyidaw that held introductory meetings with Min Aung Hlaing; the junta’s prime minister, Lieutenant General Nyo Saw; and its foreign minister, Than Swe.

Her department said the talks were “warm and constructive”, covering regional security, Myanmar’s internal political situation and the implementation of Asean’s Five-Point Consensus – the 2021 peace plan calling for a halt to violence and dialogue among all parties.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro at an Asean meeting in Kuala Lumpur in October. Photo: EPA

Myanmar’s state media presented the talks as upbeat, saying the junta had briefed Lazaro on its continued efforts “to restore peace and stability”, including what it called the “successful convening” of the first phase of a multiparty election process, and its campaigns against transnational crime and online fraud.

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Philippine minister’s ‘premature’ Myanmar visit casts doubts over Asean’s role

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Critics say the visit may be viewed as the bloc’s new chair endorsing a controversial junta-led election in Myanmar

Critics say the visit may be viewed as the bloc’s new chair endorsing a controversial junta-led election in Myanmar