MANILA, Philippines – To enhance their “feeling of safety” and provide them “a chance to defend themselves”, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will expedite firearms applications for prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

This will be done by rolling out a caravan stationed at the DOJ main office in Padre Faura, Manila, top cop Director General Oscar Albayalde announced on Monday, June 11.

“I have coordinated with them, we will be scheduling a caravan at the DOJ for all who want to apply for LTOPF (License to Own and Possess Firearms) there, because they don’t have time to come here in Camp Crame,” Albayalde said in a mix of English and Filipino.

This follows the police chief’s promise to help lawyers get hold of guns after consecutive killings of prosecutors all over the country, with the latest case being the noontime stabbing of pregnant Ombudsman prosecutor Madonna Joy Ednaco Tanyag.

The solution to ambushes? Albayalde admitted that it would not be a “full-proof” solution, after he was asked whether easily allowing professionals to arm themselves would actually prevent vigilante-style killings.

He said it mostly gives threatened individuals a feeling of protection. (READ: 4 killed a day by riding-in-tandem gunmen in the Philippines)

“Sa kanila siguro added confidence on their part, parang added confidence na lang sa kanila, and probably para magkaroon sila ng chance to defend themselves,” Albayalde said.

(Perhaps for them it adds confidence, it’s like added confidence, and probably for them to get a chance to defend themselves.)

The PNP has yet to finalize details and announce when they would send over the permit-processing caravan to the DOJ. – Rappler.com