Philippine Navy reactivates decommissioned corvette for typhoon relief missions

The Philippine Navy has placed one of its decommissioned vessels back into service to augment the Philippine government’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts in the wake of a recent typhoon.

The Miguel Malvar-class corvette BRP Magat Salamat was decommissioned on December 10, 2021, after having served with the fleet for 44 years. However, senior officials have decided to reactivate the ship to enhance the navy’s capability to transport relief aid and other essential equipment to areas of the country that were affected by Typhoon Rai.

The category five tropical cyclone, which initially made landfall on Surigao del Norte province on December 16, has left over 400 people dead and an estimated US$786 million worth of damage throughout the country.

Vessels from the navy and other government agencies have been engaged in relief missions to affected provinces after weather conditions improved to allow for safe sea transport.

Ex-Magat Salamat‘s last cadre of officers and enlisted sailors have been recalled to man the ship for the HADR missions.

The corvette has since departed for Dinagat Islands province with 25 tonnes of supplies. Upon arrival there, it will operate as a temporary command post.