CIDG ends ‘euro generals’ probe, gives way to Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police’s Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Tuesday ended its probe on the “euro generals" mess and turned over its findings and recommendations to the Office of the Ombudsman. In a media briefing, CIDG-National Capital Region chief Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez said the move gives way to the Ombudsman to decide who among the officers involved would be charged and who would be spared. "We are yielding to the Ombudsman, it is now up to them to decide on the case," Nerez said. Nerez said they let the Ombudsman step into the investigation following the letter sent by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez asking the PNP to submit all its report, documents and other documents pertinent to the probe on the release of the P6.9 million worth of cash advances carried by retired PNP comptroller Eliseo dela Paz to Moscow. "As early as 16 Oct. 2008, the Office of the Ombudsman has commenced its investigation on the matter. As such, the Office deems to exercise its constitutional authority and jurisdiction to proceed on the matter," Gutierrez said in her letter dated October 28. The letter was addressed to PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa. Nerez said the CIDG had already acquired 80 percent of the pertinent documents on the inquiry. These include affidavits of some officers involved and reports from the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation and the Bureau of Customs. Nerez said the remaining 20 percent will be completed by the Ombudsman. Although the CIDG formally ends its probe, Nerez assured they will continue to cooperate with the Office of the Ombudsman to finish the investigation that could shed light into the controversy. "We have the same objective, to ferret out the truth. So we will always be here to cooperate with the Ombudsman," he said. The CIDG was earlier tasked by Verzosa to determine charges to be filed against retired director for comptrollership Eliseo dela Paz and three other officers involved in the alleged illegal disbursement of P6.9 million for the PNP Interpol delegation in Moscow last month. The PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management has earlier ruled a "reasonable basis to file criminal as well as administrative charges" against Dela Paz and three other PNP officers, namely, Senior Superintendent Tomas Rentoy, chief of the budget division, directorate for comptrollership; Superintendent Samuel Rodriguez, disbursing officer for directorate for intelligence; and Chief Superintendent Orlando Pestaño, chief of the finance services. To recall, Dela Paz and his wife Maria Fe were held at the Moscow airport on October 11 for holding an undeclared amount of 105,000 euros or P6.9 million in cash advances. The amount was excessive of what was allowed. On Monday, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said all eight officers who attended the Moscow event have returned cash advances for the trip. The officers who submitted Monday the full amount of P274,070 were Deputy Director-General Emmanuel R. Carta, deputy chief for administration; Director Romeo T. Ricardo, directorate for plans and Director Jaime Caringal, Zamboanga regional director, Dela Paz. Deputy Director-General Ismael R. Rafanan, chief of the directorial staff, meanwhile returned a partial amount of P74,000; while Superintendent Elmer Pelobello, deputy chief for operations, returned P150,000. Both officers promised to return the balance within the month. Last week, Director Silverio Alarcio Jr, chief for operations, has returned the full amount, while Director German B. Doria, chief for human resource and doctrine development, returned P100,000 with a promissory note to return the balance within 30 days. The cash advances totaled P2.192 million. - GMANews.TV