PNP to clear 'Euro Generals' once euros are returned - spokesman

MANILA, Philippines - Former police comptroller Eliseo dela Paz can heave a sigh next week when the Philippine National Police (PNP) receives the 105,000 euros confiscated from him by Russian authorities last year. PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said Wednesday that all accountabilities of Dela Paz and other police officials in the so-called Euro Generals issue would be cleared once the amount is returned to the PNP bank account. “We haven’t received the 105,000 euros yet, but we are just awaiting for the transmittal. We expect to receive it by next week,” Bartolome said in Filipino in a press briefing in Camp Crame. “General Dela Paz will be cleared by the PNP once the entire amount is transmitted to the account of the PNP,” he added. Aside from Dela Paz, other “Euro Generals” who had already bowed out of police service after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 are Emmanuel Carta and Jaime Caringal. Bartolome said there are certain rules and procedures that the Russian government has to observe in transmitting the money. Bartolome however said the Office of the Ombudsman will still determine if Dela Paz should be slapped with administrative charges for the seizure of the undeclared cash last October in a Moscow airport. Dela Paz then was part of the PNP contingent that attended an International Police (Interpol) meeting in St. Petersburg. Earlier, Dela Paz’s counsel, Noel Malaya, said Russian authorities will return the money to PNP and Dela Paz. - GMANews.TV