MANILA, Philippines—For now, this Cabinet-rank “Rambo” will have to do without his AK-47.
The Philippine National Police has revoked presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas’ permit to carry his AK-47 automatic assault rifle outside his home after his cache of firearms triggered a firestorm of controversy.
“Llamas’ AK-47 Ptcfor [permit to carry firearms outside residence] has been revoked because it is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Quezon City police,” PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. told reporters at Camp Crame.
But Llamas’ license for the rifle and his other licenses and permits for his other guns, numbering at least five, remained valid, since they weren’t the subject of a probe, according to Cruz.
The official said Llamas was also poised to surrender the AK-47 to the Quezon City police “at any time” Thursday.
The high-powered weapon, along with at least two other short firearms, was discovered in Llamas’ car after his two aides figured in an accident on October 7. At the time, the presidential adviser was in Geneva, Switzerland.
Two other aides arrived to remove the guns from the car, and thus the responding police officers did not see them. Llamas later admitted owning the firearms, for which he had all the necessary permits.
The incident sparked calls for Llamas to resign, but the official justified owning five guns, including the AK-47, citing “credible” death threats he received as a member of the President’s inner circle.
Cruz said the Quezon City police will file criminal charges against Llamas’ four security aides for violation of Presidential Decree 1866, for illegal possession of firearms, and obstruction of justice.
In a briefing, Cruz said the firearms should not have been removed from the scene since they were part of the evidence.
As for Llamas’ own liability, the PNP said it found no basis to charge him.
“We are looking into that, but offhand, we see no violations in his possessing an AK-4,” Cruz said.
He said the PNP would welcome any investigation into the process by which the gun licenses and permits are issued.
Cruz admitted that since the government began granting amnesty to encourage people to surrender unlicensed firearms, there were virtually no limits to the number of guns a private citizen could own.