The missing FA-50 fighter jet remains the focus of extensive search and rescue operations by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), as efforts continue to locate the two pilots on board.
According to PAF Spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo, the search for the two pilots is ongoing, and they are believed to still be alive.
“Not yet found po but the ground rescuers are tracking their location based on signal emitted by their personal locator beacons,” (They have not yet been found, but the ground rescuers are tracking their location based on signals emitted by their personal locator beacons) said Col. Castillo.
Castillo stated that there are indications the two pilots ejected from the aircraft, as their personal locator beacons were reportedly activated manually.
Reports indicate that the fighter jet was conducting a tactical night operation when it suddenly went missing.
The PAF has mobilized all available resources to locate the missing FA-50 fighter jet and its pilots.
The FA-50 is a light combat aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries in partnership with Lockheed Martin.
The Philippine Air Force began acquiring this aircraft model in 2015.