MACTAN, Cebu– All heads of state of Southeast Asian nations, except that of Myanmar, are expected to attend the 48th Leader's Summit on Friday.
Myanmar will be represented by their Permanent Secretary of their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"We are guided by the leader’s decision. Noong mayroon pong lumabas na desisyon iyong mga leaders noon na because of the situation in Myanmar, so, ang decision po noon for the summits dahil hindi naman po nabago iyon at wala pa naman pong bagong desisyon iyong mga leaders, so, ganoon pa rin po. The representation of Myanmar stands," said Asec. Dominic Xavier Imperial, DFA Spokesperson for the ASEAN.
Imperial says the ASEAN is yet to reach a consensus on recognizing the Myanmar elections, which saw military leader Min Aung Hlaing assume the presidency several years after military ousted the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
"As you know at the moment, ASEAN has not reached any consensus with regard to the recognition of the results of the election in Myanmar," Imperial said.
"However, there is continued engagement within the region, within ASEAN, as regards the engagement of not just the Philippines as chair, but also the individual AMS or ASEAN Members countries with regard to their relations with Myanmar," he added.
Imperial said ASEAN continues to be guided by the Five Point Consensus in addressing the crisis in Myanmar.
"The 5-PC remains to be the framework on how we deal, how the region deals with Myanmar at the moment and that has not changed and including the leaders decision with regard to the 5-PC that is still the main framework that we are guided by," Imperial said.
The 5-PC calls for cessation of violence and delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected population.
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"And so, for that reason, we will continue dealing with Myanmar in terms of the situation there with regard to how the progress is being done regarding the five PC," he added.