Sinas: Yantok won’t be used to hit quarantine violators

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas on Tuesday said "yantok" or rattan sticks would not be used to hit quarantine violators, but to enforce social distancing among the public in this time of pandemic.

At a press briefing, Sinas explained that without rattan sticks, police officers would be forced to have direct contact to someone he or she is apprehending.

Sinas, however, said the rattan sticks could also be used against "violent" individuals who are resisting arrest.

"Ini-encourage namin at dina-direct 'yung mga pulis to pinpoint na 'Ma'am social distancing tayo, ganito...' para medyo mahaba. Yantok po ang available kasi naubos na 'yung mga baton natin. Makita mo 'yung baton, maiksi lang 'yun. We prefer a longer one which is yantok," Sinas said.

"Hindi po 'yun gagamitin sa pamamalo o pagganon-ganon... also kaya naman kami nagkuwan, pag may mga bayolente at nagreresist, instead na barilin kaagad namin, 'yun na lang pangsubdue namin," he added.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has warned the police against the use of rattan sticks, noting that it is not allowed under the law and the regulations of the police force.

The Commission on Human Rights, for its part, argued that the use of force in implementing quarantine protocols, which may cause trauma in this time of health crisis, is unnecessary.

President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, said he wants to revive the use of batons, noting that they make a good "not-so-lethal weapon" against aggressive criminals. — RSJ, GMA News