The BRP Rizal (PS-74) is the first of two Rizal class ships in service with the Philippine Navy. She is formerly an ex-USN Auk class minesweeper that were produced during World War II, and is now classified as a patrol corvette protecting the vast waters of the Philippines. Along with other ex-World War II veteran ships of the Philippine Navy, she is considered as one of the oldest active fighting ships in the world today.

History

was commissioned with the US Navy in 1945, her duty was to sweep mines along the Japanese and Korean waters from January 1946 until April the same year. She was decommissioned in 1948 and was placed with the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

She was again recommissioned in 1950. She arrived Yokosuka, Japan, in August 1961 to aid U.N. forces meeting the challenge of Communist aggression. Departing Yokosuka 21 August, she sailed to Korea, participating in operations north of Wonsan, in the Hungnam, Songjin, and Chongjin areas. She continued sweeping and patrol duties off Korea in 1952, capturing and destroying several enemy sampans, until July, when she returned to the west coast. Murrelet started a second tour of duty off Korea in April 1953, returning to Long Beach in December. Murrelet received five battle stars for Korean service

Redesignated MSF-372, 7 February 1955, she continued to operate off the west coast. She decommissioned 14 March 1957, and was assigned to the Pacific Reserve fleet. Struck from the Naval Register 1 December 1964, she was transferred 18 June 1965 to the Philippine Republic under the Military Assistance Program.

Under the Philippine Navy, she was reclassified and recoded a number of times. As a Minesweeper, she was first classified as RPS Rizal (PCE-69), then was reclassified as a Patrol Corvette under the new code RPS Rizal (PS-69). In 1996 she was renumbered as BRP Rizal (PS-74), which is used to this day. Together with her sister ship, she was one of the Navy's main warships during the 1960s up to the present.

She was stricken from the navy in 1994, but was overhauled and returned to service in 1995. Some of her weapons were also removed, mainly its anti-submarine equipments due to lack of spare parts. This includes the five Mk6 depth charge projectors and two depth charge racks. This move totally removed her anti-submarine warfare capabilities, which is in fact outdated at present conditions. Rizal completed restoration works in January 1996, wherein she was renumbered prior to recommissioning. Recent upgrades includes a satellite radio dish for communications.

Present Status

Her current classification is Patrol Corvette. She is currently assigned to the Patrol Force of the Philippine Fleet.

Notable Deployments

Naval Exercises

The Rizal is included in the Philippine Navy's representatives at CARAT 2005, together with BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), BRP Bacolod City (LC-550), BRP Hilario Ruiz (PG-378), and BRP Timoteo Figoracion (PG-389).

Rizal was also part of the Philippine Navy contingent that joined Exercise SEAGULL 03-07, which was held in Brunei from September 2 to 10, 2007. Together with BRP Federico Martir (PG-385), and Royal Brunei Navy participating ships KDB Pejuang P03, KDB Seteria P04, KDB Perwira P14 and KDB Penyerang P16, they conducted series of drills, including Mine Clearance, Under Water Operations, Replenishment at Sea, Night Encounter Exercise, Boarding Exercise and Other Naval Tactical Exercises.

Other Incidents

Rizal was involved in a collision with a Chinese fishing boat off Scarborough Shoal on 23 May 1999. This incident sparked a diplomatic protest by the Chinese government since they are claiming that the PN ship collided with the fishing boat "on-purpose". Incidentally, the shoal is claimed by the Chinese government as part of their territory.

Gallery

References

External links

• Philippine Navy Official website
• Philippine Fleet Official Website
• Philippine Defense Forum
• Hazegray World Navies Today: Philippines
• Naming and Code Designation of PN Ships
• World Warships: Philippines
• Opus224's Unofficial Philippine Defense Page