Palawan fisherman recovers suspected Chinese rocket debris

A fisherman in Barangay Funda, Cuyo, Palawan, hauls ashore a suspected Chinese rocket debris on Sunday, Sept. 21. The object, about the size of two plywood sheets and bearing Chinese markings, has since been turned over to the Philippine Coast Guard. (Photo courtesy of Barangay Captain Alena Mascalin)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines — A fisherman from Barangay Funda in Cuyo town, Palawan, recovered a suspected Chinese rocket debris from the sea on Sunday.

READ: `Rocket’ found in Occidental Mindoro shoreline – PCG

Funda village chief Alena Mascalin said the fisherman dragged the material to shore around 3 p.m., thinking “he could use it for other purposes as it looked rigid.” The debris, about the size of two plywood sheets and resembling aluminum, bore Chinese markings.

Mascalin said that when she returned from Puerto Princesa on Monday morning, she was surprised to see the object at the port. Upon learning it was suspected rocket debris, she immediately reported it to authorities.

“When I saw it yesterday, I thought it might pose danger to other fisherboats, so I took videos and photos of it and sent it to the Coast Guard for appropriate action,” she told the Inquirer.

Mascalin later advised residents during a public gathering “not to touch similar objects and report them to authorities instead,” and warned against swimming near the debris for possible chemical contamination.

She added that the suspected rocket debris was turned over to the Philippine Coast Guard in Cuyo early Tuesday morning./coa