Llamas guns trigger Senate investigation

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago INQUIRER 

The controversy triggered by Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas’ cache of high-powered firearms may be a laughing matter to President Benigno Aquino III, but not to Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

Santiago on Wednesday filed a resolution asking the blue ribbon committee to investigate the “apparent anomalies” in the issuance of gun licenses and permits to carry firearms outside of residence by the Philippine National Police.

In Senate Resolution No. 622, Santiago said the committee investigation should focus on Llamas.
“Simply because he is presidential adviser, and merely on his say-so of alleged death threats, Llamas is not automatically entitled to the rare privilege of a permit to carry for such ostentatious and high-powered firearms as an AK-47 and an M-16,” she said in the resolution.

“Although Llamas has announced that he has fired his security guards, nonetheless, he should be held to account on the principle of command responsibility and the constitutional principle of modest living.”
The President, a shooting buddy of Llamas, on Tuesday made light of the controversy and joked about it before a gathering of local government officials in Pasay City.

“Maybe you are thinking Ronald Llamas is hiding. He’s present and accounted for,” Mr.  Aquino said.
Llamas later told reporters that the President, himself a gun enthusiast, was “in a joking mood” during the affair “and it also seemed I was teased a little about it.”


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