Palace confirms death threats to Aquino’s political adviser

MANILA, Philipines—Prior to the discovery of an assault rifle in the possession of one of his bodyguards last week, President Aquino’s political adviser Ronaldo Llamas has been facing death threats, Malacanang said on Sunday.

“My understanding is he 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 (his security should carry) that’s something I’m not privy to,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said of Llamas.

But Lacierda said he did not know personally the nature of the death threats to Llamas, only saying the media should just await the return of the presidential political adviser, who was abroad as of Sunday, so the latter could better explain the “situation.”

Interviewed over government radio dzRB, President Aquino said Palace officials could have security detail and the firearms of their bodyguards must be licensed.

Lacierda said Llamas’ position was more sensitive compared with the job of Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma or Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang.

Still, he said he expected the police to investigate last week’s accident involving Llamas’ two security escorts who were on board the political adviser’s Mitsubishi Montero when it collided with another vehicle. An AK-4 rifle was said to have been found in Llamas’ vehicle and the political adviser said the firearm was properly licensed.