An investigation has been launched into what caused a Philippine military jet to crash as it battled communist insurgents in the country's south, killing two pilots.
Rescuers found the wreckage of the jet and the bodies of the pilots on Wednesday in a jungle on Mount Kalatungan in Bukidnon province, military officials said.
The FA-50 jet lost communication with other air force aircraft after midnight on Tuesday before it reached its target.
The other aircraft were able to return safely to an air base in the central Cebu province after carrying out their assaults, military officials said.
The FA-50 jet was deployed to provide combat support to troops battling dozens of suspected New People's Army guerillas near the town of Cabanglasan, the military said.
"It was a total wreck," regional military commander Lieutenant General Luis Rex Bergante said of the scene that confronted the Philippine special forces who found the plane.
[MAP]A regional military spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Garello, said the bodies of the two air force pilots were found near the wreckage, but did not elaborate further.
Pilots can eject from the supersonic FA-50 jets if they encounter problems, but the Philippine air force said it remained unclear if the two pilots aboard the doomed plane had ejected as it plummeted.
It was also not immediately clear what caused the crash. An investigation was underway, the air force said.
The FA-50 jet was one of 12 multi-purpose fighter jets acquired by the Philippine government from a South Korean company about a decade ago.
The 18.9 billion peso ($523 million) contract was at the time the biggest of a military modernisation program that has been repeatedly stalled by a lack of funds.
The rest of the fleet was grounded following the incident, according to the Philippine air force.
The government has plans to acquire another 12 fighter jets from South Korea.
[MAP FIGHTING]The Philippine military estimates about 2,000 communist guerillas remain in the country's south after decades of military setbacks, surrenders and factional fighting.
Peace talks brokered by Norway collapsed under the previous president, Rodrigo Duterte, after both sides accused the other of continuing deadly attacks despite the negotiations.
In 2023, the government and the communist rebels agreed to resume talks aimed at ending one of Asia's longest insurgencies. But the talks still have not restarted under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Aside from anti-insurgency operations, the FA-50 jets have been used in a range of activities, from major national ceremonies to patrolling the disputed South China Sea.
AP/ABC
