MANILA, Philippines (April 14, 2012) - The government has lifted the rocket alert as it condems the failed North Korean rocket launch yesterday.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) ended yesterday the ban on the movement of all merchant marine and fishing vessels within the rocket’s falling area.
Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the ban was lifted following the reported unsuccessful launch of the North Korean rocket.
Nicasio Conti, DOTC spokesman, said they are lifting the no-sail order in designated areas effective immediately to allow the maritime community to resume normal operations.
“This puts to end all our anxieties on the possible damaging effects of the rocket debris within the Philippine territory,” he said.
However, executive director Benito Ramos said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) would still be on blue alert to assist the public, especially fishermen affected by the no-fishing zone.
“We can now downgrade the red alert to blue,” he said.
“Half of our forces are still there to further assist our countrymen, especially the fishermen.”
The blue alert would be lifted on April 17, a day after the time span of the rocket launch, he added.
Ramos told reporters at around 8:25 a.m., the ban on flights, sailing and fishing in Northern Luzon had been canceled.
“We do not need to worry anymore,” he said. “We can now resume our normal activities.”
Ramos said they would coordinate with the Coast Guard, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and local governments to inform the public about the lifting of the ban.
They would leave it to CAAP to adjust the flight schedules or to follow the plan prepared for the rocket launch, he added.
The no-fly zone, no sailing zone and no fishing zone were supposed to take effect from April 12 to 16 from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Police and the Coast Guard have been deployed to various parts of Luzon to prevent ships and fishing vessels from sailing during that period.
The no-fly, no-sail and no fishing zone were lifted temporarily last Thursday after bad weather forced North Korea to postpone the rocket launch.
The ban resumed at 5 a.m. yesterday but was lifted after three hours.
Ramos received a text message from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin stating that the missile was launched at about 6:50 a.m. but disintegrated after five minutes.
“Information from the US Naval Attaché (states that) the Nokor (North Korea) missile was launched on or about 6:50 a.m. but crashed into the Yellow Sea after about five minutes in flight. We are getting other details,” read the text message of Gazmin.
At 8:28 a.m., Ramos read a press statement of Gazmin confirming that the rocket launch had failed.
“We confirm that the North Korean launch has failed to complete its intended flight and fallen off the sea west of South Korea, meaning Yellow Sea and West Sea of South Korea,” read Gazmin’s statement.
“This location is far from the Philippines. We reiterate our call (for) the North Koreans to abide by the UN (United Nations) resolution, turn away from exploring further ballistic missile experimentation and fully cooperate with the rest of the world.”
Ramos said the Philippines is too far to be affected by the disintegration of the rocket.
“I feel relieved,” he said. “It’s good that the rocket fell on the sea, not on soil or on Philippine territory. This is a lesson learned for us. Human error can occur. The margin of error is always to be considered.”
Ramos said the NDRRMC would implement the same preparedness measures in the event that North Korea decided to launch another rocket.
Ramos: I’m vindicated
Ramos said he feels vindicated that the North Korean rocket launch had failed.
“The human error that I was concerned about has become a reality,” he said.
“We have seen that human error can occur anytime so we have to be prepared always.”
Ramos, a former chief of the Army’s Special Operations Command, said he had lost a total of nine soldiers due to various cases of human error.
In the 1970s, some of his men had been hit by “friendly fire” or artillery fire from fellow soldiers, he added.
Ramos said he first experienced losing soldiers because of “friendly fire” in a clash with the Moro National Liberation Front in Jolo.
“I was a lieutenant then,” he said.
“I was the leader of the 10th Special Forces Alpha Team. The military’s artillery misfired and hit my soldiers. It was caused by human error.
“We requested for fire support but instead of hitting the enemy, it landed on my soldiers.”
PAL reverts to normal routes
Philippine Airlines (PAL) will revert to normal flight paths following the failed North Korean rocket launch.
Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesperson, said flights airborne before 9:30 a.m. yesterday took the contingency routes.
PAL’s return to normal flight paths is a result of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines rescinding the Notam (Notice to Airmen) containing the alternative flight paths, as well as the no-fly zone, she added.
The no-fly zone was originally slated from April 12 - 16, from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Among the rerouted flights were PR105 San Francisco via Guam to Manila, PR103 Los Angeles via Guam-Manila, PR107 Vancouver via Los Angeles to Manila, PR431 Narita, Japan to Manila, PR407 Kansai to Manila, PR437 Nagoya, Japan to Manila, PR467 Incheon, South Korea to Manila, PR434 Cebu to Narita, PR111 Guam to Manila and PR 426 Manila to Fukuoka, Japan.
Phl condemns rocket launch
The Philippines condemned yesterday the North Korean rocket launch.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said North Korea should cease any future provocative acts like launching another rocket.
“We believe that and we’d like to reiterate the fact that the Philippines is ready to continue working with the international partners to be able to ensure peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula,” he said.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines deplores the rocket launch, notwithstanding its failure.
“(North Korea) should abide by the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and abandon all existing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner,” the DFA said.
The United Kingdom expressed deep concern about North Korea’s rocket launch.
“Such a launch uses ballistic missile technology and, as such, is a clear violation of UNSCR 1874,” UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement released by the British embassy in Manila.
Hague said the North Korean ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office would be summoned.
“I strongly urge (North Korea) to suspend all missile and nuclear-related activity and to commit to re- engaging with the international community,” he said.
The Philippines had called for concerted international action to persuade North Korea to abandon its plan to launch a long range ballistic missile between April 12 and 16.
The Philippines joined other governments in urging North Korea to adhere to its recent pledge for a moratorium on long-range missile launches, together with nuclear tests, and uranium enrichment activity.
North Korea’s return to confidence-building and engagement with the international community is key to the continued stability and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula and the entire Asia-Pacific region, the DFA said.
Bishops glad rocket launch failed
At least three Catholic bishops yesterday expressed elation upon learning that the North Korean rocket turned out to be a dud.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, a member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) plenary council, said the funds spent for the rocket would have been better used feeding North Koreans who have little food to eat.
“Our prayers to the Lord were heard,” he said.
“I pity the North Korean people because their leaders wasted millions of dollars for a failed project while millions are hungry.”
Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said man does not have complete control of everything.
“Man is only a steward,” he said. “Let us ask the Lord that we may always be good stewards.”
Marbel, South Cotabato Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez said he was pleased with the turnout of the rocket test.
“Money should be spent to feed the people,” he said.