Decommissioned Navy vessel eyed as mock target in next military exercises

The Philippine Navy’s former BRP Lake Caliraya. Photo from the PCG

MANILA, Philippines — The decommissioned Philippine Navy ship, which was supposed to be used as a mock target in the joint drills of American and Filipino soldiers before it ran aground in July, was already retrieved last month, an official told INQUIRER.net on Thursday.

Marine Deputy Commandant Brigadier General Jimmy Larida also said that the former BRP Lake Caliraya, which was towed back to Sangley Point port in Cavite City, may be utilized in the next exercises between two countries.

READ: Target ship en route to PH-US military maneuvers runs aground in Bataan

“Our counterparts might recommend using that again,” Larida said during the sidelines of the opening ceremony of joint marine exercises of the Philippines Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) without providing further details.

READ: US to handle retrieval of grounded, decommissioned Navy vessel in maritime exercise

The former BRP Lake Caliraya ran aground 60 meters away from the shoreline of Morong, Bataan on July 14, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

READ: US, PH Marines cancel military exercise due to monsoon rains

On July 13, the PMC and USMC were supposed to sink the decommissioned motor tanker 12 nautical miles away from San Antonio, Zambales but it was cancelled then due to inclement weather.