bibliotecariodebabel.com – On March 5, 2025, Philippine military officials reported the discovery of the wreckage of an FA-50 fighter jet and the bodies of its two pilots in a mountainous region of southern Bukidnon province. The aircraft had lost communication during a nighttime combat mission targeting communist guerrillas.
Incident Details
The FA-50 jet was part of a mission providing combat support to troops engaging suspected New People’s Army guerrillas near Cabanglasan town in Bukidnon. After losing communication with other aircraft shortly after midnight on Tuesday, the jet was later found to be a “total wreck” in the jungle on Mount Kalatungan. The bodies of the pilots were discovered near the wreckage. It remains unclear if they attempted to eject before the crash, and an investigation is ongoing.
Aircraft Background
The Philippines acquired 12 FA-50 multi-purpose fighter jets from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., starting in 2015, as part of a military modernization program. Following the crash, the Philippine Air Force grounded its remaining FA-50 jets pending the investigation’s outcome.
Context of the Mission
The mission was aimed at combating the New People’s Army, a communist guerrilla group that has been active in the Philippines for decades. Despite previous setbacks and failed peace talks, the group continues to operate, with the government estimating about 1,000 active members OLYMPUS88. The FA-50 jets have been utilized in various operations, including anti-insurgency efforts and patrolling the disputed South China Sea.
This incident underscores the risks faced by military personnel in ongoing internal security operations and raises questions about the safety and maintenance of military aircraft within the Philippine Air Force.