ALERT. Ilocos Norte fishermen prepare to catch fish in this undated photo. Authorities on Wednesday (June 26, 2024) advised fisherfolk to take precautions in line with an advisory on the possibility of Chinese rocket debris falling within the Philippine waters between June 28 and 30, 2024. (PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday advised the public to be on the lookout for possible debris from a rocket to be launched into space by China between June 28 and 30.
Lt. Joseph Christian Sagun, director of Coast Guard - Ilocos Norte station, during the second-quarter joint Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) session hall, said they received this information through an e-mail from their higher authorities.
“The launching of the rocket is expected approximately 75 nautical miles or almost 160 km. from the Burgos shoreline in Ilocos Norte,” he said, calling on all coastal villages from the towns of Burgos to Pagudpud, as well as nearby Cagayan province, to take the necessary precautions.
All mayors and chief of police of the different towns and cities of the province were already alerted on this, he said.
The PCG also advised coastal residents to report any sightings of rocket debris to the Coast Guard stations and sub-stations in Ilocos Norte and the local government of Burgos through the following contact numbers:
Coast Guard Station Ilocos Norte: 0910-609-7420
Coast Guard Sub-Station Bacarra: 0927-635-8376
Coast Guard Sub-Station Pasuquin: 0948-779-3956
Coast Guard Sub-Station Pagudpud: 0968-444-1963
Authorities noted that while the debris is unlikely to fall on land features or inhabited areas in Philippine territory, it still poses a considerable threat to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels passing through the drop zones.
In case suspected floating debris is sighted at sea, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) warned the public against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials as they may cause health hazards. (PNA)
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