Año calls Chinese rocket launch ‘irresponsible’

FILE: Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año gives an update to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañan Palace on January 6, 2022. ALBERTO ALCAIN/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año on Tuesday condemned China’s “irresponsible testing” of its Long March 12 rocket, which he said caused alarm and placed the people of Palawan at risk.

“Loud explosions caused by the Chinese rocket launch caused widespread alarm and concern in Puerto Princesa City and other municipalities, particularly in coastal barangays in the province,” Año, who is also National Security Council director general, said in a statement.

“Local residents also saw a fireball cross the sky that later exploded causing the ground to shake.”

While no immediate damage or injury has been reported so far, Año said falling debris from the launch poses a clear danger and risk to land areas and to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone.

He also raised the possibility of the debris floating around the area and toward nearby coasts.

The government has deployed surface and aerial assets to look for debris associated with the loud explosions caused by the Chinese rocket launch from Hainan Island, Año said.

“The public is strongly advised to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted. The public is advised against retrieving or coming in close contact with debris materials that may contain toxic fuel residues. We are coordinating closely with local authorities and coastal fishermen on this matter,” he added.