Missing equipment returned to PNP office

The Philippine National Police has ordered an investigation into the disappearance of computers and other office equipment from the office of the PNP Deputy Chief for Administration (DCA), a post held by Director General Avelino Razon Jr. just before he was appointed to the PNP’s top post.

But even before an investigation started, Razon’s staff confirmed that the computers, other office equipment and even kitchen utensils were indeed taken out of the office of the DCA.

Senior Superintendent Napoleon Taas, Razon’s senior executive assistant, said some of their staff brought the four computers and other office equipment from the DCA office to the office of the PNP chief.

“Apparently, there was some confusion, some of our staff thought they have to bring the computers here (office of the PNP chief),” Taas told The STAR. “But when Chief Inspector Kenneth Lucas saw the computers he instructed them to return them to the office of the DCA.”

Lucas is one of Razon’s senior aides-de-camp.

The missing computers and other items were returned yesterday morning, according to DCA personnel.

The STAR reported earlier that Razon’s former office had been stripped bare of equipment, office supplies and kitchen utensils.

Taas said he understood the reactions of some of the staff of the DCA when they failed to see any office equipment at their office.

He said “Major Lucas has ordered” the equipment returned because the office of the PNP chief has the complete range of office equipment.

Taas, however, did not mention the plates and the kitchen utensils as among the items that were returned.

The new DCA, Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa, said his office has been functioning very well since he assumed office last Oct. 1.

A ranking police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he has known Razon for years and from all the positions he had held, “he never ordered nor asked his staff to bring anything from his previous office. It wasn’t the style of Razon to bring with him from his previous office.”

Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina, who works under Verzosa, said his boss and Razon have ordered an investigation into the incident.

“We want to know if this incident is true and then we will also try to find out who took the office equipment,” Espina said in an interview early yesterday morning. – Cecille Suerte Felipe