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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
March 7, 2025 | 12:00am
Philippine Air Force FA-50 light fighter aircraft (back) taxis during the US-Philippines 'Cope Thunder' joint air force military exercise last year. The Philippine Air Force said an FA-50 fighter jet and its crew went missing after they flew out of Mactan–Benito Ebuen Air Base during an overnight operation.
Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos is seeking a speedy probe of the FA-50 fighter jet crash in Bukidnon that left two pilots dead.
“The President wants to fast-track the investigation to determine where the error was committed, as well as possible remedies to these kinds of incidents,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday at a press briefing.
The South Korea-built jet went missing on Tuesday while on a mission to support ground troops engaged in an encounter with the New People’s Army, the Philippine Air Force said.
The PAF has grounded its fleet of 11 FA-50 jets following the incident.?
Authorities found the wreckage on Mount Kalatungan in Bukidnon.
The pilots’ bodies were recovered around 1 a.m. yesterday, the Philippine Army said.
Speaker Martin Romualdez has expressed his condolences to the pilots’ families.
“To the families of our hero pilots, you are not alone,” he said. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Pia Lee-Brago
