‘Stormtroopers’ invade Malabon

MALABON , Philippines — Residents of Barangay Panghulo in Malabon were entertained yesterday by “stormtroopers” who went around the community to remind the public to stay home during the enhanced community quarantine.

“Let me see your identification!” and “Move along!”- lines commonly heard from the white-armored soldiers of the Star Wars universe - may as well be said by the Malabon stormtroopers.

Knowing that the storm troopers were the villains serving the Empire of the evil Darth Vader, they donned the the troopers’ attire more for fun than for authority, said Muriel Baldago, a member of the barangay’s peacekeeping force and the creative mind behind the costume.

“It’s also a way to keep the residents’ minds off the problems brought by the coronavirus disease pandemic,” Panghulo barangay captain Ian Borja told The STAR. “It gives people something to cheer or talk about.”

With his fellow councilman JP Candia, Baldago said he constructed the armor of the storm trooper and of Darth Vader using recycled materials such as car rubber mat put together with tape and glue.

The villain’s red light saber was made using the barangay’s worn-out mop.

“This is our way of sending good vibes so people can forget their problems even for a while,” said Baldago.