Adviser's office sacks 2 aides in gun fiasco
MANILA, Philippines - The Office of Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Ronald Llamas said yesterday that two aides who reportedly took his car for a joyride and were found with a rifle under the driver’s seat when they figured in a car crash have already been fired.
In a statement, the Office of the Political Adviser said driver Joey Valderama Tecson and passenger John Brilliant Alarcon – both members of the OPA administrative and support staff – have been “sacked” after they failed to return the firearm to Llamas’ house.
The OPA said it “deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and has already initiated the process to effect the immediate dismissal from the service of these two staff members.”
Llamas is currently in Switzerland attending the UN High Commission for Refugees. His Black Mitsubishi Montero, which carried a 6-OPA protocol plate, smashed into a truck Friday along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
“The two were instructed to use the vehicle to go to Llamas’ house and ensure it was secure in his absence. But the two proceeded to use the vehicle for their own personal purposes without authorization and against explicit office policies,” the statement said.
The OPA statement also said the AK-47 assault rifle was registered in Llamas’ name, although the initial statement Malacanang gave was that it was a duly licensed firearm in the name of Llamas’ security detail.
“The firearm is kept for his personal security. Llamas gave explicit instructions before departing for abroad that the firearm be unloaded from the vehicle and safely secured, but apparently, the two staff members neglected to comply with these instructions,” the belated press release revealed.
Three days after the accident, OPA also said Llamas’ security escorts, who went to the accident site in a van and took the rifle and bulletproof vests from the Montero, were “following protocol” to prevent the loss of the firearm and Llamas’ belongings.
Saying he is no gun enthusiast, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda assured the public that Llamas will explain the circumstances when he arrives from Switzerland.
“Let’s wait for Secretary Llamas, he is the head of the agency, and I’m certain that he will conduct an investigation on that matter upon verification,” Lacierda said in an interview over state-run dzRB radio station.
He said the Philippine National Police is already investigating the incident and Llamas would definitely cooperate.
“My understanding is he (Llamas) occupies a very sensitive position and, yes, there are threats to his life even prior to that. So, I think he is entitled to security. But as to the number of firearms, that’s something that I’m not privy to,” he added.
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