MANILA, Philippines?Even before the news broke out that Philippine police officials have been detained at the Moscow international airport, three top officials of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) had left for Europe.

Director Jefferson Soriano, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said the officers who left for Germany on Tuesday evening were Senior Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula, QCPD director; Senior Supt. Federico Lasciste, district operation chief; and Neri Ilagan, district mobile force head.

Also part of the delegation were Director Geary Barias, head of the PNP directorial staff, and Horacio Lactao, House of Representatives sergeant at arms.

?I do not know the nature of their trip. All I know is it?s official and had been approved by the secretary of interior and local government,? Soriano told the Philippine Daily Inquirer when asked about the purpose of the 11-day trip.

He said he was not aware of the trip?s details because it had been approved before he became NCRPO chief.

?I do not know who paid for the trip and the expenses but if it?s official then it should be the PNP,? Soriano said.

Inspector Dorothy Du, QCPD information officer, said the travel was an observation trip.