Razon willing to testify on ‘euro generals’ mess

MANILA, Philippines - Insisting he did nothing irregular, former Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr said Thursday he is willing to testify before Congress on the "euro generals" mess. Razon said he allowed eight police officers to join an International Police Organization (Interpol) gathering in St. Petersburg, Russia last October, with a budget of P2.3 million. "Walang problema yan. Sasabihin lang natin yung in-approve natin ang delegation of eight, with an authorized amount of P2.3 million lang. Walang ibang bagay (I see no problem in testifying. I will just say I approved a delegation of eight police officials, with an authorized amount of P2.3 million. Nothing more)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he washed his hands off any "adjustments" to the "allowance" of the delegation, including so-called extra money. The "euro generals" mess stemmed from the holding of now-retired PNP comptroller Director Eliseo dela Paz and his wife in Russia for failing to declare some P6.93 million in euros. Razon said he authorized the delegation to proceed to Russia on August 27, a month before his retirement from the police force. He said the recommendation came from Director Romeo Ricardo, one of those in the delegation. Ricardo heads the PNP directorate for plans. "Walang mali, walang sinister about the approval (There was nothing wrong or sinister about the approval)," Razon said. He also defended his decision to allow "retiring" police officials to join the delegation. "Meron kasing instances na kailangan sila ang mag-attend, gaya ng international conference, principal directorial staff members (We have instances where the principal directorial staff members are required to attend international conferences)," he said. Razon said this is needed for "continuity" in training, operations, and investigation. On the other hand, Razon washed his hands off the mess involving the inclusion of police officials' spouses in the Philippine delegation. "Optional yan at depende sa pangangailangan (Bringing your spouse is optional and depends on the circumstances)," he said. He said that in his case, he brought his wife to two of four international conferences. He said he would not do so if there was no need. But when asked about the case of his successor Director General Jesus Verzosa's wife going to the Interpol meet while Verzosa himself stayed home, Razon admitted he had not heard of such a situation. "Di nangyari sa akin yan. Ang in-attend-an kong conference iyan lang ang dahilan na si Mrs Razon sumama. No reason si Mrs Razon ang pumunta na hindi ako kasama (It never happened to me. I attended conferences with Mrs Razon but Mrs Razon never went there without me)," he said. - GMANews.TV