Navy decommissions WWII-era corvette after 71-year service

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has retired its oldest fighting ship in its fleet, the BRP Cebu, the Philippine Navy announced on Friday.

BRP Cebu was decommissioned on Tuesday as a patrol ship of the Navy, capping 71 years of naval service, according to Lt. Cdr. Maria Christina Roxas, Naval Public Affairs Office acting director.

Rear Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, commander of the Philippine fleet, said BRP Cebu’s decommissioning draws some mixed emotions, that while the Navy was saddened to retire the vessel, it will also usher in “newer platforms” for the Philippine Navy.

BRP Cebu was originally a warship for the US Navy during World War II, Roxas said in a statement.

It was later transferred to the Philippine Navy in July 1948 and was renamed as RPS Cebu.

BRP Cebu, along with other World War II-era ships of the Navy, was considered to be among the oldest active fighting ships in the world today.