(Jam Sta Rosa/Pool Photo via AP)CEBU, Philippines -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations does not recognize the recently held elections in Myanmar, the first since the army seized power in 2021, the Philippine foreign secretary said Thursday. ASEAN’s non-recognition of the elections in Myanmar, which a military-backed party claimed to have won, is a major blow to efforts by the country’s military rulers to gain international recognition. Myanmar’s military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party claimed Monday that it had won the elections. Critics say the elections were neither free nor fair, but an effort to legitimize its rule after its forcible seizure of power. Calling out the U.S. and China, among the largest trading and defense partners of ASEAN countries, have been a dilemma and diplomatic tightrope.