In pictures: priest’s love for guns gives displaced Filipinos a second chance

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  Between giving masses, he trains men in shooting, hostage taking, negotiation and emergency response. Aya Lowe for The National

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  Prior to working in Southville 7, Father Boy spent 35 years presiding over Manila’s most famous sprawling slum area, Tondo. Aya Lowe for The National

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  It was there that he began his livelihood programme, training people with no hope to become security guards or intelligence officers. Aya Lowe for The National

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  After putting them through basic psychological training, he trained everyone from ex-hit men to petty thieves. Aya Lowe for The National

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  Father Boy was taught how to shoot from his father who was a US army captain in the Second World War. Aya Lowe for The National

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  He began his service as a chaplain of the Marines Army and had a brief spell working with the drug enforcement squad in Manila. Aya Lowe for The National

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  As part of the livelihood programme, men are trained in crime prevention, negotiation skills, emergency response as well as how to shoot. Aya Lowe for The National

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  While his training has helped a lot of people find new jobs, Father Boy faces criticism from some in the church who feel that ‘a priest should not be dealing with guns’. Aya Lowe for The National

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  Still, there is no doubt that his training has helped many whom he has trained to a secure a better future. Aya Lowe for The National

Unemployment is one of the biggest problems in relocation sites in the Philippines, but one Filipino priest’s love for guns is offering new hope to those displaced by natural disasters.