The smoke trail of a suspected Long March 12 Rocket is seen on Monday, Jan 19, 2026. - Photo courtesy of Western Naval Command
MANILA: The Western Naval Command, together with the Philippine Coast Guard, Air Force units, police maritime forces and local disaster offices, tracked a suspected Chinese Long March 12 rocket as it crossed Palawan airspace at about 3.59pm Monday (Jan 19), but authorities said no debris, injuries or property damage had been reported as of early evening.
The object was seen and recorded on video by Western Naval Command personnel during routine monitoring operations, officials said.
The sighting matched earlier advisories that warned of possible rocket debris falling into parts of the West Philippine Sea east of Palawan.
Those advisories identified potential drop zones about 37 to 296 kilometers off Palawan’s eastern coast, including waters near Puerto Princesa City and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, prompting authorities to place several agencies on alert.
In a statement, the Western Naval Command said its team, the Western Command, the Air Force’s Tactical Operations Wing-West, the Philippine Coast Guard, disaster offices of Palawan province and Puerto Princesa City, and the PNP Maritime Group coordinated real-time monitoring of the transit.
As of 5pm Monday, authorities said there were no reports of rocket debris reaching land, and no injuries or property damage had been recorded.
Officials urged residents, fishers and tour operators to report any unusual objects or debris to authorities, especially in coastal and offshore areas.
China routinely launches Long March rockets as part of its space program, and some of their flight paths or falling stages have previously passed near or over parts of Southeast Asia, prompting regional advisories because of safety risks from debris.
The military said it will continue monitoring similar events, citing the need to protect public safety and keep watch over activities that pass through Philippine air and maritime space. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
