A Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jet carrying two pilots has gone missing during a combat mission against New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents in a southern province.
The aircraft lost contact around midnight on Monday while supporting ground forces engaged in counterinsurgency operations, according to military officials.
Disappearance During Combat Operation
The jet was part of an operation in a southern province where government troops were engaging New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas.
While other air force aircraft involved in the mission successfully returned to their base in Cebu, the missing FA-50 failed to establish further contact and has not been located since.
Air Force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo stated that the military remains “very optimistic that they are safe” but did not confirm whether emergency locating signals from the pilots’ ejector seats have been detected.
Search and Rescue Efforts Intensify
The Philippine military has launched an extensive search across the possible crash zone, with air and ground teams scouring dense terrain.
The FA-50 jets are equipped with emergency ejector systems, and authorities are hoping the pilots managed to escape before impact.
“We are hopeful of locating them and the aircraft soon and ask you to join us in prayer during this critical time,” Castillo added.
It remains unclear if the Philippine Air Force will temporarily ground the remaining FA-50 jets until further investigation determines the cause of the disappearance.
Modernization and Insurgency Battles
The Philippines first acquired 12 FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries in 2015 under a $331 million deal aimed at modernizing its aging air fleet.
Plans are underway to purchase another 12 aircraft.
Aside from counterinsurgency missions, these jets have been used for maritime patrols in the South China Sea and high-profile national events.
The incident comes as the government continues its decades-long battle against communist insurgents, with peace talks still in limbo under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Despite a dwindling number of NPA rebels, combat operations remain active, highlighting the ongoing security challenges faced by the Philippine military.
The nation now awaits updates on the missing pilots, as rescue teams work against time to locate them.
