MANILA. A Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jet, carrying two pilots, went missing during a night combat assault in support of ground troops engaged in an anti-insurgency operation in a southern province, military officials confirmed on Tuesday. A large-scale search operation is now in progress.
The aircraft lost communication around midnight on Monday while en route to its target area. Other air force jets that were part of the mission completed their operations and returned to their base in Cebu province, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) stated, withholding further operational details for security reasons.
A military official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, disclosed that the missing aircraft was involved in a counterinsurgency mission against New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo urged the public to remain hopeful. “We are hopeful of locating them and the aircraft soon and ask you to join us in prayer during this critical time,” Castillo said.
Fighter jet pilots are trained to eject in case of emergencies, and their emergency locating transmitters can emit signals to aid in their rescue. When asked whether such signals had been detected, Castillo declined to comment but reassured that the military remains “still very optimistic that they are safe.”
It remains uncertain whether the remaining FA-50 fleet will be grounded as investigations into the incident continue.
The Philippines acquired 12 FA-50 multi-role fighter jets from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. under an 18.9 billion peso ($331 million) contract starting in 2015—marking one of the most significant purchases under the country’s long-delayed military modernization program. The government has plans to acquire an additional 12 units.
These fighter jets have been utilized in various operations, ranging from national ceremonies to patrolling the disputed South China Sea.
Despite years of counterinsurgency efforts, the military estimates that approximately 1,000 NPA guerrillas remain active due to factional infighting, battle losses, and surrenders. Peace negotiations between the Philippine government and communist rebels, previously brokered by Norway, collapsed during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
In 2023, both sides expressed willingness to resume peace talks, aiming to end one of Asia’s longest-running insurgencies. However, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., no formal negotiations have occurred.
Authorities continue the search for the missing pilots and aircraft, while further updates are expected as the situation develops.
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- Carlo Juancho Funtanillahttps://tutubi.ph/author/carlojpf/
- Carlo Juancho Funtanillahttps://tutubi.ph/author/carlojpf/
- Carlo Juancho Funtanillahttps://tutubi.ph/author/carlojpf/
