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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Another Chinese rocket debris found in Zambales – PCG

Another Chinese rocket debris found in Zambales – PCG

Published Dec 18, 2022 05:15 pm

A metal and plastic debris believed to be part of a rocket launched by China two months ago was retrieved in the vicinity waters near Subic, Zambales on Saturday, Dec. 17, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

Photo: PCG

The white cylindrical shaped debris was spotted by David Gervacio, captain of fishing boat "Akiyo," last Friday.

Gervacio saw the debris floating in waters approximately 55 nautical miles west of Subic so he radioed the sighting to the PCG.

A PCG team from Zambales immediately responded and searched for the debris with the help of the local fisherfolk until they successfully retrieved it the following day.

Commo. Armando Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said the debris measures two meters long and four meters wide. It is thought to be part of the Long March 5B Rocket that was launched by China last Oct. 31 from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Province.

"Coastal barangays and local fisherfolk are reminded that floating debris at sea are notable navigational hazards that may endanger the safety of vessels and crew," Balilo said on Sunday, Dec. 18.

"As such, the PCG remains alert and ready to assist in identifying and recovering objects at sea to ensure the safety of vessels and Filipino fisherfolk plying waters within the Philippine maritime jurisdiction," he added.

This is not the first time that suspected debris from Chinese rockets were found in the Philippine waters.

Last Nov. 20, a metal debris was forcibly taken by a China Coast Guard vessel from a Philippine Navy vessel just as the latter was towing it back to Pagasa Island in Palawan.

A floating debris was also spotted by Gervacio and his crew last Nov. 16 in waters approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Bajo de Masinloc (Scaroborough Shoal) in Zambales but they were unable to retrieve it because of its massive size and since it was already submerged.

Two big metallic rocket debris were also found separately in Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro and Busuanga, Palawan on Nov. 6 and 7, respectively.

In August, a suspected rocket debris from China’s Long March (CZ-5B) booster rocket also dropped off the Mindoro Strait in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

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DEBRIS 12182022 CHINESE ROCKET PCG
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