OCD alerts Palawan, Basilan vs potential rocket debris in Palawan and Basilan
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The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) on Saturday warned against potential rocket debris as the Chinese is set to launch its Long March 8A rocket from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan province, China.
The launch is reported to take place between 5:53 PM and 6:42 PM and could affect coastal communities in Palawan and Basilan.
With this, the OCD issued National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Memorandum 21, s. 2025 directing relevant agencies to ensure public safety in affected coastal areas.
Rocket debris is expected to land 85 nautical miles from Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea; 40 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa, Palawan; and 33 nautical miles from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), meanwhile, warned against the retrieval of any discovered debris. Approaching rocket elements found are also discouraged as it may contain toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
In case of such an incident the PhilSA urged the public to report debris sightings, whether at sea or on land to local authorities.
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) have been advised to implement temporary restrictions and issue notices to mariners, coastal navigational warnings, or NAVAREA XI warnings, as needed, in the identified drop zones.
Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMC) in MIMAROPA and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are also ordered to continue monitoring of the situation and provide updates.
