Philippines repeats call for democratic reforms in Myanmar

MANILA (AP) - The Philippines reiterated its call Monday for democratic reforms in Myanmar.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations "would like to see further improvement in democracy in Myanmar," said Ignacio Bunye, spokesman for Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

"I believe that stand has not changed," he told reporters. "The president, the Philippines and some members of ASEAN have previously issued a very strong statement about what's happening in Myanmar."

In a joint statement in Manila during their annual meeting in July, ASEAN foreign ministers urged Myanmar to make quick progress on its repeated promises to implement democracy and free political prisoners.

The Philippines and Indonesia renewed criticism of Myanmar on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meetings in Sydney, Australia, earlier this month.

The 10-country ASEAN, which includes Myanmar, was concerned over the protests and its foreign ministers would likely take up the issue in a meeting in New York on Thursday, ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong told The Associated Press by telephone from Poland on Sunday.