In the south of the Philippines, fragments of the FA-50 military aircraft were discovered, with which the day before was lost, as well as the bodies of two pilots.
It is reported that the fighter was sent to the Bukinon province to support the operation “to fight the rebels”, but the connection with it was interrupted.
Search and rescue units sent to the region discovered fragments of the aircraft and the bodies of pilots in a wooded area on Mount Kalatungan.
Officials confirmed that the FA-50 was involved in the operation “against the rebels” in the Kabanglsan area of the Province of Bukinon.
Air Force Filippins (PAF) still cannot say exactly whether the pilots have managed to catapult before the fall of the aircraft.
“With deep regret, we report that both pilots died,” the statement says.
Local media reported that the disaster is being investigated, and all the FA-50 aircraft in service with the Filippin Air Force were temporarily removed from flights.
PAF spokesman Colonel Consuelo Castillo noted that it is too early to draw any conclusions about the causes of the tragedy.
“We will conduct a thorough investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the incident,” – follows from the message.
Previously, the Philippines Air Force said that the plane disappeared during tactical exercises in the region.
The Philippines purchased 12 FA-50 fighters from the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries LTD in 2015 under a contract for about $ 331 million.