A loud explosion reverberated across Puerto Princesa City late Monday morning following the reported launch of China’s Long March 12 rocket from Hainan, prompting the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (WESCOM) to mobilize maritime and coastal assets to locate possible debris.
In a statement, WESCOM said the explosion was heard at around 10:56 a.m. and was linked to the launch conducted by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan.
According to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), remnants of the rocket are projected to fall roughly 29 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa and about 20 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef. The debris could pose serious risks to vessels, fishing operations, and the marine environment.
“WESCOM immediately directed its forces to deploy all available maritime and coastal assets to conduct a comprehensive sweep of the projected and presumed impact areas to locate, mark, and secure debris,” the command said, adding that all units, in coordination with civil defense and local government authorities in Palawan, are now on alert to monitor for debris washing ashore.
While WESCOM assured the public that there is no immediate danger to coastal communities, it urged residents and mariners to remain cautious and avoid touching or retrieving any suspected debris due to potential toxicity.
“The public is strongly urged to avoid approaching or handling any debris, as residual fuel and materials may be highly toxic and extremely dangerous,” WESCOM warned.
The command said it is working closely with PhilSA, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and local governments to monitor the situation.
