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'Euro generals' returned some advances - PNP

November 3, 2008 8:37pm
MANILA, Philippines - The eight police officials who attended the 77th International Police assembly in Moscow last month have started to return their cash advances, a police official said Monday.

Police public information office head, Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, said the move was in compliance with the directive of PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa who ordered the delegates to return the money while the investigation on the scandal is still going on.

However, not all have returned the money intact.

Bartolome clarified that the P274,070 cash advance allotted for each delegate was not part of the 105,000 euros that the PNP is awaiting to be returned via wire transfer by Russian customs authorities.

Among those who returned the P274,070 in full were: Police Deputy Director General Emmanuel Carta, Police Director Romeo Ricardo, Police Director Jaime G Caringal, and Police Director Silverio Alarcio Jr, who returned his money last week.

Eliseo dela Paz, the controversial retired Police Director who was detained by Moscow authorities for carrying excessive euros, also turned over his cash advance in full, Bartolome said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director General Ismael Rafanan, Senior Supt. Elmer Pelovello and Police Director German Doria, have yet to turn over their cash advances in full.

Rafanan was able to return only P74,000 while Pelobello gave back P150,000. Doria, who also started returning his cash advance last Thursday, gave back only P100,000.

The three officials, Bartolome said, gave promissory notes saying they would return the remaining balance within 30 days.

While adhering to Verzosa’s mandate, the Moscow delegates expressed hope that the money they used during their trip will be reimbursed since they went there as official delegates of the PNP.

"Should anyone of them feel they are entitled to reimbursement of the travel expenses, they may file the corresponding claims following the normal accounting and auditing procedures," Verzosa said. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV