Rocket debris believed to be from China’s recently launched Long March 5B (CZ-5B) booster rocket were found near the Mindoro Strait, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed Wednesday, August 3.
Commodore Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said the rocket debris were discovered by fishermen floating around 100 miles from Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. They were turned over to the PCG Mamburao Station on Tuesday, August 2.
The wreckage reportedly had Chinese markings on it as well as a print of Chinese flag.
“The debris were turned over to PCG Mamburao yesterday by fishermen. They found them floating more or less 100 miles from Mindoro,” Balilo told the Manila Bulletin.
The PCG did not issue further details on the incident and pointed to the National Security Council (NSC) for a reaction on whether or not the incident had any security implications.
"We have no comment, and refer questions to the Chinese Embassy since it's their concern," Director Mari Tuason, head of the NSC public affairs, said in a separate text message.
The booster rocket was launched by China on July 24 but made an eventual return to Earth, according to the United States Space Command.
Earlier, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said some debris have reportedly fallen over the Sulu Sea area, near Palawan.
It said the Malaysian Space Agency has also confirmed detecting the debris in Malaysian airspace moments before its landfall.
"It is expected that most of the rocket components have disintegrated during re-entry into the atmosphere. PhilSA advises the public to immediately inform local authorities if suspected floating debris is sighted at sea, and to avoid retrieving or coming into contact with these materials," it said.
Beijing initially earned criticisms for allegedly refusing to share details of the incident, with the US military saying the impact of its descent could be potentially hazardous to human beings and other living things.