The Philippine Navy has recovered what appears to be debris from a Chinese rocket off the coast of Bataraza, Palawan, just days after Beijing conducted a rocket launch.
According to the Navy, personnel aboard BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) discovered the metallic debris bearing a Chinese flag on Monday during an operation in the West Philippine Sea. The object was found about 12.17 nautical miles southeast of Barangay Rio Tuba.
“PG-902 immediately conducted retrieval operations and secured the debris aboard the vessel,” the Philippine Navy said in a statement.
The debris was subsequently transported to Puerto Princesa City for proper documentation, assessment, and disposition.
Last week, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed that the Long March 8A rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Hainan Island at around 9:33 a.m. on Thursday, October 16.
PhilSA said possible drop points of these rocket debris were: 45 nautical miles (NM) away from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park; 118 NM away from El Nido, Palawan; 137 NM away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan; and 34 NM away from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan.
Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space.
In September, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) found suspected rocket debris off the waters of Cuyo town in Palawan also believed to be linked to a recent launch from China’s Long March rocket program.
Last August, explosions believed to be related to a Chinese rocket launch were heard in the eastern part of Palawan, the PCG also then reported.
“The recovery of such debris underscores the importance of continued maritime surveillance in protecting Philippine waters and ensuring the safety of local communities potentially affected by foreign rocket remnants,” the Navy said.
