Camille Naredo

A visible smoke trail of a suspected Long March 12 rocket over Palawan airspace on January 19, 2026. Handout/Western Naval Command 

A visible smoke trail of a suspected Long March 12 rocket over Palawan airspace on January 19, 2026.

Article (news)

Western Naval Command

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768892724035G_FiWKmWkAA92cx.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A visible smoke trail of a suspected Long March 12 rocket over Palawan airspace on January 19, 2026. Handout/Western Naval Command " width="960"/>A visible smoke trail of a suspected Long March 12 rocket over Palawan airspace on January 19, 2026. Handout/Western Naval Command </div>MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines&#x27; (AFP) Western Naval Command (WNC) confirmed that a suspected People&#x27;s Republic of China (PRC) Long March 12 rocket traversed Palawan airspace on the afternoon of January 19, Monday, prompting heightened monitoring by military and civilian authorities.According to WNC, the rocket was observed at around 3:59 p.m. and was captured on video by WNC personnel during routine real-time monitoring operations.The footage showed a visible trail consistent with a rocket transit, supporting earlier pre-launch advisories that indicated possible debris drop zones approximately 20 to 160 nautical miles off the eastern coast of Palawan, including areas near Puerto Princesa City and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.The monitoring activity was conducted in close coordination with the Western Command (WESCOM), Tactical Operations Wing–West (TOWWEST), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG),Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Puerto Princesa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and Philippine National Police Maritime Group.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/20/philsa-warns-about-debris-from-chinese-rocket-launch-2152">READ: PhilSA warns about debris from Chinese rocket launch</a></div>As of 5:00 p.m. on the same day, no injuries, property damage, or debris impact on land had been reported.&quot;All concerned agencies remain on heightened alert and continue to closely monitor the situation,&quot; the WNC said in a statement.The WNC also advised the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any unusual sightings or suspected debris to local authorities.&quot;The WNC remains committed to safeguarding the country&#x27;s maritime and aerial domains, ensuring public safety, and upholding national sovereignty through continuous monitoring, inter-agency coordination, and timely information dissemination,&quot; it said.

The AFP's Western Naval Command confirmed that a suspected People's Republic of China Long March 12 rocket traversed Palawan airspace on the afternoon of January 19, Monday, prompting heightened monitoring by military and civilian authorities.

The AFP's Western Naval Command confirmed that a suspected People's Republic of China Long March 12 rocket traversed Palawan airspace on the afternoon of January 19, Monday, prompting heightened monitoring by military and civilian authorities.

Western Naval Command tracks suspected Chinese rocket over Palawan airspace

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Western Naval Command tracks suspected Chinese rocket over Palawan airspace

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 20, 2026 03:07 PM PHT

Read More:

Long March 12 rocket

People's Republic of China

Western Naval Command

Palawan

rocket debris

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