A Philippine air force fighter jet with two pilots on board has gone missing during a night combat assault in support of ground forces who were battling insurgents in a southern province, and an extensive search is underway,

FA-50 fighter jet—one of a dozen operated by the service—and its two pilots are missing following an overnight tactical operation.

A search is underway for two fighter pilots, after their aircraft lost contact during a military engagement in the Philippines. The jet was supporting ground forces fighting communist insurgents when it lost contact, officials say. Search efforts are focused on a remote and mountainous region.

A Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft was reported missing during a “tactical night operation” on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, before it was set to return to the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu,

Manila, Philippines—A Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50 fighter jet and its two-man crew are missing after flying in support of ground forces fighting communist rebels in the southern Mindanao region, a military official said Tuesday.

The FA-50 jet lost communication during a tactical mission over a southern province at around midnight on Monday.