This year’s Balikatan’s Maritime Strike (MARSTRIKE) target vessel, Philippine Navy’s decommissioned vessel BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) sank hours before the start of live-fire exercise in San Antonio, Zambales on Monday.
According to Navy Spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos, the World War II corvette was supposed to be targeted by the Philippine and US military equipped with advanced weapon systems, but sank due to rough sea conditions.
“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,” Alcos said in a press briefing held at Naval Station Jose Andrada in Manila.
He mentioned that the old warship sank just four nautical miles from its intended destination.
Alcos explained that the ship had been 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,” Alcos said.
He noted that BRP Miguel Malvar was initially selected as the target ship for the MARSTRIKE as it has already exceeded its service life and no longer suitable for normal maritime operations.
The sunken vessel was in service for 81 years. It saw action in the US, Vietnamese, and Philippine navies before it was decommissioned in 2021. No damage was reported prior to its sinking in 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,” Alcos said.
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.
Editor’s Note: Attached photo for this story has been updated.
