A Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50 fighter jet went missing early Tuesday morning during a tactical night operation, losing communication with its flight unit just minutes before reaching its target area.
PAF spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo confirmed the incident, stating that all attempts to re-establish contact with the aircraft were unsuccessful.
“The PAF is conducting extensive and thorough search operations, utilizing all available resources, to locate the missing jet fighter. Our primary concern is the safe return of our aircrew,” Castillo said.
Search and Rescue Operations Underway
🔹 Last known location: The aircraft was last in contact before reaching its target area.
🔹 Pilots’ safety: Each aircraft had two pilots wearing personal locator beacons, though no confirmation has been made on whether signals are being detected.
🔹 Probable crash site: Authorities have deployed a search and rescue team to Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon, based on assessments suggesting the aircraft may have gone down in the area.
Hope for Survivors
Unverified reports suggest that signals from the pilots’ emergency beacons have been detected, raising hopes that they may have survived. However, Lieutenant General Luis Rex Bergante, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, has yet to confirm these reports as the search and rescue operation continues.
This marks the first major incident involving a PAF FA-50 fighter jet. The Air Force remains hopeful that the pilots will be found safe.