A smoke trail from a Long March-12 rocket streaks across the sky over Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, on Thursday morning, Sept. 17, 2026. (Photo by Geraldford Ticke)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Explosions echoed on Thursday morning as a Long March-12 rocket launched by China entered its final stage, startling residents who heard the loud booms and saw a trail of smoke across the sky.
The sounds, heard at 8:45 a.m., were sonic booms produced by the rocket as it traveled through the atmosphere. Residents turned skyward to find the source of the explosions and spotted the rocket’s smoke trail.
While rocket launches are not new to Puerto Princesa residents, the explosions continued to surprise and, in some cases, frighten them.
The launch had been anticipated after the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) issued an advisory following China’s announcement that the rocket would be launched between 8:25 and 8:54 a.m.
PhilSA had designated areas about 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers) southeast of Puerto Princesa and 19 nautical miles (35 km) west of the Tubbataha Reefs National Park as drop zones for unburned rocket debris, including the booster and fairing, which are discarded after the rocket enters outer space.
Falling debris
“While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone. There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts,” PhilSA said in its advisory.
It added: “Additionally, the possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time.”
PhilSA also said it had called on international partners to explore developing coordinated protocols and capabilities to protect space assets and people on the ground as the number of rocket launches worldwide continues to increase.
The agency noted that debris shed during the final stages of launches, as well as uncontrolled reentries, could also increase, posing potential hazards to people and property.
PhilSA advised the public anew to inform authorities if suspected rocket debris is spotted. It also warned the public against retrieving or approaching such materials, which may contain remnants of toxic substances, including rocket fuel.
Meanwhile, the Naval Command West (NCW) of the Philippine Navy, together with other concerned government agencies, conducted enhanced monitoring of the launch.
During the monitoring, the Navy observed the rocket at 8:42 a.m. emitting a bright red-orange luminous trail as it traversed the northwestern-southeastern horizon. It left a distinct white vapor trail across the sky, followed by explosions and rumbling acoustic effects.
The NCW also reminded the public, particularly fishermen operating near and around the designated drop zone, to immediately report any suspected rocket debris or unusual objects to the nearest authorities.