Edward Mico Joseph Agustin

The Philippines is concerned over the recent China rocket launch where debris fell into Philippines, according to the Palace citing a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

The Philippines is concerned over the recent China rocket launch where debris fell into Philippines, according to the Palace citing a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard

Article (news)

China rocket launch no reason to worry, no apparent violation ‘for now’ — Castro 

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

The Philippines is concerned over the recent China rocket launch where debris fell into Philippines, according to the Palace, citing a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs.Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro read a statement from Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro who said that the country “notes with concern” the Long March 12 rocket from China on Monday which caused debris falling near Palawan.“The Philippines takes this opportunity to urge all spacefaring states to conduct their space activities in a manner consistent with norms of responsible behavior and with due regard to the rights of interest of other states,” Castro said citing DFA statement in a press briefing in New Delhi, India during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit Tuesday, August 5.She added that in accordance with the commitment made between President Marcos and President Xi in 2023, the Philippines “continues to work with China on the appropriate communication mechanisms on rapid launches and resulting procedures on the management of post-launch impacts.”“The department defers comments on technical and safety matters to the Philippine Space Agency and other concerned agencies,” Castro noted citing the statement.The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Monday night confirmed the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/5/pcg-ph-space-agency-urge-vigilance-after-fresh-china-rocket-launch-0958">launch of Long March 12 rocket</a> from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan at around 6:21 p.m.The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday also <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/5/pcg-ph-space-agency-urge-vigilance-after-fresh-china-rocket-launch-0958">confirmed the launch</a> noting &quot;series of five loud explosions described as booming sounds&quot; from their monitoring in the eastern part of Palawan.&quot;Upon immediate verification, a visible condensation trail was observed in the sky, consistent with rocket exhaust or propulsion,&quot; the PCG said in a statement.<div>NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN ‘FOR NOW’</div>Castro said that she has spoken with Philippine Space Agency over the matter and said that there is no cause for concern for now.“Pero nakausap din po natin si Deputy Director General Gay Jane Perez po ng Philippine Space Agency at sa kanya pong pagsusuri at sa kanyang paningin ay medyo malapit nga po ang naging drop zone,” she noted.For now, the Palace official pointed out the agency will have to study the technicalities and its potential effects to the Philippines.“So pero po yung mga teknikal po nito ay aaralin pa po kung ano po ang naging effect nito sa Pilipinas. Pero as of the moment, wala naman daw pong dapat ikabahala,” she said. <div>NO APPARENT VIOLATION</div>When asked whether there will be action on the incident, Castro said they will have to study any potential violation first.But for now, no apparent violation was seen, according to the Palace official.“Titignan po muna kung may nalabag pero as of the moment parang wala naman po nakikita na paglabag ng anuman,” she stated.

The Philippines is concerned over the recent China rocket launch where debris fell into Philippines, according to the Palace citing a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Philippines is concerned over the recent China rocket launch where debris fell into Philippines, according to the Palace citing a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs.