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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Explosions, rumblings spook Palawan folk during China's rocket launch – military

Explosions, rumblings spook Palawan folk during China's rocket launch – military

Published Dec 14, 2025 03:50 pm
A white smoke trail moving across Palawan's airspace is observed by residents in Puerto Princesa City after a Long March 12 medium-lift launch vehicle was fired from China’s Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan on Dec. 12, 2025. Loud explosions and rumblings are also heard by Palawan folk, according to the Western Command. (WESCOM)
A white smoke trail moving across Palawan's airspace is observed by residents in Puerto Princesa City after a Long March 12 medium-lift launch vehicle was fired from China’s Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan on Dec. 12, 2025. Loud explosions and rumblings are also heard by Palawan folk, according to the Western Command. (WESCOM)
Residents in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan were alarmed after hearing loud explosions and rumblings which were linked to a rocket launch by China, the military said on Saturday, Dec. 13.
According to Western Command (WESCOM), the acoustic events occurred around 7:13 a.m. to 7:14 a.m. last Friday, Dec. 12, shortly after a Long March 12 medium-lift launch vehicle was fired from China’s Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan.
“At around 7:13 a.m., residents across Puerto Princesa City reported hearing a loud explosion-like sound followed by several low-frequency rumbling events at 7:14 a.m. A white smoke trail was also observed moving across the city’s airspace,” the WESCOM said.
Initial assessments made by WESCOM indicated that the sounds were consistent with sonic booms or atmospheric shockwaves caused by upper-stage rocket separation or the re-entry of spent rocket components.
No injuries or damage have been reported so far.
Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr., commander of WESCOM, said that public safety remains the military’s top priority.
“All units under WESCOM are on heightened monitoring and are fully prepared to respond to any contingency,” he noted.
He urged residents not to touch or approach any suspected debris and to report sightings immediately to local government units, barangay offices, law enforcement, or directly to WESCOM hotlines.
The possible debris drop zones were located about 23 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City and around 21 nautical miles from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

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AFP Western Command rocket launch China explosion rumbling Palawan Puerto Princesa City
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