PRESIDENTIAL adviser for political affairs Ronald Llamas expressed “deep regret” over the involvement of two of his staff members in a vehicular accident resulting to the recovery of a high-powered firearm inside his sports utility vehicle.

“Please allow me to express my deep regret regarding the unfortunate accident,” Llamas told a Palace briefing yesterday after he arrived from Geneva, Switzerland where he attended the Executive Committee meeting of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Llamas reiterated that he has ordered the dismissal of his driver, Joey Valderama Tecson, and support staff John Brilliant Alarcon, following Friday’s road accident in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City near the UP Technohub. He added an internal investigation by the Office of the Political Adviser (OPA) is also underway.

Llamas said his office would also look into the liability of the one who responded to the scene of the accident and “secured” the firearm, thereby touching the scene of the accident.

The Palace official admitted having acquired the  AK-47 in June and had it licensed in July after receiving “credible threats” to his life.