WWII-Era Warship Sinks Unexpectedly Before Live-Fire Drill In Philippines

A decommissioned World War II-era warship scheduled for destruction in a live fire drill unexpectedly sank on May 5, 2025, just hours before the exercise commenced.

The BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19), originally commissioned in 1944 as the USS Brattleboro, was set to be the target of the MARSTRIKE portion of the Balikatan exercise.

However, the 914-ton corvette began taking on water amid rough sea conditions while being positioned about 30 nautical miles west of San Antonio, Zambales.

It sank quietly at 7:20 am local time, just four nautical miles short of its intended target location.

Elements of Balikatan 40-2025 MARSTRIKE live fire cancelled

The Balikatan 40-2025 Maritime Strike target vessel sank off the west coast of the Philippines prior to the event commencing today.

The decommissioned BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) took on water while being positioned… pic.twitter.com/ES5nriiCt1

— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) May 5, 2025

Video Credits: Armed Forces of the Philippines/X

The Philippine Navy confirmed that no personnel were injured in the incident.

A spokesperson explained that while the ship had not been damaged during towing, its advanced age and the rough conditions contributed to its unexpected sinking.

Originally launched as a patrol craft escort, the vessel served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during WWII and later saw service under South Vietnam before being acquired by the Philippine Navy in 1976.

It was finally decommissioned in 2021. Despite the ship’s premature descent, the MARSTRIKE exercise proceeded virtually.

PH Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos was the last commanding officer of the former BRP Miguel Malvar.

The vessel was decommissioned in 2021.

According to Alcos, the ex-BRP Miguel Malvar remains to be the PH Navy’s most decorated warship. | via @biancadava pic.twitter.com/irFW6LkzVC

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) April 29, 2025

Video Credits: ABS-CBN News/X

The Philippine Navy stated that the training objectives would still be achieved through command post simulations involving integrated joint fires from air, maritime, and ground units of the US, Philippines, and Australia.

Balikatan 40-2025, which began on April 21 and runs until May 9, is the largest bilateral military exercise between the US and the Philippines, involving around 14,000 personnel.

This is the second time in recent years that a target ship has failed to make it to a SINKEX, in 2023, a tanker scheduled for a similar drill broke free and ran aground.

References: TWZ, AFP

Source: Maritime Shipping News