Philippine foreign minister plans to visit Myanmar to assess the political situation

The Philippines’ foreign minister is set to visit Myanmar in late 2026 to assess the progress in the country’s political situation and hold talks with various stakeholders.

Manuel Mogato | July 23, 2026

MANILA — The Philippines’ foreign minister is set to visit Myanmar in late 2026 to assess the progress in the country’s political situation and hold talks with various stakeholders.

Maria Theresa Lazaro, who is also the special envoy to Myanmar, may have a meeting with detained political leaders, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, to assess progress in the political situation.

“We looked forward to the Special Envoy’s plan to visit Myanmar in the last quarter of the year,” the ASEAN joint statement said.

Lazaro’s visit will help ASEAN foreign ministers to “conduct our comprehensive review of the 5PC implementation and submit our recommendations to the 49th ASEAN Summit” in November.

The foreign ministers’ deputies are still discussing proposals to appoint a long-term permanent envoy to Myanmar. (Also read: ASEAN ministers set November deadline on Myanmar proposals)

At the end of the 59th ASEAN ministerial meeting in Manila, the 10 foreign ministers commended Lazaro’s efforts to engage with various stakeholders in Myanmar.

Lazaro’s visit to Myanmar will be part of the “possible elements for assessing progress in Myanmar, in line with the 5 point consensus which serve as a reference for ASEAN to consider further steps in its continued engagement with Myanmar.”

ASEAN has prohibited Myanmar to take part in regional meetings, inviting only its senior diplomats to interact and engage with the regional bloc. In early July, Lazaro and other ASEAN foreign leaders met with Myanmar foreign minister and leaders of various ethnic rebel groups. (Also read: Is Thailand Bridging the Gap between ASEAN and Myanmar or Lending Legitimacy to the Junta?)

“We expressed our deep concern over the ongoing conflicts and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, and encouraged progress on the implementation of the ASEAN Leaders’ Five-Point Consensus (5PC),” the ASEAN joint statement read.

“We denounced the continued acts of violence against civilians and public facilities and urged all parties involved to take concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, exercise utmost restraint, ensure the protection and safety of all civilians and civilian infrastructures, and create a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people in need in Myanmar without discrimination, and inclusive national dialogue.”

ASEAN also “reaffirmed our united position that the 5PC remains our main reference to address the political crisis in Myanmar and further reaffirmed the relevant Leaders’ decisions.”

ASEAN foreign ministers also welcomed the continued progress in the provision of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar and “noted the conclusion of the three phases of Myanmar’s general elections and the succeeding developments.”