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Wednesday, October 15, 2008
PNP confirms seizure of 105,000 euros (1:54 p.m.)
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday confirmed that a former ranking police officer and his wife were held by Russian customs officials for failing to declare a large amount of money in their possession.
But PNP spokesman Nicanor Bartolome said the P7.9 million worth of euros seized from former PNP director for comptrollership Director Eliseo dela Paz was a "contingency fund" for the PNP delegation that attended the 77th International Police assembly at St. Petersburg.
Bartolome said the money had the corresponding disbursement papers from the PNP.
He said the "contingency fund" was worth only P7.5 million, adding the P400,000 could be personal money of dela Paz.
According to Bartolome, the PNP is now in the process of sending the necessary documents requested by the Russian authorities who seized dela Paz at the Moscow airport last October 11.
Several other active police officers were with dela Paz but they were released by the Russian officials, along with the wife of incumbent PNP chief Jesus Verzosa.
They included PNP deputy chief for administration Director General Emmanuel Carta and PNP deputy chief for operations Ismael Rafanan.
Authorities seized dela Paz because the cash he was carrying was way above the allowed a person can carry.
Western Mindanao police director Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal who was also part of the party said the dela Paz 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 said he is certain that the "PNP has an explanation." (VR/Sunnex) |
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