BRP Dioscoro Papa (PC-381)

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From Combat Fleets of the World, 15th Edition

First four were ordered in 9-89 for $9.4M; the fifth was ordered in 4-90 and three more in 8-90. In 3-93 Halter received a $36.2M contract to build four more in the U.S., provide four kits to a yard in the Philippines, and assist in the construction three more in a Philippine yard; in 6-94 another 12 more ordered for $27.5M, with seven to be built by AG&P Shipyard in the Philippines. DF-379 and 380 were launched 29-4-95 by AG&P. The original goal was 35 total, but that curtailed for lack of funds. Were originally intended to operate in flotillas of seven, each attached to a larger patrol boat acting as leader.

Named after a former Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (ref Jane's Fighting Ships 1973-74)

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Repowering and Refurbishment of 78-Footer Patrol Craft MKII
By: NSSC Public Affairs Office

https://www.facebook.com/seasystemspao/posts/1866207350289845

The Naval Sea Systems Command, through the Naval Shipyard (NSY), successfully administered the repowering and refurbishment of four (4) 78-Footer Patrol Craft MKII: BRP NESTOR REINOSO (PC380), BRP DIOSCORO PAPA (PC381), BRP LEOVIGILDO GIANTIOQUI (PC384) and BRP FILIPINO FLOJO (PC386) in the year 2016 under Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

The project was undertaken by US NAVSEA PMS326 and was divided into two lots. PC381 and PC384 started their upgrade on 01 August 2016 and was completed on 11 November 2016. PC380’s and PC386’s, on the other hand, started on 15 October 2016 and was completed on 22 December 2016. The project was conducted at Subic Dock Corporation (SDC), Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, Zambales. The upgrade implementation enhanced the habitability of the said vessels and doubled their average speed from 12 to 24 knots.

Two more patrol craft of similar class, the BRP ISMAEL LOMIBAO (PC383) and BRP FEDERICO MARTIR (PC385), will also undergo the same upgrade within the 1st Quarter of 2017.

Currently, PC380, PC381, PC384 and PC386, with improved capabilities, are now in their training phase and will soon be readily deployable to operational areas to continue their mandate of ensuring maritime security and providing platforms for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

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NOTICE TO MARINERS NUMBER 164-2017
Published: 18 August 2017

http://www.coastguard.gov.ph/index.php/notice-to-mariners/notam-2017/august-2017/1742-notice-to-mariners-number-164-2017

Notice is hereby given to all mariners and other parties concerned that:

1. Reference: Philippine Navy Radio Message Cite NOCB-0817-143

2. The following Philippine Navy vessel will conduct test firing of their naval guns on dates and maritime areas indicated as follows:

BOW		DATE		VICINITY		COORDINATES
PC381		30 AUG 17		5 NM SE OFF PATA ISL., SULU		PT. A – LAT       05° 45.000’ N     LONG  121° 10.000’ E PT. B – LAT        05° 40.000’ N     LONG  121° 10.000’ E PT. C - LAT       05° 45.000’ N     LONG  121° 15.000’ E PT. D – LAT       05° 40.000’ N     LONG  121° 15.000’ E
PC387		08 SEPT 17		12 NM SE OFF MATANAL PT., BASILAN PROVINCE		PT. A – LAT       06° 24.809’ N     LONG  122° 25.086’ E PT. B – LAT        06° 32.812’ N     LONG  122° 24.960’ E PT. C - LAT       06° 33.022’ N     LONG  122° 33.042’ E PT. D – LAT       06° 24.824’ N     LONG  122° 33.139’ E
PC393		15 SEPT 17		15 NM SW OFF LAPITAN PT., LANAO DEL SUR		PT. A – LAT       07° 28.945’ N     LONG  123° 47.590’ E PT. B – LAT        07° 28.944’ N     LONG  123° 49.674’ E PT. C - LAT       07° 26.834’ N     LONG  123° 49.674’ E PT. D – LAT       07° 26.865’ N     LONG  123° 47.590’ E

         

3. In this connection, all ships/watercrafts transiting the vicinity of the abovementioned areas are advised to take note of the information and take necessary precautionary measures at all times.

