MANILA – The use of “yantok” or rattan sticks is a form of violence and not necessary to carry out coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine protocols, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said.
According to CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia, while COVID-19 quarantine protocols must strictly be followed, enforcing it must be done with human rights in mind.
“As such, 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,” said De Guia.
Joint Task Force COVID Shield’s Police Lt. General Cesar Binag earlier said troops wielding batons would make rounds in public areas to check compliance with physical distancing.
Binag made the directive amid reports that market-goers seemed to forget physical distancing in public places, as they crowd over sales for the holiday season.
However, De Guia stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic is “not a peace and order issue” but a “public health agenda.”
“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 programmes guided by the sound advice of science and health professionals,” De Guia said.
“It is true that different interests must be balanced, but human rights should never be compromised,” she added.
Since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in the Philippines in mid-March, the authorities have arrested, warned or penalized around 700,000 people for violating COVID-19 protocols./PN
