The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) issued Saturday an advisory about potential hazards of debris from a Chinese rocket launch to coastal communities in Palawan and Basilan, provinces which are “on alert” regarding the matter.
In a Facebook post, the OCD said the launch of China’s Long March 8A rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan province, China would take place between 5:53 p.m. and 6:42 p.m.
Amid this development, the agency issued National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Memorandum 21, s. 2025 “directing relevant agencies to ensure public safety in affected coastal areas.”
Three drop zones were identified, where parts of the rocket are expected to land. Their approximate distances are:
- 85 nautical miles from Rozul Reef (Iroquois), one of the contested features in the West Philippine Sea
- 40 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, Palawan
- 33 nautical miles from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan
According to the OCD, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) warned against retrieving or approaching any debris, as remnants may possess toxic substances including as rocket fuel.
In cases where contact with debris is inevitable, PhilSA recommended wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), the advisory read.
“The public is urged to report any suspected debris sightings, either at sea or on land, to local authorities immediately,” the OCD said.
Meanwhile, the OCD advised the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (DENR-NAMRIA) to enforce temporary restrictions and issue notices to mariners, coastal navigational warnings, or NAVAREA XI warnings, as applicable, in the identified drop zones.
Concerned Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMC) in MIMAROPA and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were urged to continue monitoring the situation and provide updates.
“As the Philippines prepares for this significant event, officials stress the importance of public safety and vigilance throughout the day,” it added.
Fishermen have been temporarily barred from sailing at Rozul Reef and waters off Puerto Princesa, Palawan from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on January 25 to 27 due to possible rocket debris.
In its earlier advisory, BFAR said rocket debris is not expected to fall on any land or inhabited areas within the country’s territory.
However, it may damage vessels passing through the rocket debris zones. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
