Overview

• The BRP Miguel Malvar, an 80-year-old decommissioned Philippine Navy ship, sank roughly 30 nautical miles off Zambales while being towed for a planned ship-sinking exercise.
• The vessel's poor condition and rough seas were cited as reasons for the sinking, with no casualties reported during the incident.
• The cancelled drill was part of the annual Balikatan exercises, involving 14,000 U.S. and Philippine troops focused on regional defense and sovereignty challenges in the South China Sea.
• Other live-fire exercises in the Zambales area continue as planned, with officials emphasizing that training objectives remain achievable despite the setback.
• The sinking underscores challenges posed by aging military assets and highlights ongoing tensions near disputed areas like Scarborough Shoal, closely monitored by Chinese forces.