MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine National Police (PNP) officials remained silent as to whether retired comptroller Eliseo dela Paz returned on Friday the money that was given to him for an official trip to Russia early this month.

At the same time, Dela Paz’s legal counsel, Noel Malaya, said he has not spoken with Dela Paz to confirm if the embattled former general had returned the P274,070 travel money, despite the statement made by PNP spokesman Nicanor Bartolome Thursday that Dela Paz would be returning the money this Friday.

Director General Jesus Verzosa called on the eight PNP officials who attended the 77th Interpol Assembly at St. Petersburg, Russia early October to return and liquidate their travel allowances.

Two of the eight -- Director for Operations Silverio Alarcio Jr. and Director German Doria of the human resource and doctrine development -- have returned in full or part of the money Thursday. The others are expected to do the same.

Several members of the media waited outside the Finance Service department of the PNP headquarters this Friday but did not see Dela Paz.

In a phone interview, Malaya assured media that Dela Paz would be returning the money.

“He would follow orders,” he said.