Bishop to ask PNP to disarm Laguna priests

The Diocese of San Pablo in Laguna will be seeking the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in disposing of the guns owned by some of its clergymen.

“We will ask help from the PNP as to how to dispose (of) these guns,” Laguna Bishop Buenaventura Fama- dico said in a television interview.

But Famadico, in the same interview, denied that these priests have been arming themselves with guns in view of the recent killing of priests in the country.

“It’s not true that they armed themselves because of this. They already have it way before,” said the prelate, adding that they are simply gun enthusiasts who had previously joined shooting competitions.

However, during their recent clergy assembly, they arrived at a consensus to make it a policy for priests not to own guns, he said.

“We came up with a common policy. Each will not own a gun,” Famadico said. “Personally, I do not approve of priests owning a gun for whatever purposes.”

Director-General Oscar Albayalde, PNP Chief, confirmed knowledge of the fact that some priests in Laguna were gun owners and finds nothing wrong with it.

“All Filipinos, including priests, may have the right under Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Act) to possess and carry firearms as long as they meet the requirements for License to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR),” Albayalde said.

“Let me emphasize that the PNP remains responsive to the security concerns of some members of the clergy including allowing priests to bear arms to protect themselves against attacks,” he added. (With a report from Martin A. Sadongdong)