Two pilots from the Philippine Air Force lost their lives when their aircraft crashed during an anti-insurgency operation in a southern province, military officials reported on Wednesday.
The exact timing of the incident remains unclear; however, the Philippine Air Force indicated that the FA-50 fighter jet lost communication with other aircraft involved in the mission in Bukidnon province shortly after midnight on March 4, which led to a search-and-rescue effort.
On Wednesday, military officials confirmed that the wreckage of the fighter jet and the bodies of the two pilots were located in the Kalatungan mountains in the southern Mindanao region.
Air Force spokesperson Consuelo Castillo informed reporters during a virtual briefing that the wreckage suggests a crash occurred, and an investigation is currently underway to ascertain the cause of the incident.
Following the crash, the remaining 11 FA-50 jets, which were manufactured in South Korea, have been grounded, Castillo noted.
See more: South Sudan vice president’s spokesman says deputy head of military arrested, risking peace deal
In 2014, the Philippines procured 12 FA-50 jets from South Korea as part of a military modernization initiative aimed at enhancing internal security and strengthening its ability to safeguard maritime borders against China in the South China Sea.
Castillo stated, “Our goal is to return them to service as soon as possible to minimize disruption to our operations.”
