Quezon city: The Philippine Navy (PN) announced on Tuesday that it has recovered debris suspected to be from a Chinese rocket off the coast of Palawan during recent maritime operations in the West Philippine Sea. The recovery operation took place over the weekend, marking a significant find in the contested waters.

According to Philippines News Agency, PN spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez revealed in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo that the debris was discovered by the BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902). The object, metallic in nature and bearing a Chinese flag, was found approximately 12.17 nautical miles southeast of Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan, on Sunday.

The recovered debris has been transported to Puerto Princesa City. There, it will undergo thorough documentation, assessment, and disposition in collaboration with relevant authorities to determine its origin and any potential implications.

In addition to this recovery, the BRP Lolito To-Ong played a crucial role in the retrieval of an estimated PHP19.2 million worth of suspected marijuana, which was discovered floating in the waters of Sabina Shoal on Saturday. This highlights the vessel’s ongoing contribution to maintaining maritime security in the region.