As it modernizes the naval fleet, the Philippine Navy (PN) has decommissioned two of its legacy ships which have been in service since the World War II.
Patrol ships BRP Miguel Malvar (PS19) and BRP Magat Salamat (PS20) were retired in a ceremony held at Captain Salvo Pier, Naval Base Hercaleo Alano in Sangley Point Cavite on Friday, Dec. 10.
Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado, PN Flag Officer in Command, presided over the decommissioning ceremony with Rear Adm. Alberto Carlos, commander of the Philippine Fleet, and former skippers of the retired vessels.
BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Magat Salamat, considered as two of the oldest fighting ships in the world, were in the PN fleet for 44 years but were in active service for a total of 77 years.
Both vessels were commissioned into service by the US Navy in 1944, transferred to Vietnam in 1966, and acquired by the PN in 1976. They were commissioned into PN service in 1977.
BRP Miguel Malvar, named after the last Filipino revolutionary general who surrendered to the Americans during the Philippine-American War, was originally built as USS Brattleboro, a recue patrol craft escort.
Meanwhile, BRP Magat Salamat, named after a datu of Tondo in the late 16th century who helped his father, Rajah Lakandula, fight Spaniards during the early years of the Spanish colonization, was originally built as USS Gayety, an Admirable-class minesweeper.
Bordado said the legacy ships will be replaced by newer assets as the military’s modernization program continues.
“As we obtain and plan for more advanced assets in the coming years, it is essential that we remember not only the necessity but the obligation to modernize the mindsets of our personnel,” Bordado said.
“Modern vessels demand personnel who possess adequate and competent training in maneuvering and maintaining our new vessels,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Navy chief thanked BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Magat Salamat for their "outstanding contribution to the defense of the Filipino nation."
The PN has been gradually implementing the Phase In-Phase Out program since 2020 in line with the guidance of Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to decommission legacy ships.
Bordado said the program will pave the way for the arrival of newer platforms that are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and combat management systems.
Among the new acquisitions include nine fast patrol boats and two corvettes.
Further, Lorenzana said last week that the budget for the acquisition of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) worth P30 billion has been approved by the national government.
The OPVs will be ordered from Australian shipbuilder, Austal, although the contract has not yet been awarded by the DND.