Manila, Philippines, Jun 23, 2018 / 05:04 am
After three priests were murdered during the last six months, Philippine officials say they have received gun carry permit applications from nearly 250 religious workers, including 188 Catholic priests – but some of the country's bishops have raised concerns about a priest carrying a weapon.
In the Philippines, a person is only permitted to carry a firearm outside of their residence if they are under threat or if their life is in "imminent danger." Normally, this would require a "threat assessment certificate" from the Philippine National Police (PNP), but certain professions – including priests, rabbis, journalists, and doctors – are exempt from this requirement as their jobs are considered to be inherently dangerous.
PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said it was uncertain if the permit applications had increased as a reaction to the recent string of murders.
All legal gun owners in the Philippines are licensed, and a license to own a firearm is separate from a license to actually carry the weapon outside of the home.