Jock Itch Is Not Fun In The Philippines

Trichophyton Rubrum Microconidia 
by Medmyco licensed under CC0 1.0

Table Of Contents:

• Tinea Cruris Strikes
• A Dark Red Rash
• Cause Of The Infection
• Week One Of Treatment
• Week Two Of Treatment
• Recovery Is Slow 
• What Is A Bio-Film And Why Does It Matter?
• Week Ten
• My Treatment Summary

 

Tinea Cruris Strikes

Tinea cruris (aka jock itch) is a fungal infection most often caused by the fungus Trichophyton Rubrum. It is likely that I had the infection for weeks before I saw it. I had been working in the hot, humid and rainy environment clearing weeds and grass. I had noticed an occasional tingly mild burning sensation a few days into the work. Most of the time I felt nothing at all. After about two weeks the discomfort level increased just enough to warrant an inspection.

A Dark Red Rash

The blotch was about 2 1/2 inches across with cauliflower lobed edges and an angry red, raised and well-defined border. It was on my inner thigh going toward the perineum. It was horrifying. I quickly made an appointment to see a doctor and I was relieved to discover that what I had was a very common fungal infection. The doctor prescribed Ketoconazole. You do not need a prescription to purchase Ketoconazole in the Philippines and it can be found at most any local pharmacy.

Cause Of The Infection

Heat and sweat combined with chaffing of the skin provided the perfect opportunity for a micro-organism to enter the skin.

It is not possible to stay dry while working outside in hot and humid conditions. Less than five minutes after beginning work I am already streaming sweat. The day-time temp averages 90F with humidity also in the 90% range.

The solution is to always use fresh working clothes and to shower frequently. I also purchased Dr. Wong's Sulfur Soap and use it alternately with regular soap. I use a hair dryer to make sure that the area gets absolutely dry.

Week One Of Treatment

After four days later the Ketoconazole 2% seemed to be working well. I was advised that in order to prevent recurrence I must continue application of the drugs for 5-7 days beyond the point where the redness appears to clear up.

Week Two Of Treatment

The tentative diagnosis for my infection was Trichophyton rubrum.

I now have suspicions that a different microbe could be the culprit.

The reason I doubt the original diagnosis is twofold. First, I noticed the development of satellite lesions. Satellite lesions are red bumps/blisters outside of the main patch of affected skin. Satellite lesions are not supposed to occur with Trichophyton rubrum.

The second sign that I was dealing with something different is the fact that the scrotal area became affected. That is also not common with Trichophyton (though there is some argument).

I could be dealing with Intertrigo complicated by a Candida albicans super-infection.

Last week the infection the infection seemed to be healing due to the Ketoconazole. That did not last. I took my recovery for granted and spent a day working and sweating only to find that the infection has become inflamed again and the angry red border had returned.

That episode shocked me into getting a lot more serious about beating the infection.

For the past five days I have sworn off working and I have remained in the air conditioned room with the fan full blast on the affected area.

I cannot stress enough the importance of positioning a fan to blow directly on the affected area. I do this throughout the day and while sleeping. The redness fades away and the blisters/bumps dry out where the skin is exposed to the blowing air. This is crucial to keeping the infection dry so it can heal, especially in a tropical environment.

I continue to use Dr. Wong’s Sulfur Soap each day. The instructions say that the soap can be used specifically for skin infections. You are supposed to apply the lather and allow it to stay on the affected skin for several minutes. I have been doing that and the area is clearing more every day.

Be aware that overusing sulfur soap will cause irritation.

Despite the setback the skin is much lighter in color now and the angry red border has been reduced to just a few patchy pinkish bumps.

Recovery Is Slow

Generally, the consensus is that clearing jock itch takes around six weeks. It is also very common for there to be re-occurrences. I would guess that this is due to losing patience with treatment. I have only been treating the infection for two weeks and it is a super drag to go to the proper extent necessary to assure complete healing.

It occurred to me that a bio-film could be the reason for such slow and incomplete healing.

A quick search of Google proved that my hunch was correct. Whether I have T. rubrum or C. albicans does not matter. Both fungi produce bio-film.

