'Harmful debris from NoKor rocket unlikely'

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine government official on Tuesday calmed fears over North Korea's planned rocket launch between April 12 and 16.

"There's a remote chance harmful debris from the rocket will hit us," Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo said.

Montejo gave the assurance as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the rocket will "follow a southward trajectory, reportedly along or over Republic of Korea (ROK) towards Taiwan and the Philippines."

The NDRRMC had said that the eastern seaboard areas of Region 2, Polilio Island as well as Camarines Norte and Catanduanes provinces are under threat from the rocket's expected fallout.

The rocket's first stage "will separate and fall in a zone 140 kilometers west of ROK's Byeonsan Peninsula while the second stage is expected to fall in an area 190 kilometers east of Luzon," NDRRMC said.

Montejo said that he was confident that the rocket's debris will pose no radiation threats. He said North Korea "still has no capability to miniaturize nuclear warhead to fit its rocket."

"I also can't see why the North Koreans would load dangerous chemicals unto the rocket - they said this was designed to carry a satellite," he said.

The NDRRMC said in its April 4 report that North Korea has decided to launch earth observation satellite "Kwangmyongsong-3" between April 12 and 16 of this year.

The agency said that according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the satellite will be launched "into polar orbit from the DPRK's new Sohae Satellite Launching Station in North Pyongan Province, near the border with China."

The Philippine government said that it is not discounting the possibility of the rocket veering away from its planned trajectory.

Other areas in Luzon can be affected if such incident happens, NDRRMC noted.

"The possibility for error is there," said NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos, noting a one degree deviation from the planned trajectory is significant already.

The NDRRMC earlier reported several agencies already identified precautionary measures for implementation during the launch's expected period.

‘No-fly, no-sail' zones

Such measures include Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippine's (CAAP) and Philippine Air Force's designation of the rocket's target path as a no-fly zone, particularly

The CAAP, said the agency will temporarily close three northeastern air corridors, which will result in an additional 20 minutes of travel time for at least 20 flights.

The Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority has also proposed establishing a "no-sail" zone in territorial waters likely to be affected by the rocket's debris.

"Department of Interior and Local Government also proposed a 'no fishing zone' policy in the projected falling areas," the NDRRMC said.

Ramos continues to remind people to steer clear of such areas, to remain calm and to be vigilant in monitoring developments related to the planned launch.

"Stay indoors and don't panic," he said.

He clarified, however, that people in areas concerned need not be evacuated.

"NDRRMC won't order evacuation there," he said.

Ramos dismissed reported allegations that government is over-reacting to the rocket's launch, believing exercising caution is best since the country doesn't have the means to stop its entry.

"We have no capability to shoot it down," he said.

The DOST is expected to generate data on the rocket's movement, as Montejo said doppler radars of the agency's Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) can track where this is headed.

He noted such radars can track objects 250 kilometers from these.

"We can monitor if the rocket veers away from its expected trajectory," he said.

PAGASA uses the radars to track weather disturbances. – with PNA