PNP taps puppets in war on drugs

SIDESHOW Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police, gamely poses with Bato the Puppet during a celebration at Camp Crame, Quezon City. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

The PCRG is also set to launch a quick-response mobile application system called “Itaga mo sa Bato”; establish a “social media center” to handle texts to the “Text Bato” hotline 2286; construct an antinarcotics LED billboard; and oversee advocacy marathons and school summits.

It is even working on a local version of “Cops,” an American television show featuring police response footage.

Grassroots target

“The PNP through the PCRG will definitely reach the grassroots, especially those drug-ridden barangays,” Cruz said.

In an earlier interview with journalists, the official underscored the importance of reaching out to the youth.

“From the records I’ve seen, we have 8-year-old children being used in the illegal drug trade to sell drugs … . Aside from that, we also catch teenagers in pot sessions, who are now also users of illegal drugs,” Cruz said.

He said he hoped that through their lectures in barangays, the PCRG would be able to reach out even to the out-of-school youth.

A reality television show would be important to show the public that “what police do are legal, not rubouts,” Cruz said.

As of Aug. 1, 395 people had been killed in antinarcotics police operations nationwide since July 1, according to the PNP Public Information Office.

The PNP also tallied 5,251 arrested, and 545,589 illegal drugs users who surrendered.