Philippines condemns China’s rocket launch after suspected debris sparked alarm

A top Philippine security official last night condemned China’s latest rocket launch, which caused suspected debris to fall near a western Philippine province. Authorities said the incident sparked alarm and posed a danger to people, ships, and aircraft.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the suspected Chinese rocket debris that fell near Palawan province Monday night, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. However, he added that these posed “a clear danger and risk to land areas and to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels” near the expected drop zones.

People were alarmed after hearing loud explosions Monday night in Palawan’s Puerto Princesa city and nearby towns, Año said, adding that “local residents also saw a fireball cross the sky that later exploded causing the ground to shake.”

Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Año’s statement.

China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported that the Long March-12 rocket that lifted off Monday night from Hainan successfully.

It was the 587th mission by the Long March carrier rockets, Xinhua said, citing the launch site.

It was not immediately clear if Chinese authorities notified nearby countries like the Philippines of possible debris from its latest rocket launch.