80 Addressing Inequality During the Pandemic c There are LGUs who refuse to recognize IP Mandatory Representatives. Concerns over the delivery of basic government service to the IPs were also raised with emphasis on the health, education and livelihood programs for IPs. d Concerns over their security, with the continued presence and recruitment of the New Peoples’ Army. They pointed out the need to regulate Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations and Peoples’ Organizations entering their ancestral domain e They finally raised the issue of strengthening their ancestral domain defense system and the revival of the Bagani system. 335 On 06 November 2020, Lodema Doroteo (“Lodema”) sent an SMS message to this Office as regards the alleged harassment of the respondents. One Pia Alonte from the 80th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, along with two (2) police officers and an army personnel visited their village. According to the complainant, the respondents allegedly found a sack filled with firearms in the house of her father, herein victim, to which the latter had no knowledge of. She averred that the confiscated items were left by a group of individuals who temporarily resided within their community sometime in April 2020.298 336 On 30 October 2020, the respondents returned to their village and informed the victim that they would no longer press charges against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act provided that the latter admit that he is a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines — New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). They were given ten (10) days to admit the assertion otherwise, a criminal case against them would be filed.299 337 Worried about her father, Lodema sought the assistance of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Tanay, Rizal. Immediately, the NCIP allegedly set a dialogue the following day or on November 07, 2020, with the respondents to discuss the matter. The parties convened as scheduled where the 80th Infantry Battalion of the PA committed to coordinate with the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. 300 338 A letter to the NCIP was sent on 23 November 2020 to request for updates on the said dialogue but remains unheeded to date. On 25 November 2020, this Office was apprised by Lodema through SMS, that a letter from NTF-ELCAC was received by them inviting her father and some of their relatives who were alleged members of the communist group in a meeting. From then on, this Office no longer heard from Lodema as regards the case of her father until 13 April 2021 when Lodema, through an SMS, relayed that her father’s case had already been closed.301 339 The traditional livelihood of the IPs has been disrupted by the pandemic because they are unable to continue gathering non-timber products and illegal loggers have taken advantage of their resources. The global crisis increased their precarious living conditions and surfaced many issues particularly accessibility to certain programs and assistance. Many IPs live in rural areas where these programs are almost non-existent. Their inferior baseline health and limited access to health care and sanitation also made them vulnerable and at higher 298 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IV-CALABARZON. (2021, July). Report on the Human Rights Situation of Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in CALABARZON ( January to June 2021). 299 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IV-CALABARZON. (2021, July). Report on the Human Rights Situation of Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in CALABARZON ( January to June 2021). 300 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IV-CALABARZON. (2021, July). Report on the Human Rights Situation of Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in CALABARZON ( January to June 2021). 301 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IV-CALABARZON. (2021, July). Report on the Human Rights Situation of Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in CALABARZON ( January to June 2021).