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Entertainment News (04/27/21)

Lego releases new Star Wars helmet, droid sets for adults

THE LEGO Group has revealed three new Lego Star Wars construction sets for adult builders to recreate some of the most iconic designs from the Star Wars galaxy. The new sets feature two iconic additions to the Lego Star Wars helmet collection first revealed last year: a bust inspired by Darth Vader and one in the likeness of a loyal Scout Trooper. A new model honouring the imposing Imperial Probe Droid completes the trio. The sets are designed for adults and experienced Lego builders with a passion for the Star Wars galaxy. When done with the build, the models can be displayed with a bespoke plaque to put the final touch for a desk ornament or centerpiece in the home for Star Wars fans. Both the Darth Vader Helmet and Imperial Probe Droid are priced at P4,999.75 while the Scout Trooper Helmet is priced at P3,499.75. All three items are now available in all LEGO Certified Stores and on bankeebricks.ph. These iconic sets are also available on Lazada, Shopee, Dotcom, and Zalora. Other Lego Star Wars builds such as TIE Fighter Pilot Helmet, Scout Trooper Helmet, Boba Fett Helmet and more are also available .

50 singers featured in Mactan victory commemorative song ‘Bagani’

FILIPINO artists collaborated to record “Bagani,” the official theme song of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Victory of Mactan and the Philippines’ role in the first circumnavigation of the world. The music video features 50 artists — an ensemble put together by PhilPop and The National Quincentennial Committee, with the help of Jude Gitamondoc of Kadasig and Jeremy Sarmiento of MinPop. Artists include Noel Cabangon, Bayang Barrios, Catriona Gray, Juris, Dulce, and Nyoy Volante. Written by Roel Rostata, with Visayan lyrics by Jude Gitamondoc, “Bagani” is a result of the PhilPop Bootcamp 2019, an initiative that aims to empower the next generations of contemporary Filipino singer-songwriters. Watch the official music video of “Bagani” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46zzw5FKhJk

Chen Pangan releases debut single

FILIPINA singer-songwriter Chen Pangan, lead guitarist and vocalist of the band Unit 406, takes on the role of solo artist with the release of her debut single, “Sana’y Alam Mo” under MCA Music, Inc. According to Ms. Pangan, the song speaks of one’s yearning for love. “It’s about loving someone without being loved back and eventually accepting reality and choosing to let go,” she said in a statement. “And it’s also about deciding to turn the page and move forward.” “Sana’y Alam Mo” is available on all streaming platforms. Watch the lyric video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZTA4bnly00.

Zack Tabudlo hits the charts

FILIPINO singer-songwriter/producer Zack Tabudlo continues to make an impact on local and international charts with the release of his new single “Binibini” and the renewed success of “Nangangamba.” Released under Island Records Philippines and MCA Music, Inc., both songs have charted on the Spotify Top 50 and Viral charts encompassing six countries: the Philippines, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Since its debut on March 26, “Binibini” has peaked at No. 1 on the Spotify Global Viral charts, Philippines Viral charts, and Philippines Top 50 charts, making it one of the most-streamed releases in Asia in the first quarter of the year. The kundiman-inspired alt pop song has also dominated charts around the world, reaching No. 1 on Spotify Canada and Singapore Viral charts, and No. 31 on Spotify Hong Kong Viral charts. Its music video, which was helmed by multi-awarded filmmaker Dan Villegas, has also dominated YouTube trending charts for more than a week, claiming the top position for several days since it debuted on the platform. To date, the Andrea Brillantes and Seth Fedelin-starrer has over 7 million views and continues to gain significant numbers. Meanwhile, “Nangangamba,” released last year, is making a comeback thanks to the boost that it’s been receiving as part of the soundtrack to the upcoming sci-fi romance drama series, Love Vs Stars, which stars Miles Ocampo, Khalil Ramos, and Kokoy De Santos. The electro-pop tune, which is currently positioned within the Top 5 of Spotify Philippines Top 50 and Philippines Viral charts, has also attained crossover success on several charts abroad, hitting No. 15 on Spotify Canada Viral charts, and No. 20 on Spotify Saudi Arabia Viral charts.

