Euro cops return cash advance

All eight of the so-called “euro generals” have returned to the Philippine National Police (PNP) their cash advances amounting to P2,192,560, which they used during their controversial trip to Russia for the International Police assembly last month.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said the police officers have returned their cash advances of P274,070 each and “these are now in the PNP treasury.”

Bartolome said there was still no word from Russian authorities on the undeclared 105,000 euros or P6.9 million found in possession of retired police comptroller Director Eliseo de la Paz last Oct. 11.

De la Paz ordered the release of the P6.9 million from the intelligence funds without proper authority.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered all PNP delegates to the 77th Interpol General Assembly to return the entire cash advance for travel as part of the effort to get to the bottom of the controversial trip.

Aside from De la Paz, other delegates to the Interpol trip were Deputy Director General Emmanuel Carta, now on non-duty status; retired Director Jaime Caringal; Deputy Director General Ismael Rafanan, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration (DCA); Chief Superintendent Romeo Ricardo, Directorate for Plans; Director Silverio Alarcio Jr., Director for Operations; Director German Doria, Director for Police Community Relations, and Superintendent Elmer Pelobello.

Verzosa directed the CIDG to file the appropriate charges against police officers involved in the unauthorized release of funds from the Directorate for Intelligence meant to cover expenses of the PNP delegation to the conference in St. Petersburg, Russia from Oct. 6 to 11.

The PNP is still waiting for the 105,00 euros taken into custody by the Russian government after De la Paz failed to declare the excess amount to Moscow airport authorities.

Although Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno announced last Oct. 20 that De la Paz had assured him Russia already wired the money to an account of the PNP, police officials admitted that it has not been accounted for.

De la Paz and his wife were questioned at a Moscow airport last Oct. 11 for carrying undeclared excess cash. De la Paz, upon his return to the country, had apologized for causing an international embarrassment.

De la Paz, recommended to be charged before the office of the Ombudsman, has faced Senate and Congress inquiries into the Moscow mess and admitted his lapses caused embarrassment.