The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Sunday rejected the use of “yantok” or wooden batons to enforce health protocols.
“We recognize that the unknown nature of the pandemic has pushed others, including the government, into devising different, novel ways in enforcing health safety protocols so as to prevent the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among the population. However, the CHR has repeatedly stressed the importance of respecting the human rights and dignity of all as we address this health crisis,” the commission's spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.
On Dec. 4, the government task force on COVID-19 announced law enforcers would be deployed to enforce health safeguards, such as physical distancing, in public areas during the Christmas holidays.
The patrollers threatened to use “yantok” to hit people violating the health guidelines.
“We wish to caution the government against unnecessary use of force and actions that may lead to humiliation and trauma. Violence, even in its slightest suggestion, is not the best way to address the pandemic. Rather, the government should continue to employ information dissemination to make the people understand the hazards of going out in the midst of a pandemic, as well as implement programs guided by the sound advice of science and health professionals. Government must equally invest and reinforce protection of health care workers who bear the brunt of curing an ailing population due to this virus,” De Guia said.
“We stress that the pandemic is not a peace and order issue, but a public health agenda. The public should also be equally reminded to follow these health protocols strictly. At this point, it is quite obvious that the virus has already affected the economy as well. It is true that different interests must be balanced, but human rights should never be compromised,” she added.
The human rights watchdog group Karapatan hit Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas for threatening to beat violators of distancing measures during the holiday season.
Employing physical violence in enforcing quarantine protocols is “not only utterly ineffective in curbing the pandemic but ultimately dangerous,” Karapatan said.
“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,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said.
At a Laging Handa press briefing on Friday, Dec. 4, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations and Joint Task Force COVID Shield Commander Lt. Gen. Cesar Binag said policemen on “social distancing patrol” have been ordered by Sinas to use rattan sticks to hit violators of physical distancing measures.
:We have what we call 'social distancing patrol' and because they have been ordered by our PNP chief General Sinas, they will hold one-meter rattan sticks to stop violators, as a measuring device, and it would be used to hit hard headed people,” said Palabay.