Eighth new Pinoy podcasts on Spotify

AUDIO streaming service Spotify, has unveiled its partnership with eight new Filipino podcasters, further expanding its localized audio offering in the country. Accessible to both Free and Premium users, these podcasts are available exclusively on Spotify as part of the 2.2+ million podcast titles available on the platform today. The newly signed Spotify Exclusive Podcasts made for Filipinos by Filipinos include new genres like true crime and horror. The podcasts are: skypodcast, with celebrity couple Slater Young and Kryz Uy in unplugged and uncensored conversations about everything from life and relationships to family and memorable misadventures; Wag Kang Lilingon, in which Grace Marcellana and Mimai Cabugnason dive deep into a world of horror, mystery, true crime, and suspense; Creepsilog, hosted by Gideon Mendoza and Glenn Tabarejos, this podcast tackles a series of strange phenomena with a dash of true crime and Filipino light humor; Stories After Dark, in-depth retelling of Filipino true crime stories, from recent events to decade old unsolved mysteries; Paano Ba ‘To: The Podcast with TV host and model Bianca Gonzalez answering letters from listeners asking for advice on life, career, love or self; Punchline with Alex Calleja where the actor and stand-up comedian discusses the world of comedy and showbiz alongside guests; Gabi ng Bading where LGBTQ advocates AC Soriano and Yani Villarosa  provide a fresh perspective on topics, stories, and current events that matter to the LGBTQ community in the Philippines; Lecheng Pag-ibig ‘To! with Sam YG and DJ Chacha conversing  on love, relationships, and everything in between.

Ortigas Land begins work on The Empress

PROPERTY DEVELOPER Ortigas Land has started construction of its 56-floor luxury residential tower in Pasig City.

The Empress in Capitol Commons will have 51 residential floors, retail spaces, and amenities like pools and lounge areas.

Ortigas Land is offering 771 units, from studios to two-bedroom spaces that range from 30 to 106 square meters (sq.m.). Ortigas Land also offers a limited number of bi-level three-bedroom units.

Featuring smart home technology, the building’s residents will be able to control air conditioning temperature and light fixtures through a mobile app.

Divided into the “Active Zone” and “Quiet Zone” the amenities allow residents to either use the pool or garden areas. Other indoor amenities include a dance studio, fitness hall, social function hall, playroom and reading room.

Ortigas Land expects to finish construction and turnover by the fourth quarter of 2026. — J.P.Ibañez

Aboitiz group to launch data innovation unit

LISTED holding company Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) will be launching a new data innovation unit, which will have a dual role “as a service provider and governance center” for the company.

“By embracing data science and artificial intelligence or DSAI, we open up to new and bigger opportunities to accelerate our productivity, drive business value, and generate new revenue streams,” Sabin M. Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer of AEV, said during the company’s virtual stockholders’ meeting on Monday.

The new subsidiary will be named Aboitiz Data Innovation and will be under AEV International.

“It will consolidate the One Aboitiz DSAI operating model across the group,” Mr. Aboitiz said.

The unit is expected to support the company’s business models and decision making capabilities.

Meanwhile, the first unit of GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. is expected to start commercial operations by August or early September.

AEV’s Aboitiz Power Corp. subsidiary Therma Power, Inc. entered a joint venture with AC Energy Corp. and Power Partners Ltd. Co. for two units.

“It’s on outage for fine-tuning and we expect to be synchronized again and be able to evacuate 668 megawatts allowed by ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission) by next week. We expect this to run until June for the last fine-tuning until we do the performance test and, hopefully, declare commercial operations by August or early September depending on the performance test,” AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said during the company’s stockholders’ meeting.

Meanwhile, the company said it is pressing on with its plans for Unit 2 despite the pandemic.

“We expect Unit 2 to be declared [set for] COD (commercial operation date) by late first quarter or probably early second quarter of 2022,” Mr. Rubio said.

AEV shares at the stock exchange on Monday declined by 2.16% or 0.75 to close at P34.05 apiece, while stocks of AboitizPower closed unchanged at P22.75. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Narrowing income inequality: How does the Philippines compare in the region?

Narrowing income inequality: How does the Philippines compare in the region?

How PSEi member stocks performed — April 26, 2021

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, April 26, 2021.

Peso inches down ahead of US data

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO moved sideways versus the greenback on Monday, with investors staying on the sidelines ahead of key US data.

The local unit closed at P48.39 per dollar, slipping from its P48.381 close on Friday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso opened Monday’s session at P48.32 against the dollar. Its weakest showing was at P48.42, while its strongest was at P48.31 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded declined to $514.68 million on Monday from $666.47 million on Friday.

UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said the peso moved sideways ahead of the release of key US economic data.

“The local market, I believe, is already anticipating US market developments with strong US data anticipated this week,” Mr. Asuncion said in a text message.

The US Commerce Department was set to report durable goods orders and the core capital goods orders data for March later on Monday.

Meanwhile, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the peso slipped due to the continued surge in local coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections.

