The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed Friday that China’s Long March 12 rocket was successfully launched from Hainan, with some debris may have landed within Philippine waters.

The launch took place at around 7:00 a.m. Philippine time on December 12, 2025, from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang.

PhilSA identified the debris drop zone to be roughly 23 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and 21 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, well within the country’s archipelagic waters.

PhilSA said it had shared pre-launch reports with relevant government agencies and issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advising of “aerospace flight activity” in the area.

The discarded rocket components, including boosters and fairings, are designed to separate and fall back to Earth during the rocket’s ascent.

While these are not expected to land on populated areas, PhilSA warned they could pose hazards to ships, aircraft, and small boats moving through the zone. Floating debris may also drift toward nearby coastlines.

There remains a possibility that upper stages of the rocket could re-enter the atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner.

The agency urged residents and maritime operators to report any debris sightings to local authorities and advised the public not to touch or retrieve any rocket remnants, as they may contain harmful substances such as residual fuel.