New | New Philippine law allows priests, journalists, lawyers to carry guns
Journalists, priests, lawyers, doctors, nurses, accountants and engineers will automatically be allowed to carry firearms outside their homes under a new law taking effect this month.
The Republic Act 10591, signed last year, classifies them as “in imminent danger due to their profession”.
Under the previous law, Republic Act 8294, they were, as is any other citizen, required to prove they were “under actual threat” before being issued a special permit to carry firearms.
I could see the state interest in making this classification to prevent further targeting and killing
Now, all that is required is they pass a drug and psychiatric test and give a certification that they have no pending criminal case punishable by over two years in jail and no conviction.
But the law is unclear whether armed journalists with pending libel suits filed by powerful government officials would lose their permit to carry.
University College of Law professor Harry Roque, a human rights lawyer, told South China Morning Post: “I appreciate the concern of the state, considering we are one of the most murderous countries for journalists and the most murderous country for lawyers and judges.
“I could see the state interest in making this classification to prevent further targeting and killing.”