Rescue teams in the Philippines have found the wreckage of a missing fighter jet and the bodies of its two crew members in a remote mountainous area in Mindanao.
The FA-50 jet disappeared on Tuesday while providing air support for government troops battling communist rebels.
Lieutenant General Luis Rex Bergante, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, confirmed that both crew members were found inside the wreckage. He noted that one of them had attempted to eject, but the aircraft was completely destroyed after crashing into trees on a mountainside.
The jet was discovered on Mount Kalatungan in Bukidnon province, a rugged area known for its difficult terrain. Officials have made retrieving the servicemen’s remains their top priority.
In response to the crash, the Philippine Air Force has temporarily grounded its FA-50 fleet while investigators work to determine what went wrong. The cause of the accident remains unclear. The FA-50 is a South Korean-made fighter jet, and the Philippines acquired a dozen of them in recent years to strengthen its air force.
Colonel Consuelo Castillo, an air force spokesperson, said this was the first major incident involving an FA-50. She emphasized the need for a thorough yet swift investigation to avoid compromising the air force’s operational readiness. These jets play a critical role in patrolling Philippine waters, especially in the contested South China Sea, where tensions with China have been rising.
The search effort faced challenges due to the presence of communist rebels in the area. Authorities briefly halted operations overnight due to security concerns. The jet had been called in as air support during clashes with the New People’s Army, a long-running insurgent group that has significantly weakened in recent years.
Military aircraft accidents have been a concern in the Philippines. Last year, two navy pilots died when their helicopter crashed near Manila, and in 2023, a turboprop plane crash claimed the lives of two Philippine Air Force pilots.
Despite the latest tragedy, the air force has requested additional FA-50 jets to bolster its capabilities. The proposal is currently under review by the Department of National Defense.