A Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jet and its two-man crew have gone missing during an overnight mission from Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base, near Cebu. The aircraft lost contact with other fighters just before reaching its target area, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed on Tuesday.
Colonel Consuelo Castillo, an Air Force spokeswoman, said the disappearance occurred during a “tactical night operation” aimed at supporting ground troops. This is the first major incident involving the FA-50s, which have been used in exercises over the contested South China Sea. The PAF has a dozen FA-50s, purchased from South Korea in recent years.
Castillo expressed optimism that the jet and crew might still be found, stating, “We are hopeful that we will still be able to recover the aircraft and crew.” Search operations are underway with all available resources, though the exact mission details and location remain undisclosed.
The FA-50s have played a role in joint patrols with the United States over the South China Sea, a region of increasing tension between China and the Philippines. Beijing’s territorial claims in the area have been disputed by international law, including a 2016 Hague ruling.
In January, reports indicated that the Philippines was considering purchasing an additional 12 FA-50s to bolster its air defense capabilities.
FA-50 Fighting Eagle by Korea Aerospace Industries on Wikimedia CC-BY-2.0
