Region IX has not recorded any information that a member of the IPs/ICC became infected with the dreaded COVID 19. This pandemic has also glaringly showed to us how displaced and uprooted these Badjaos are. The rights pertaining to their ancestral domains have remained as an unresolved matter to be tackled to this day. Until now, no CADC or CADT has yet been issued for this indigenous community as there remain no clear guidelines for such issuance. Moreover, there is likewise no clear identification of the concerned line agencies of the government which will undertake the survey and delineation of our internal waters to finally determine such as belonging to this native tribe. In addition to the above, the Indigenous Subanen Communities in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur are likewise still very apprehensive of a possible mineral exploration by foreign corporations in their ancestral domain. Although the appointment of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in the legislative branch of each city, municipality and provincial government has been a remarkable step towards the enjoyment of the IPs/ICCs right to self-governance and empowerment, this move has not been completely successful. A number of these identified representatives failed to get the votes of the council members on their proposed projects, plans and programs intended for their respective local tribe. In the light of their autonomy and self-determination, it is also requisite that a tribal leader’s authority in settling disputes amicably between conflicting parties of whom one or both are IPs/ICC prior to barangay conciliation be institutionalized in our laws. Finally, the overlapping mandate of authority between the Department of Agrarian Reform Titles (CLOA – Cerificate of Land Ownership Award) to the tenant beneficiaries and the ancestral domain of the IP in some parts of BASULTA Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi and in Region IX must be addressed and resolved with finality. 11. Human Rights Defenders For the period of January to June 2020, there was no complaint or reported incident of human rights violation against human rights defenders that merited investigation by the regional office. This notwithstanding, the regional office is in constant consultation with numerous organizations operating within the region that are engaged in the advocacy of promoting and protecting human rights including Zamboanga Basilan Integrated Development Alliance, Federation of Zamboanga City Civil Society Organization, Legal Nga Abdokasiya sa Mabalantayong Pilipino (LAMP), Silsilah Forum, Amnesty International IX, Interfaith Forum for Peace and Solidarity, Women Empowerment Movement, Rural Improvement Club (WEM-RIC), Mujer-LGBT, EDUCO and the Silsilah Forum. III. Regional Human Rights Issues and Concerns The following are the identified issues and concerns in sum, viz: 1. In EJK cases, the cases were prone to dismissal due to lack of witnesses or their non-cooperation due to fear of reprisals; 10 10