The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) issued a public safety advisory on Monday after the successful launch of a Chinese Long March 12 rocket sent debris falling toward Philippine archipelagic waters.
The rocket lifted off from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Site in Wenchang at approximately 3:48 PM PhST on January 19, 2026. Following the launch, PhilSA confirmed that discarded components, including the booster and fairing, were projected to land in two primary drop zones:
* 22 nautical miles (NM) from Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
* 14 nautical miles (NM) from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
While the debris was not expected to strike land or inhabited areas, officials warned that the falling metal poses a significant risk to shipping vessels, fishing boats, and aircraft operating within the Sulu Sea.
PhilSA also cautioned that the materials might be contaminated with toxic remnants of rocket fuel. Residents and mariners have been strongly advised not to retrieve or come into close contact with any floating objects found in the area. Instead, sightings of suspected debris should be reported immediately to local authorities.
The agency noted that while most debris falls in designated zones, the possibility of an “uncontrolled re-entry” of the rocket’s upper stages from orbit cannot be entirely ruled out.
