MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome has revoked the firearms permit of Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas, who surrendered his AK-47 rifle to the police yesterday.
Bartolome ordered the revocation of Llamas’ permit to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR), effectively preventing the official from further possession of the rifle.
Llamas, for his part, personally turned over the rifle to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent George Regis.
Regis said Llamas surrendered the Czech-made AK-47 along with a letter formally stating that he surrendered the gun.
Regis said he received the gun from Llamas after receiving word that the PNP had already revoked Llamas’ PTCFOR.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the QCPD is preparing to file charges of illegal possession of firearms against Llamas and obstruction of justice against his four security aides who were in possession of the rifle after figuring in a traffic accident.
Cruz said the obstruction of justice charges would be filed against the bodyguards for removing the firearm from the vehicle that figured in the accident. He said the retrieval of the rifle from the vehicle could be considered virtually tampering with evidence at the crime scene.
Cruz said the decision to revoke Llamas’ PTCFOR was based on the rule that a gun permit is non-transferable.
Under the PNP policy on PTCFOR, the firearm must be kept concealed from public view.
Cruz said the PTCFOR must be carried along with the unexpired firearm license. He said the PTCFOR covers only the licensed firearm.
Cruz added the PNP welcomed the investigation initiated by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago on the process implemented in issuing licenses and PTCFORs.
“The PNP welcomes the investigation where we can explain the processes when it comes to ownership of licensed firearms and the issuance of PTCFOR,” he said.
Defensor called on the Senate to investigate whether the PNP has a double standard in granting PTCFOR to some individuals.
While Llamas had a PTCFOR for his AK-47, Santiago said the rifle should not have been brought out without his presence.
The rifle had been the subject of criticisms, even igniting calls for Llamas to resign from his post.
Llamas had said he is willing to step down if asked by President Aquino to do so following the controversy.
Llamas’ vehicle figured in a road accident in Quezon City last week, during which the AK-47 rifle was found stashed under the driver’s seat of his car.
Two of his staff members were using his vehicle when it figured in the accident along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City last Friday.
Llamas admitted owning the Czech-made AK-47, among other firearms, which he said were all licensed. He stressed there were threats to his life and family.
The incident also made Llamas as “the man of the hour” among Cabinet members, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
De Lima, however, lamented the public is making a big issue of Llamas’ ownership of the gun.
De Lima said there was no crime committed and the firearms were only discovered because Llamas’ escorts figured in a road accident.
She also defended Llamas, saying his security escorts caused the incident.
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara also said Llamas should not to be blamed.
“It was the fault of his (Llamas) driver or security who disobeyed his instructions to bring the gun home,” Angara said.
“It is not unusual for an agent to put his principal in jeopardy,” he added.
Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, however, said the cancellation of the PTCFOR raised more questions and should not absolve Llamas for being an irresponsible gun owner.
“Was there one (permit) in the first place? He (Llamas) only mentioned it but never showed proof,” Magsaysay said.
“By canceling them, it showed that the death threat is not true.”
Magsaysay said the cancellation raises questions on the policy of the PNP on issuing gun permits. -With Michael Punongbayan, Aie Balagtas See, Paolo Romero