By Priam Nepomuceno

MARITIME PATROL. A Philippine Air Force FA-50PH jet fighter joins the maritime patrol of the Philippines and the United States over Batanes in this November 2023 photo. On Tuesday (March 25, 2025), the PAF said the grounding of 11 FA-50PH fighter jets following the crash of a similar aircraft early this month will be issued within this week. (Photo courtesy of PAF)

MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday said that the order lifting the grounding of the 11 remaining FA-50PH fighter jets will be issued anytime this week.

In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the “comprehensive inspection” of the FA-50PH fleet is almost done.

“And we are committed to bringing back this fleet back to full operational status very soon, hopefully within this week. So that we can get (the FA-50PHs) back to their essential missions of maritime patrol, airspace security, and support to ongoing focused military operations,” she added.

The PAF’s 11 FA-50PHs were ordered grounded following the crash of a similar aircraft during a nighttime tactical operation in Bukidnon on March 5. Two pilots died.

Castillo said results of the assessment of tests done abroad are not yet in.

“As for the ongoing investigation regarding the mishap, currently we are awaiting the results of the voice and data extraction and assessment, which was done overseas,” she added.

Aside from this, Castillo said the investigation team is conducting visual interviews of all personnel involved during and after the flight.

“At the same time, we are also looking at all the maintenance and history records of our aircraft. And we are committed to come up with a swift, impartial, and thorough investigation regarding this, so that we can assure that our future operations are safe for everyone,” she said. (PNA)