PCG recovers Chinese rocket debris off Occidental Mindoro

On Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard reported recovering rocket debris with Chinese markings off the coast of Looc, Occidental Mindoro.

A 50-year-old fisherman from Barangay Binacas discovered the object while fishing one nautical mile off Barangay Bonbon on Thursday and alerted local authorities.

The debris measures approximately 10 feet wide and 14 feet long and is made of alloy material with a Chinese flag, allegedly linked to China's Long March 7A rocket launch between July 15 to 17.

For retrieval, the Coast Guard Sub-Station Lubang coordinated with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and barangay government authorities.

The debris was secured at Sitio Balaguin, Barangay Maliig around 2:40 p.m. for safekeeping and proper disposition.

The PCG continues to urge fishermen, coastal community residents, and maritime stakeholders to report any sightings of unusual floating objects immediately for proper handling.

The Philippine Space Agency warned that suspected rocket debris may contain toxic substances and advised against retrieving or coming into close contact with it.