What Is A Bio-Film And Why Does It Matter?

If you are familiar with the Philippines, then you probably know what nata de coco is. Nata de coco is bacterial cellulose produced by Acetobacter xylinum cultured in coconut water. Nata de coco is a bio-film. If you have ever eaten nata de coco, then you know that it is jelly-like, but also tough. I like to chew it. You will also note the faint scent and flavor of vinegar.

Bio-film matters to those of us with a skin infection because the bio-film insulates the fungal cells. The fungus lives on the skin keratin, so it is already insulated from the immune system by that fact. The bio-film insulates the fungus from anti-fungal medications like ketoconazle.

The bio-film can set up in as little as 24-72 hours.

I had few if any symptoms within that time frame. By the time you experience any real symptom that gets your attention and makes you check out the problem you already have a serious infection dug in and shielded with a bio-film.

The best way to beat that situation is to never get into it in the first place.

Intertrigo and other groin infections get their start with help from us.

By not taking care of our bodies when we are working in hot and humid environments we are playing number one advocate on the side of the fungus.

I will be a lot more cognizant of what is going on where skin meets skin and no more working in the rain or dragging my work day too long without a shower break to wash away the sweat and grime.

Week 10

Finally, after months of dealing with this PLAGUE, every single red dot is gone. Because of the climate and my active lifestyle AND the location of the affected area it was very difficult to get the condition completely resolved.

I am tentatively relieved and happy to say that it seems for the last week that I have completely recovered.

Many times it seemed that I had recovered and then I would do some traveling or spend the day working in the yard only to find that the condition had returned, albeit it just a tiny red dot. But that is how this entire ordeal began - with a tiny red dot. 

My Treatment Summary

This is what worked for me. What works for you is up to you and your doctor.

• Ketoconazole. Some people may be allergic. **You MUST continue to apply the medication for a MINIMUM of 7 days after all visible signs of infection have disappeared. 

• Run a fan on the affected area as much as possible to keep it dry.

• If possible, keep the area uncovered during sleep.

• Reduce or eliminate sugar. Excess sugar seems to make the infection harder to clear.

• Maintain a healthy diet to keep your immune system up.

• Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep negatively impacts immunity. Most of the time these infections remain in the keratin and beyond the reach of the immune system, but lack of sleep and poor diet may contribute to creating conditions that the microbes can take advantage of to invade the body.

• Sulfur soap helped. Overuse can irritate the skin.

• Dandruff shampoo on jock itch - Don't do it. It irritates the skin.

• Do not allow the area to remain hot and covered with sweat for longer than absolutely necessary.

• Shower immediately after work, workouts etc.

• After showering pat dry and or blow dry the affected skin - not too hot.

• Allow 4-8 weeks for the infection to heal completely. 

If you do no keep up treatment the infection may never go away and it might get much worse and spread. Just because you cannot see the infection and it seems to be healed does not mean that you are cleared of the infection. Fungal colonies may still be present and those that remain will be the strongest of all, so if you stop treatment prematurely it will be these strongest and most resistant fungi that survive and they will multiply and become an infection that will be much more difficult to beat.

For this reason you must continue to apply the antifungal cream for a minimum of seven days beyond the point that no visible infection remains. Personally, I went 14 days beyond being visibly clear.

It is very difficult to overdose with ketoconazole cream. The amount of the drug present in the cream is a tiny fraction of the amount you will need to take orally if you fail to get the infection under control with the cream.

Foreign Fugitives Cannot Hide In The Philippines

UPDATE November 2020

 

This story is old, but it caught my eye while I was searching for updates. Back in July of this year Michael Kent Clapper was apprehended by the BoI:

Morente said Clapper has allegedly been in an “inappropriate relationship” with a 12-year old girl.The Embassy also stated that Clapper’s US passport already expired, making him an undocumented alien who is subject to summary deportation.“He will be deported for being an undocumented and undesirable alien,” Morente said. 

