Philippine warship sinks prematurely, scuppering its use for Balikatan target practice

The BRP Miguel Malvar, old enough to have seen action in World War II, was scheduled to go out in a blaze of glory as a target ship during the annual US-Philippines “Balikatan” military exercises.

The 80-year-old vessel, however, would not quite make its own funeral.

Onlookers instead watched as the ship, which once chased Japanese submarines and ferried German prisoners as part of the US fleet, sank on Monday before the first volley could be fired.

“The Balikatan 25 maritime strike targets vessel sank off the west coast of the Philippines prior to the event commencing today,” Philippine Navy spokesman John Percie Alcos said in cancelling a planned media event.

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Philippines vows major exercises in coming Balikatan military drills with US

Philippines vows major exercises in coming Balikatan military drills with US

“Due to rough sea conditions … and with its long service life … she took on a significant amount of water and eventually sank,” he said.

Praising it as one of the most-decorated ships in Philippine history, Alcos added that the country was proud to be “transitioning to a new and multi-capable navy”.