Suspected Chinese rocket debris wash ashore in Ilocos Norte

DAGUPAN CITY—Suspected rocket debris believed to be of Chinese origin was recovered along the shores of Barangay Pagali in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, following reports from residents.

In a belated report on Tuesday, the 28th Marine Company of the 4th Marine Brigade (4MBde) of the Philippine Marine Corps said initial assessments indicated the debris recovered on Nov. 9 may have come from a rocket launched by China’s People’s Liberation Army on Nov. 2.

READ: Explosions heard across Puerto Princesa skies as China launches rocket

But authorities said forensic analysis is required to confirm its origin and composition.

The recovery of the debris was coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Pagali Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the 4MBde said.

Found by priest

Earlier, on Nov. 1, the Calayan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported the discovery of alleged rocket debris with Chinese markings along the seashores of Barangay Minabel, Camiguin Island, Calayan, Cagayan.

The fragments were first spotted by a parish priest hiking with an altar server and were later confirmed by local police and the PCG Calayan.

The remote subvillage where the debris was found is accessible only by hiking.

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) had previously confirmed the launch of China’s Long March 7A rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan on Nov. 2. PhilSA projected that debris could fall within designated drop zones approximately 81 kilometers to 139 kilometers (44 nautical miles to 75 nautical miles) from northern Luzon, including Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and islands in Cagayan province.

Earlier, on Oct. 20, operatives of the Western Naval Command aboard BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) also recovered suspected Chinese rocket debris off the waters of the town of Bataraza in Palawan during maritime patrol operations in the West Philippine Sea.

The debris, spotted roughly 22 km (12 nautical miles) southeast of Barangay Rio Tuba, was retrieved, documented, and transported to Puerto Princesa City for assessment and proper disposition in coordination with relevant authorities.