Remains of 2 Air Force pilots killed in FA-50 crash arrive in Manila

Philippine Air Force officers carry the flag-draped caskets of Major Jude Salang-Oy and First Lieutenant April John Dadulla in arrival honors at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Saturday afternoon, March 8, 2025. (Photo from Philippine Air Force)

MANILA, Philippines — The remains of the two pilots of the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 fighter jet that crashed in Bukidnon arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Saturday afternoon, the PAF announced.

Major Jude Salang-Oy and First Lieutenant April John Dadulla were aboard the fighter jet that went missing last Tuesday.

Their remains were flown in from Lumbia Airfield in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday.

Salang-Oy and Dadulla were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Aviation Cross.

The PAF said vigil nights will be observed at the Villamor Air Base and the Basa Air Base in Pampanga to honor the two pilots while interment details were still being finalized by their respective families.

“Their heroism serves as an inspiration to all members of the Philippine Air Force and to the Filipino people,” the Air Force said in a statement on Saturday.

“As Guardians of the Skies, we will continue to honor their legacy by upholding the values of service, duty, and sacrifice that they so valiantly embodied,” it added.