The Pinoy Workers Partylist condemned Thursday the latest Chinese rocket launch whose debris reportedly fell close to Puerto Princesa City and within Philippine archipelagic waters on December 12, endangering residents and protected marine areas in Palawan.
In its statement, the group said debris from the Long March 12 rocket launched at around 7 a.m. from Hainan was projected to have fallen 23 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City and 21 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef.
The partylist said the incident was the second in just over a month in which rocket debris from China threatened communities and ecological zones in Palawan.
The group also cited concerns raised by 3rd District Rep. Gil Acosta Jr. and the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea, who asked the national government and the international community to take action to avoid similar incidents.
“The People’s Republic of China, an act that once again placed the lives of our kababayans in the Province of Palawan in grave and unnecessary danger,” the partylist said in a statement.
“In just over a month, China has indiscriminately launched two rockets whose debris have directly threatened our people, our environment, our livelihood and our security as a sovereign and peaceful nation,” it added.
Earlier, Pinoy Workers Rep. Franz Fernandez Legazpi wrote the Department of Foreign Affairs urging the agency to file a diplomatic protest against China to prevent risks to residents, the environment and national security.
The partylist reiterated its call for nations to respect international norms, protect human life and avoid activities that undermine regional stability
