Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Cesar Hawthorne Binag warned cops who would abuse the use of rattan sticks or yantok in enforcing physical distancing protocols would be punished.
“Bahagi naman ng aming proseso ‘yan, yantok man ang viniolate mo sa aming police operational procedure, dadaan ka sa proseso, puwede ka maimbestigahan at iimbestigahan ka talaga at kung ano man ang nakasaad na penalty ayon sa sitwasyon na ginawa mo, ‘yun ang aming ipapataw,” Binag said on ANC.
Philippine National Police chief Police General Debold Sinas also assured the public that the rattan sticks would not be used to hit quarantine violators.
However, Sinas said a cop could use the sticks to “subdue” violent offenders who are resisting arrest.
Binag said cops could hit the hands of those resisting arrest.
“Ang tinuro sa amin sa training paggamit ng yantok, ang papaluin mo ‘yung kamay, ‘yung mga vital points, papaluin mo lang siya para ma-overcome mo ‘yung resistance niya at madala siya sa batas,” he said.
“Kailangan naming i-overcome ‘yung resistance ng aming aarestuhin at sa proseso ng pag-overcome nito, kung kinakailangang gamitin na ayon sa aming police operational procedure at ito naman ay tinuruan pa kami ng aming human rights office namin.”
Binag says cops abusing use of ‘yantok’ will be punished
According to Binag, the police recorded around 598,000 violators since quarantine began in March. Of this number, 42% were only issued with tickets, while over 2,000 were slapped with direct assault complaints as they “attacked” authorities apprehending them.
“Doon sa mga naaresto, mayroon diyan mga 2,612 ‘yung direct assault ang finile namin kasi talagang inatake ‘yung persons in authority, kasama na kami diyan at ‘yung mga barangay tanod namin,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday he wants the police to bring back batons in subduing criminals resisting arrest.
The President argued that batons make a good “not-so-lethal weapon” against aggressive criminals.
“We’ll look for the money next year, I’ll buy you the baton… ‘Yung batuta, ibalik ko siguro. But I do not want yung kahoy. It can break the bones inside the body. ‘Yung ano lang, rubber,” he said.