Authorities to use 'yantok' when assaulted by virus protocol violators: official

Gillan Ropero, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/12/06/20201203-covid-quarantine-divisoria-inspection-gc-6483.jpg"/><figcaption>Police officers flash signages with safety reminders along a crowded Ylaya Street in Divisoria, Manila on December 3, 2020. Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Mayor Isko Moreno visited the area to remind shoppers about the importance of abiding to the minimum public health standards as the Christmas season approaches. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - Authorities will use &#x27;yantok&#x27; or rattan sticks when they are assaulted by violators of COVID-19 protocols, an official said Sunday.The Commission on Human Rights earlier said it was unnecessary and a &quot;form of violence&quot; to use such weapon to carry out anti-virus measures.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/04/20/yantok-wielding-patrollers-to-check-physical-distancing-vs-covid-19-official">&#x27;Yantok&#x27;-wielding patrollers to check physical distancing vs COVID-19: official</a></li></ul>Troops will primarily use yantok in measuring physical distancing, said Police Lt. Gen. Cesar Binag, commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield.&quot;Kapag ina-assault nila yung ating authorities, eh wala ho tayong magagawa kung di depensahan ang sarili nila at aarestuhin kayo…Dun na ho papasok ang ating yantok, nightstick o probaton. Ginamit po namin yun sa training, at official po ito na issued equipment ng ating mga pulis,&quot; he told ABS-CBN&#x27;s TeleRadyo.(When authorities are assaulted, we will have no choice but to defend ourselves and arrest you. That&#x27;s when yantok, nightstick or probaton comes in, which we used in our training and is an official equipment of the police.)&quot;Non-stop po ang aming paalala sa aming kababayan. Sana, sumunod sila para hindi umabot sa extreme situation.&quot;(We remind the public nonstop. So we hope they will follow so it won&#x27;t lead to extreme situations.)Binag reminded policemen also to use the weapon in appropriate situations.Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian said local governments also used yantok but only to measure distance.&quot;Nung ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), kami ang nauna d&#x27;yan. Hindi ginagamit bilang pamalo, (pero) palatandaan gaano kalayo ang mga tao sa isa’t isa. Basta remind mo lang, &#x27;wag na natin paluin pa ang tao. Hindi tama yun,&quot; he said.(We were the first to us it during ECQ, but only to remind the public of physical distancing. Just remind them, don&#x27;t hit them. It&#x27;s not right.)Binag said authorities have so far warned, apprehended, penalized and fined some 598,000 individuals for violating the country&#x27;s quarantine protocols.Of these, some 253,000 were fined or rendered community service, while another 200,000 were only issued warnings. Those arrested account for 24 percent of the violators, he said.The Philippines has already logged 438,069 confirmed COVID-19 cases, as of Dec. 5, of which, 29,961 are active infections.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/05/20/ph-reports-1733-new-covid-19-cases-as-recoveries-near-400000">PH reports 1,733 new COVID-19 cases, as recoveries near 400,000</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Z1JVdRvKWo?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Authorities will use 'yantok' or rattan sticks when they are assaulted by violators of COVID-19 protocols, an official said Sunday.

Authorities will use 'yantok' or rattan sticks when they are assaulted by violators of COVID-19 protocols, an official said Sunday.

Authorities to use 'yantok' when assaulted by virus protocol violators: official | ABS-CBN

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

News

Authorities to use 'yantok' when assaulted by virus protocol violators: official

Authorities to use 'yantok' when assaulted by virus protocol violators: official

Gillan Ropero,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 06, 2020 09:02 AM PHT

|

Updated Dec 06, 2020 09:10 AM PHT

Read More:

Teleradyo

yantok

police

physical distancing

COVID-19 protocols

JTF COVID Shield

Cesar Binag

Rex Gatchalian

COVID-19

coronavirus

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Advertise with Us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.