Another day, another Chinese rocket? PCG warns Cagayan fisherfolk, coastal residents of debris risk from Hainan launch

Fisherfolk and coastal residents in Cagayan were advised to keep away from two designated sea areas on Monday night, Aug. 10, as a Chinese rocket is set for launch from Hainan. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it had directed concerned units to implement precautionary measures for the rescheduled launch of China's Long March 7A rocket between 7:54 p.m. and 9:16 p.m. The Coast Guard District North Eastern Luzon (CGDNELZN) said the rocket would be launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China. “Two drop zones have been identified near Cagayan: Drop Zone 1, approximately 62 nautical miles from Dalupiri Island, Calayan, and Drop Zone 2, approximately 71 nautical miles from Santa Ana,” the PCG said. The coast guard issued navigational warnings and imposed temporary restrictions in the affected waters ahead of the launch to keep vessels and other sea users away from areas identified as potential drop zones during the launch window. The PCG also warned residents against handling any suspected rocket debris that may be found in the waters or along coastal areas. “The public is reminded not to retrieve suspected rocket debris. Any sighting should be immediately reported to the nearest PCG station for appropriate measures,” the PCG said. Monday’s launch will mark the fourth time in less than three weeks that China sent a rocket into space, with its debris falling into the Philippine waters. Last week, the PCG advised fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to stay away from part of the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Cagayan following the launch of the Jielong-3 rocket on Aug. 5. A day after, the PCG recovered a suspected rocket debris off Calayan, Cagayan. A similar advisory was issued by the PCG after China launched the Long March 6A rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province on July 30. The PCG also warned fishermen and mariners to stay away from waters off Northern Luzon on July 22 after China pushed through with the launch of the Yinli-1 (Y4) rocket.
2026-08-09 06:33:00