PNP News Releases 2005

PNP CLARIFIES POLICY ON CARRYING OF GUNS BY JOURNALISTS

The Philippine National Police today clarified that journalists are not automatically exempted from the prohibition on carrying of guns outside of residence.

PNP Spokesman, Chief Superintendent Joel R Goltiao, maintained that possession of unlicensed firearms and carrying of firearms outside of residence is illegal under existing laws.

However, the PNP Spokesman said, holders of licensed firearms may apply for a Permit To Carry Firearm Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) if they are under imminent threat.

Existing firearms laws and regulations do not allow automatic exemption from the prohibition by any particular sector or group.

“It is lamentable that the policy on carrying of guns has been misinterpreted by some quarters who are not familiar with the firearms laws,” Goltiao said.

“In the same manner, it is also deplorable that the efforts of the PNP to solve the series of killings of journalists, and our position on the issue of violence against journalists, has been misunderstood, misquoted and misinterpreted,” the PNP Spokesman said.

He cited a case in point where he was misquoted as allegedly having blamed some victims for suffering their fate.

Goltiao said all cases involving the killing of journalists are being investigated.

“We are not closing the books on the cases of slain newsmen. In fact we are the ones who are most interested in solving these cases soonest,” Goltiao said.

The PNP has created Task Force Newsman spearheaded by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to track down suspects in the killings.