4. The cooperation of all concerned in effecting widest dissemination of this information is requested.

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NOTICE TO MARINERS NUMBER 206-2017
Published: 13 October 2017

http://www.coastguard.gov.ph/index.php/notice-to-mariners/notam-2017/2017oct/1808-notice-to-mariners-number-206-2017

Notice is hereby given to all mariners and other parties concerned that:

1. Reference: Philippine Navy Radio Message Cite NOCB-1017-206.

2. The Philippine Navy vessels will conduct test firing of their naval guns on dates and maritime areas bounded with the following coordinates:

BOW NR		DATE		VICINITY		COORDINATES
FF15		24-27 OCT 17		21 NM SW OFF CORREGIDOR ISLAND, MARIVELES, BATAAN		PT A – LAT 14° 19.000’  N         LONG 120° 03.000’ E PT B – LAT 14° 10.000’  N        LONG 120°13.200’ E PT C – LAT 04° 09.000’  N        LONG 120° 13.000’ E  PT D – LAT 14° 09.000’  N          LONG 120° 03.000’ E
LC288 LC291 LC293 LC289 AGS700 AGS701 PC387 PC388 PC381 BA484 BA486		25-26 OCT 17		10 NM E OFF COMIRAN MATANAL PT., BASILAN		PT A – LAT 06° 19.000’  N          LONG 120° 03.000’ E PT B – LAT 14° 10.000’  N         LONG 120°13.200’ E PT C – LAT 04° 09.000’  N         LONG 120° 13.000’ E PT D – LAT 14° 09.000’  N         LONG 120° 03.000’ E

3. In this connection, all ships/watercrafts transiting the vicinity of the abovementioned areas are advised to take note of the information and take necessary precautionary measures at all times.

4. The cooperation of all concerned in effecting widest dissemination of this information is requested.

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NOTICE TO MARINERS NUMBER 022-2019
Parent Category: NOTAM    Published: 14 February 2019

http://www.coastguard.gov.ph/index.php/notice-to-mariners/92-january-2019/2877-notice-to-mariners-number-022-2019

Notice is hereby given to all mariners and other parties concerned that:

1. Reference: Philippine Navy Radio Message Cite NOCB-0219-028.

2. The following Philippine Navy vessels PB340, PC381 and PC385 will conduct 1st quarter test firing of naval guns on dates and maritime areas bounded by the following coordinates:

BOW NAME/NR		DATE		VICINITY		COORDINATES
BRP DIOSCORO PAPA (PC119)		27-28 February 2019		4 NM S OFF SUCOLIGAO, ISLAND, PEARL BANK, TAWI-TAWI ISLAND		PT A – LAT 05°42.710’ N            LONG 119°40.003’ E    PT B – LAT 05°42.710’ N            LONG 119°44.003’ E    PT C – LAT 05°38.650’ N                LONG 119°40.003’ E    PT D – LAT 05°38.650’ N               LONG 119°44.003’ E
PB340		27 February 2019		10 NM SW OFF MALAPINGAN PT., CLAVERIA, BURIAS ISLAND, MASBATE		PT A – LAT 12°45.17’ N            LONG 123°06.10’ E    PT B – LAT 12°45.17’ N            LONG 123°45.17’ E    PT C – LAT 12°43.08’ N                LONG 123°08.19’ E    PT D – LAT 12°43.08’ N            LONG 123°06.10’ E
BRP FEDERICO MARTIR (PC385)		14 MARCH 2019		14.5 NM SW OFF GUNTAO ISLAND, PALAWAN		PT A – LAT 11°05.00’N          LONG 119°00.00’ E    PT B – LAT 11°05.00’N          LONG 118°55.00’ E    PT C – LAT 11°00.00’N                LONG 119°55.00’ E    PT D – LAT 11°00.00’N           LONG 119°00.00’ E

3.   In this connection, all ships/watercrafts transiting the vicinity of the abovementioned areas on the said date are advised to take note of the information and take necessary precautionary measures at all times.

4.     The cooperation of all concerned in effecting widest dissemination of this information is requested.

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C/o Mark R Condeno

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rpdefense/permalink/2692143557538141/

PHILIPPINE NAVY HISTORY: 22 JANUARY 1996
BRP DIOSCORO PAPA (PG-381) AGAINST 2 CHINESE HUANGFENG FAC/MISSILE BOATS AND 1 CHINESE ARMED TRAWLER…
A 3 AGAINST 1 ENGAGEMENT…

OFF CAPONES ISLAND…In the early hours before dawn of 22 January 1996, the Radarman aboard BRP Dioscoro Papa (PG-381) of the Assault Craft Force, Philippine Fleet saw the 3 blips appeared on his surface search console…11 nautical miles off the Luzon Coast, South China Sea.

