Maritime authorities are coordinating the handling of a large object believed to be rocket debris after it surfaced in coastal waters near Pangutaran, Sulu, days before the new year.
The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that the material was retrieved following a report from the Pangutaran Municipal Police Station, which relayed that a local fisherfolk had recovered the object at sea and towed it ashore on December 30, 2025. The find was later documented in the waters off Barangay Suang Bunah, with its discovery publicly noted on January 1, 2026.
Initial custody of the debris remains with the barangay where it was brought ashore. “The recovered debris is currently under the custody of Barangay Suang Bunah,” the Coast Guard Sub-Station Pangutaran said.
Coast Guard Station Western Sulu is now in talks with local officials to arrange the possible transfer of the object to Coast Guard authorities, citing the need for appropriate handling and final disposition procedures.
Separately, the Philippine Coast Guard renewed its advisory urging coastal communities and seafarers to promptly report any unusual or unidentified objects encountered at sea as part of ongoing public safety measures.
