THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday confirmed that a former police comptroller and his wife were held by Russian customs officials for failing to declare a large amount of money they were carrying.

But PNP spokesman Nicanor Bartolome said the 105,000 Euros (P7.9 million) seized from former PNP comptroller Director Eliseo dela Paz and his wife, Zeny, was a “contingency fund” for the PNP delegation that attended the 77th International Police assembly at St. Petersburg in Russia.

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Director dela Paz, who retired from police service last October 9, and his wife left the country last October 5 for the police meeting. They were then with several active police officers.

The dela Paz couple were held at the Moscow airport on October 7-11 after the 105,000 Euros were found in their possession.

According to Bartolome, the money had the corresponding disbursement papers from the PNP. He said the “contingency fund” was worth P7.5 million, adding that the P400,000 could be a personal money of the couple.

He said the PNP is now sending the necessary documents requested by the Russian authorities.

PNP deputy chiefs Emmanuel Carta and Ismael Rafanan and the wife of incumbent PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa were among those with the dela Paz couple, but they were released by the Russian officials.

Russian authorities held the dela Paz couple because the cash they were carrying way above the authorized amount a person can carry.

Western Mindanao Police Director Jaime Caringal who was also part of the party said the couple is okay. He said the two are prevented from leaving Moscow until they clear the issue. The two are staying in a hotel, he said.

Caringal said the couple could not immediately provide documents to justify why they were carrying a large amount of cash, but he is certain that the “PNP has an explanation.” (VR/Sunnex)

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo.

(October 16, 2008 issue)
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