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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Chinese rocket debris found floating off Mindoro

Chinese rocket debris found floating off Mindoro

Published Aug 15, 2025 02:43 pm
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel retrieve a floating rocket debris bearing markings of Chinese flag off Looc, Occidental Mindoro on Aug. 14, 2025. (Photo: PCG)
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel retrieve a floating rocket debris bearing markings of Chinese flag off Looc, Occidental Mindoro on Aug. 14, 2025. (Photo: PCG)
A rocket debris bearing the Chinese flag was found floating along the shoreline of Looc, Occidental Mindoro on Thursday, Aug. 14.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said a local fisherman discovered the rocket debris believed to be from China’s Long March 7A rocket launch last month.
The incident was reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group before being relayed to Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Lubang for retrieval operations.
Apparently, the fisherman discovered the object while fishing one nautical mile off Barangay Bonbon in Looc town.
“The debris, measuring about 10 feet wide and 14 feet long, was made of alloy material and bore the PRC [People’s Republic of China] flag,” the PCG said.
The rocket debris was turned over to authorities in Lubang for safekeeping and proper disposition.
The PCG reminded fishermen, coastal community residents, and other maritime stakeholders to immediately report sightings of unusual floating objects to the nearest Coast Guard unit for appropriate action.
Earlier, authorities cautioned the public for possible falling debris as China launched its Long March 7 rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan on July 15 to 17.
The public was told to refrain from retrieving or coming near rocket debris to minimize risk from remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
Another rocket launch was conducted by China on Aug. 4, this time involving its Long March 12 rocket.
The rocket launch rattled residents in Palawan, with some locals reporting that they heard five loud explosions and felt shaking from the ground. A visible condensation trail was also observed in the sky by the residents, consistent with rocket exhaust or propulsion.
President Marcos Jr. asked China to give advance notice of potential debris falling within Philippine territory from their future rocket launches.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel retrieve a floating rocket debris bearing markings of Chinese flag off Looc, Occidental Mindoro on Aug. 14, 2025. (Photo: PCG)
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel retrieve a floating rocket debris bearing markings of Chinese flag off Looc, Occidental Mindoro on Aug. 14, 2025. (Photo: PCG)
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel retrieve a floating rocket debris bearing markings of Chinese flag off Looc, Occidental Mindoro on Aug. 14, 2025. (Photo: PCG)
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel retrieve a floating rocket debris bearing markings of Chinese flag off Looc, Occidental Mindoro on Aug. 14, 2025. (Photo: PCG)

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