The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Sunday expressed its solidarity with the indigenous communities in the Philippines in raising the call to respect and protect indigenous peoples’ (IPs) rights, especially in facing the global pandemic. 

"Like every Filipino, they endure some of the most devastating impacts of the virus including disruption of food systems, joblessness, and of course, the threat of illness and death," CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Day.

"As if their long-held struggles as a politically and economically marginalized group are not difficult enough, the current COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) situation has left indigenous peoples at a particular disadvantage. Many of them have less or no access to relevant information and healthcare, and have expressed experiencing discrimination in availing health services. They too lack access to safe water and sanitation that are crucial in preventing the spread of the disease," de Guia explained.

She appealed to the government that when implementing policies, programs, or interventions that may affect the indigenous communities, they must always secure the IPs free, prior, and informed consent. 

Response should include intercultural approach that takes into consideration traditional health practices while providing their local healthcare takers all the relevant training in their own languages about contention measures, de Guia said.

Likewise, she said the government must ensure that all forms of humanitarian assistance will be available and accessible to these communities, especially that most of them reside in far-flung areas.

"Despite the country being under community quarantine, there are still reports of continuing attacks against indigenous groups and red tagging of some of their tribal leaders," she pointed out.

Citing a report by the Global Witness declaring the Philippines as the deadliest country in Asia for land and environmental defenders, de Guia said it is alarming to know that while the country experiences the impacts of global crises such as climate change and the coronavirus pandemic, environmental defenders including indigenous peoples, are being criminalized and killed. 

"With the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Law, indigenous people’s groups have been more vocal of their concern over threats of being labeled as enemies of the state and the constant militarization of their communities," she said.

The CHR urged the government to intensify protection measures to mitigate possible human rights violations against them, and to stop external settlers, private firms, and industries who are taking advantage of the present crisis, from entering indigenous peoples’ territories. 

It also underscored the need to pay closer look at the various vulnerabilities of the indigenous peoples and to stop any further marginalization and disenfranchisement.