2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines 29 78 When the pandemic hit, the situation became even worse as the lockdown made it doubly hard for the local people to move freely in their land. The CHR has documented the continuous attacks against indigenous groups and the red-tagging of their tribal leaders even in the midst of the community quarantine. In Luzon, a member of the DumagatRemontado community was abducted and physically abused while in custody last March. Militarization in the area increased with indigenous community leaders being falsely accused of belonging to the rebel group NPA.126 127 79 Indigenous students from Mindanao who moved to Manila hoping to continue their education found themselves struggling in Metro Manila due to the coronavirus pandemic hitting the Philippine capital the hardest.128 80 Based on the CHR report, the Asosasyon ng Katutubong Mahawang (AKMA) allegedly received a letter from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) telling them to leave their community in Barangay Aranguren and to coordinate with the BCDA in order to do the same. Apparently, the area is needed for the construction of an access road from the New Clark City (NCC) to the Clark International Airport.129 81 Aside from the Civil and Political Rights noted earlier, the CHR raises a concern that a lot of IPs have experienced discrimination in availing themselves of health services. They even lack access to safe water and sanitation, which are crucial in preventing the spread of the disease.130 82 CHRP Advisory on Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) amid the Covid-19 Pandemic (CHR (V) A2020-006) reminds “all concerned government agencies to immediately look into and act on the concerns of the ICCs/ IPs especially those living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) during the enhanced and-disease. 126 Flores-Obanil, C. The Pandemic’s Hidden Casualty: Human Rights. The Diplomat. June 16, 2020, available at https:/ thediplomat.com/2020/06/the-pandemics-hidden-casualty-human-rights/. 127 See similar case, Human Rights Online Philippines. (2020, April 7). [Statement] LOCKDOWN VIOLENCE: Mining company disperses people’s barricade in Didipio, injures indigenous women and arrests leader – LILAK. Human Rights Online Philippines. April 7, 2020, available https://hronlineph.com/2020/04/07/statement-lockdown-violencemining-company-disperses-peoples-barricade-in-didipio-injure-indigenous-women-and-arrest-leader-lilak/, accessed 1 October 2020. 128 Chavez, Leilani. For Philippines’ displaced indigenous students, Covid 19 is one of many threats. Mongabay News & Inspiration From Nature’s Frontline. April 3, 2020. available at https://news.mongabay.com/2020/04/for-philippinesdisplaced-indigenous-students-COVID-19-is-one-of-many-threats/. 129 Human Rights Regional Situationer Report January to June 2020. San Fernando City: CHR Regional Office III. 130 Ki, C. N. O. (2020, August 10). COVID-19 leaves indigenous peoples at a disadvantage – CHR. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/10/COVID-19-leaves-indigenous-peoples-at-a-disadvantage-chr/.