MANILA — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed the launch of China’s Long March 12 rocket, with expected debris projected to have fallen within the identified drop zone inside Philippine archipelagic waters.

PhilSA said the projected debris drop zone lies about 23 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa City and 21 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

The Long March 12 was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, at around 7 a.m. (PhST) on December 12, 2025.

The agency said details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of “aerospace flight activity.” PhilSA earlier disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities.

According to PhilSA, rocket components such as boosters and fairings are designed to detach as the launch vehicle enters outer space. Although the debris was not projected to fall on land or populated areas, it still poses risks to ships, aircraft, fishing vessels, and other marine traffic passing through the drop zone.

PhilSA added that debris may float and drift toward nearby coasts. It also noted that an uncontrolled re-entry of the rocket’s upper stages “cannot be ruled out at this time.”

The agency advised the public to immediately report any suspected rocket debris to local authorities and warned against retrieving or handling such materials, which may contain toxic remnants such as rocket fuel.