MANILA, Philippines -- Two police generals and their wives who were briefly detained in Moscow Saturday for carrying undeclared currency beyond the allowed limit are still being investigated by Russian authorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

Although Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos declined to identify the four, plus a fifth Filipino who was allowed to leave Moscow on Sunday, a DFA report released by Malacañang identified them as retired police director Eliseo dela Paz, his wife Maria Fe, Director Jaime Caringal and his wife Evita, and Cynthia Verzosa, wife of Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa.

Mrs. Verzosa was allowed to leave.

The four others have been placed in the custody of the Philippine embassy, which successfully negotiated for their release on Sunday, a feat Conejos called a “significant achievement.”

The Dela Paz and Caringal couples and Mrs. Verzosa were with an official delegation to the 77th Interpol assembly in St. Petersburg.

"They attended an Interpol conference in St. Petersburg and were on their way to Warsaw, Poland, but were held for having in possession amounts exceeding what is allowed to take out of the country," Conejos said.

PNP and interior department officials have said Dela Paz had been given the equivalent of P6.9 million in euros for the delegation’s expenses but could not say how much he had with him when the group was accosted.

Foreigners leaving Russia are only allowed to carry a maximum of $10,000 out of the country.

Although Conejos could not say if the police officers were being held on suspicion of money laundering, he acknowledged that the government is " in the process of putting evidence together for their defense."

The DFA report released by the Palace also said: "The Philippine embassy requested extension of their [Dela Paz and Caringal couple’s] Russian visas, translation/interpretation services, assistance in finding a criminal lawyer, and consular access."

Asked how long a visa extension the embassy had requested, Conejos said he had no idea.

He said the couples are billeted in a Moscow hotel. “There are no restrictions to their movement, except they have to stay in Moscow while their case is being investigated,” he said.

Asked who was shouldering the couples’ extended stay in Russia, Conejos said he did not know.

He also said that any questions regarding what evidence Russian authorities have requested for the defense of the two couples should be directed to the PNP.

“The embassy will just be a courier for the documents that the PNP will send,” he said.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said the PNP is transmitting all pertinent documents on the money to Russia as requested by customs officials there.

In Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said they are still awaiting the report of Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno on the incident but added that the Palace has been informed the delegation had the proper papers, including certifications the money came from the Philippines and was not sourced from Russia.