By Tracy Cabrera
BAGUMBAYAN, Quezon City — Following the launch of the Long March 12 rocket from the People’s Republic of China, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) announced that expected debris have fallen at the identified drop zone (DZ) within Philippine archipelagic waters, approximately 25 nautical miles (NM) away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan and 19 NM away from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
Accordingly, PhilSA has cautioned locals in both areas to avoid retrieving or coming in close contact with the debris materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel. It likewise reiterated its advice for the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted.
In an official statement, PhilSA acting director General Dr. Gay Jane Perez disclosed that China’s Long March 12 rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan on the afternoon of Sunday, August 16, 2026.
With a pre-launch already disseminated to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the launch, details of the rocket drop zone were detailed through a notice to airmen (NOTAM) warning of an ‘aerospace flight activity’.
“Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” Dr. Perez warned.
“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts. Additionally, the possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time,” she added.
In ending, the country’s top space expert highlighted that the Philippines is inviting international partners to explore how (the) region can develop coordinated protocols and capabilities that (would) protect space assets and people on the ground.
“As global launch rates continue to accelerate, debris shed during staging events and the uncontrolled re-entry of large rocket upper stages pose growing hazards—not only to other spacecraft, but to civil aviation and to populations on the ground,” Dr. Perez concluded.
ia/xf
