FIRST Lieutenant April John Dadulla was just ten days away from his wedding when tragedy struck.
The 29-year-old fighter pilot had planned to exchange vows with his fiancée, a fellow aviator, on March 15.
However, fate had other plans when an official mission on the night of March 4 in Bukidnon ended in disaster, cutting short their dreams of a future together.
A native of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Dadulla devoted his life to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and committed to defending his country.
But beyond his service, he was a man in love, eagerly counting down the days until he would say “I do.”
His older brother, Lt. Jovenel Dadulla, recalled their last conversation just two nights before the mission.
Speaking to Magnum Radio, he shared how April John had casually asked about the weather in Bukidnon, unaware it would be their final exchange.
In a statement from the pilots’ group Pinoy Aviators, Dadulla and his co-pilot, Major Jude Salang-Oy, were identified as members of the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Bulldogs” under the 5th Fighter Wing.
They were flying an FA-50PH light fighter aircraft (#002) during a midnight airstrike operation against the New People’s Army (NPA) when they lost contact with their fellow pilots.
Despite multiple attempts to re-establish communication, their aircraft remained unresponsive.
The pilots were equipped with Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), which should have emitted emergency signals in case of a crash.
However, authorities have yet to confirm whether any distress signals were received.
Due to security concerns, the PAF did not disclose the aircraft’s last known coordinates, as the area was reportedly occupied by NPA rebels.
A search and rescue team, including Army Special Forces personnel, located the wreckage of FA-50PH #002 on the morning of March 5 in the mountainous terrain of Mt. Kalatungan, Barangay Mirayon, Talakag, Bukidnon.
The charred remains of both pilots were found at the crash site, and the aircraft was declared beyond economic repair.
The FA-50PH, known for its advanced avionics and night-flying capabilities, has since been grounded pending an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Authorities are examining possible factors such as technical failure, adverse weather, or external threats.
The tragic loss of First Lieutenant Dadulla and Major Salang-Oy has left the military and aviation communities in mourning.
Tributes poured in from the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the 5th Fighter Wing, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 2014, and the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School (PAFOCS) Class of 2020.
For First Lieutenant Dadulla, the skies were both his battlefield and his passion. His wedding, once a symbol of love and new beginnings, will never take place.
Instead, his fiancée is left with memories of a love story that ended too soon.
His service, bravery, and ultimate sacrifice will forever be honored, ensuring that his legacy lives on—long after his final flight.