The Health department reported 8,929 new cases on Monday, bringing the tally to 1.006 million.

For today, Mr. Asuncion gave a forecast range of P48.30 to P48.50 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort expects the local unit to move within the P48.34 to P48.44 levels. — LWTN

PHL stocks rebound as investors pick up bargains

PHILIPPINE shares posted gains on Monday as investors went bargain hunting after three days of decline.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 11.31 points or 0.17% to close at 6,389.38 on Monday, while the all shares index inched up by 3.09 points or 0.07% to finish at 3,930.28.

“The market reversed earlier losses on last-minute buying, snapping its three-day [loss] streak,” AB Capital Securities, Inc. Junior Equity Analyst Lance U. Soledad said in a Viber message.

Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco noted that trading “remained anemic.”

“Many investors stayed outside of the market amid the lingering uncertainties,” he said in a separate Viber message. “In particular, investors are waiting for the government’s decision on the country’s quarantine measures after April 30.”

Value turnover inched down to P5.42 billion on Monday with 4.51 billion shares switching hands from the P5.87 billion with 2.04 billion issues logged on Friday.

The National Capital Region and nearby provinces have been under strict lockdown measures for over a month, and the government’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) task force is set to announce new quarantine restrictions this week. Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, presidential spokesperson, said on Sunday that the task force will decide “on the basis of science and hard data.”

“A catalyst for this week is the government’s decision on the new quarantine classification for May,” AB Capital Securities’ Mr. Soledad said.

The Health department on Monday reported 8,929 new infections, bringing the country’s tally to 1,006,428. Active COVID-19 cases stood at 74,623.

US drugmaker Moderna, Inc. on Monday filed an application for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines, Food and Drug Administration chief Rolando Enrique Domingo told reporters, Reuters reported.

The Philippines expects the delivery of 194,000 doses of Moderna’s vaccine in May, and another one million shots in July.

The Philippines, which is battling one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in Asia, has so far approved the emergency use of six vaccines in the country.

Majority of sectoral indices closed in the green on Monday, except for industrials, which declined by 0.17% or 14.94 points to 8,605.83; and holding firms, which lost 0.1% or 6.92 points to end at 6,441.63.

Meanwhile, mining and oil increased by 3.8% or 331.71 points to 9,059.48; financials went up by 1.12% or 15.63 points to 1,399.65; property improved by 0.29% or 9.10 points to close at 3,117.61; and services gained 0.01% or 0.14 points to close at 1,436.13.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 116 versus 87, while 42 names closed unchanged.

Net foreign selling fell to P700.13 million on Monday from P1.31 billion seen in the previous trading day. — K.C.G. Valmonte with Reuters

Philippine COVID-19 cases breach 1-M mark

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

HEALTH authorities on Monday sought to extend the second-strictest lockdown level in Manila and nearby cities and provinces as coronavirus infections in the Philippines breached the one-million mark.

The Department of Health (DoH) said it favored the extension to contain a fresh surge in cases.

The agency reported 8,929 infections on Monday, bringing the total to a little more than a million.

The death toll rose by 70 to 16,853, while recoveries increased by 11,333 to 914, 952, it said in a bulletin.

There were 74, 623 active cases, 1% of which were critical, 95.4% were mild, 1.4% did not show symptoms, 1.3% were severe and 0.87% were moderate.

DoH said 23 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 18 of which were tagged as recoveries. Twenty-seven recoveries were reclassified as deaths.

Two laboratories were closed on April 24, while nine failed to submit data.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire backed the extension of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan to contain the pandemic.

This would also help decongest the country’s health system, which is near its breaking point, she told a televised news briefing.

Earlier, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said the modified enhanced lockdown should continue for one or two more weeks to ease the strain on healthcare capacity. The MECQ will end on April 30.

While daily infections are declining, hospitals continue to struggle to treat patients, Ms. Vergeire said.

The coronavirus has sickened about 147.8 million and killed 3.1 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization. About 125.4 million people have recovered, it said.

Presidential spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. said an inter-agency task force would meet on Tuesday to discuss lockdown recommendations to President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

It would take into account the infection and healthcare use rates in the capital region, he told a separate news briefing.

Mr. Roque said the country’s coronavirus reproduction rate had declined to 0.91 from 1 in recent weeks.

He said Mr. Duterte might announce new lockdown levels in his public address on April 28.

Mr. Roque said 65% of intensive care unit beds for coronavirus patients had been used as of April 25.

About 47% of isolation beds have been used and 53% of ward beds were occupied. About 46% of ventilators for coronavirus patients had been used.