The story caught my eye because he is being deported without being tried for a crime and, if found guilty, serving a sentence in the Philippines. This would be the way it should happen under the Principle of Territoriality.

 

The BoI was tipped off by the US Embassy, so one way this could have worked is that Clapper made contact with a minor from the US and then traveled to the Philippines. I have found no news to confirm this. That might establish jurisdiction within the US and maybe there was not enough evidence to do so in Philippines' jurisdiction.

 

If you have details let us know.

UPDATE September 23, 2020: BI Fugitive Search Unit Nabs Big Fish

Bobby Raquepo, head of BI’s Fugitive Search Unit reported the arrest of American Xavier Fernando Monroy, 63, in Barangay Cacutud Angeles City, Pampanga in a joint operation with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Philippine National Police PRO-4A, Angeles City Police Office, and US authorities.

 

Monroy reportedly has an outstanding warrant of arrest issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia last May for Conspiracy, Bribery, False Statements, and Obstruction of Justice. 

From the US Dept. of Justice:

Xavier Fernando Monroy, 62, a U.S. citizen, was charged in a complaint filed in the District of Columbia with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, one count of bribery, one count of false statements, and one count of obstruction of justice.

...According to the affidavit, Monroy also provided Kim with confidential and other proprietary, internal U.S. Navy information.  In exchange for the steering of business and the provision of such information, Kim paid bribes to Monroy, including cash, personal travel expenses, meals and alcoholic beverages, and the services of prostitutes.

UPDATE September 9, 2020: Pemberton Freed

US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton has been given an absolute pardon by President Duterte. You can be given an absolute pardon once you have served 100% of your sentence. Pemberton has been turned over to BI to arrange his repatriation to the United States.

UPDATE August 17, 2020: Pakistani Bomb Maker's Plans Blow Up

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered the BI Legal Division to file charges of immigration law violation against 29-year-old Haroon Bashir, who was arrested last 06 August 2020 at his residence along Atis road, Dacillo Compound, Bgy. San Jose, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
 
“A check of his travel record in our database showed that he arrived in the Philippines on 28 April 2013, and that he never left the country since then,” Morente said.

This guy was able to overstay for seven years when so many others who are not bomb makers get popped much sooner. Just goes to show how good some of these people are at maintaining a low profile. 

 

UPDATE August 6, 2020: American Fugitive Peter Alex Drier

The US embassy disclosed that Drier has an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the policedepartment in San Diego, California for failure to appear and answer an underlying charge of Assault with a deadly weapon.

It was further learned that Drier was twice arrested last year on charges of Crimes Against Person and Simple Assault by the San Diego police.

Is this the same person in the Lajolla Village News:

Dreier intentionally rammed a three-wheeled police department scooter. Dreier was driving a red Saab convertible and he knocked the scooter over, briefly trapping the San Diego Police enforcement officer inside.

Dreier pleaded guilty in June before Judge Polly Shamoon to assault with a deadly weapon in which he admitted his vehicle was the weapon.

The person who rammed the traffic cop in San Diego is named Peter Alex Dreier.

The man nabbed by BI is Peter Alex, but the last name is spelled Drier.

The man who rammed the cop was 42 when the article in the Village News was published in July 2017 and would be 45 now just like the Peter Alex Drier who was caught by BI.

Both were charged with assault with a deadly weapon in San Diego.

Another idiot who underestimated the all-seeing-eye. 

UPDATE August 6, 2020: Three Koreans Run Clandestine Call Center In Manila

They allegedly deceived the victims by pretending that they are agents of lending institutions,and persuading the former to repay their loans in advance in order to avail of lower interest.

Korean authorities charged that the fugitives amassed from their phishing activities more than80 million won or roughly more than US$67,000, which the unsuspecting victims deposited into the suspects' bank accounts. 

These guys have to be very stupid to think that they can escape notice for long.

American Fugitive Ricky Masanque Sanchez

Ricky Masanque Sanchez was on parole in California for an attempted murder conviction when he had the brilliant idea to run away to the Philippines. My first thought was how dumb this guy is. He was not wanted for anything. All he had to do was serve his time on parole. Why did he run?

