Tuesday, November 04, 2008 'Euro-general' denies discussing Russia issue with Arroyo
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo met last Monday one of the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) delegation that went to St. Petersburg in Russia, but the officer denied discussing the issue.
Deputy Director General for administration Emmanuel Carta, head of the PNP delegation to the Interpol Assembly last month, said he went to the Palace to attend the launching of the Pamanang Lingkod Bayang Fund and Scholarship program of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Asked if the issue of the "euro generals" was mentioned in his short "chat" with the President after the launching of the program, Carta said "None, none."
He said he also gave an update on the murder of Assistant Solicitor General Nestor Ballocillo who was killed in 2006. The CSC program was for the benefit of the heirs of the slain public servants like Ballocillo.
"I was called to check on the development...if there was any development in the Balocillo case investigation," he added. The only thing they discussed was Balocillo's case.
Carta was one of the eight police officials that included retired PNP comptroller Eliseo dela Paz who was held up at the Moscow airport for carrying an undeclared 105,000 euros or P6.9 million.
Dela Paz claimed the money was the "contingency fund" of the delegation.
A Senate investigation cited the PNP team for several violations of different government regulations on foreign travel.
CSC Chairman Ricardo Saludo said Carta was invited to the program launching to represent the PNP "since many police are killed in line of duty. PNP is part of civil service." (JMR/Sunnex)
