P2.8M more seized from Dela Paz in Russia, lawyer admits

MANILA, Philippines – Aside from the 105,000 euros (P6.9 million) that Russian authorities seized from retired Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller Eliseo dela Paz, another 45,000 euros (P2.8 million) were also intercepted from him, his lawyer confirmed Thursday. In a radio interview, lawyer Noel Malaya confirmed that Dela Paz carried another 45,000 euros when he was briefly held at the Moscow airport last October 11 for holding an undeclared money excessive of what was allowed. Malaya said Dela Paz already reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the separate money on top of the earlier publicly disclosed 105,000 euros. "Kasama na ‘yan sa report niya sa DFA na dala-dala niyang 45,000 [euros]. Yung 45,000 na ito ay padala ng kaibigan niya [na] may pinabibili ng bagay na isang relo (He already reported to the DFA he carried another 45,000 euros. The money was from his friend who asked him to buy a watch)," Malaya said. The separate 45,000 euros seized from Dela Paz brings to 150,000 euros or P9.7 million worth of money found in his possession. Malaya said the report on the separate amount was coursed through the DFA to secure the release of Dela Paz and his wife when they were detained by customs authorities in Moscow. He added that Dela Paz’s Filipino-Chinese friend named Tyrone Arejola asked him to buy an expensive Swiss-made Roger Dubuis watch during the trip. Malaya said Arejola earlier sent the DFA his affidavit to attest that the money indeed came from him. The money Arejola gave Dela Paz is equivalent to $58,000. The prices of Dubuis watches range from $32,000 to $134,650. The lawyer likewise said Dela Paz is willing to let Arejola face the probe on the 45,000 he handed to Dela Paz "but only at the proper forum." "Ang pagkaalam ko ay willing naman niya pong i-harap si Tyrone sa tamang forum kung saan siya kailangan humarap (As far as I know, he is willing to let Tyrone appear before investigation but only on the proper forum)," Malaya said. Malaya then reiterated that the Senate committee on foreign relations has no jurisdiction over Dela Paz’s case and said they still await the temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court to block the Senate from further investigating on the “euro generals" mess. "Walang jurisdiction sa committee ni Senator Miriam Santiago at may petition pa kami sa Supreme Court tungkol sa bagay na iyan (Senator Santiago’s committee has no jurisdiction over the matter and we still have a petition to the Supreme Court regarding that)," Malaya said. Russian authorities, meanwhile, had summoned one of the “euro generals" and the wife of Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa to appear before their investigation on the undeclared amount of euros the PNP delegates carried. Caringal and Mrs Verzosa were in the Moscow delegation along with other wives of the PNP officers who attended the 77th Interpol conference. Foreign Affairs Department (DFA) spokesperson Claro Cristobal confirmed Wednesday that Russian customs authorities made the order through a letter dated October 31, 2008. The PNP, however, said Wednesday said it cannot compel private individuals to attend investigations in foreign countries. "They have to decide on their own. They are civilians and the PNP does not have jurisdiction over them so we cannot compel them to attend the Russian investigation," PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Napoleon Bartolome said. Caringal retired from the police force Wednesday. Caringal, Dela Paz and Verzosa are all members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1976. - GMANews.TV