Residents of Puerto Princesa and other parts of Palawan were alarmed Monday evening after hearing a loud boom from the sky, followed by sightings of a fiery object overhead.
The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on Aug. 4, with videos quickly surfacing on social media showing a glowing, burning object streaking across the night sky.
According to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), the phenomenon was linked to China’s launch of its Long March 12 rocket from Hainan. The burning objects were likely rocket debris, PhilSA said.
While the debris was not expected to fall on land, PhilSA warned it could pose risks to ships, boats, and aircraft passing through the designated “drop zone” at the time.
PhilSA said it had issued a pre-launch report to relevant Philippine government agencies before the rocket launch.
The agency advised coastal communities to remain alert, as some debris could drift ashore. PhilSA cautioned that such materials might contain toxic substances, including rocket fuel residues, which could be hazardous to health and the environment.
Officials urged the public not to touch or collect any suspected debris and to immediately report any sightings to local authorities.
This is not the first time rocket debris from China has been observed in Philippine territory, and PhilSA continues to monitor launches that could affect the country’s airspace and maritime zones.
