KUALA LUMPUR - Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro has met Myanmar’s senior leaders as she took on her role as special envoy of the Philippines, the 2026 ASEAN chair, in Myanmar last Tuesday.

Lazaro led a Philippine delegation to Nay Pyi Taw for introductory meetings with Acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Prime Minister U Nyo Saw and Foreign Minister U Than Swe.

“As Chair of ASEAN, the Philippines will continue to build on the efforts of previous special envoys in advancing the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus,” Lazaro said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the talks involved a warm and constructive exchange of views on regional developments and Myanmar’s political situation, including its elections in a statement last Wednesday.

DFA said Myanmar leaders acknowledged the Philippines’ role as ASEAN chair and voiced support for its theme, ‘Navigating Our Future, Together.’

The discussions also covered the priorities of the Philippine ASEAN chairship and progress on the Five-Point Consensus.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Lazaro as special envoy to help support a peaceful solution to the Myanmar crisis as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN chair this year.

The DFA said Lazaro will build on the work of the previous Malaysian envoy, with a focus on dialogue and humanitarian assistance.

On bilateral ties, Lazaro thanked Myanmar for helping to repatriate more than 600 Filipinos who were victims of human trafficking.

Myanmar officials also expressed appreciation for the deployment of an 89 member Philippine military and humanitarian team and for financial aid following the earthquake last March.

During the visit, Min Aung Hlaing granted amnesty to a Filipino convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.

The DFA said details of the individual and the repatriation timeline have yet to be announced.

Both countries also agreed to hold political and economic consultations as they mark 70 years of diplomatic relations.