Ship target for PH-US military exercises ran aground in Bataan — PCG

A decommissioned Philippine Navy ship that was supposed to be sunk during the drills of Philippine and United States marines ran aground in the vicinity waters off Morong, Bataan on Friday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

Based on the incident report from PCG , the three crew members of the former BRP Lake Caliraya said it had no stored fuel onboard and ran aground while under tow en route to Subic, Zambales at 8 a.m.

The tow lines of BRP Lake Caliraya snapped due to strong waves, causing it to drift, according to the PCG.

The PCG Station Bataan is conducting a rescue operation for the three crew members and coordinating with the tugboat in charge for the immediate pull out of the vessel.

Asked if the vessel is the same ship that was to be used as mock target and meant to be be sunk for the drills of the Philippine and United States marines, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo told reporters, "Yes."

According to the Philippine Marine Corps public affairs office, the maritime strike on the decommissioned ship scheduled on Thursday in Zambales was canceled due to bad weather condition. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News