Palace assures: No danger from Chinese rocket debris but concerns remain
NEW DELHI, India — Following debris from the Chinese rocket falling in Philippine waters, the Malacañang assured the public that the pieces did not pose a danger, but maintained concern over the situation.
Speaking on the sidelines of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to India, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has reported no immediate dangers.
“Nakausap din po natin si Deputy Director General Gay Jane Perez po ng Philippine Space Agency at sa kanya pong pagsusuri at sa kanyang paningin ay medyo malapit nga po ang naging drop zone. So pero po yung mga teknikal po nito ay aarali pa po kung ano po ang naging effect nito sa Pilipinas. Pero as of the moment, wala naman daw pong dapat ikabahala,” Castro said.
(We have spoken to Deputy Director General Gay Jane Perez of the Philippine Space Agency and from their analysis and what they found, their drop zone was very close to the Philippines, but there is no reason to worry.)
Castro said the government is still seeing if there were any rules violated, but so far, it seems that no laws were broken.
However, Castro reiterated the Department of Foreign Affairs’ stance on the matter, saying that the government remains concerned over the debris.
“The Philippines takes this opportunity to urge all spacefaring states to conduct their space activities in a manner consistent with norms of responsible behavior and with due regard to the rights of interest of other states,” Castro said.
Debris from a Chinese rocket fell into Philippine waters on August 4. While this is not a new occurrence, the drop zones were close to the coast of Palawan.
“Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” the PhilSA said.
“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts. Additionally, the possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time,” the agency added.
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