Navy raises alert in Palawan following China’s rocket launch

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN, Philippines — The Philippine Navy’s Naval Command West (NavComWest) here heightened its alert status on Monday following the launch of a Long March 12 rocket by the People’s Republic of China on the same day to ensure operational readiness and facilitate the immediate reporting and assessment of potential incidents.

NavComWest said it had been coordinating with concerned government agencies, coastal communities, and fisherfolk ahead of the launch to ensure the timely reporting of suspected rocket debris, falling objects, and other related maritime and aerial incidents.

The Navy said the launch, conducted from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, at 4:24 a.m., produced an unusual phenomenon over this city and several Philippine-held island stations in the West Philippine Sea, raising concerns over the potential security implications of similar activities.

READ: PhilSA warns public of Chinese rocket debris

The Long March 12 rocket is known to produce light and smoke trails as it enters the final stage of its launch, followed by loud sounds attributed to sonic booms. These effects were observed in this city about nine minutes after the launch, when bright lights illuminated the sky before loud explosions were heard.

Navy personnel deployed at various stations in the West Philippine Sea also reported similar observations, particularly in Lawak, Patag, and Likas Islands, as well as Rizal (Commodore) Reef.

Personnel assigned to the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park reported seeing a bright luminous object approximately 35 kilometers (19 nautical miles) from their station. The area had earlier been identified by the Philippine Space Agency as a possible drop zone for debris from the rocket.

Based on its initial assessment, NavComWest said the phenomenon, known as a “space jellyfish,” was likely caused by the expansion of rocket exhaust gases at high altitudes. INQ

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