Palace on Duterte Halloween mask: ‘Amusing…really scaring criminals’

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang is not offended by the selling of Holloween masks inspired by President Rodrigo Duterte, saying that it speaks of the Chief Executive’s popularity.

“Amusing…talagang tinatakot ‘yung mga criminal eh (he really is scaring criminals),” Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said when asked to comment on the selling of the masks.

“Pag ikaw eh nagiging topic na sa lahat, niloloko ka, it means you have arrived otherwise hindi ka papansinin,” he added.

(When they are talking about you, teasing you, it means you have arrived otherwise they won’t notice you.)

A US-based online shopping site is selling Duterte-inspired latex masks in time for the upcoming Halloween festivities.

The Duterte masks were being sold for $32.99 or about P1,700.

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