Nearly 200 priests, preachers ask PNP to be allowed to carry firearms

June 20, 2018

At least 200 priests and preachers  belonging to other religious groups are asking the Philippine National Police (PNP) that they be allowed to carry firearms.

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a news briefing on Wednesday his office has received  requests for permit to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR) from 188 Catholic priests and 58 ministers, preachers and pastors from religious from June 2017 to June 2018.

"As a policy and by the power vested in me as the approving authority for PTCFOR, we may  accommodate requests for PTCFOR by duly qualified gun holders among members of the clergy and leader  of religious congregations, subject to their compliance with the minimum requirements," Albayalde said.

He did not say how many of these were approved. Albayalde added some requests were made after the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last month.

Albayalde made the announcement a week after Nueva Ecija priest Richmond Nilo was shot dead while about to hold mass in Zaragoza municipality.

Albayalde said the PNP is "amenable to taking the extra step of providing firearms proficiency and marksmanship to religious leaders who wish to won and possess firearms."  DMS