A Chinese rocket over Palawan and the renewed presence of Chinese vessels near Bajo de Masinloc this week have added to concerns about how pressure from Beijing is now felt across both Philippine airspace and surrounding waters.
On January 19, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Naval Command confirmed that a suspected Long March 12 rocket launched by China passed through airspace above Palawan. Personnel conducting routine monitoring recorded a visible smoke trail, following earlier advisories that identified possible debris drop zones in waters off eastern Palawan, including areas near Puerto Princesa and the Tubbataha Reefs.
Authorities reported no injuries, damage, or debris on land. Even so, the event prompted close coordination among military units, disaster-response offices, and maritime authorities, with officials advising the public to remain alert.
Chinese rocket over Palawan and airspace monitoring
This Chinese rocket over Palawan was not the first time Philippine agencies tracked potential risks linked to Chinese launches. In December 2025, the Philippine Space Agency warned that debris from a Long March 5 rocket could fall within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. The projected drop zones were located in waters off northern Luzon and nearby islands.
That earlier advisory also ended without reported damage. PhilSA nonetheless cautioned that unburned rocket debris could pose hazards to vessels and aircraft and warned against handling materials that may contain toxic substances.
Chinese vessels detected near Bajo de Masinloc
At sea, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Maritime Domain Awareness flight detected multiple Chinese vessels operating near Bajo de Masinloc. These included China Coast Guard ships, two People’s Liberation Army Navy warships, and several vessels believed to be part of China’s maritime militia.
One PLA Navy ship issued repeated radio challenges to the PCG aircraft. The crew responded by stating that the patrol was lawful and conducted in accordance with international law. The encounter ended without escalation.
Increased activity in the West Philippine Sea
According to PCG data, Chinese vessels were deployed more widely across the West Philippine Sea in 2025 than in previous years. Officials linked higher vessel numbers to more frequent harassment incidents involving Filipino fishermen, particularly around Bajo de Masinloc.
In response, Philippine authorities increased patrol operations in the area. The PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources reported a sharp rise in patrol days, reflecting a focus on sustained presence and monitoring.
The incidents over Palawan and near Bajo de Masinloc did not result in direct confrontation. Still, they show how encounters involving China now occur across different domains. For Philippine authorities, routine monitoring has become a constant task as activity in the West Philippine Sea continues.
