THE Caraga police led Monday, March 4, the burning of an effigy of the viral "Momo" in a school in Butuan City to allay fears among the students.
The "Momo" effigy, which features a scary face of a girl with a bird-like body, was torched by the police in front of at least 2,500 students following the flag ceremony at the Libertad National High School.
Caraga Police Director Brigadier General Gilbert Cruz said they made the effigy to "reverse the spirit of fear" that students felt after the Momo Challenge made rounds on social media.
"Ang intensiyon namin ay mawala ang takot ng mga bata sa Momo, 'yung fear nila na invisible ito, na masyado nilang katakutan," Cruz said.
(Our intention is to help the students overcome their fear of the Momo, which they think is invisible.)
"Hindi siya totoo at hindi dapat katakutan ng mga bata, kaya sinunog yan sa harapan nila at mismong ang mga estudyante ang sumunog, para ipakita na sila ang nasa upper hand na mawala ang takot nila," he added.
(Momo is not true and children should not be afraid of it, that's why we burned it in front of them and the students themselves torched it, so they will realize that they have the upper hand and they will overcome their fear.)
Cruz said a 10-year-old student from Caraga was traumatized after playing the Momo Challenge, which reportedly encourages children to do violent things, such as to hurt people or commit suicide.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said they received no formal complaint yet regarding the matter. (VoxPop Philippines)