Marcos urges China to warn PH before rocket debris falls

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on China to provide early notice before any rocket stages or debris fall into Philippine waters during a press briefing in Bengaluru on Friday.

Marcos emphasized that such advance warning would help avoid risks and allow the Philippines to recover the debris safely, as it had previously deployed several assets to retrieve suspected Chinese rocket debris at sea.

The President noted this was not the first instance of suspected Chinese rocket debris landing in Philippine waters but stressed there were no violations by China or casualties.

Recalling a conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his trip to Beijing early on, Marcos said Manila has no interest in retaining the debris and is willing to collect it from the sea and return it to China, urging them to warn the Philippines earlier about potential drop zones.

Government agencies have warned civilians to avoid touching or collecting rocket debris at sea as these may contain toxic substances, posing danger and risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that pass through the drop zone.

Marcos also recalled telling Xi Jinping during his recent visit to Beijing that the Philippines has no interest in retaining Chinese rockets and is willing to return any retrieved debris to China.