A DECOMMISSIONED warship of the Philippine Navy took in water and subsequently sank off Zambales yesterday morning, several hours before it was due to be hit in a maritime strike drill under the “Balikatan” exercises between US and Philippine forces.
Navy spokesman Capt. John Percie Alcos said BRP Miguel Malvar was being towed to the exercise box, some 40 nautical miles west of San Antonio, Zambales when it sank.
“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,” said Alcos.
Alcos said the incident occurred about four nautical miles from the area where BRP Miguel Malvar was supposed to be hit and sank by US and Philippine military weapons, including F-16s of the US Air Force and FA-50s of the Philippine Air Force.
The maritime strike was scheduled at 1 p.m., according to the Balikatan information bureau in an earlier advisory.
Alcos said BRP Miguel Malvar came from Cavite and was being towed by another vessel at a speed of three to five knots when it sank.
“Due to drift and rough sea conditions, she took on water and sank,” said Alcos
“She did not sink that fast,” said Alcos, adding that the water-tight doors were closed during the voyage “to ensure that she doesn’t sink that fast during the maritime strike.”
Alcos said the vessel underwent “environmental cleaning” before it was towed to Zambales for the maritime strike.
“She was rid of oil, of any contaminants such as oil and other substances that will be harmful to the environment,” said Alcos.
Alcos, who once served as the commanding officer of BRP Miguel Malvar, said Malvar had no damage before it was selected to be a target of the maritime strike.
“BRP Miguel Malvar. ex PS-19 (Patrol Ship 19), underwent strenuous evaluation and she met all the criteria for her to be selected as a designated target,” said Alcos.
Alcos said BRP Miguel Malvar was selected as a target “because it exceeded its service life and was no longer suitable for normal naval operations.”
BRP Miguel Malvar was commissioned into the Philippine Navy in 1976 and was decommissioned in 2021. It first served under the US Navy in 1944 and with Vietnam in 1966.