He said about 72% of ICU beds in Metro Manila have been used. He added that about 58% of isolation beds and 66% of ward beds in the region were occupied.

He said  61% of ventilators in the capital region had been used.

Meanwhile, Mr. Roque said the Philippines would take delivery of about 15,000 doses of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines made by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology on April 28.

About half-a-million more doses of CoronaVac made by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd. were expected to arrive the day after.

Ms. Vergeire said the first batch of Sputnik vaccines would be given to patients in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana on Sunday said pandemic response would become a top national security priority and would be included in the country’s national security plan, he said in a Viber message.

He said the coronavirus had shown that health should be a major government concern.

The national security plan is a document that contains strategic policy goals and state objectives to protect the “well-being of its people and institutions and its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to the website of the National Security Council. 

A House of Representatives committee last year approved a bill that seeks to create a permanent National Health Security Council that will formulate an emergency plan to handle public health emergencies.

Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., chief implementer of the country’s pandemic plan, earlier said the measure would complement the law on universal healthcare.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez earlier said the government was in talks with at least four pharmaceutical companies that have expressed intent to set up vaccine manufacturing facilities in the country. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Total COVID-19 cases and vaccines administered regional breakdown

Duterte to keep ties with China despite incursions — Palace

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ ROBINSON NINAL

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, Reporters

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte will keep friendly relations with China despite its incursions in the South China Sea, his spokesman said on Monday.

Trade and investments relations with Beijing would continue, while Manila tries to set aside conflicts that might not get resolved immediately, presidential spokesperson Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing.

“We will continue relations on things that can be pursued, while setting aside those that can’t be resolved in our lifetime,” he said in Filipino.

Mr. Roque earlier denied the existence of a verbal fishing deal between Mr. Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying the country’s top leader opposes any unregulated commercial fishing in Philippine waters.

He also belied allegations that the government had encouraged the presence of Chinese fishermen in the disputed waterway.

Almost two years ago, Mr. Duterte said he was allowing Chinese fishing activities within the country’s exclusive economic zone. He cited a deal he made with China’s Mr. Xi after Beijing supposedly granted Filipino fishermen access to Scarborough Shoal.

“We are appalled by the failure of our own government to effectively secure the sovereignty of the country,” the De La Salle University’s Political Science Department said in a statement on Monday.

It said the government could explore multilateral solutions to defend its sovereignty.

“The President should disabuse himself from the simplistic notion that the only other option is to antagonize China and risk war,” it said.

The Philippines has filed several diplomatic protests against China given its incursions, including the refusal of some Chinese vessels to leave Whitsun Reef, which Manila claims.

De La Salle international studies professor Renato C. de Castro on Sunday said the government should build structures in its territories to deter Chinese incursions.

The Philippines got as much as 7.4% or 324,312 metric tons (MT) of its annual fish output from the South China Sea last year, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

“We need to get our fair share to boost our food production and security,” BFAR Director Eduardo B. Gongona told a separate televised news briefing in Filipino on Monday.

“That’s still a significant proportion of fish catch, assuming it’s a proportion of marine capture fisheries production,” Jay L. Batongbacal, who heads the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said in a Viber message.

Mr. Gongona encouraged local fishermen to continue fishing in the South China Sea. “Our fishermen should not be scared to go to the West Philippine Sea.” The government should protect them and their fishing vessels, he added.

Mr. Duterte last week said there was not enough fish to quarrel about in the disputed waterway. He added that he would only send warships to the South China Sea once China starts drilling for oil.

Political analysts on Sunday said the sea is crucial to the country’s food security, with output worth $617 million in 2016.

Annual yield from the Spratly Islands alone could reach as high as 91,000 metric tons a year, which is equivalent to 5% of the country’s total marine capture, Mr. Batongbacal said.

“Fisheries in the West Philippine Sea looks underutilized,” Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a research fellow at the Ateneo De Manila University Policy Center, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

He said the Southeast Asian nation might be getting fewer fish from the waterway given China’s island-building activities in the area.

“First, it’s likely because it’s not an economic policy priority,” Mr. Yusingco said. “Second, the presence of Chinese vessels has displaced our own fishers.”

He also cited the country’s weak maritime security. “So our fisherfolk don’t feel safe working in the West Philippine Sea,” he added, referring to areas of the South China Sea within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Baraquel-Hontiveros demanded that China pay the Philippines more than P800 billion for destroying the marine environment. The money could boost Philippine response against the coronavirus, she said in a statement.

“We in the government must already take the next concrete steps on how to make China pay.”

