2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines 3 internally displaced. This created more pressure on the government, especially local government authorities, as temporary evacuation centers had to factor in physical distancing protocols to prevent The Indigenous Peoples (IPs), an already vulnerable group, were also affected by the pandemic. CHR spokesperson 7Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that many experienced discrimination in availing themselves of health services. They reported lack of access to safe water and sanitation that are crucial in preventing the spread of the disease. When the pandemic hit, the situation became even worse as the heavy presence of police and the military made it doubly hard for the local people to move freely in their land. The CHR documented the continuous attacks against indigenous groups and the red-tagging of their tribal leaders amid the community quarantine. In Luzon, a member of the Dumagat-Remontado community was abducted and physically abused while in custody in March. Militarization in the area increased with indigenous community leaders falsely accused of belonging to the rebel group New Peoples’ Army (NPA). IP students in Region XI also experienced harassment and surveillance.8 Domestic violence worsened not only in the Philippines but in several parts of the world because of the lockdown.9 Philippine government data have shown that there was a decrease in reported gender-based violence during the first months of lockdown. The figures presented by the government indicate a decline in reported cases, which is attributable to the barriers brought about by the lockdown, which have hindered victims from reporting. The economic challenges being suffered by families during the slowdown of economic activities during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) makes these families vulnerable to online sexual predators. The worsening economic situation may have pushed adults to resort to peddling children to sexual predators online. On the rights of older persons, the CHR takes note of the findings of the World Health Organization (WHO), which has identified older persons (or those 60 years old and above) as among the sectors who appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with COVID-19. Current analysis based on statistics from around the world shows that mortality rates are highest at about 7 Commission on Human Rights. (2020, August 9). Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Retrieved from https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson – atty-jacqueline-ann-de-guia-on-the-celebration-of-national-indigenous-peoples-day/. 8 CHR Region XI (2020, July 30). Regional Human Rights Situation Report January 2020 to June 2020, pp. 17-18. 9 See https://www.omct.org/press-releases/statements/2020/05/d25868/.