Puerto Princesa hears loud blast from Chinese rocket

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Residents in this city reported hearing loud explosions from the sky around 6:43 p.m. on 4 August, with many capturing photos and footage of an unidentified object falling, shortly after a rocket launch by China.

The loud explosion and plumes from the rocket were seen and heard not only in this city but also in the towns of Roxas in northern Palawan and Aborlan in the south.

"Yes, I saw that. At that moment, I was on the roof cleaning and arranging the solar panel when I observed it appear—then bang!" Larry dela Puerta, a resident of this city said.

"We heard it here in Bay Vista Road, Sta. Monica! Lakas," Kyra Ann Slot stated.

"We felt it here in Tigman, Aborlan. It really shook, like thunder," Aira Mae Gabuco Capispisan described.

Puerto Princesa City and Palawan are always included in the notices, but this is the first time that falling rocket debris was seen and thunderous sounds were heard.

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed that China launched a Long March 12 rocket from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan at around 6:21 p.m. Philippine time.

PhilSA said the projected debris zone was about 21 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and 18 nautical miles from Tubbataha. The agency had earlier issued warnings through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and shared a pre-launch advisory to relevant authorities.

It reminded the public that parts of the rocket, such as the booster and fairing, are often jettisoned and may fall back to Earth, potentially floating or reaching nearby shores.

“They only saw smoke,” said Angelique Songco, park superintendent of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, referring to what rangers reported seeing from afar.

Meanwhile, a source from the Western Command (WESCOM) said they have yet to receive any reports of debris from China’s Long March 12 rocket, which was launched from the International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan.

"We’re monitoring reports in case debris is found," the source said.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) of Puerto Princesa is also on the lookout for debris and has warned residents not to touch it if they spot any.

CDRRMO chief Earl Timbancaya said residents should report it to their office or to other authorities.

"That covers all of Puerto Princesa City, so we're on standby. The advisory said the impact is relatively low, but for safety purposes, I gave instructions to monitor the situation. If someone calls us and reports any debris, we’ll immediately respond to the area. We’re also reaching out and checking through our channels," Timbancaya said.