NCR police to use yantok to enforce health protocols

Metro Manila police will start using yantok (rattan sticks) in enforcing quarantine protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras" on Thursday, National Capital Region Police Office director Police Major General Vicente Danao Jr. vowed that the use of the yantok will not be abused, and that the stick will just be used to remind the public to observe minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and physical distancing.

"Para ma-remind po sila na every time makita nila 'yan, usually kasi sinisenyas lang 'yan, hinahawakan sa gitna. Ibig sabihin noon maintain social distancing, face mask, ganoon," he said.

(It just serves as a reminder to people ever time they see it, because the enforcers usually just signal with it. Holding it in the middle means to maintain social distancing, face mask.)

In Quiapo Church, police are already using yantok and mega phones to remind church goers to strictly follow health standards.

"Kung gagamitin lang ng ating kapulisan para i-maintain, hindi naman siguro sila manghahampas, kung makakatulong po 'yon para mag-remind sa mga tao  e di maganda po 'yon," Father Douglas Badong said.

(If the police will only use the yantok to maintain social distancing, and they probably wouldn't use it to strike people, if it will help remind people then it's a good thing.)

Last year police were caught on camera hitting a supposedly mentally challenged man with a yantok. 

The Commission on Human Rights cautioned against the use of the yantok, saying that that while the pandemic has pushed the government to use several ways to enforce health safety protocols, human rights and dignity must be respected at all times and situations. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News