It does not matter why he ran, he ran. A lot of people do it. And many of them are far worse than Sanchez. They run to the Philippines thinking that this is some remote, disconnected land invisible to the rest of the world.

They think that they can blend in here in the Philippines. They think that no one will suspect them of being a fugitive. Maybe they are correct in some cases.

If they keep their nose clean they may get by for a while. If they have family that takes care of them and provide some level of cover they might be able to escape justice for a time.

Your Own Face Is Your Worst Enemy

Eventually, you will post on Face Book with your real name or a fake name and your real photo. All they need is your photo and your running days are over.

Or you will walk into some public place that is monitored by cameras connected to facial recognition servers. Boom. It's all over.

In the not too distant future facial recognition will be used by many government agencies throughout the Philippines in order to track down wanted criminals:

Last June, the Philippines’ Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the country’s military will soon acquire facial recognition software and drones to help in combatting terrorism.

“We are looking at facial recognition software so that we can easily track down the bad guys,” Lorenzana told the media.

Facial recognition capability is being added to 11,000 Thai 7-11 stores:

...Remark will use its KanKan system, which uses gesture recognition to record data on visitor traffic, how long customers spend at each shelf and changes to their emotional state as they move through stores. It will also identify members of 7-Eleven’s loyalty programme, and contains machine learning software enabling it to predict which products should be stocked at particular stores, based on previous purchasing data.

Japan is also exploring facial recognition in 7-11 stores. Can the Philippines be far behind?

One of the first things you do when you enter the Philippines is submit your bio-metrics:

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente noted that they have been using the new software called the border control information system (BCIS) in processing all international passengers entering and exiting the premier ports over the past two weeks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“Each time a passenger’s face is captured by camera and his fingers scanned, the results are automatically cross-matched with the passport image and images in the BI database where personal details of persons with derogatory records are stored,” the BI chief said.

Sanchez came over in September 2017, before this bio-metric policy was implemented.

There are many agencies in the Philippines that are eager to fulfill their mandate as it relates to you. It is only a matter of time before you come up on one of their radar screens:

The new Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) will include all citizens of the country, along with resident aliens, or expatriates, in the country, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia says, according to the report.

PhilSys will include thumbprint, iris, and facial biometric data, and it was recently announced that the country’s central bank will produce its biometric ID cards.

A pilot of cloud and artificial intelligence-based video surveillance with facial recognition capabilities from Iveda has been successfully completed in Metro Manila, according to a company announcement.

And as if facial recognition was not enough, now fugitives need to be concerned with gait analysis. Shoe stores in Manila are getting people warmed up to gait analysis because it can be used to help you find the perfect fitting shoe. But gait analysis holds the potential to become even more powerful than facial recognition in its ability to uniquely identify individuals.

There Are Eyes Everywhere In The Philippines

Technology does not even need to get involved to end your villainous vacation. 

Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM-2014-017 provides for a reward of up to 2,000 PHP for anonymous tips that lead to the arrest of an "overstaying" foreigner.

2,000PHP may not sound like much money to you, but to Filipinos it is easy money for turning in an undocumented, overstaying and or criminal foreigner.

So you can expect the Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit to show up at your place at any moment.

If The Locals Do Not Get You The Expats Will

Expats who are following the law and doing right do not want to have their good names blackened by bad actors and criminals.

So if you are thinking about fleeing to the Philippines because you think you can just disappear...

think again.

You are not as invisible as you think you are.

Butiki And Tuko Lizards Of The Philippines

Lizards Lizards Everywhere

I took the photo above Saturday morning about 3 AM. The smaller lizard on the left is called butiki and the two big ones are called tuko/tokay. I call the tukos tacos. They make loud called that can be heard for quite some distance that sound like they are saying "tah-ko."

In this close-up you may notice that the one on the right is missing part of his tail. The one on the left is likely responsible for the missing tail. They chase one another around and eat the tail. The smaller butiki also engage in this dominance behavior. Only the males will do this and only to other males.

