PCG retrieves suspected rocket debris found off Calayan, Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) retrieved suspected rocket debris that was discovered along the shoreline of Brgy. Babuyan Claro, Calayan, Cagayan by a resident.

The debris was recovered in Sitio Naydi at Brgy. Babuyan Claro by the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit— a citizen auxiliary unit of the Philippine Navy, after a resident kept it for safekeeping. It was then turned over to the Coast Guard personnel on Thursday, according to the PCG.

“They secured the object in a safe location while awaiting further technical assessment by the appropriate authorities,” PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said in a statement on Friday.

Article continues after this advertisement

Cayabyab added that no markings were identified on the retrieved object upon inspection, while investigations remain ongoing in coordination with other agencies to identify the origin of the alleged rocket debris.

“We also advise fisherfolk and coastal residents to avoid handling unidentified floating objects and to immediately report similar sightings to the nearest local authorities,” she added.

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSa) earlier reported that debris from China’s Jielong-3 rocket may have fallen near Babuyan Island and Santa Ana, Cagayan after it launched on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

The identified drop zone is located within the country’s exclusive economic zone, approximately 94 nautical miles (NM) from Babuyan Island and 143 NM from Santa Ana, Cagayan, according to PhilSa.— Geneson Satsatin/INQUIRER.net trainee /mr