THE Office of the Political Adviser (OPA) finally broke its silence over the controversy involving the presidential adviser on political affairs’ sports utility vehicle even as it confirmed that it has sacked the staff involved in the mishap.

The staff was identified as driver Joey Valderama Tecson and John Brilliant Alarcon, all administrative and support staff at the OPA.

Earlier, the OPA confirmed the accident involving Llamas’ vehicle  that occurred early Friday morning, Oct. 7, along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

In a statement, the OPA said Secretary Llamas was not in the vehicle during the incident as he is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, attending an executive committee meeting of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The OPA also confirmed that the two occupants of the vehicle, the driver, Tecson, and sole passenger, Alarcon, are administrative and support staff at the OPA.

The two were instructed to use the vehicle to go to Llamas’ house and ensure it was secure in his absence.

But the two proceeded to use the vehicle for their own personal purposes without authorization and against explicit office policies, according to the OPA.

The firearm seen in the video footage taken at the scene of the accident is duly registered with the appropriate authorities in the name of Llamas, and is covered by a valid firearms license.