The Philippines has followed New Zealand’s decision to reject the inclusion of Myanmar in the world’s largest free trade pact as international opposition to the military takeover that sparked violence and democratic setbacks in the Southeast Asian nation broadened into trade and diplomatic sanctions, reports AP.

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said his country rejected Myanmar’s inclusion in the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

In Locsin’s speech released to journalists in Manila on Friday, he did not cite any reason for the Philippine decision and added he was ready to yield if that stance would get in the way of a collective position by the 10-nation regional bloc, which includes Myanmar, according to AP.

It is unclear whether other countries under the RCEP, which includes all 10 ASEAN members, along with China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, would also reject Myanmar’s inclusion and eventually bar it from the massive trading bloc.

ASEAN has just held a foreign ministers meeting – minus a Myanmar junta representative – as the junta and the regional bloc spar over a 5-Point Consensus designed to push for peace signed by all 10 members but not adhered to by the Myanmar junta.