I found this one on the outside of the window at 1AM in the morning:

I went out on our patio one evening and spotted this monster peeking out from the gutter:

Unfortunately, in the poor light and given the distance my camera is unable to focus well upon him.

Wiki says that the tuko lizard is approaching endangered status due to unchecked poaching. These gecko apparently have high black market value. Republic Act 9147 carries a twelve year max prison term with up to a 1 million PHP ($20,000) fine for hunting, collecting and trading these creatures without a proper license.

I personally do not like either the butiki or the tuko very much. The former like to die in my air conditioner creating a horrid stench and forcing me to hose the unit out. We now have aluminum screening around the ACs to prevent this. I have heard stories about them shorting out the circuit board of inverter ACs. The butiki also like to get smashed in the hinge stile of the doors, creating yet more interesting aromas. 

The tuko strike horror into many people. They have very sharp claws and people live in fear of these monsters falling on them. I have no earthly idea what I would do if such a terrible fate were to one day befall me. The tuko also produces copious amounts of foul smelling poop and they are not very particular about where they deposit it.

A Solution For Lizards In Your House

It is possible to be soon overrun by these two denizens of the tropical forest. The best way that I have found to manage them is to employ the age old tool called the "kitty cat." Cats love to eat these things. Lizards are like meth for cats. We have a game where we knock the butiki from the ceilings and walls with a broom and the cats go insane. Cats have an infinite appetite for butiki, it seems.

I had a small cat (he's gone now) that was not much bigger than a large tuko, but he loved to hunt tuko more than anything else. The tuko would battle to the bitter end, but in minutes flat he would be inside of a little cat and that would be the end of it. My cat was never charged.

Can An Expat Lease Land From His/Her Filipino Spouse?

Can You Lease Land From Your Filipino Spouse?

Disclaimer

This article is not legal advice and details personal opinions regarding how Philippine laws apply to a foreigner living in the Philippines.

Table Of Contents:

• Can An Expat Lease Land From His/Her Filipino Spouse?
• Marriage Settlements
• Can You Create Or Alter Marriage Settlements After Marriage?
• Would Your Lease Hold Up In Court?
• Reduce Your Risk
• The Bottom Line

Can An Expat Lease Land From His/Her Filipino Spouse?

The short answer is no.

Why would they even want to?

The topic comes up sometimes when expats are discussing the measures they have taken to protect their investment in a house and land. Some expats believe that, although they cannot own the land, they can lease the land that the house sits upon.

The legal logic behind the prohibition is that a married couple is a unit and that selling or leasing a property to your spouse is like selling or leasing a property to yourself.

To find the answer we start with Article 1646 of the Civil Code of the Philippines:

The persons disqualified to buy referred to in Articles 1490 and 1491, are also disqualified to become lessees of the things mentioned therein.

Article 1646 refers us to Article 1490 in determining who cannot lease to whom:

The husband and the wife cannot sell property to each other, except:

(1) When a separation of property was agreed upon in the marriage settlements; or

(2) When there has been a judicial separation or property under Article 191. (1458a)

 "The husband and the wife cannot sell property to each other," ends all debate.

With one exception that is really not an exception.

Marriage Settlements

The definition of Marriage Settlements:

An agreement made by the parties in contemplation of marriage by which the title to certain property is changed, and the property to some extent becomes tied up, and is rendered inalienable.

A marriage settlement is a prenuptial agreement. A prenuptial agreement that gives you a lease on a property that your Filipino spouse owns indicates one of two possible situations: 

1.You are leasing a property that you paid for. This usually means that you have purchased a property for a Filipino to whom you were not married. That seems risky.

2. You are leasing a property that your Filipino spouse paid for and you have made that agreement part of a prenup. This may or may not work out in the end, but at least you have less skin in the game.

Can You Create Or Alter Marriage Settlements After Marriage?

Not according to Article 77 of Executive Order #209 Family Code Of The Philippines:

The marriage settlements and any modification thereof shall be in writing, signed by the parties and executed before the celebration of the marriage. They shall not prejudice third persons unless they are registered in the local civil registry where the marriage contract is recorded as well as in the proper registries of properties.

