By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) announced that the target vessel for this year’s maritime strike (MARSTRIKE) as part of the Balikatan exercises sunk due to rough sea conditions hours before the start of the live-fire exercise off the coast of Zambales Monday.
The decommissioned World War II corvette BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) was supposed to be targeted by the Philippine and US military equipped with advanced weapon systems that include anti-ship missiles, bombs and automatic cannons.
“The decommissioned vessel BRP Miguel Malvar took on water while being positioned approximately 30 nautical miles west of San Antonio, Zambales before sinking at 7:20 a.m. at its intended location for the maritime strike,” PN spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos said in a press briefing held at Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
He said the old warship sunk just four nautical miles from its intended position.
Alcos said the ship was towed from its final harbor in Sangley Point, Cavite City at a speed of two to five knots.
“No personnel were injured. Prior to the towing of the target vessel to the operational area, BRP Miguel Malvar underwent environmental cleaning and preparation for the MARSTRIKE,” he added.
Alcos said the BRP Miguel Malvar was initially selected as the target ship for the MARSTRIKE as it has already exceeded its service life and is no longer suitable for normal maritime operations.
At the time of its sinking, the ex-BRP Miguel Malvar was in service for 81 years, having been launched and commissioned in 1944. It served the US Navy as the USS Brattleboro (PCE(R)-852) until Nov. 1, 1965 before it was transferred to the then Republic of Vietnam Navy on July 11, 1966.
It served Vietnam until April 1975 after which it was transferred to the PN in April of the following year. The BRP Miguel Malvar served the PN until it was decommissioned in December 2021.
Alcos said the MARSTRIKE remains “unchanged as part of Balikatan 25 Command Post Exercises” where the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US joint task forces will rehearse virtual and constructive fire missions.
“The training will integrate ground, maritime, and air-based sensors and in a combined joint fire network as the Philippines and US joint task forces exercise command-and-control while exercising combined warfighting capabilities,” he added.
Alcos said elements of the scheduled maritime live-fire events will occur and the combined forces will still achieve its training objectives.
“The Notice to Mariners and Notice to Airmen surrounding the MARSTRIKE location remains in effect. We thank those that have honored the restricted areas to ensure safety, and allowed this training to continue,” he added.
BRP Miguel Malvar not damaged
As this developed, Alcos clarified that the old naval vessel was not damaged in any way while being towed to Zambales.
“However, due to rough sea conditions that we are currently experiencing in the exercise box and with its long service life, as is expected, she took on a significant amount of water and eventually sank,” he said.
He added the sinking of the PN was officially informed of the ship’s sinking around 10 a.m. Monday.
Alcos said they have yet to determine the depth of the water where the ship sank. (PNA)
