BRP Iloilo ( PS - 32 ) BRP " Iloilo " ( PS - 32 ) is a of the Philippine Navy . She was originally built as USS " PCE - 897 " , a for the United States Navy during World War II . She was decommissioned from the U . S . Navy and transferred to the Philippine Navy in July 1948 and renamed RPS " Iloilo " ( E - 32 ) after the Philippine province of the same name . The ship is . Along with other World War II - era ships of the Philippine Navy , " Iloilo " is considered as one of the oldest active fighting ships in the world today . History . Commissioned in the US Navy as USS " PCE - 897 " in 1945 , and was decommissioned after World War II . She was then transferred and commissioned into the Philippine Naval Patrol and was renamed RPS " Iloilo " ( E - 32 ) in July 1948 . She was carried on to the Philippine Navy in 1950 , and between 1965 - 1966 she was renamed as RPS " Iloilo " ( PS - 32 ) using a new classification system . Again in June 1980 she was renamed BRP " Iloilo " ( PS - 32 ) using a new localized prefix . Between 1990 and 1991 the " Iloilo " underwent major overhaul , weapons and radar systems refit , and upgrade of communications gear . She is currently assigned with the Patrol Force of the Philippine Fleet . Notable Operations . On 7 July 1973 , " Iloilo " , as part of Task Force 32 Naval Gunfire Support Group under the command of Cdr . Vicente Escala ( PN ) , provided pre - assault bombardment in support of Landing Force 33 during Operation " Pamukpok " against the insurgent group in Tuburan , Basilan led by Huden Abubakar Aka Juden Salikala . On December 2009 , " Iloilo " and BRP " Alberto Navarette " ( PG - 394 ) conducted sea surface search and rescue operations for any survivors on the sinking of MB " Baleno 9 " . From 2 April to 17 April 2011 , the " Iloilo " , acting as an escort vessel for BRP " Dagupan City " ( LC - 551 ) conducted a joint logistics run ( LOG Run ) and Southern Cruise for PMA Batch 2014 . Technical details . There are slight difference between the BRP " Pangasinan " as compared to some of her sister ships in the Philippine Navy , since her previous configuration was as a patrol craft escort ( PCE ) , while the others are configured as rescue patrol craft escort ( PCER ) and minesweepers ( " Admirable " class ) ships . Armaments . Originally the ship was armed with one forward Mk . 26 3 " / 50 caliber dual purpose gun , three aft twin Mk . 1 Bofors 40 mm guns , four Mk . 10 20 mm Oerlikon guns , 1 Hedgehog depth charge projector , four depth charge projectiles ( K - guns ) and two depth charge tracks . This configuration applies before its overhaul in the early 1990s . During its overhaul and refit between 1990 to 1991 , the Philippine Navy removed her old anti - submarine weapons and systems , and made some changes in the armament set - up . Some sources claim the loss of its three Bofors 40mm cannons during the 1990 - 1991 overhaul and refit period , but photos at of 2011 show the Bofors guns still present , although in singles instead of twins . Final armaments fitted to the ship are one Mk . 26 3 " / 50 - caliber gun ( fore ) , three single Bofors 40 mm cannons ( aft ) , four Mk . 10 Oerlikon 20 mm cannon s ( 2 each on bridge wings ) , and four M2 Browning 12 . 7 mm / 50 caliber machine guns ( 2 besides main bridge , 2 aft near the lower Bofors gun tub ) . This made the ship lighter and ideal for surface patrols , but losing her limited anti - submarine warfare capability . Electronics . Also during the refit the ship ' s RCA CRM - NIA - 75 surface search radar and RCA SPN - 18 navigation radar was replaced by a Raytheon AN / SPS - 64 ( V ) 11 surface search and navigation radar system . Later modifications included the installation of long range and satellite communications systems , and GPS system standard to all Philippine Navy ships . Machinery . The ship is powered by two GM 12 - 278A diesel engines , with a combined rating of around driving two propellers . The main engines can propel the 914 tons ( full load ) ship to a maximum speed of around .