The final voyage: Remembering BRP Miguel Malvar

At the outer reaches of the Philippine archipelago lies Mavulis Island, the country’s northernmost point, roughly 90 kilometers from Taiwan. It was here that a team from the Philippine Navy, Marines, NAVSOG, and Seabees arrived aboard the BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) for a mission that carried both symbolic and strategic weight.

The journey began in Basco, Batanes. Aboard the BRP Miguel Malvar, the team composed of the Philippine Navy, Marines, NAVSOG, and Seabees made their way to Mavulis to carry out two important tasks.

One was the replacement of the Philippine flag. The other was the delivery of logistical support for the construction of a fisherman station. The shelter project was a collaborative effort between the Provincial Government of Batanes, NOLCOM, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and other concerned stakeholders.

The vessel chosen for the mission felt appropriate. "How apt," one organizer noted. The BRP Miguel Malvar had served the Philippine Navy for decades, carrying a long history of maritime patrols and support operations across the country.

On 5 May 2025, the BRP Miguel Malvar met its final end. The decommissioned vessel sank off the west coast of the Philippines at 7:20 a.m. while being used as a mock enemy target during a military exercise.

"As is common, the vessel was selected because it exceeded its service life and was no longer suitable for normal operations," said Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos. He explained that the ship had passed stringent evaluations and met all criteria for use in the drill.

"However, due to rough sea conditions that we are currently experiencing in the exercise box, and with its long service life, as it's expected, she took on a significant amount of water, and eventually sank," Alcos said.

From sovereignty missions in Batanes to its final role in naval training, the BRP Miguel Malvar leaves behind a legacy of service that marked its place in Philippine maritime history.