This week, fishermen from the area off Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro, discovered what they believed to be rocket debris that was painted with the Chinese flag.

Joven Gequinana, the director of the Calintaan MDRRMO, reported that on November 7 and 8, two pieces of debris were discovered by fishermen in the waters off Calintaan. The two pieces of trash were towed to Barangay Poblacion’s shore.

Analyn Flores Victoriano’s photos revealed that the debris was painted with the Chinese flag.

The Philippine Coast Guard, local law enforcement, and local officials will meet on Wednesday to discuss how to handle the debris.

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) reported that in July, debris from a Chinese-launched rocket made an unauthorized re-entry into Philippine waters.

Following China’s Long March 5B launch from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Island on October 31, PhilSA warned the public to keep an eye out for falling rocket debris.

The Mengtian laboratory module for China’s Tiangong space station, an orbiting research facility, was carried by the rocket.

According to Chinese authorities, “expected unburned debris” may fall up to 39 kilometers from Busuanga, Palawan, or 72 kilometers from Bajo de Masinloc (Drop Zone 1). (Drop Zone 2).

PhilSA has urged members of the public, especially fishermen, to avoid touching any rocket debris that they may come across floating in the water.