Malacañang thumbs down PNP’s plan to use caning in punishing social distancing violators

Malacanang has voiced opposition to a plan by the Philippine National Police to (PNP) to use caning, or hitting people with a stick, to enforce social distancing measures during the holiday season.

“Tingin ko po tama si Secretary Locsin dito, hindi po pupwedeng gamitin ‘yan (yantok) na pang-hit o pampalo dahil hindi naman po ‘yan pinapayagan sa ating batas,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a briefing today Dec. 7.

PNP’s deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Cesar Binag said in a previous briefing that roving poliemen will use yantok or rattan sticks to hit hard headed individuals violating social distancing.

“They will have a rattan stick – one meter length. It’s for stopping (violators) and as a measure device, and would be used to hit hardheaded individuals,” Binag said in Filipino at a Laging Handa press briefing.

But in an interview today, Binag walked back his statement and said the yantok will only be used for self-defense.

“If our authorities are being assaulted, including those in barangays… (they) have no other choice but to defend themselves and arrest (attackers) making use of unarmed arresting techniques and this is where the use of yantok will be implemented,” Binag explained over a Teleradyo interview.

In a tweet shown below, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. expressed disagreement with the plan.

This is the only “yantok” we will accept and only from someone in her uniform. Anyone else in any other uniform can go fuck a duck. pic.twitter.com/qpMCDaBGsQ

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) December 7, 2020

Commission on Human Rights spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia earlier released a statement opposing the plan.

“We wish to caution the government against unnecessary use of force and actions that may lead to humiliation and trauma,” de Guia said. “Violence, even in its slightest suggestion, is not the best way to address the pandemic.”

Caning is a corporal punishment being enforced in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. It is largely a legacy of British colonial rule in former colonies.

(Banner photo by Edd Gumban, The Philippine Star)