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"Abstain or 'no' is our option but so far we voted no," Cayetano said in an interview with ANC's "Headstart" on Tuesday.

Defending the country's vote, Cayetano said that the Philippines cannot be compared to the 135 countries that voted "yes" to the resolution as "they're not chair of the ASEAN."

Noting that Myanmar is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Cayetano stressed that Southeast Asian leaders want peace and prosperity in the region.

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'It's the right thing'


Rohingya Muslims, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, walk with bags of aid handouts at Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhiya, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. AP/A.M. Ahad

The Philippines, however, could still have voted "yes" and have access to Myanmar at the same time "in a perfect world," according to Cayetano.

"By voting no or by voting by abstaining, our humanitarian people can come in and when the humanitarian groups come in there's eyes on the ground. The human rights situation also improves because there are international observers there already," he said.

The Foreign Affairs chief also agreed with the statement of Philippine Ambassador to the UN Teddy Locsin Jr. that an abstention on the draft UN resolution would be the "right thing."

"Tama siya na it cannot be 'yes', especially when you're ASEAN chair and especially when there is a need not only for the Muslim population," Cayetano said.

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