FACT-CHECK: Photos circulating online not of PAF’s ill-fated FA-50

CLAIM: Alleged leaked photo of the crash site of Philippine Air Force’s missing jet in Bukidnon.

RATING: FALSE

A Facebook page published photos of a crashed jet fighter falsely claiming it was of the Philippine Air Force’s then-missing FA-50 that was later found in Bukidnon.

“NextGen PHDefense” posted two pictures of a destroyed aircraft with the caption: “IMAGES OF THE CR*ASHED (sic) FA-50PH 002 EMERGES, WHICH WAS LOCATED AT MT. KALATUGAN, MIARAYON TALAKAG, BUKIDNON! CTTO.”

(“Lumabas na ang mga larawan ng bumagsak na FA-50PH 002, na natagpuan sa Mt. Kalatugan, Miarayon Talakag, Bukidnon! CTTO.”)

However, the photos were not of the missing Philippine Air Force (PAF) jet but were of a charred F-22 Raptor of the United States’ Air Force. The photo was published in an article in 2022. 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on March 5, confirmed to the news media that the missing jet was found by search teams at a crash site within the vicinity of Mt. Kalatungan, Bukidnon.

The PAF has also verified the deaths of its two pilots who were aboard the ill-fated two-seater, fixed-wing aircraft with tail number 002.

No photos were released to the public at the time of publishing.

The jet was reported missing March 4 during a “tactical night operation.” It was one of the Philippines’ 12 South Korean-made FA-50.

Through its official Facebook page, the AFP debunked the claim, reminding Filipinos “to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading misinformation that can cause confusion and distress.”

The post gathered 1,200 reactions, 384 comments, and 764 shares before it was removed from Facebook. Hurt Allauigan

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