Amazon Sells Duterte Halloween Mask; 'He Has Arrived,' Says Presidential Spokesman

Amazon is offering a Halloween mask of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to which his spokesperson Salvador Panelo called “amusing”. Panelo added, “It means he has arrived” in reference to the $33 mask sold by Caili's Company, which specializes in different kinds of masks and Halloween props that they sell through the giant online retailer.

Halloween brings out some of the most unusual behavior in people as they don costumes of superheroes, cartoon characters, witches, and celebrities. Secretive crossdressers can do so freely for this one day without fear of any reprisals. Parents will dress their kids in outrageous outfits while the kids anticipate their haul in the form of a pail full of sugary treats and chocolates.

It is common for masks of famous and infamous people to be worn on Halloween and it may even be considered a “badge of honor” among the rich and famous to have their image, even an uncomplimentary caricatured one, captured on a latex face cover. World leaders are especially vulnerable especially if they are controversial figures like Duterte or President Donald Trump.

Panelo’s comments suggested that Duterte had “arrived” at the highest echelon of celebrity status with the mask. The social media response was to describe the mask as "demonic", "super scary" and "ugly". But this did not deter Panelo as he said, “Amusing! He really scares the criminals.”

One Twitter comment said, “Finally, Duterte has earned international recognition DDS [Diehard Duterte Supporters] have been clamoring for. A Halloween mask.” Another comment was, “This mask looks more alive and has better skin than the actual Duterte.”

The latex mask, called “Rodrigo Duterte Rodi DU30,” was being sold for US$32.99 on Amazon and this drew another Twitter comment that “It has to be cheaper so DDS trolls can afford it.”

Duterte is a controversial president. He was elected on a promise to wage a war on the drug problems in the Philippines. That war has resulted in over 5,000 suspects being killed, many under suspicious circumstances and his own police chief stepped down over allegations of corruption.

The mask may appear to some to capture Duterte’s less than polished demeanor in international settings. In the past, he has directed curses to Pope Francis, former President Barack Obama and former United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.

He remains popular in his own country so there are many Filipinos who are DDS and will be happy to pay the 1,650 Philippine peso price for the mask.