Palace: Authorities can’t use ‘yantok’ to hit quarantine violators

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities cannot use “yantok” or rattan sticks to hit quarantine violators, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this can only be used to measure social distancing among the public.

“Tingin ko po tama si [Foreign Affairs] Secretary [Teodoro] Locsin dito, hindi po pupuwede gamitin ‘yan na pang-hit o pampalo dahil hindi naman po ‘yan pinapayagan sa ating batas at ang regulasyon ng PNP [Philippine National Police],” Roque said in an online briefing.

(I think Secretary Locsin is right, this cannot be used to hit people since it is not allowed under the law and the regulation of the PNP.)

“Pwede po siguro to measure social distancing, to make sure one meter pero hindi po ‘yan pang pampalo ng taumbayan,” he added.

(It can only be allowed to measure social distancing, to make sure there is one-meter distance but not for hitting the violators.)

Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield chief Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag earlier said social distancing patrollers will use “yantok” to enforce health protocols and even hit those who are hardheaded and would refuse to follow the rules.

Locsin said health protocol violators should be slapped with fines instead of being threatened to be hit with “yantok” to instill discipline.

KGA