Marcos to China: Give early notice on rocket debris to avoid risks

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Marcos said this was not the first time suspected Chinese rocket debris ended up in Philippine waters, but stressed that no law was violated. (PCO file photo)

BENGALURU – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on China to give early notice before rocket stages or debris fall into Philippine waters, saying it would help avoid risks and allow authorities to recover them safely.

“We just wish that perhaps they could warn us a little earlier so that we know the path of the rocket, where the path is and kung magbibitaw sila ng stages kung saan babagsak (if they will release stages, where they will fall),” Marcos said in a press briefing with the Philippine media on Friday.

Marcos said this was not the first time suspected Chinese rocket debris ended up in Philippine waters, but stressed that no law was violated.

“There have been no casualties… The good side to all of this, wala nama casualty. Wala naman tinamaan. Hindi naman nagka-problema (…there were no casualties. No one was hit. There was no problem).”

The President recalled telling Chinese leader Xi Jinping during an earlier trip to Beijing that Manila was not interested in keeping the debris.

“You know, we have no interest in your rockets. Just tell us where they will land, we will collect it and give it to you. And that continues to be my offer to China… ‘Pag may babagsak, kukunin namin sa dagat tapos dadalhin namin sa inyo.

Wala naman problema (If something falls, we will get it from the sea and bring it to you. No problem with that),” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier expressed concern over the reported debris of China’s Long March 12 rocket into Philippine maritime territory, urging spacefaring nations to act responsibly and safeguard the interests of other states.