Philippine Navy on alert after China rocket launch
The Philippine Navy has placed its personnel and assets on heightened alert following the confirmed launch of China’s Long March 12 rocket, with debris expected to fall within Philippine waters.
Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said on Friday that the Navy is closely monitoring maritime and aerial conditions, coordinating with partner agencies and keeping naval units ready for any potential emergency response.
Surface and air assets, medical teams and disaster response personnel have been deployed, and strict safety protocols are being observed, she said.
“As of this time, no casualties or damage have been reported in our area of operations,” Martinez said in a statement.
She said residents in Puerto Princesa City reported hearing a loud explosion, but monitoring stations near Tubbataha Reef noted no unusual sightings.
Maritime and aerial surveillance will continue as part of the postlaunch phase.
Projected drop zone
The Navy urged the public to avoid any suspected debris and immediately report sightings to local authorities.
“The Philippine Navy remains committed to safeguarding our waters and ensuring public safety,” Martinez said.
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed that the Long March 12 rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, at around 7 a.m. on Friday.
Projected debris was expected to land within Philippine archipelagic waters, roughly 42.6 kilometers (23 nautical miles) from Puerto Princesa, and 38.9 km (21 nautical miles) from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park.
Hazard
PhilSA said the projected drop zone was communicated to relevant authorities through a Notice to Airmen and a prelaunch report. Unburned rocket components, such as boosters and fairings, are designed to be discarded as the rocket ascends.
While they were not expected to hit land or populated areas, they could pose a hazard to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels passing through the area.
The agency also cautioned that rocket upper stages, which are the parts of a multistage rocket that separate after the first stage burns its fuel, could potentially make an uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere.
