MANILA, Philippines – The remains of Major Jude Salang-Oy and 1st Lieutenant April John Dadulla, the two pilots who died in the Bukidnon jet accident earlier this week, arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Saturday, March 8.
The two received military honors and the Distinguished Aviation Cross award from the Philippine Air Force and Philippine officials. PAF spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the recognition given to the pilots were the highest aviation-related awards.
Probe is also ongoing to determine the circumstances of the accident, while the other FA-50 fighter jets are administratively grounded pending the investigation.
The jets went missing around the same time the military launched airstrikes in Northern Mindanao on Tuesday, March 4. A Philippine Army commander said the airstrike had been called to support troops battling New People’s Army in Bukidnon.
When asked if the fighter jets were involved in the airstrikes, Castillo said she cannot comment yet on the matter. Major General Michele Anayron, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, also said earlier that they cannot confirm whether the aircraft used in the airstrikes were FA-50 jets. – Rappler.com