Is this supposed to sweeten the pill?
On Aug 1, the Philippines introduced PO1 Bato, a mascot designed to look like police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
Far from striking fear into those who’ve seen him, he’s danced his way into their hearts instead.
His first official gig was at the PNP’s headquarters in Camp Crame, where he showed off his dance moves and joined a puppet show with an anti-drug theme (but, of course).
Verdict: PO1 Bato will put Jollibee to shame.
PO1 Bato’s dance moves seem to be a big hit — this Facebook video has been shared 4,563 times as of Fri, Aug 5.
The mascot is just the latest in a series of efforts aimed at showing a softer side to an anti-drugs operation that has been criticized by international human rights group for the street murder of drug suspects (603 people have been killed since May) without legal process.
Dela Rosa has also been appearing on television programs to show his human side.
He’s been filmed cooking banana fritters on a morning show, played a game on an afternoon variety show, and cried in front of the camera on a late night talk show as the host read the police chief’s Father’s Day letter to his late dad.