Scientist group AGHAM earlier said Beijing’s island-building activities had destroyed at least 16,000 hectares of reefs in the South China Sea as of 2017. It said yearly damage to reefs could hit as much as P33.1 billion.

Senators call for probe on anti-communist task force’s performance, budget use

PHILSTAR

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

FIVE senators have jointly filed a resolution calling for an inquiry on the performance of the government’s anti-communist task force to determine whether it has been doing its job and using its budget efficiently.

The resolution filed Monday cites the various occasions that Gen. Antonio G. Parlade, Jr., spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and the task force itself “came under fire for baselessly red-tagging individuals and entities.”

The senators said the probe will help determine if the task force’s allocation this year should be realigned to address more pressing needs amid the continuing coronavirus crisis.

“There is a need to review the performance of the NTF-ELCAC in fulfilling its mandate vis-a-vis the need for judicious use of scarce government resources, and whether its P19.1-billion appropriation for 2021 should be used instead to help address the needs of our citizens during this pandemic,” they said in the resolution.

The signatories are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto, and Senators Nancy S. Binay, Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Sherwin T. Gatchalian, and Joel J. Villanueva.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on Sunday night asked lawmakers to assess the strength of the NTF-ELCAC, not its officials, before deciding to defund the institution.

“If the program is not working then we can assess that in the budget hearings,” he said in a Viber message to reporters.

Mr. Sotto also clarified that legislators are not authorized to defund the task force under the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA). “Let us set the records straight, how do we propose to defund a certain program of gov’t legitimately funded in the current law, the GAA? You cannot,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Palace welcomed the gag order imposed against Mr. Parlade and Undersecretary Lorraine Marie T. Badoy of the NTF-ELCAC over their unabashed red-tagging of community pantry organizers.

“We are asking all our officials to be careful with what they’re saying, they need to widen their perspectives,” he told a televised news briefing.

The two officials were barred on Sunday from making further statements on community pantries after linking the give-and-take hubs that have sprouted across the country to communist insurgency.

In a separate statement, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson maintained his position to recall Mr. Parlade back to the military.

Citing the 1987 Constitution, the senior legislator said Mr. Parlade, as an active member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, “cannot be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the government.”

“He should be censured for dabbling in politics instead of just focusing on his inherent mission as commanding general of the Southern Luzon Command — that is, to fight threats such as terrorism and insurgency,” he said.

DoJ cybercrime group warns vs online lending firms’ unlawful debt collection practices

THE JUSTICE department’s cybercrime team has flagged the unlawful debt collection practices of online lending companies, citing the growing number of reports it has received.

In a public advisory on Monday, the Department of Justice–Office of Cybercrime (DoJ-OOC) said various laws prohibit these online firms from accessing the debtor’s phone contacts, posting their personal information, threatening them with death and physical injuries, and using profane language.

The advisory was issued “in response to the increasing number of reports received and endorsed to (the DoJ-OOC) involving unfair debt collection practices and cyber harassments by online lending companies.”

The pertinent laws include Republic Act (RA) 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, RA 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, the Revised Penal Code, and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Memorandum Circular 18 series of 2019.

Aside from reporting to the DoJ-OOC, victims of unfair debt collection practices and cyber harassments may also report to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division, National Privacy Commission, and the SEC. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Manila supports call to send ASEAN official to Myanmar to initiate peace talks

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS — FACEBOOK/DFAPHIL

THE PHILIPPINES has joined the call of Southeast Asian leaders to hold talks with Myanmar’s military and other concerned parties to restore peace and democracy in the crisis-laden country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. supported the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) consensus to appoint one of the region’s top officials “to initiate talks among concerned parties, with the view to  improving the situation on the ground,” the agency said in a statement.

During the meeting of ASEAN leaders in Jakarta over the weekend, Mr. Locsin recalled how Manila’s Southeast Asian neighbors came together in support of Filipinos during a major street uprising in the country’s capital region and “called for all parties in Myanmar to restore national unity and resolve the crisis peacefully,” the DFA said.

In February, Myanmar’s military overthrew the country’s democratically installed government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, resulting in a massive uprising that triggered a violent crackdown on state dissenters.

More than 500 people in Myanmar have been killed by military forces since the popular revolt began, according to a report by human rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

The DFA said Myanmar’s Chairman of the State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, expressed that Nay Pyi Taw is “focused on restoring peace and stability to improve the current situation.”

It said Mr. Hlaing assured that Myanmar would consider “ASEAN’s positive and sound proposals,” taking into account their local situation.

The DFA earlier said the meeting would also address pandemic recovery efforts, community building programs and other regional and international issues. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

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