Santiago tells Llamas: Quit if you fear for your life

MANILA, Philippines—If presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas is afraid for his life, then he should resign, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said on Tuesday.

“He (Llamas) is presidential adviser for political affair. Takot pala siya sa pulitika, e di mag resign siya (If he’s afraid of politics then he should resign),” said Santiago, who was not convinced by Llamas’ claim that he has been receiving death threats.

Santiago said Llamas could not pass the blame to his driver and aide, who were caught by police carrying the firearms owned by the official.

“Ay sus, kung sasabihin nating the security guard is at fault…then there’s no more conception of leadership in this country . Ang mga leader pala ngayon ay mga security guard na. Ikaw ang leader, e sampalin mo sila,” she said,

But more than the issue of whether or not Llamas was liable for the said incident, Santiago wants to find out whether or not the authorities apply the law even to those perceived close to Malacañang.

The senator wants the Senate to specifically investigate the authorities.

“I want to investigate the PNP (Philippine National Police), what type of investigation do you do when a person says: ‘I have a threat to myself.’ Does it depend on the status of the person. Does it depend on how close he is to the powers that be in Malacañang? Is that it? Is that a criterion?” Santiago asked.

She said anyone could easily get a permit to carry firearms so long as they have connections in the PNP.

“Pa-imbestigahan ko nga ang mga senador ‘yan. Ang yayabang ng mga ito,” Santiago added.