Officials reported that a Philippine air force FA-50 fighter jet carrying two pilots disappeared during a night combat assault in support of ground forces battling insurgents in a southern province. The jet lost communication during the tactical mission around midnight on Monday before reaching its target area, prompting a search operation to locate the missing aircraft.
Philippine air force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo expressed hope in finding the pilots and the aircraft swiftly, urging the public to join in prayer during this critical time. While one aircraft involved in the mission returned safely to an air base in central Cebu province, details were withheld for security reasons.
The incident occurred during an anti-insurgency operation against communist guerrillas in a southern Philippine province, according to military sources. The status of the remaining FA-50 fighter jets following the disappearance remains uncertain.
The Philippines procured 12 FA-50 multi-purpose fighter jets from South Korea's Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. for 18.9 billion pesos, or $331 million, starting in 2015. This acquisition marked a significant milestone in the country's military modernization efforts, which had faced delays due to funding constraints.
Aside from anti-insurgency missions, the FA-50 jets have been utilized for various activities, including participating in national ceremonies and conducting patrols in the disputed South China Sea region.
