Residents in several parts of Puerto Princesa City and Palawan said they heard a loud blast late Monday morning, November 10, causing confusion and worry in many communities.
People from the barangays of San Jose and Sicsican, and the towns of Roxas in northern Palawan, and even Aborlan in the south, said the sound around 11 a.m. was strong and unexpected. Some thought it was thunder even if the sun was out.
“Lakas, akala mga namin kulog,” one resident wrote.
Another said, “Kala ko kulog sa gitna ng tirik ng araw.”
A resident from San Jose also shared, “Dito sa San Jose lakas sobra.”
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed that China launched a Long March 12 rocket from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang at around 10:42 a.m.
PhilSA said debris from the launch was expected to fall within designated drop zones in the West Philippine Sea, about 29 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and 20 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
“Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones approximately 29 NM away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan and 20 NM away from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park,” PhilSA said in its advisory.
The agency warned the public not to approach or pick up any suspected debris that may reach nearby waters or coasts.
PhilSA said these materials may contain toxic substances and should be reported immediately to authorities.
Authorities have not reported any debris sighted near Palawan as of posting time.
PhilSA said it had issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) before the launch and coordinated with government agencies.
The incident follows a similar case reported in August this year, when residents in Puerto Princesa City and several towns in Palawan heard explosions in the sky and saw a white, curly trail of smoke linked to another Long March 12 rocket launch.
People then described the noise as strong and sudden, and some said they saw part of a falling object that appeared to be on fire as it moved across the sky.
That August event was connected to a notice from PhilSA, which had identified waters east of Puerto Princesa, between the city and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, as a possible drop zone for debris.
