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Pia Lee-Brago - The Philippine Star
June 5, 2026 | 12:00am
Philippines loses bid for UN Security Council seat to Kyrgyzstan The delegation of Kyrgyzstan celebrate after being elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for a two-year term beginning in January 2027, June 3, 2026.
United Nations Photo / Eskinder Debebe
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines failed to secure a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) after being defeated by Kyrgyzstan in four rounds of voting on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time).
Kyrgyzstan secured the one seat allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group in the UN body dedicated to resolving conflicts and preventing wars from erupting.
The most competitive contest unfolded in the Asia-Pacific Group. Kyrgyzstan led the first ballot with 105 votes to the Philippines’ 85, before steadily increasing its support through three head-to-head rounds of voting.
Kyrgyzstan will serve in the Security Council for the first time, a two-year term beginning in January 2027, since joining the United Nations in 1992.
Malacañang blamed the Philippines’ failed bid for a UN Security Council seat on the political noise caused by “obstructionists.”
“All political noise, all political tensions can affect and the entire nation and the entire world saw the impressions on the Philippines,” Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines respected the decision of the UN member states and congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election.
RIMPAC 2026
The Philippine Coast Guard yesterday sent the BRP Gabriela Silang to participate for the first time in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2026, the world’s largest maritime warfare exercise, set for June 24 to July 31 in Hawaii.
Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG Commandant, led the send-off ceremony in Subic, Zambales simultaneously with the Philippine Navy’s deployment of BRP Miguel Malvar to Hawaii for the RIMPAC 2026.
The Philippines would be the only country, aside from the host country United States, that would be sending a coast guard ship to participate in this year’s war drill.
Floating barrier?
Meanwhile, independent maritime monitoring group SeaLight yesterday shared a second commercial satellite image of what appears to be a floating barrier near the entrance of the lagoon at Panatag Shoal.
The group said the object’s repeated appearance suggests it is not a temporary visual anomaly, although its nature remains unconfirmed.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Brawner earlier told Naval News that authorities are still examining whether the object – estimated at 6x6 meters – is floating or in fixed position.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said it was still validating reports on new structures at Panatag Shoal. – Alexis Romero, Evelyn Macairan, Andrew Ronquillo
