MANILA -- After the death of reporter and radio commentator Jose Dagio, a lawmaker expressed support to allow legitimate members of media to carry firearms for self protection.

Dagio's assassination was the first extrajudicial killing under the administration of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

“Mediamen should be allowed to carry firearms to protect themselves, otherwise criminal elements will continue their dastardly act against the members of the fourth estate," said Representative Danilo Ramon Fernandez (1st District, Laguna).

Fernandez added that if police authorities are allowing businessmen and other citizens to carry firearms, "mediamen who are also facing serious situation should be accorded the same treatment".

According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), 140 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Philippines since 1986. Of the number, 107 have been killed during the Arroyo administration. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)