Philippines on ‘Red Alert’ preparing for North Korea rocket launch
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) went on “red alert” Saturday in preparations for a likely North Korea rocket launch Dec. 10-12, according to a NDRRMC press release today.
“The NDRRMC Operations Center is operating on Red Alert status and continuously monitoring information relative to the said launching,” it said.
Pre-emptive measures being taken by the various agencies include a “No Fly Zone”, a “No Sail Zone”, Hazmat preparations and propositioning of Air Force aircraft for possible response.
In addition, the NDRRMC said the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute will activate its radiological plan, while the Philippine Red Cross will continue community-based preparedness.
The NDRRMC posted projected details of the launch, which may fall between Dec. 10 and 22 between 7 a.m. and noon Pyongyag time (see presentation).
The BBC reports South Korea’s Yonhap news agency – citing unidentified sources – reports that all three stages of the rocket are now in place at the launch site and that fuel is being injected into a storage tank, after which the rocket will be fuelled.
The Philippines is not alone in preparing for the possible North Korean launch. Japan and the United States are also making preparations.