Karapatan on Sinas' order to use 'yantok' vs. quarantine violators: Ineffective, dangerous

Human rights group Karapatan opposed Philippine National Police chief Police General Debold Sinas' order for cops to use "yantok" or rattan sticks to discipline physical distancing violators.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Karapatan said such a move is “not only utterly ineffective in curbing the pandemic but ultimately dangerous."

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said using such militarist measures may lead to human rights violations that are more brutal.

"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,” Palabay said.

Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Cesar Hawthorne Binag on Friday said social distancing patrols, armed with yantok, have been deployed in public areas in Metro Manila to ensure that minimum health standards are still being observed.

"Ito 'yung inutos sa atin ng Chief PNP si General (Debold) Sinas. May hawak na yantok 'yan, isang metro 'yan pangsaway tapos panukat, pamalo na rin doon sa matitigas ang ulo," he added.

The Commission on Human Rights on Saturday cautioned the government on the threat of enforcers to use yantok in enforcing COVID-19 health protocols, saying that the use of force and actions that may lead to humiliation and trauma is unnecessary.

Sinas has not issued a statement yet in reply to criticisms. —KG, GMA News