Nay Pyi Taw, January 7 (AseanAll) — Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, who was appointed by Philippine 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,according to the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
In these introductory meetings with Myanmar Acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, and Myanmar 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.
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lazaro with Myanmar Acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
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.
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lazaro with Myanmar Prime Minister U Nyo Saw.
On a bilateral level, 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, Myanmar 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.
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lazaro with Myanmar Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe.
