Spotted rocket debris in Philippine waters? Don’t try to pick it up.

This is the reminder of the Philippine Space Agency following its report that debris from a Long March 4B rocket from the People’s Republic of China fell some 300 nautical miles away from Panay Island in Catanduanes Tuesday morning.

Dr. Marc Caesar Talampas, Director of PhilSA Space technology missions and systems bureau, said debris from the nosecone of the Long March 4B rocket fell after the rocket’s launch between 916 a.m. - 943 a.m. Tuesday.

“Kadalasan naman ang rocket designed na pag bumagsak ang derbis ay sa tubig,” he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

He said different branches of government were given information on the rocket prior to launch.

“If it is nearer to the land area, we tell the Philippine Coast Guard to give notice to mariners,” he said.

He also advised fishermen or other Filipinos at sea to avoid suspected rocket debris if spotted and not to touch it.

“We advise kung hindi naman nag pose ng hazard ‘yung debris, hayaan na lang sa coast guard o sa kinauukulan…Hanggat maaari, wag hahawakan,” he said.

PhilSA earlier said the debris may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.