A Philippine fighter jet with two pilots aboard has lost contact during a nighttime combat mission supporting ground forces against communist insurgents. An extensive search is currently underway, officials reported on Tuesday.
The FA-50 jet lost communication around midnight on Monday while en route to a target area. Other air force aircraft involved in the mission successfully returned to an air base in central Cebu province after completing their assaults.
A military official described the incident as occurring in a southern province, where a counterinsurgency operation against New People’s Army guerrillas was taking place. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation.
Air Force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo expressed optimism about locating the pilots and the aircraft, asking the public to join in prayer during this critical time.
The pilots have the capability to eject from the jets in emergencies, and rescuers could locate them if their emergency transmitters are activated. However, Castillo did not confirm whether any signals had been detected, reiterating the military’s hope that the pilots are safe.
It remains unclear if other FA-50 jets will be grounded pending further investigation.
The Philippines operates 12 FA-50 multi-purpose fighter jets acquired from South Korea starting in 2015, as part of a military modernization effort that has faced funding challenges. Plans are underway to purchase an additional 12 fighter jets from South Korea.
The military estimates around 1,000 communist guerrillas remain active after years of setbacks and internal conflicts. While peace talks brokered by Norway collapsed under former President Rodrigo Duterte, the government and communist rebels agreed to resume negotiations in 2023. However, discussions have not yet restarted under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The fighter jets have also been utilized for various purposes, including national ceremonies and patrolling the disputed South China Sea.
