Officers said Tuesday that a fighter jet carrying two pilots, carrying two pilots, went missing during a night combat attack, officials said.
The FA-50 jet lost communication on a tactical mission around midnight Monday before reaching the target area. A search for jets is in progress.
“We hope to quickly find them and the aircraft and ask them to join us in prayer at this critical time,” said Colonel Consuelo Castillo, spokesman for the Philippine Air Force.
Chinese Navy helicopters fly within 10 feet of a Philippine patrol plane and devour it
The two Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighters will fly on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 during a joint patrol and training session with the US in the South China Sea. (Philippine Air Force via AP)
Other aircraft involved in the mission have returned safely to air force bases in central security state, the Air Force said without providing details for security reasons.
The incident took place in a southern Philippines province during a mission to suppress the rebellion against communist guerrillas, a Philippine military official told The Associated Press.
US flies joint patrol with the Philippines near shallow waters protected by China
Two Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets will fly with two US Air Force B-1 bombers during a joint patrol and training session in the South China Sea on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. (Philippine Air Force via AP)
It was not immediately clear whether other FA-50s would be grounded after the incident.
The Philippines acquired 12 FA-50 multi-purpose fighter jets from Korea's Aerospace Industry Co., Ltd. for P18.9 billion or 2015 for $331 million. The acquisition was considered the biggest deal under a military modernization programme that was repeatedly taken away by a lack of funds.
Philippine Air Force FA-50, left, US Air Force F-16 fighter jet, right, fly in formation during a joint US-Philippine Air Force military exercise called “Coop Thunder” at BASA Air Force Base in Pampanga on April 11, 2024. (Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
In addition to rebel missions, jets are used for a variety of other activities, including major national ceremonies and patrols in the conflicted South China Sea.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
