Cagayan braces for NoKor rocket launch

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The disaster council of Cagayan province is ready for any eventuality relating to the planned launch by North Korea of its observation satellite next week. 

Bonifacio Cuarteros, disaster council head, said they are just “waiting for any announcement or instructions from the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council).” 

“This is a national issue. We cannot just act on our own. I know our national government is coordinating matters concerning North Korea with the United Nations but we are just being prepared,” he said. 

Officials in other Cagayan Valley towns within the possible trajectory of the North Korean rocket to be launched anytime from April 12 to 16, were also ordered to be on alert for any falling debris. 

Reports said that the missile launch would be on April 15, the 100th birthday of the late Kim Jong-Il, former president of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

International observers claimed the launch is a disguised missile test of North Korea. 

Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. has also been coordinating with local and national officials for possible contingency plans.

Meanwhile, all tourists headed for the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority in northeastern Santa Ana town along the South China Sea-Pacific Ocean coast, were advised to be on alert for warnings, during the rocket launch. 

Administrator Benito Ramos of the Office of Civil Defense earlier advised fishermen against sailing during the said period.

Reports stated that debris from the rocket launch might fall within some 190 nautical miles northeast of Santa Ana town to around 150 nautical miles east of Polillo Island in Quezon province.

Ramos, however, assured concerned residents that they have nothing to fear. 

Ramos said debris of the rocket are not expected to land in any part of Cagayan “especially if Japan would push through with its threat to shoot down the rocket.” 

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said contingency plans of the military, particularly the Air Force and the Navy, as well as the Coast Guard and the NDRRMC, are in place as per the directive of President Aquino. 

The national government also asked residents in areas covered by the possible trajectory of the North Korean rocket to turn over any rocket debris they could find. Officials said the debris could be used as evidence in claiming damages from North Korea.