Over 200 priests and preachers from other religious denominations want to carry firearms, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said. The PNP received requests for the permit to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR) from 188 Catholic priests and 58 ministers, preachers and pastors from June 2017 to June 2018, he said
As reported by Philippine Star, Albayalde said, “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 leaders of religious congregations, subject to their compliance with the minimum requirements.”
The PNP chief did not say if any of the applications have been approved. Albayalde, however, added there were some requests following the barangay (village) elections last month. He made the announcement a week after Fr. Richmond Nilo was shot dead while about to hold mass in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, Northern Philippines. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Arguelles said priests always face the danger of death in the exercise of their profession.
Source: Philippine Star
