NDRRMC: Awareness, not panic needed over NKorea rocket launch

Awareness, not panic, is needed amid the anticipated launch of a rocket by North Korea next week, disaster management officials said Wednesday. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Benito Ramos said they are taking all possible steps to prevent harm from the launch. "Yung importante, awareness ng kababayan natin, lalo sa northern Luzon," Ramos said in an interview on dzBB radio. He also said he is in constant touch with the Office of the Civil Defense regional centers in Northern Luzon, including Cordillera, Ilocos and Cagayan Valley. Despite protests from the Philippines and many other countries, North Korea is planning to conduct a long-range ballistic missile test between April 12 and 16. Ramos said the most crucial date appears to be April 15, the 100th birth anniversary of former Korean leader Kim Il-sung. He also said they continue to coordinate with state security and disaster management officials in possible areas that may be affected by the launch. Ramos indicated the potential affected areas may also include Bicol, if the rocket's trajectory is off. "Kung ang trajectory lumampas sa geographical coordinates, (maaaring tumbukin niyan), Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur at Catanduanes," he said. "Tao tayo, subject to error. Kung nagkamali, isang millimeter lang sa [calcualtion] ang North Korea, kung kumanan, hindi sa dagat, sa lupa ang bagsak. Huwag naman sana,"  he added. On Wednesday, the NDRRMC said a no-fly, no-sail and no-fishing zone policy may be implemented over Northern Luzon where the rocket may pass between April 12 and 16. "Wala tayong capability to shoot down (kaya) iwasan na lang natin, huwag tayo pumunta riyan para walang madisgrasya," he said. He also said airlines passing through the potentially affected area may have to coordinate with Philippine authorities about their flight plans. — LBG, GMA News