 And this should have been apparent simply given the definition of "marriage settlements": 

"An agreement made by the parties in contemplation of marriage."

"Parties in contemplation of marriage" are not married yet.

Marriage settlements must be created and any and all changes to them completed prior to marriage. And a lease, being an encumbrance, would need to be noted on the title of the property in question.

Would Your Lease Hold Up In Court?

Even though you have a valid contract you can still lose. If you spend any time browsing land cases in the Philippines you will note countless times that a case had to drag through two or three levels of the court system before it was decided right in the court of appeals. And that is for citizens. 

But let's say that you do make a long term lease with your spouse. Then imagine that the spouse dies. Family challenges you and you win in court...because a contract is a contract. Do you really win? 

If people really want you out no piece of paper will save you. Nor would you have any quality of life in such a situation.

Conversely, if you have a good situation with a reasonable family no piece of paper would be needed.

This is the basic rule: Come to the Philippines with the understanding that you can potentially lose everything that you bring into the country. Do not bring anything that you cannot afford to lose forever. If you can live with that understanding and be at peace with it, then you are going to be ok in the Philippines.

The safe thing to do is to err on the side of caution. Even if there is an exception, it is far from a guarantee for a foreigner. I am thinking of a certain resort owner...or at least he thought he was a resort owner.

Reduce Your Risk

• The best way to reduce risk and minimize what you can lose is to rent or lease a house you did not pay for (whether from your spouse or someone else).

• If you simply have to have to pride of ownership, then your next best bet is to buy a condo. A foreigner can own 100% of a condo (no land title involved).

• If you must have a house and land and you want to pursue the marriage settlement lease, then you can attempt to establish ownership of the actual building in your name. Maintain records of your expenses and where the cash comes from when you build your house and have your Filipino spouse sign a notarized affidavit stating that you funded the house construction. Documents showing ownership of a building are no stronger than a lease, which as discussed is vulnerable.

The Bottom Line 

Don't take my word for it. Go talk to a lawyer.

This post will be updated as I learn more.

Two additional items to remember: 

1. It is also possible for a foreigner to inherit land from their Filipino spouse, subject to all the same familial/legal risk previously discussed.

2. Keep in mind that you will be dealing with all of this in the midst of possible loss/change of status of your visa.

Cooking In The Philippines With Liquid Propane Gas (LPG)

Cooking In Philippines With Liquid Propane Gas

LPG Is Necessary But Be Careful 

Just today there was a gas explosion in Manila caused by an LPG leak. Fortunately there are not more explosions like that one. The actual leaking LPG connections and hoses is probably quite common, but environmental factors do not allow the gas to pool in concentrations high enough to explode.

We used to have a bigger problem with leaks when we used the black rubber hoses. They were particularly prone to cracking. I switched to the orange type and immediately noticed that a canister of LPG would last several weeks longer.

I test the connections with a soapy sponge when I replace the canister and every couple of weeks after. The gas had been escaping from tiny cracks in the black hoses, but had not caused a problem since our kitchen has ample airflow to the outside.

LPG Tank And Accessories

We prefer Solane gas. A ~12kg tank lasts us 2.5-3 months with daily use:

It's tough to get into the habit of closing the valve when you are done cooking, especially when multiple people are using the unit throughout the day, but it needs to be done. At the very least it should be closed each night.This will prevent surprise leaks.

When you buy gas for the first time you will have to pay the canister deposit, which is about 2000 PHP ($40). After that you just trade in your empty canister for a full one and that runs about 860 PHP right now. We keep two canisters so we are never without gas for cooking. 

When it comes to picking a regulator I have found that simple and cheap is the best choice. The fancy ones with gauges have never lasted long, but they do cost more. I have not paid more than 170-190PHP for a regulator. Tokina is the only regulator brand we use:
 

Choosing An LPG Stove 

We have two LPG stoves. The first is a freestanding plain-jane white range:

We bought our no-frills model 10 years ago for around 18,000 PHP ($350).

