PNP taps Neil Perez, mascot to promote public safety during Holy Week

WHAT’S a sure way to promote public safety during the Holy Week? For the Philippine National Police, it involves tapping “hot cop” PO2 Mariano Flormata (also known as Neil Perez) and a mascot named PO1 Matikas.

Both are members of the Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup).

Flormata shot to fame after being featured by media when he joined a local pageant last year. He later won the title of Mister International 2014.

Flormata, who now does police community relations work, said they want to remind the public to always be vigilant and careful.

“Mang-ingat lang wag masyadong magtiwala sa mga taong nasa paligid ninyo lalo na pag bago nyo lang kakilala (Be careful and don’t trust people you’ve just met),” he told the public in an interview with INQUIRER.net at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

PO2 Mariano Flormata. PHOTO BY KRISTINE ANGELI SABILLO

He said thieves might pose as passengers to dupe unsuspecting people.

Also spotted at Naia Terminal 3 was PO1 Matikas, one of the new mascots of the PNP Police Community Relations Group (PCRG).

PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, at one point, tapped the mascot on the shoulder and said, “Matikas kagaya namin sa PNP (Well-built just like members of the PNP).”

While Flormata was handing our leaflets on “Do’s and Don’ts” inside the airport, including laws against mentioning bomb jokes, Senior Supt. Maria Asuncion Placino, deputy director of the PCRG, was distributing fliers on how the public could avoid crimes.

Placino said they decided to bring their mascot to the airport to also bring joy to the children and the adults waiting in line at the check-in counters.

She said they have started promoting their tips on how to prevent crimes and accidents during the Holy Week and the summer vacation.

Espina said that for the Holy Week, the PNP has already deployed 16,000 police officers to 3,000 police assistance centers throughout the country.

He reminded the public to ensure that their houses are secured before leaving for a vacation.

PHOTO BY KRISTINE ANGELI SABILLO