BRP LAKE CALIRAYA SUNK AFTER BEING TARGETED ON BALIKATAN EXERCISE

The old ‘Made in China’ ship that was used in the Balikatan Exercises of the Philippines and America was sunk in the West Philippine Sea. Missiles and bombs rained down on the ship until it was destroyed.

It was past eight in the morning when ships, planes, and land assets of the Philippines and America attacked BRP Lake Caliraya at the same time. This served as the target in the Maritime Strike Exercise of Balikatan in Laoag Ilocos Norte this Wednesday.

Maritime Strike Exercise was held on Wednesday at Laoag (Photo courtesy of Armed Forces of the Philippines)

The C-Star missile frigate of the Philippine Navy, BRP Jose Rizal, fired a surface-to-surface missile first. It hit the rear of BRP Lake Caliraya. The fast attack interdiction craft BRP Lawrence Narag also attacked the ship.

From the air, US and Philippine Air Force planes also launched airstrikes. PAF's FA-50 jet fighter and FA-60 jet fighter of the US Air Force bombed BRP Lake Caliraya.

Due to the severity of the damage, the ship gradually sank in the sea, two hours later it completely sank in the sea. According to Balikatan officials, the Maritime Strike Exercise showed how powerful the weapons will be against anyone who tries to attack the Philippine coast.

According to the AFP, the BRP Lake Caliraya will be left under the sea, DENR also approved the location where it sank. "We asked the Philippine Navy to find a location for us to sink the ship and we followed the location, which is 1500 feet. It's beyond where any diver can dive so it is safe but it will serve as a shelter for fish in the area.”

Chinese media expressed outrage over the "coincidence" regarding the ship's origin. In an editorial published on April 20, the Chinese state-backed tabloid Global Times said that it was "clearly provocative intent" for both nations to fire their anti-ship missiles and bombs against the Chinese-built oil tanker.

On the objections to the mock “enemy” ship’s origin, it is purely coincidental and it’s really not directed towards the source of such a vessel according to the authorities. 

Source: Lade Jean Kabagani/Daily Tribune 

Be part of ImHenyo community!

Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments

Email us at [email protected]