VERA Files
A YouTube video claiming that China has launched a rocket that will potentially hit the Philippines needs context. Only the rocket’s debris, not its entirety, is projected to fall near the country.
Uploaded on Nov. 7, four days after China launched its Long March 7a rocket from Hainan province, the video’s headline read:
“Diosko Po! Buong Mundo Umalarma na! CHlNA nag PALIPAD ng ROCKET Posibleng Bumagsak sa PILIPINAS? (Oh my god! The whole world was alarmed! China had flown a rocket. Would it possibly fall in the Philippines?)”
Only parts of the rocket were expected to fall miles off the Luzon mainland sometime around Nov. 3 to 4, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
In a Nov. 3 advisory, the agency identified the waters 47 nautical miles off Burgos, Ilocos Norte and 37 nautical miles away from Sta. Ana, Cagayan as the drop zone for the rocket debris.
The NDRRMC also emphasized that “the risk of untoward incidents and damage from falling rocket debris within Philippine territory is relatively low.”
Still, the NDRRMC reminded the public not to retrieve or come close to rocket debris for safety. The Philippine Space Agency also recommended the imposition of no fly zones and maritime travel restrictions in the area during the said period.
The rocket was also not a long range nuclear weapon as suggested by some netizens from the video’s comments. Chinese state media Xinhua said the Long March 7a rocket was used to deploy a communication satellite to space.
Uploaded by previously fact-checked channel PHILIPPINES TRENDING NEWS, the video has received 53,324 views, 1,300 likes and 331 comments. Netizens also shared the link on Facebook.
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