MANILA: A Philippine Air Force jet crashed during an anti-insurgency operation in the southern province of Bukidnon, killing both pilots on board, military officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The FA-50 fighter jet lost communication with other aircraft involved in the mission shortly after midnight on March 4, prompting a search-and-rescue mission, the Air Force said. The wreckage was discovered in the Kalatungan mountain range in Mindanao on Wednesday, along with the bodies of the two pilots.
Air Force spokesperson Consuelo Castillo stated that initial findings indicate the aircraft crashed, though an investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause.
Following the accident, the Philippine Air Force has grounded its remaining 11 FA-50 jets as a precautionary measure. The FA-50s, built in South Korea, were acquired in 2014 as part of the country's military modernization efforts, aimed at strengthening internal security and bolstering maritime defense capabilities amid tensions in the South China Sea.
"Our goal is to resume operations as soon as possible to minimize disruptions," Castillo added.
