‘Euro general’ gets 7-day medical furlough

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has granted former Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller Eliseo de la Paz a seven-day medical furlough that would allow him to undergo surgery at the Makati Medical Center.

Magistrates of the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division allowed De la Paz, one of the police generals who were caught carrying 105,000 euros in Russia in 2010, to leave his detention at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame from Dec. 2 to 9.

De la Paz will undergo surgery after being diagnosed with inguinal hernia or bulging of the groin due to fatty tissue deposits.

“For humanitarian consideration, the urgent motion to be allowed to undergo hernioplasty, a surgical procedure on the groin, filed by the accused is granted,” the Sandiganbayan said.

The head of the PNP Custodial Center was ordered to ensure that security measures are in place to protect De la Paz and prevent his escape while confined in the hospital.

De la Paz is facing malversation charges for his alleged involvement in the anomalous repair and maintenance of V-150 armored vehicles worth P385.48 million in 2007 aside from the graft raps in connection with the so-called euro generals scandal.