The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed Saturday that China launched a Long March 12 rocket, with expected debris projected to fall within Philippine waters near Palawan.

The rocket lifted off from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, at around 3:28 a.m. Philippine time on Oct. 10, 2026.

PhilSA said the designated drop zone is about 25 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and 19 nautical miles from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The area is within Philippine archipelagic waters.

The drop zone was identified in a Notice to Airmen warning of an “aerospace flight activity.” PhilSA said it had also issued a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities.

Although the debris was not expected to fall on land or inhabited areas, the agency warned that falling rocket components could endanger ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels. Debris could also drift at sea and wash ashore along nearby coastlines.

PhilSA added that the possibility of an uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry of the rocket’s upper stages could not be ruled out.

The agency urged the public to report suspected rocket debris to local authorities and avoid retrieving or approaching the materials, which may contain toxic substances, including rocket fuel residues.