Political adviser Llamas willing to resign

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Ronald Llamas said today that he is willing to resign if President Benigno Aquino III asks him to in relation to the "AK-47" controversy he is now facing.

"I am willing to resign if the President asks me to. We serve at the pleasure of the President," Llamas said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel this morning.

Llamas said that if President Aquino thinks that he has violated a law, guidelines or policy, particularly on good governance, he is willing to leave his post.

The official is now the subject of strong criticisms from the public and the political opposition for owning an P30,000 Czechoslovakian-made AK-47. The firearm, along with an M16 rifle, was discovered inside his vehicle, which figured in an accident while being driven by his security aide in Quezon City last Friday.

He said that his aides had just escorted him to the airport as he was leaving for Geneva, Switzerland, where he attended the executive meeting of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

Llamas said that he had strict orders on his security aides to return his firearms to his house and never leave the house with the firearms on board the vehicle.

The secretary said that he has yet to learn the personal opinion of President Aquino on the incident. He said he will meet with the President today.

"Magkikita pa lang kami mamaya. Malalaman ko ang kanyang opinyon tungkol sa nangyari," he said.

Meanwhile, Llamas insisted that he did nothing raw or violated any laws because all his firearms, including three handguns, are licensed. He also said that he has a permit to carry.

He reiterated that he had to own high-powered firearms due to the "credible threats" that he has been receiving.

"Kung may mnga nilabag na alituntunin, batas, codes, ay tingin ko ay dapat pagalitan or even tanggalin ako ni Presidente... Wala naman [akong] nilabag na batas," he said.

Llamas added that if he had no permits for the firearms, President Aquino need doesn't need to fire him because he will voluntarily leave his office.

"Kung mayroon tayong nilabag sa batas, walang permit to carry, kusa akong magreresign," he said.

In a press conference at Malacañang yesterday, Llamas assured the public that he will leave it up to the police to file criminal charges against his two staff members for illegal possession of firearms.

He said he had already ordered the dismissal of his two staff members, identified as Joey Valderama Tecson and John Brilliant Alarcon, who were using his vehicle when it figured in an accident along Commonwealth Avenue.

“It really depends on the police, on the outcome of the investigation. They can file the charges,” he said.

Llamas said during the interview that if regulations on gun ownership will be amended, excluding long and high-powered firearms, he is willing to surrender his two rifles, including the AK-47.

He said that he was a gun enthusiast, but assured that he is a responsible gun owner.