MANILA, Philippines- Pinayuhan ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD) ang mga residente ng Ilocos Norte at Cagayan na mag-ingat dahil posibleng maapektuhan sila ng debris ng ‘unarmed space rocket’ mula sa Tsina.
Sa ipinalabas na kalatas ng OCD, sinabi nito na naglunsad ang Tsina ng Long March 7A rocket mula alas-7 hanggang alas-11 ng gabi sa pagitan ng Hunyo 28 hanggang 30 sa Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site sa Wenchang, Hainan.
“Debris from the rocket is anticipated to fall 75 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and 126 nautical miles from Sta. Ana, Cagayan,” ayon sa kalatas.
Dahil dito, isang memorandum ukol sa rocket launch at potensyal na epekto nito ang ipinalabas ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) sa iba’t ibang kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan gaya ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (DENR-NAMRIA), at maging sa regional disaster risk reduction and management councils sa Ilocos (RDRRMC I) at Cagayan Valley (RDRRMC II).
“PCG, BFAR, DILG, and DENR-NAMRIA are advised to implement temporary restrictions and issue Notice to Mariners and Coastal Navigational Warnings, as applicable, in the identified drop zones to ensure the safety of the public on the waters near the drop zones,” ayon sa OCD.
“RDRRMCs I and II are required to continue monitoring and submit updates on this event,” dagdag na pahayag nito.
Samantala, hinikayat naman ng OCD ang publiko na ipaalam sa lokal na awtoridad ang anumang kahina-hinalang debris sighting, at pinigilan ang mga ito na “approaching or retrieving the debris to minimize the risk of remnants of toxic substances” gaya ng rocket fuel.
“Personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended when contact with the debris is necessary,” ayon sa OCD.
Matatandaang may ilang pagkakataon sa nakalipas na kung saan ang rocket debris na na-recover sa katubigan ng Pilipinas ay pinaniniwalaang nagmula sa Tsina. Kris Jose
