A decommissioned Navy ship, originally scheduled to be sunk during this year’s maritime strike (MARSTRIKE) as part of the Balikatan exercises, sank off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales yesterday ahead of the drill, the Philippine Navy (PN) revealed. “The World War II corvette 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 MARSTRIKE,” PN spokesman Capt. John Percie Alcos said in a press briefing. Alcos added that the former Miguel Malvar sank while being towed to its designated location.

Lee-Brago, P. (2025, May 6). Target vessel sinks ahead of drill. The Philippine Star, p. 4.