The Philippine Navy recovered a suspected debris from a Chinese rocket following a drug recovery operation in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend.

Capt. Ellaine Rose Collado, Western Naval Command, public affairs office chief said the personnel of Philippine Navy Acero - class patrol gunboat, BRP Lolinato To-Ong), successfully recovered a metallic debri suspected to be part of a Chinese rocket which they sighted approximately 12.17 nautical miles southeast of Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan.

"PG-902 immediately conducted retrieval operations and secured the debris aboard the vessel. The item was subsequently transported to Puerto Princesa City for proper documentation, assessment, and disposition in coordination with concerned authorities," said Collado.

"The recovery of such debris underscores the importance of continued maritime surveillance in protecting Philippine waters and ensuring the safety of local communities potentially affected by foreign rocket remnants," she added.

Days before the recovery, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirms that China launched its Long March 8A rocket from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan at around 9:33 am on Oct. 16.

An advisory from PhilSA, noted that "debris form the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones approximately 118 nautical miles away from El Nido, Palawan, 137 nautical miles away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, 45 nautical miles away from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, and 34 nautical miles away from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan."

Prior to the sighting of the rocket debri, BRP Lolinato To-Ong with the Maritime Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary Unit?West also recovered suspected illegal drugs floating in the waters near Sabina Shoal, West Philippine Sea.

After the maritime unit received information about the floating black bag containing unidentified packages believed to be high-grade marijuana in the vicinity of Sabina Shoal, BRP Lolinato To-Ong which was conducting maritime and sovereignty patrols was directed to conduct drug retrieval operation last Friday (Oct. 17).

"At around 06:40 am of October 18, 2025, PG-902, together with MCAAU?W personnel, successfully recovered the suspicious packages," she said.

Collado said "following established protocols, the recovered items were formally turned over by PG-902, together with personnel from the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Palawan Police Provincial Office, to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)?Palawan at 2Lt Lagare Pier, Tidepole, Puerto Princesa City on October 20, 2025 for evaluation and proper disposition."

"Western Naval Command continues to support inter-agency efforts in combating illegal drug trafficking and ensuring that the West Philippine Sea remains safe, secure, and free from unlawful activities," she noted. Robina Asido/DMS