THE DUTERTE administration has rediscovered a new endemic resource to govern in this time of the pandemic. The yantok or rattan, used as a ruler or a rule to enforce a simple policy.
The tool’s value is two fold, and it’s tricky. It is to serve as metric to determine if people comply with the social distancing protocol. If not, it can be used to beat or bludgeon violators into submission. Whether it’s one or the other, the new device can symbolize three things, at least: incompetence , ignorance or intention or ALOTA. ( ALL OF THE ABOVE).
A policeman or any law enforcer doesn’t need a yantok to measure if people are observing social distancing. For one thing, most establishments have marked spaces within which a person should stay to observe the one-meter , sometimes even longer, distance For another, plain sight would do to if people are not observing the health protocol advisory. A 20/20 vision may not be prerequisite.
And most people, even by government’s admission — no less than Harry the Spox himself — have adhered to it for personal reason, first , and for public safety, second. Even if some people have apparently breached the line, it must be for a good reason. Nobody’s perfect, especially in a time as difficult and scary as this one every Juan is going through.
Curiously, the idea of using a yantok stick emerged after the new Philippine National Police inaugurated its new chief. Irony of irony, it can be remembered the chief law enforcer violated the gamut of health protocol when he participated in a mananita to celebrate his birthday.
Not surprisingly, bad timing is distinctly characteristic of this administration along with others with the same adjectives.
The yantok isn’t an apt or even timely symbol for Christmas . Not during this season of goodwill and charity, on one hand, and a season of rotteness brought about by the invisible virus, on the other. On second thought, maybe the yantok is part and parcel of the rotteness.
It’s a good thing, one of a few, Harry the Spox has made it clear that yantok cannot be used to break people’s bones when they break the protocol, for whatever reason. It’s against the law, he said. For measuring, he said, it’s a perfect if antiquated device.
How will history judge the Duterte administration by the rattan standard?
Unfortunately, the yantok will be a good measure. The police wielding yantok sticks, while glaring at people while they fall in line in malls or other public areas, will form part of the details and background, which is what history is all about.
It cannot, by any stretch of imagination, convey the message of kindness and care. The medium is the message.
Of course, even now, the Duterte administration has been widely — internationally — vilified for its lack for respect for human rights. It can only be commended for its consistency. Compassion or compunction are not salient and sane features in the calculus.
Will the police still use the yantok as rule or ruler after Malacanang has spoken?
The one who has originated the idea may have changed his mind after some soul – searching. Hopefully, it may be a good sign. Even a cruel man or his ilk, has one, even if ignored.
As I write this, a national holiday has been declared for the Catholics. Similar holidays had been declared for Muslims as well in the past . During the reign or rule of the Roman empire, the colonized, the conquered and the vanquished were allowed to celebrate their gods as long as Ceazar was not repudiated.
Apropos, William Shakespeare has a caveat: And thus I clothe my naked villainy. With odd stol’n of holy writ. And seem a saint, play the devil.
Or, in modern lingo, the devil is in the detail.
