Rescue teams in the Philippines have found the wreckage of a missing FA-50 fighter jet and recovered the bodies of its two pilots following a crash in the mountainous region of Bukidnon province.
The names of the pilots have not been released yet, pending proper notification of their families.
The FA-50 jet is one of a pair deployed on a nighttime combat mission against suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas near the town of Cabanglasan on Tuesday. While the second FA-50 completed its mission and returned safely to base in Cebu province, the missing aircraft failed to respond to communications before disappearing from radar.
Special forces discovered the wreckage in a jungle on Mount Kalatungan. “It was a total wreck,” said Regional Military Commander Lieutenant General Luis Rex Bergante.
Bergante also noted that “there was an attempt to open a parachute and eject.”
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced Wednesday that it has grounded its entire fleet of FA-50 light fighters as investigators work to determine the cause of the accident.
“We are committed to providing all the necessary support to the bereaved families during this difficult time,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said.
The Philippine Army also expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased pilots.
“We honor their heroism and sacrifice to attain peace in the country,” Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said in a statement.
“Their bravery will continue to inspire the Philippine Army in its relentless pursuit of maintaining stability, genuine peace, and inclusive development throughout the nation,” he added.
The downed aircraft was one of 12 brand-new fighter jets purchased from South Korea in 2015 under an 18.9 billion peso ($331 million) contract. The aircraft serve multiple roles, including counterinsurgency operations, maritime patrols over the South China Sea, and participation in national ceremonies.
Nearly four years ago, two tragic incidents involving the military’s air assets, including a brand-new attack helicopter, resulted in the deaths of 59 people. In June 2021, a Black Hawk helicopter from the Philippine Air Force crashed in Tarlac, killing three pilots and three crew members.
