The Philippine military has confirmed the wreckage of a missing FA-50 fighter jet and the bodies of its two pilots have been found in the vicinity of the Mt. Kalatungan Complex in Bukidnon on March 5, 2025.
The aircraft had gone missing during a combat mission in a southern province, where military forces are engaged in counterinsurgency operations against the communist insurgent group, the New People’s Army (NPA).
The FA-50 lost communication with other Air Force aircraft around midnight on March 4, while approaching its target area. While other aircraft completed their missions and returned safely, the missing jet did not reestablish contact.
Following the disappearance, military authorities launched an extensive search operation, which led to the discovery of the wreckage.
A group affiliated with the Pakistan Taliban, Jaish al-Fursan, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that dozens of Pakistani security forces were killed.
However, the military has not provided immediate confirmation of any casualties. A police official told AFP that six attackers were killed in an exchange of gunfire after the assault.
The aircraft was part of a coordinated assault mission supporting ground troops in their fight against the insurgents. The FA-50 jets are equipped with emergency locating transmitters and flight data recorders that could provide important insights into the crash.
This incident is the first major accident involving the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 fighter jets since their procurement in 2015.
