12 April 2026 By MPA
MANILA, Philippines — A prominent group of regional lawmakers has called on the Philippines, currently serving as the ASEAN Chair, to formally reject the appointment of Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, as President.
The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) issued a stinging statement on Sunday, describing the junta chief’s transition into a civilian role as a “desperate attempt” to gain international legitimacy while maintaining a reign of terror over his people.
The NLD-led civilian government was ousted in a 2021 coup, and Min Aung Hlaing has since overseen a brutal crackdown that has left thousands dead. APHR argues that the military-orchestrated process to name him President is merely a “cosmetic change” designed to disguise a military dictatorship as a civilian administration.
“There is no indication that this regime is moving toward democracy,” the APHR statement said. “Instead, we see a continuation of airstrikes, mass arrests, and systemic violence against civilians. For ASEAN to treat this appointment as legitimate would be a direct betrayal of the democratic hopes of the Myanmar people.”
The lawmakers also criticized the 10-member bloc for the continued failure of its “Five-Point Consensus”—a peace plan that has seen zero progress since it was signed three years ago. APHR warned that continued engagement with the junta as a legitimate government not only emboldens the military but severely damages ASEAN’s international standing.
“The Philippines, as the current chair, has a responsibility to uphold the bloc’s core principles,” the group added. “Engaging with a leader accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity under the guise of diplomacy is no longer sustainable.”
APHR is urging a radical shift in ASEAN’s approach. Rather than focusing on the junta, the group advocates for direct and formal engagement with the National Unity Government (NUG), ethnic revolutionary organizations (EROs), and civil society groups as the true representatives of Myanmar.
In addition to political isolation, the lawmakers called for enhanced cross-border humanitarian aid and the establishment of mechanisms to hold the military accountable for its atrocities.
As the junta prepares to present its “new” government to the region, the pressure on Manila is mounting. For APHR and the millions of displaced people in Myanmar, the upcoming ASEAN summits will be a litmus test for whether the regional body stands with a self-appointed president or with the people’s demand for a restored democracy.
