Marcos calls for earlier warnings on China rocket launches

File photo shows a Long March 5 rocket, carrying the Chang’e-6 mission lunar probe, lifts off as it rains at the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China’s Hainan Province on May 3, 2024. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday asked China to warn the Philippines “a little earlier” regarding its rocket launches so that the country could prepare for its debris.

This was in relation to the recent launch of China’s Long March 12 rocket, which alarmed residents in Palawan.

READ: DFA to spacefaring states: Conduct activities responsibly

“Well, it’s not the first time that this has happened. And, actually, if you look at the incidents, they did not commit any violations. There have been no casualties,” Marcos said, referring to the rocket believed to have produced “five loud explosions” heard in the eastern part of Palawan.

“We just wish that perhaps they could warn us a little earlier so that we know that the path of the rocket, where the path is and kung magbibitaw sila ng stages kung saan babagsak,” he added.

Citing a previous conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Marcos said he told Xi that the Philippines has “no interest” in the rocket debris, but they should inform them where it will land so that they can be collected and returned to China.

“And that continues to be my offer to China is that you don’t need to seize it from us.  What will we do with it? Tell us the path of the rocket and we will collect debris and send them back to you. No problem,” said Marcos. 

READ: Falling debris feared as China launches rocket near Palawan

On Tuesday, Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela confirmed that loud explosions believed to be related to the Chinese rocket launch were heard in the eastern part of Palawan the previous day.

This coincided with a previously issued public advisory on a scheduled rocket launch from China, which took place at 6:14 p.m. and 6:42 p.m. from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China.

The Philippine Space Agency said the debris from the launch was projected to fall within the designated drop zones—approximately 21 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 18 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park. /gsg