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GMA Network
14 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Philippines, US, hold joint maritime drills for seventh time
The Philippines and United States militaries have sailed together in the South China Sea for a seventh time to boost interoperability between the two sides, Manila's armed forces said on Thursday. The exercises, held on Wednesday in waters off the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Zambales and away from contested features, included joint operations near shorelines as well as fire support. "The MCA (maritime cooperative activity) is a demonstration of both nations' resolve to deepen cooperation and enhance interoperability in line with international law," the Philippine armed forces said in a statement. The joint sail also showcased the Philippine vessel Miguel Malvar, a 118-meter guided missile frigate commissioned last month. It is one of two corvettes built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries under the Philippines' military modernization program. BRP Miguel Malvar (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines) Military engagements between the treaty allies have soared under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has pivoted closer to Washington in response to China's growing presence in the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. — Reuters
Malay Mail
09-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
WWII-era Philippine navy ship sinks before planned farewell during US-Philippine drills
MANILA, May 9 — The BRP Miguel Malvar, old enough to have seen action in World War II, was scheduled to go out in a blaze of glory Monday, as a target ship during the annual US-Philippine '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 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. '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 the country was proud to be 'transitioning to a new and multi-capable navy'. After more than 20 years of service, the vessel — then named USS Brattleboro — was sold to the Republic of Vietnam in 1966. The Philippine Navy acquired and refurbished the ship after its crew fled Vietnam following the 1975 fall of Saigon. Balikatan, three weeks of US-Philippine joint exercises aimed at deterring Beijing's ambitions in the disputed South China Sea, is set to end Friday. — AFP
Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
World War II-era ship sinks before US-Philippine forces can use in drills
Listen to article A World War II-era US Navy ship intended to be sunk in a live-fire military exercise by US and Philippine forces sank prematurely on Monday, slipping beneath the South China Sea before any missile or bomb could strike it. The ex-USS Brattleboro, which served in key Pacific battles more than 80 years ago, was to be the centrepiece target in the "Balikatan" joint drills currently underway off the coast of Luzon. 'The vessel was selected because it exceeded its service life and was no longer suitable for normal operations,'Philippine military officials said. 'Due to rough sea conditions that we are currently experiencing in the excercise box and with its long service life as it expected, she took on a significant amount of water and eventually sank,' said Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos. He confirmed that the 184-foot ship, which was not damaged during towing, sank at 7:20 am local time. The Brattleboro had been selected for the drill's MARSTRIKE (maritime strike) phase because it was no longer operational. It was meant to be destroyed by a combination of US Marine Corps F/A-18 jets, anti-ship missiles, bombs, and cannon fire. Despite the vessel's early demise, the rest of the MARSTRIKE training will proceed, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement. 'The combined force will still achieve its training objectives,' the military said, The vessel had been thoroughly cleaned before deployment and posed no environmental risk, according to the Philippine military. The annual Balikatan exercise, running from April 21 to May 9, aims to strengthen cooperation and readiness between the US and Philippine armed forces amid rising tensions in the region. History of ex- USS Brattleboro The ex-USS "Brattleboro" met an unceremonious end on Monday, but its history spanned some of the most pivotal moments in 20th-century naval warfare. Commissioned as a submarine chaser during World War II, the ship played a key role in the battles of Leyte Gulf and Okinawa—two decisive American campaigns against Imperial Japan in 1944 and 1945, respectively. According to the US Naval History and Heritage Command, the vessel supported air defence and rescue operations during the Leyte invasion, evacuating over 400 wounded soldiers to hospital ships and downing a Japanese aircraft. Following additional combat operations near Palau and the Philippines, the Brattleboro joined the Okinawa campaign in spring 1945. There, it provided emergency treatment to more than 200 seriously injured personnel and rescued over 1,000 survivors from sunken vessels during the 91-day battle. Retired from US service in the 1960s, the ship was transferred to South Vietnam in 1966. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, it was handed over to the Philippine Navy and recommissioned in 1977 as the BRP Miguel Malvar, named after a Filipino revolutionary leader. The vessel remained in service until its decommissioning in 2021. Rising regional tension The scheduled sinking of the Brattleboro had been planned in waters facing the disputed Scarborough Shoal—an area closely patrolled by Chinese military and coast guard vessels. The Philippines also claims the shoal, located roughly 137 miles west of Zambales province. This year's Balikatan—meaning 'shoulder-to-shoulder' in Tagalog—involves over 14,000 troops from the US and the Philippines. The drills are intended as a robust test of the two nations' joint defence capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels near the shoal have intensified in recent years, fuelling fears of broader military escalation. China continues to assert sweeping claims over the South China Sea, while forcefully opposing any US military involvement in the region.
