The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) advised the public Tuesday, Feb. 11, to immediately inform authorities should they see rocket debris in their communities or seas.
This, as China was scheduled to launch its Long March 8A rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan. The launch, originally set for Jan. 25, was rescheduled to Feb. 11, with a launch window between 9:22 a.m. and 10:16 a.m.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS), said the Navy already informed its ground units in Palawan and Basilan to be on alert in case of debris sighting.
“We have already informed our field units what to do in the event of debris [sighting] that would probably cause any harm or endanger the security of our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, an advisory from the OCD stated: “If contact with debris is unavoidable, personal protective equipment (PPE) is advised. Residents and mariners are encouraged to report any suspected debris sightings to local authorities immediately.”
The OCD issued an advisory detailing three designated drop zones where parts of the rocket are expected to land.
These are 85 nautical miles from Rozul (Iroquois) Reef, which is located at the southern end of Recto (Reed) Bank in the northeastern portion of Kalayaan Island Group in Palawan; 40 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, Palawan; and 33 nautical miles from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan
Director Cesar Idio, OCD deputy administrator for operations officer-in-charge, urged the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (DENR-NAMRIA) to implement temporary restrictions and issue Notices to Mariners, Coastal Navigational Warnings, or NAVAREA XI warnings in the identified drop zones.
The public was cautioned against approaching or attempting to retrieve any rocket debris as it may contain toxic substances, according to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).