PNP: De la Paz, 5 others authorized to attend 77th Interpol Assembly

MANILA, Philippines – Retired police cpmptroller Eliseo de la Paz and five other police officials were authorized to attend the 77th International Police (Interpol) General Assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia last month, the Philippine National Police said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, PNP spokesman, said the National Police Commission had issued the required travel authority to the official PNP delegation.

“It is unfortunate that some statements made during the series of public hearings of the House committee on public order and safety may have been misquoted,” he said.

Bartolome said the PNP delegation’s official travel to Russia could not be assailed as improper or not consistent with the plans and programs of the PNP.

“The attendance thereto of the PNP delegation was inspired by no less than the noble objectives of gaining cooperation and support of other police agencies and officials, and to learn from the assembly the latest developments in the science of law enforcement,” he said.

Contrary to news reports, a PNP fact-finding body did not find any impropriety in sending the official delegation to the conference, Bartolome said.

Reports said PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa submitted to the House panel investigating the so-called “euro generals” scandal a report of a PNP fact-finding committee that the six police officials “were not qualified to be supported with government funds for their attendance in the Interpol general assembly because they are due for compulsory retirement within one year from the date of the activity.”

De la Paz and his wife Maria Fe were held at Moscow airport last Oct. 11 for carrying undeclared cash amounting to 105,000 euros after they attended the 77th Interpol General Assembly.

De la Paz is now being investigated by the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Office of the Ombudsman.