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The Philippines has lifted its red alert status following the failed rocket launch of North Korea, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Friday.
NDRRMC Director Benito Ramos said downgrading the country’s alert status to blue means the government will pull out half of the forces deployed to monitor the situation and assist residents in areas vulnerable to the debris from the rocket.
The no-fly, sail and fish zone policy off Northern Luzon has been lifted as well, Ramos said, adding that fishermen can now go back to fishing.
The rocket was launched at 6:50 a.m. Manila time but crashed into the western coast of South Korea after few minutes in flight.
“We confirm that the North Korean rocket launch has failed to complete its intended flight and fallen off the seas, west of South Korea. This location is far from the Philippines,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said in a statement, as relayed by Ramos.
“We reiterate our call to the North Koreans to abide by the United Nations resolutions, turn away from exploring further ballistic missile experimentation and fully cooperate with the rest of the world.” Gazmin added.