These days there is a greater selection of ranges at the mall near us with better units at better prices:

The range above is priced at just under 16k PHP, but I have seen even better units for less. If you live in a bigger city, then you should be able to do very well for both variety and price.

If your tastes are more refined, then you would not have any problem picking up a professional grade unit in most any of the larger cities.

We use the range only when we have a larger item that needs roasting. Our day-to-day workhorse is our counter-top two-burner:

These also come in a wide variety quality and prices. You can find high-end hobs just about everywhere in the Philippines, but we went cheap with a 2500 PHP tabletop unit ($50).

The brand for the stove above is Boston Bay. IMO Boston Bay is overpriced. After five years the stove was needing a replacement, so went with a Hanabishi:

The Hanabishi was 2100PHP. An identical Boston Bay unit was priced at 3900PHP.

Do not expect these little stoves to last long, as they only cost 40-50 USD. If you want something that lasts, then you will need to buy built-in stainless steel hob with stainless steel tubing. Expect to pay tens of thousands of pesos.

Can A Foreigner Or An Expat Own A Gun In The Philippines?

Can A Foreigner Own A Gun In The Philippines?

Disclaimer

This article is not legal advice and contains personal experiences regarding how Philippine firearm laws apply to a foreigner living in the Philippines.

Table Of Contents:

• Foreigners Are Curious About Owning A Gun In The Philippines
• Firearm Possession Is Illegal For Foreigners In The Philippines
• Pneumatic Rifles
• Public Firing Range Gun Rental
• The Bottom Line

Foreigners Are Curious About Owning A Gun In The Philippines

America is still gun country for the time being and when Americans leave their home for foreign shores more than a few of them understandably wonder about the gun laws of the place in which they will make their new home. 

And it is not just Americans.

This post has had readers from all over the world. They all want to know if they can possess a firearm in the Philippines.

You may hear people say things like:

    "my Filipino in-law, Filipino friend, expat friend, etc... who is a policeman, police chief, attorney, general know-it-all, etc... says that it is perfectly legal for me to own a pistol/shotgun/airsoft/etc..."

Or they may tell you that the law is rarely enforced.

Firearm Possession Is Illegal For Foreigners In The Philippines 

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10591, the Philippines’ comprehensive firearms and ammunition law, is very clear on this matter:

ARTICLE II OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION OF FIREARMS - Section 4. Standards and Requisites for Issuance of and Obtaining a License to Own and Possess Firearms. – In order to qualify and acquire a license to own and possess a firearm or firearms and ammunition, the applicant must be a Filipino citizen, at least twenty-one (21) years old and has gainful work, occupation or business or has filed an Income Tax Return (ITR) for the preceding year as proof of income, profession, business or occupation. 

“applicant must be a Filipino citizen”

That is the final word on foreigners and firearms in the Philippines. I cannot have one. Period. And neither can you unless you are a Filipino.

People may bring a gun to you offering to sell or even “loan” it to you for cash. I would not even touch a firearm that someone presents to me nor would it enter my house.

One of the first things that I did when I came into the country was apply for an ACR-I card in connection with my Visa. Part of that process was recording of my biometric data, including all fingerprints. If I touch a gun that later turns up at a crime scene and they lift my prints from that weapon do you think that what happens next will be positive for me? I would not take the risk.

I stay away from all firearms, since I am an foreigner living in the Philippines and I do not want to jeopardize my visa. If I really thought that I needed one, then it might be time to think about returning to the US instead.

Possession and ownership are not the same thing.

We need to be very clear about the legal definition of the term possession, so that the reader can be aware of the jeopardy he places himself in by handling firearms or allowing them to be inside his residence.

Lawpil provides links to several online legal dictionaries. I chose Black's Law Dictionary. 

Black's Law Dictionary defines "actual possession" as:

Having physical control of an object or real property.

Further, Black's defines "possession":

The detention and control, or the manual or ideal custody, of any- thing which may be the subject of property, for one’s use and enjoyment, either as owner or as the proprietor of a qualified right in it, and either held personally or by another who exercises it in one’s place and name. That condition of facts under which one can exercise his power over a corporeal thing at his pleasure to the exclusion of all other persons.

