The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday expressed concern on China's latest rocket launch after suspected debris fell into Philippine territory.

There were no reported casualties or damage but the launch prompted alarm from authorities, noting it endangered lives and security of passsing vessels and aircraft.

"The Philippines notes with concern China's launch of its Long March 12 space launch vehicle on 4 August 2025, which resulted in debris falling into Philippine archipelagic waters," the DFA said.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano earlier condemned China's rocket launch, calling it an "irresponsible testing" that posed risk to people and to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels" in areas where debris where found.

Loud explosions were heard Monday night by residents in Palawan’s Puerto Princesa city and nearby towns, Ano said. He added that people “also saw a fireball cross the sky that later exploded causing the ground to shake.”

The Chinese embassy in Manila has yet to respond to requests for comment.

Two planes from the Philippine Air Force and a Philippine Navy ship were deployed by the military to search within the drop zones which covers the waters off the east coast of Puerto Princesa City to Tubbataha Reef in Sulu Sea.

As of Wednesday, Col. Nep Padua, the spokesperson of the military's Western Command, said the debris is ''in the Sulu Sea, the area between the east coast of mainland Palawan and Tubbataha.''

The Philippine Space Agency said the Long March 12 rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center at 6:21 pm Monday.

He said the search will be done ''until such time we can find the debris or it is impractical to continue.'' DMS-Robina Asido