Suspected China rocket debris recovered in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Philippine Navy have recovered in the West Philippine Sea in Palawan what appears to be part of a rocket launched recently from Hainan, China.

Personnel of the Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC) on board the BRP Lolinato To-ong retrieved the metal object in the waters off Bataraza town on Saturday.

The debris was recovered two days after a Long March 8A rocket took off from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, China on Thursday morning.

The object, which bore a mark of the flag of China, was transported to Puerto Princesa City for proper documentation, assessment and disposition.

Earlier, the Philippine Space Agency said that debris from the rocket could fall into the waters off El Nido, Puerto Princesa City and Tubbataha Reef Natural Park in Palawan as well as in Hadji Muhtamad in Basilan.

The WNC said the recovery of the debris signified the importance of continued maritime surveillance in protecting the country’s territorial waters and ensuring the safety of communities.

The Navy unit gave assurance that the naval command remained committed to its mission of safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and upholding Philippine sovereignty in the WPS.