Manila: A Philippine Air Force fighter jet and its two pilots have gone missing following an overnight mission targeting rebel fighters in the southern region of the country, military officials confirmed.
The FA-50 aircraft lost communication with other jets during the operation. While the rest of the squadron safely returned to an air base in Cebu province, there has been no contact with the missing jet and its crew.
A large-scale search operation is currently underway. The military remains optimistic about the pilots' safety. "We are hopeful of locating them and the aircraft soon and ask for everyone’s prayers during this critical time," said Air Force spokesperson Consuelo Castillo.
The mission was part of the government's ongoing counterinsurgency efforts against the New People’s Army, a communist rebel group. Military estimates suggest that around 1,000 guerrilla fighters remain active despite decades of conflict.
Peace negotiations between the rebels and the Philippine government failed during former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, with both sides accusing each other of breaking agreements. Talks were expected to resume in 2023, but no progress has been made under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
It remains unclear whether the Philippines will temporarily ground its fleet of FA-50s following the incident. The country acquired 12 of these jets from South Korea in 2015 and has expressed interest in purchasing an additional batch. Apart from anti-insurgency operations, the aircraft are also deployed for patrols in the disputed South China Sea.
