Alleged rocket debris found off Cagayan under assessment — PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it has secured an object believed to be possible rocket debris recovered along the shoreline of Barangay Babuyan Claro, Calayan, Cagayan on Thursday.

In a statement, the PCG said that around 12:30 p.m., the agency received a report that a concerned resident had discovered an unidentified object along the shoreline of Sitio Naydi.

The object was initially recovered by Philippine Navy Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) personnel after the resident temporarily kept it for safekeeping, according to the PCG.

PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said Coast Guard personnel inspected the object but found no markings that would confirm it was rocket debris.

"They secured the object in a safe location while awaiting further technical assessment by the appropriate authorities," Cayabyab said.

The PCG urged fisherfolk and coastal residents not to handle unidentified floating objects and to immediately report similar discoveries to the nearest local authorities.

"We also advise fisherfolk and coastal residents to avoid handling unidentified floating objects and to immediately report similar sightings to the nearest local authorities," Cayabyab added.

The PCG said it is coordinating with concerned government agencies to determine the origin and nature of the recovered object as part of its efforts to ensure maritime safety. —VAL, GMA News