MANILA, April 21 -- The decommissioned World War II corvette, BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19), will be targeted and sunk in this year's "Balikatan" exercise.

In a information kit provided to reporters Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the decommissioned Navy ship will be the target of the "MARSTRIKE" (Maritime Strike) event of the annual military exercise between Filipino and US forces.

The former BRP Miguel Malvar was originally the USS Brattleboro (PCER-852), a rescue patrol craft formerly in service with the US Navy that was transferred to the Philippines in 1976.

Prior to its transfer to the Philippine Navy (PN), the ship was serving the then Republic of Vietnam Navy, having been transferred there in 1966.

The old n...