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Warship Sinks Before Planned US Missile Strike Drills With Ally
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. One of the highest-profile events of the ongoing United States-Philippines Balikatan military exercise—the sinking of a decommissioned warship—was canceled Monday after the doomed vessel sank before the shooting could even get underway. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command by email for comment outside of office hours. Why It Matters Balikatan is the largest annual military exercise conducted jointly by the U.S. and the Philippines, one of Washington's oldest allies in Asia. This year's edition is the largest yet, involving roughly 14,000 American and Philippine troops and contingents from Australia and Japan. The drills are being held amid escalating tensions with China, driven by Beijing's expansive moves within the Philippines' maritime zone and large-scale war games around Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its territory. This year's Balikatan includes exercises aiming to boost interoperability among allied forces with an eye toward the East Asian power. What To Know The ship chosen for the MARSTRIKE exercise, World War II-era corvette BRP Miguel Malvar, took on water as it was moved into position about 35 miles west of the Philippines' Zambales province, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement. The Philippine Navy confirmed it sank at 7:20 a.m., four nautical miles (4.6 miles) from its intended position. No personnel were injured in the incident. The BRP Miguel Malvar being brought into position for the Balikatan exercise SINKEX event on May 5, 2025. The BRP Miguel Malvar being brought into position for the Balikatan exercise SINKEX event on May 5, 2025. Armed Forces of the Philippines "Prior to towing the target vessel to the operational area, the BRP Miguel Malvar underwent environmental cleaning and preparation for the MARSTRIKE," the AFP said. "As is common, the vessel was selected because it exceeded its service life and was no longer suitable for normal operations." The venerable warship served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II, including the invasions of the Philippines and Okinawa. After being transferred to the then-South Vietnamese Navy in 1966, it was passed to the Philippines in 1976 and served until decommissioned in December 2021. Although this year's sink exercise (SINKEX) will not proceed as planned, other elements of the live-fire drill will continue. "The training will integrate ground, maritime, and air-based sensors and shooters into a combined, joint fires network, as the Philippine and U.S. joint task forces exercise command and control while increasing combined warfighting capability, said the AFP. Chinese state media outlet the Global Times called the premature sinking of the corvette "an awkward situation." China has previously criticized joint U.S.-Philippine exercises as "currying favor and colluding with the U.S. and other outside countries to make provocations." Beijing has also repeatedly protested the recent first-ever deployment of U.S. anti-ship missiles to a far-north Philippine island near Taiwan. What People Are Saying Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos told reporters: "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." What Happens Next The Balikatan exercise will conclude on Saturday.
RTÉ News
06-05-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Warship sinks before it can be sunk in US-Philippine drills
The BRP Miguel Malvar, old enough to have seen action in World War II, was scheduled to go out in a blaze of glory today, as a target ship during the annual US-Philippine "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 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. "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, Mr Alcos added the country was proud to be "transitioning to a new and multi-capable navy". After more than 20 years of service, the vessel - then named USS Brattleboro - was sold to the Republic of Vietnam in 1966. The Philippine Navy acquired and refurbished the ship after its crew fled Vietnam following the 1975 fall of Saigon. Balikatan, three weeks of US-Philippine joint exercises aimed at deterring Beijing's ambitions in the disputed South China Sea, is set to end Friday.
