MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will support regional efforts calling for a ceasefire in Myanmar as it prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, a foreign affairs official said.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Deputy Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial said the ceasefire push is part of the Philippines’ broader agenda as incoming ASEAN chair.

“The Philippines will be the incoming chair of ASEAN next year, so ang napag-usapan nila is really how Malaysia, as the current chair, and the Philippines, as the incoming chair, will be able to work together para magkaroon ng progress doon sa nangyari sa Myanmar,” Imperial said.

He said the Philippines is committed to working with other ASEAN member states to enhance cooperation and pursue peace in Myanmar.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is scheduled to attend the ASEAN Summit Leaders’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on May 26 to 27, where he is expected to call for stronger regional backing of the ceasefire initiative.

Imperial said ASEAN continues to uphold its principle of non-interference, in line with the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

He also highlighted ASEAN’s collective humanitarian assistance following a recent earthquake in Myanmar.

“When the earthquake hit a few weeks back in Myanmar, ang talaga po ang naging focus there was the humanitarian assistance for the country,” Imperial said.

“All the ASEAN member states, including the Philippines, of course, na nagbigay po tayo ng tulong sa Myanmar,” he added.