As backgrounder, BRP Dioscoro Papa (PG-381) has been recently commissioned Seven months prior to this momentous engagement on 1 June 1995, she was with the second batch of Brandnew 78 footer Halter Trinity Marine Patrol Gunboats procured during the Presidency of President Corazon C Aquino a batch of 22 Patrol Gunboats based on a US Coast Guard Design with aluminum hull and superstructure. The original acquisition was planned for 35 units but was reduced to 22.

NAMESAKE OF PG-381 (NOW PC-381):
The namesake of BRP Dioscoro Papa is the 2nd Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard COMMODORE DIOSCORO PAPA, a CAVITENO and an advanced ROTC Graduate from Mapua Institute of Technology, College of Engineering, one of the early OSP Officers. He commanded various PN Warships notable are RPS Negros Occidental (PS-29) and our Patrol Craft Squadron. As a junior officer, he skippered one of the Auxiliary Motor Minesweepers for the Korean Navy in 1947.

SPECIFICATIONS:
She has a Maximum speed of 28 knots and armed with one 25mm Bushmaster chain gun on Mk.38 Mod.0 mount, four M2HB Browning 12.7 mm/50 calibre machine guns on Mk.26 mounts, with two positioned forward and two aft; and two M60 7.62 mm/30 caliber machine guns, mounted amidships. They were supposed to be armed with bow mounted 40mm Mk3 Guns, an 81mm Mortar and 4-50 Cal MGs.

THE BATTLE:
Back to the situation, full speed was ordered to pursuit the unidentified craft and later on the gun crew received orders to fire a warning shot at the three vessels which were not heed to and instead the Chinese vessels tried to ram PG-381, with the ensuing melee the both sides opened fire and the Filipino Sailors saw one of the ships with a Red Star Flag and allegedly military cloth personnel.

The 90 minute gun battle between a single Filipino warship emerged as one of the violent engagements between the two nations forces in the modern era…with heavy gunfire erupting on both sides.

One of the FACs was identified with a bow number 04420…as what was written on available sources, the Chinese first broke the engagement as they ran out of ammunition or their weapons jammed. Unknown to them PG-381 expended all its ammunition on this engagement and nearly all its fuel. It was also noted that the Chinese all broke the engagement as they have suffered casualties on their side, I have not found or is written on the sources that PG-381 suffered casualties.

There were unconfirmed reports that we sank one of the Huangfengs on this battle.

Again we have shown that however small the Filipino gunboat is, we took on 3 Chinese ships and most of you would notice that this engagement and that of on February 10 1996 in which the Huangfeng was captured one tactic prevalent is of ramming our Gunboats.
One could only see the amount of ammunition that was received by the Chinese vessels from our lone gunboat.

And I believed this would be asked, what of the missiles on board the Huangfengs, the Styx has to be fired when you are stationary, but when you are the pursued and this as most say is not sanctioned by the PLAN but rather a Commerce raiding operation, there might be no missiles on those tubes during the engagement as one of the FACs could escape and launch one against PG-381.

Photograph of BRP Disocoro Papa (PG-381) from https://www.flickr.com/photos/29421855@N07/8121346325 accessed 26 January 2020
Photograph of Huangfeng from https://www.gladiusds.com/warships-and-naval-systems/surface-vessels/missile-boats/osa-class-moskit-class/accessed 17 January 2020

Sources:
The Security Environment in the Asia-Pacific by Hung, Mao Tien, Tun Jen Cheng and Tun Jen Cheng.
Maritime Security Between China and Southeast Asia by Liselotte Odgard
Maritime Piracy: a Reference Handbook by David Manley
http://www.southchinasea.org/table-7/
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/spratly-clash.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Andrada-class_patrol_craft
Jane’s Fighting Ships 2000-2001
Jane’s Fighting Ships 2002-2003
Photograph of Chinese Trawler https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2018/12/10/experts-chinas-fishing-vessels-in-philippines-a-secret-paramilitary/accessed 26 January 2020 Photo for reference only not the unit inv