A Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jet has gone missing during a mission against the New People's Army, a communist insurgent group. The plane lost contact with other military aircraft, which successfully returned to base. Authorities are conducting an extensive search, remaining optimistic about the pilots' safety. The incident raises questions about the operational status of the remaining FA-50 jets, which are crucial for both internal security and maritime patrols in contested regions. Previous peace talks with communist insurgents have stalled under the current administration, complicating the military landscape.
The FA-50 plane lost contact with other air force jets, which all returned safely to an air base in the Philippines' central Cebu province.
The Philippine military estimates that roughly 1,000 communist fighters remain after decades of fighting.
Following the overnight incident, it was not clear whether the rest of the Philippines' FA-50s would be grounded.
The Philippines, which acquired 12 of the jets in 2015, hopes to buy another dozen fighters of the same model and make from South Korea.
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