MANILA, Philippines -- Calling the Moscow incident a “big black eye” to the Philippine National Police, Senate Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Jr. called for a revamp of top police officials and the immediate suspension of those involved in the controversy.

The incident stemmed from the detention of former PNP comptroller
Eliseo dela Paz at the Moscow airport for carrying undeclared millions of pesos worth of euros.

“He [PNP Director Jesus Verzosa] should initiate a revamp of the police officials and suspend the officials concerned. That’s part of the investigation process so that they can’t manipulate the records,” Pimentel said over the phone on Tuesday.

“They gave the PNP a big black eye because they were attending a big international police conference,” he said.

Pimentel said the PNP should explain the source of the money as he received unverified reports that it came from jueteng, an illegal numbers game similar to a lottery.

“These are unverified reports that’s why I’d like to find out where the money came from,” he said.

If it came from legitimate sources but used for something not properly authorized by law, officials concerned would still be liable for malversation of funds, Pimentel said.

But if the money came from illegitimate sources like jueteng, Pimentel said those responsible would be liable for corruption, bribery, among others.

“Because why should a police officer be in possession of so much money that can't be explained?” he asked.

The committee on foreign relations being headed by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago will investigate the matter on Thursday.