China’s Long March 12 rocket seen over Palawan’s airspace – military

The Philippine Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC) has confirmed that it sighted what could be China’s Long March 12 rocket over Palawan’s airspace in the afternoon of Monday, January 19. 

The suspected rocket was caught on camera traversing the sky at approximately 3:59 p.m. yesterday. 

“The video shows a visible trail consistent with rocket transit, which aligns with pre-launch advisories indicating potential debris drop zones approximately 20 to 160 nautical miles off the eastern coast of Palawan, including areas near Puerto Princesa City and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park,” the WNC said in a statement.

On Monday, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) earlier confirmed that China launched its Long March 12 rocket from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 3:48 p.m. (Philippine time) on Monday. 

It also warned of possible debris from the rocket launch, with potential drop sites of rocket debris near Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. 

Based in Puerto Princesa City, the WNC said there were no reports of injuries, property damage, or debris impact on any landmass as of 5 p.m. Monday.

The WNC monitored the rocket launching in coordination with the Western Command, Tactical Operations Wing-West, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Puerto Princesa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MG). — JMA, GMA Integrated News