Rocket debris found by local fishermen in Bataan sea

LOCAL fishermen found what is believed to be rocket debris floating in the open sea in Morong, Bataan this week, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Friday, June 9.

The PCG said Alvin Menez, a local fisherman, spotted a floating object on June 5, approximately 10 miles off Napot Point, Barangay Nagbalayong.

“The fishermen towed the metal object using their motorized fishing banca all the way until they reached the shoreline at Sitio Samuyao, Barangay Mabayo, Morong, Bataan at about 5 p.m.,” the Coast Guard said.

The debris has Chinese characters imprinted on it.

The PCG Station-Bataan is in possession of the recovered debris for investigation and proper disposition.

Last month, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) warned pilots and seafarers about possible debris from a rocket launch by China.

CAAP said China’s Long March 7 rocket was launched from Wenchang while PhilSA said the debris may float or wash ashore to nearby coasts of Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales.

Late last year, several metal debris were similarly found off Pag-asa Island in Palawan and Occidental Mindoro provinces which officials said were likely to be parts of a Chinese rocket.