The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) appealed to the government to give special attention to the country’s indigenous people (IPs) who suffer most than other sectors during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

"Bakit mas naaapektuhan ng COVID-19 ang mga katutubo? (Why has COVID-19 affected indigenous peoples more?)" was the CHR’s querry in its social media post.

Answering the question itself, the CHR said the IPs lack of basic necessities and services, such as water, health care, sanitation, and other government services. It also said the IPs do not have access to health status reports where data is specific per ethnicity.

While newspapers, television and radio stations, and social media pages report on COVID-19 news daily, the CHR said that much of what is reported does not reach them or is in a language they are not fluent in. Because of this, indigenous peoples lack knowledge and understanding of COVID-19, it noted.

There are some indigenous people who resort to voluntary isolation, but the CHR said this practice places them at greater risk because of their distance from hospitals or health clinics.

It also said that work and sources of income are also a struggle for them during this pandemic, as government-imposed lockdowns kept them from bringing and selling their products in marketplaces. Indigenous people are also unable to work on their farmland and provide food for their families.

Add to their woes is the government's military-style approach in dealing with the pandemic, the CHR lamented.

"May mga pagkakataong itinuturing na isang krimen o kriminal ang mga hindi nakakasunod sa batas at alintuntunin ng gobyerno, kahit ito ay sanhi ng kahirapan dulot ng pandemya. Ito ay nagiging dahilan ng pagdakip at pagpatay ng ilang mamamayan at katutubo, (There are times when those who do not follow government laws and regulations are considered a crime or a criminal, even if it is prompted by hardships caused by the pandemic. This leads to the arrest and extrajudicial killing of some citizens and indigenous people)," it pointed out.

While there are indigenous people who are fortunate enough to have access to relief and health services, they, however, face discrimination and have to deal with verbal abuse and sub-par treatment from health workers, it added.