Fishing boats warned vs possible Chinese rocket debris near Zambales

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — Philippine authorities have again warned fishing boats and other vessels to avoid waters near Bajo de Masinloc ahead of a scheduled Chinese rocket launch on Monday morning, May 11.

The advisory came just days after some Filipino fishermen in western Luzon were displaced by maritime restrictions imposed during the recent Balikatan Exercises.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) issued a navigational warning urging all ships and watercraft traversing the affected areas to exercise extreme caution.

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said China is set to launch a Long March 7 rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan between 8:05 a.m. and 8:29 a.m. Philippine time on May 11.

According to PhilSA, parts of the rocket are expected to fall within a designated drop zone located about 34 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), 97 nautical miles from Cabra Island in Occidental Mindoro, and 130 nautical miles from Busuanga, Palawan — all within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

While authorities said the likelihood of injuries or property damage remains low, PhilSA advised mariners and fishing communities to stay vigilant during the launch period.

“The risk of untoward incidents and damage from falling rocket debris within Philippine territory is relatively low. However, out of an abundance of caution, PhilSA recommends actions related to marine access during the launch window,” the agency said.

PhilSA also warned that rocket debris may contain toxic substances, including remnants of rocket fuel, and cautioned the public against retrieving or approaching suspicious floating objects that may drift at sea or wash ashore.

Instead, residents and fishermen were urged to immediately report any sighted debris to local authorities for proper handling and disposal.

Bajo de Masinloc, located about 240 kilometers west of the Zambales coastline, has long served as a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fishermen.

This is not the first time Philippine authorities have issued warnings linked to Chinese rocket launches.

In previous years, debris believed to have come from Chinese rockets launched toward the Tiangong space station was reportedly recovered in waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro. INQ