Remains of 2 pilots, fighter jet wreckage found: Philippine military

MANILA -- The remains of the two pilots and the wreckage of the FA-50 fighter jet that crashed during a combat air support mission have been found, the Philippine military said Wednesday.

Lieutenant General Luis Rex Bergante, the commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the bodies were found around 11 am local time Wednesday near the wreckage site in Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon province.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the FA-50 jet lost communication during the night combat assault around midnight Tuesday before reaching the target area.

The other aircraft were able to return safely to an air base in Cebu province in the central Philippines after carrying out the offensive.