Alleged Rocket Debris Found Off Cagayan Under Assessment by PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced on Friday that it has secured an object believed to be possible rocket debris recovered along the shoreline of Barangay Babuyan Claro, Calayan, Cagayan on Thursday. According to the PCG, the agency received a report around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday that a concerned resident discovered an unidentified object along the shoreline of Sitio Naydi. The object was initially recovered by Philippine Navy Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) personnel after the resident temporarily kept it for safekeeping. PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab stated that Coast Guard personnel inspected the object but found no markings that would confirm it was rocket debris. "They secured the object in a safe location while awaiting further technical assessment by the appropriate authorities," Cayabyab said. The PCG urged fisherfolk and coastal residents not to handle unidentified floating objects and to immediately report similar discoveries to the nearest local authorities. "We also advise fisherfolk and coastal residents to avoid handling unidentified floating objects and to immediately report similar sightings to the nearest local authorities," Cayabyab added. The PCG said it is coordinating with concerned government agencies to determine the origin and nature of the recovered object as part of its efforts to ensure maritime safety. This discovery comes amidst heightened geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, where debris from foreign military or space activities has been reported to wash ashore in the region in the past.