The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the projected path of the missile will be 190 nautical miles northeast of Sta. Ana, Cagayan and 140 nautical miles east of Polilio Island, Quezon, well within the exclusive economic zone of the country.
North Korea is planning to launch its missiles between April 12 to 16, between 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. (or between 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Manila time), despite of protests from various countries.
NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos appealed to fishermen and other sea vessels in Northern Luzon to refrain from venturing out to sea, particularly in the areas of Batanes, Calayan group of islands, Babuyan group of islands, Aparri, the coastal towns of Isabela, Baler, Casiguran and Polilio Islands.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will also close affected airways during the projected period of the missile launch. A no-fly zone will be implemented from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Manila time, or an hour before and two hours after the launch, from April 12 to 16.
Ferdinand Tienzo, assistant chief, air traffic control of CAAP, said about 20 international flights to and from Japan and South Korea will be diverted to other routes to avoid the path of the rocket.
CAAP said it has already informed the airlines and private aircrafts of the advisory.
"Don't venture out to sea, don't fly out," Ramos stressed during a coordinating conference on Tuesday. "We do not have the capability to shoot down the missile."
The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) said that there is no nuclear threat in the missile launch, but it will remain prepared. Dr. Alumanda dela Rosa, PNRI chief, said they are nevertheless ready to activate its "RAD" (national radiological emergency preparedness and response) plan in case of a nuclear threat.
"Out team is ready in case of a nuclear threat," dela Rosa said.
The Philippines reiterated it has no capability to shoot down the North Korea rocket and will have to rely on other countries that have the capability.
Gazmin hopeful, but . . .
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the government remains hopeful that North Korea will heed calls from various countries to stop the missile launch, but admits that "based on historical facts, Korea does not listen to the majority."
"We have done our part, the next thing that we should do when the launch is effected is we have to prepare for the emergencies that will happen just in case it lands, the debris will [fall on] the land area of our territory. We have alerted the NDRRMC to give the necessary information and to do whatever there is to do in order to protect ourselves. We have also given instructions to the Philippine Navy to instruct ships to be out of the path, probable path of the missile test and also the airspace will have to be protected," Gazmin said.
source: interaksyon.com
