MANILA, Philippines -- An association of retired police officers and generals expressed support for Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Jesus Verzosa on Tuesday, despite the controversy surrounding the PNP leadership over the multimillion pesos worth of undeclared euros found in the possession of a retired official in Russia.

In a joint statement, the PNP Retirees Association Inc. (PRAI) and the Association of Chiefs of Police of the Philippines Incorporated (ACPPI) also called on the PNP administration to conduct an ?impartial investigation? into the incident.

Retired comptroller Eliseo dela Paz and his wife were held briefly at the Moscow Airport last October 11 when they were found in possession of P6.9 million worth of undeclared euros. The money is supposed to be part of a ?cash advance? issued to the top-level PNP delegation to the 77th Interpol Assembly at St. Petersburg, Russia, said Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

PRAI and ACPPI president retired deputy director general Guillermo Domondon said the PNP should have an ?independent and uncompromising investigation and let due process take its course.?

?If the investigation will establish the guilt of anybody, so be it and let them answer for their actions,? he added.

Domondon also said that any member of either PRAI or ACPPI who would or has expressed any opinion ?contrary to the organization's position and tends to speculate, prejudge, take sides are purely their personal opinion.?

He also said that the Moscow incident would not affect the benefits or compensation of retirees because the PNP has a separate budget for them.