Disaster reduction council takes up danger from North Korea rocket launch

MANILA, Philippines—The National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council is discussing with various agencies a plan on how to deal with debris that might fall on Philippine territory if North Korea pushes through with its controversial rocket test that a number of countries have denounced.

“The NDRRMC will be meeting with concerned agencies today to map out a plan in case the launch pushes through. But, as the President has stated, the other Asean countries also support the position of the Philippines as far as the launch is concerned,” Malacañang spokeswoman Abigail Valte said at a Palace news briefing.

“We are expecting also a declaration from the… other Asean leaders on this and hopefully we will continue to push that this doesn’t proceed, but the agencies are planning measures just in case in pushes through,” she added.

The main concern for Philippine authorities, Valte said, is the debris that would fall within Philippine territory as a result of the rocket test.

“What we expect just in case would be the debris. That is the concern. That is a concern that is already being addressed by the NDRRMC as well as the other agencies that need to pitch in for this effort,” Valte said.