PNP: Yantok to be used only for self-defense

MANILA, Philippines — Yantok or rattan sticks will be used only for self-defense by police in enforcing health protocols in public places, particularly in dispersing crowds flouting rules on physical distancing, the chief of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield clarified.

Lt. Gen. Cesar Binag, in an interview yesterday over Teleradyo, explained that the use of yantok, nightsticks or truncheons would allow JTF officers to defend themselves against attacks from unruly violators of the health protocols.

“If our authorities are being assaulted, including those in barangays… (they) have no other choice but to defend themselves and arrest (attackers) making use of unarmed arresting techniques and this is where the use of yantok will be implemented,” Binag explained.

At last Friday’s Laging Handa press briefing, Binag announced that “social distancing

patrollers” have rattan sticks to strike “hardheaded individuals.”

The head of government’s quarantine enforcement arm added, “These equipment are used in our training and these are officially issued equipment to police.”

Branding this as a form of violence, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) cautioned the government against “unnecessary” use of force and actions that may traumatize and humiliate people.

Binag thanked the CHR for the reminder, but urged citizens to follow protocols so that police will have no need to address extreme situations with the use of such implements.

Citing JTF data, Binag said at least 598,000 people nationwide have so far been warned, arrested and fined for violating quarantine protocols since March.

Of the number, 253,000 were fined while 200,000 were let off with warnings. Some 24 percent of the total number of violators was arrested.

Meanwhile, human rights group Karapatan slammed the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Debold Sinas over the move to weaponize rattan sticks against health protocol violators.

“We have said this time and time again: using militarist, punitive, and often violent measures to implement health protocols have only fomented more brutal human rights violations under the lockdown from the torture and violent arrests of alleged quarantine violators, dehumanizing penalties, and even death — and, clearly, these measures have failed in curbing the spread of the pandemic,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said.

“We warn that Sinas’s order will only unleash more violence and human rights violations in its wake,” she added. – Elizabeth Marcelo