The definition of the term possession should raise concern for you as a foreigner. For instance, someone brings a gun to your house. They ask you if you would like to look it over. They hand the gun to you. If you take that weapon into your hands can a prosecutor now make a case that you, a foreigner, are in illegal possession of a firearm? People have gotten into trouble with less evidence than you just provided by taking that gun into your hands. It should not be in your hands and it should not be in your house or on the land that your house is on.

Pneumatic Rifles

Some foreigners wonder whether it is within the law for them to possess a pneumatic rifle. 

PNP Circular No 11 points us toward the answer:

V Restriction: Airsoft rifle/pistol as herein classified as special type of air gun, shall be used in sporting activities such as war game simulation only. All airsoft rifle/pistol shall not exceed 550 feet per second velocity using t .20 gram BB. Otherwise, and airsoft rifle/pistol exceeding the prescribed limit shall not be eligible for registration.

VIII Registration: Any person who desires to possess airsoft rifle/pistol shall file his application in accordance with PNP SOP Number 13 entitled “Licensing of Firearms” except that minimum age shall be 18 years of age for airsoft rifle/pistol. The one time registration for airgun shall be applied to airsoft rifle/pistol. In case of transfer of ownership to a qualified citizen the required procedure in the transfer of regular air gun shall apply. A licensed airsoft rifle/pistol holder shall not transfer physical possession of his registered airsoft rifle/pistol until the application for license to possess airsoft rifle/pistol is approved by FED-CSG.

PNP SOP No. 13, referred to in paragraph VIII above, is entitled “Licensing of Firearms” and flows from the requirements set forth in Republic Act No. 10591, which state that only a Filipino citizen may be licensed to own a firearm. Since an application to own an airsoft rifle must be filed in accordance with PNP SOP No. 13 , foreigners do not qualify under the law.

Additionally, as Paragraph V of Circular No 11 states, airsoft rifles can only be used for “sporting events.” They cannot be used to scare away stray dogs. Is there any other use that a foreigner in the Philippines would have for it?

Public Firing Range Gun Rental

If you are really suffering from gunpowder withdrawals, then you can go to a firing range and rent one of their weapons for use on premises. They have many of them in the Philippines. You may be able to attend an airsoft event where you can rent an airsoft rifle for use on premises.

However, if foreigners continue to use firing ranges and gun shops as their suicide solution, then Philippines may stop allowing foreigners to patronize them.

Additionally, we looked at the term possession above. This creates, apparently, a gray area in regard to gun ranges.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10591, ARTICLE V PENAL PROVISIONS - SECTION 41:

Illegal Transfer/Registration of Firearms. – It shall be unlawful to transfer possession of any firearm to any person who has not yet obtained or secured the necessary license or permit thereof.

If you are a foreigner, then you cannot legally possess a gun in the Philippines. It is also illegal for another party to transfer possession to you per the above statement. I have not been able to find any exception in the law that allows a foreigner to take possession of a firearm at a gun range. Yet, they do it on a regular basis.

The Bottom Line

I understand the 2nd Amendment mindset. I totally get it. I love it. But it does not apply in the Philippines. In ten years of living in the Philippines we have never encountered a situation that could have been even remotely helped with a gun. In all of that time we have only had a couple of very minor incidents at our home.

Bad things do happen in the Philippines, but here, as in the US (which is getting more dangerous each passing minute) or anywhere, gun violence tends to follow predictable behavioral patterns. Most violent crime is not random. Bad decisions and foolishness are the root of why most victims become victims. Countless research studies prove it.

Random crime does happen and so does opportunistic crime, but opportunistic crime is not random. When you flash cash or fail to take necessary steps to conceal your wealth or secure your belongings or residence, then you are setting yourself up to become a victim of opportunistic crime.

When you are not aware of your environment you bear a responsibility for that. Be aware and be discrete and the opportunistic criminal will pass you up and look for another more easily taken mark.

If you decide to possess a firearm in the Philippines, then enjoy prison and or the cemetery.

That is your most likely destination.