Philippine National Police Chief Debold Sinas said that rattan sticks or ‘yantok’ will not be used to hit quarantine and social distancing violators.

Sinas said that the sticks will only be used to measure the distance between people amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Ini-encourage namin at dina-direct ‘yung mga pulis to pinpoint na ‘Ma’am social distancing tayo, ganito…’ para medyo mahaba. Yantok po ang available kasi naubos na ‘yung mga baton natin. Makita mo ‘yung baton, maiksi lang ‘yun. We prefer a longer one, which is yantok,” Sinas said.

The PNP Chief however said that sticks may be used to those who will be resisting arrest.

“Hindi po ‘yun gagamitin sa pamamalo o pagganon-ganon… also kaya naman kami nagkuwan, pag may mga bayolente at nagreresist, instead na barilin kaagad namin, ‘yun na lang pangsubdue namin,” Sinas added.

Malacañang does not recommend the use of ‘yantok’ in enforcing social distancing measures. (TDT)