Philippines retires another World War 2-era patrol vessel

The Philippine Navy's BRP Cebu during decommissioning ceremonies on 1 October 2019. Photo c/o Philippine Navy.

The Philippine Navy (PN) decommissioned one of its few remaining World War 2-era patrol vessels in ceremonies held in its main naval base in Cavite City on 1 October 2019.

The ship, the Malvar-class patrol vessel BRP Cebu (PS-28), was originally commissioned with the Philippine Naval Patrol (PNP) in July 1948, until the service’s renaming to the Philippine Navy in 1951. 

This is the second ship of the class decommissioned this year after its sistership BRP Sultan Kudarat (PS-22) was retired on 5 July 2019 as part of the PN’s push to rid itself of World War 2-era ships by 2020.

 The ship was formerly the US Navy PCE 827-class patrol craft escort (PCE), which was first commissioned in 1944 until it was transferred to the Philippine government’s fledging naval force. Similar ships are collectively known as the Malvar-class in PN service, where up to 11 ships of the class were operated at its peak.

The PN still has 3 Malvar-class patrol vessels in service, which are in the process of being replaced with newer assets.



[1] Philippine Navy 
[2] MaxDefense Philippines
[3] Jane’s Navy International