Operatives of the Philippine Coast Guard recovered floating rocket debris bearing markings of the People’s Republic of China along the shores of Sitio Gunting, Barangay Bonbon, Looc, in Occidental Mindoro on Thursday, August 14.
The Coast Guard Sub-station (CGSS) Lubang said it received a call from the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP MARIG) at around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday regarding the debris, which was retrieved by a local fisherman. The debris is believed to be from a Long March 7A rocket launched by China last July.
A joint PCG-PDRRMO team later confirmed the debris’ presence after interviewing the 50-year-old fisherman from Barangay Binacas, who discovered the object while fishing one nautical mile off Barangay Bonbon.
CGSS Lubang then coordinated with officials from Barangay Binacas and the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (OcciMin PDRRMO) sub-office in Lubang for the retrieval operation of the debris.
The debris, which bears a China flag, measures about 10 feet wide and 14 feet long and is made of an alloy material.
The debris was secured at Sitio Balaguin, Barangay Maliig, Lubang, for safekeeping and proper disposition.
The PCG continues to remind fishermen, coastal community residents, and other maritime stakeholders to immediately report sightings of unusual floating objects to the nearest Coast Guard unit for appropriate action.
Meanwhile, authorities are also still on the lookout for possible debris from the Long March 12 rocket that China launched last August 4. The rocket is suspected to have exploded mid-air, with debris estimated to fall 22 nautical miles east of Puerto Princesa City and 18 nautical miles west of Tubbataha Reefs in Cagayancillo.
