83 families in Mindanao fled to escape aerial bombings of AFP
By Gerry Albert Corpuz and Himala dela Cuesta
Manila, Philippines - (2nd UPDATE)A human rights organization in Southern Mindanao on Sunday reported that some 83 families or nearly 400 individuals mostly indigenous peasants due to indiscriminate aerial bombings conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippnes (AFP), which residents claimed were done to clean the area from possible opposition to a large-scale mining operations financed by a rich Taiwanese firm.
The Karapatan -Southern Mindanao, in their initial report said massive military operations with indiscriminate aerial bombardments werejointly launched by the 10th and 4th Infantry Division of Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) in Sitio Upper New Visayas, Brgy. New Visayas, Municipality of Trento, Agusan del Sur Province which resulted to forcible displacement, hamletting, and other human rights violations against the farmers and civilian residents.
Rev. Jurie Jaime, spokesman of the human rights NGO said victims narrated to them, the horror as they fled from their homes amidst aerial bombings and ground operations conducted by the 25th and 75th Infantry Battalions.
“This grand military action reveals the brutal costs of militarism hiding beneath the peace and development façade of Oplan Bayanihan,” ” said Karapatan-SMR spokesperson said.
SF Committee Human Rights in the Philippines educates, organize, and mobilizes people and communities in the Bay Area to take progressive action in upholding and supporting human rights in the Philippines and throughout the world. 
