The Filipino combat plane that transports 2 pilots disappears during the mission against the insurgents in the Southern Province

A combat aircraft of the Philippines Air Force that transported two pilots disappeared during a night fight assault in support of the land forces fighting the insurgents in a southern province, authorities said Tuesday.

He Jet FA-50 He lost communication during the tactical mission around midnight on Monday before reaching an objective area. A search for the plane is running.

“We hope to locate them and the plane soon and ask him to join us in prayer during this critical time,” the Philippine Air Force spokesman, Colonel Ma. Said Consuelo Castillo.

The Chinese Navy helicopter flies less than 10 feet from the Patrol’s plane in the dispute card

Two combat aircraft of the Philippines Air Force FA-50 fly during a patrol session and joint training with the United States over the South China Sea, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. (Philippines Air Force through AP)

The other plane involved in the mission safely returned to an air base in the center of the province of Cebu, said the Air Force, without offering more details due to security reasons.

The incident occurred in a South Province of Philippines During an anti-insurgency mission against communist guerrillas, said a Military official Filipino to Associated Press.

The joint patrol of American flies with the Philippines near the Shoal region guarded by China

Two combat aircraft of the Philippines Air Force FA-50 fly with two B-1 bomber aircraft of the US Air Force. (Philippines Air Force through AP)

It was not clear immediately if the other FA-50 would be based after the incident.

Philippines acquired 12 multipurpose combat aircraft from FA-50 South Korea Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. for 18.9 billion pesos, or $ 331 million, as of 2015. The acquisition was seen at that time as the largest agreement under a military modernization program that had been repeatedly stagnated by the lack of funds.

An F-Air Air Force Air Force, and the US Air Force. UU. F-16, on the right, flies in formation during the Joint Military Exercise of the US Air Force. (Getty images)

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In addition to the missions against the insurgency, the Jets have been used for several other activities, including the main national ceremonies and patrol the disputed sea of ​​southern China.

Associated Press contributed to this report.