First Lieutenant AJ Dadulla, one of the two pilots killed in the tragic crash of an FA-50 fighter jet in Mt. Kalatungan, Bukidnon, was set to marry his fiancée—also a member of the Air Force—on March 15.
Dadulla, a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduate and a resident of Alae, Manolo Fortich, was among the Air Force’s promising young officers. His sudden passing has left his family, fiancée, and fellow servicemen in deep grief. Tributes have poured in, honoring his dedication and sacrifice for the country.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed that the bodies of the two pilots had been recovered near the crash site after search and rescue teams detected a beacon signal. A military ambulance later transported the remains to a private funeral home in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City. Authorities have yet to officially release the identities of the recovered bodies.
Following the incident, PAF Spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo announced that 11 out of the 12 FA-50 fighter jets in the country have been grounded as an immediate precautionary measure. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
