MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine air force fighter jet has gone missing during a night operation targeting insurgents in a southern province, leading to an extensive search, according to officials who spoke on Tuesday.
The FA-50 aircraft, with two pilots on board, lost communication with other air force planes during its tactical mission just past midnight on Monday, prior to reaching its designated target area. While the accompanying aircraft successfully returned to an air base in Cebu province, the missing jet’s location remains undisclosed for security reasons.
A military spokesperson, preferring anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the operation, revealed that the disappearance occurred amidst an anti-insurgency campaign targeting communist rebels in a southern region.
“We remain optimistic about locating our personnel and the aircraft soon. We invite you to keep them in your prayers during this crucial time,” addressed air force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo.
It is currently uncertain whether the other FA-50 jets will be temporarily grounded as a precaution following this unfortunate event.
In 2015, the Philippines invested in 12 FA-50 multi-purpose fighter jets from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., costing 18.9 billion pesos ($331 million). This was part of a significant military modernization initiative, albeit frequently delayed due to financial constraints.
These fighter jets serve multiple roles beyond anti-insurgency operations, including national ceremonial events and safeguarding the contested waters of the South China Sea.
