‘Rocket debris’ with Chinese markings recovered in Ilocos Norte amid Uwan — PCG

An alleged rocket debris with Chinese markings was retrieved off the coast of Barangay Saoit, Burgos, Ilocos Norte amid the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan on Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

“At the time of the discovery, personnel from the Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Burgos were conducting mobile and foot patrol operations as part of their 'Paalala sa Mangingisda sa Panahon ng Bagyo' information drive in light of Super Typhoon Uwan,” the PCG said.

“During said patrol, the team sighted suspicious debris believed to be rocket parts that had drifted ashore,” it added.

The PCG said the CGSS Burgos at 9:30 a.m. reached out to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) for the safe recovery and handling of the object.

Following the discovery of the suspected rocket debris, the Coast Guard said authorities issued safety advisories to local fishermen and nearby residents.

They urged the locals to keep a safe distance from the alleged rocket debris while authorities conduct assessment and validation.

On November 3, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) warned the public in northern Luzon about possible debris from a rocket that China launched.

Debris from the Long March 7A rocket is expected to drop about 67 nautical miles (NM) away from Dalapuri Island, Cagayan, 44 NM away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, 75 NM away from Camiguin Norte, Cagayan, and 63 NM away from Santa Ana, Cagayan.

The Long March 7A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 11:47 a.m. (Philippine time) on November 3, according to PhilSA. —Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News