PBBM to China: ‘We have no interest in your rockets’
A trail of smoke seen from the ground is believed to be from China’s Long March 12 rocket following the loud booming sounds heard in eastern Palawan last Monday.
Photograph courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard
BENGALURU, India – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines is not interested in the rockets made by China.
This, as rocket debris from Chinese space rocket ‘March 12’ fell near the Palawan area on Monday.
Marcos said he has spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping about this matter and offered the assistance of the Philippines in case of rocket launches.
“I remember in my trip to Beijing early on, that I told President Xi, you know, we have no interest in your rockets. Just tell us where they will land, we will collect it and give it to you. And that continues to be my offer to China. Hindi naman kailangan agawin sa amin yan,” he said.
Marcos said a little bit of warning to the Philippines would help the country respond in case of debris landing within the Philippine area.
“Anong gagawin namin sa [rocket]. Sabihan nyo kami kung saan dadaan yung rocket. Pag may babagsak, kukunin namin sa dagat tapos dadalhin namin sa inyo. Wala namang problema,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marcos said this is not the first time it happened and thankfully, there were no casualties.
“Well, it's not the first time that this has happened. Actually, if you look at the incidents, they did not commit any violations. There have been no casualties. We just wish that perhaps they could warn us a little earlier so that we know that the path of the rocket, where the path is and kung magbibitaw sila ng stages kung saan babagsak,” he added.