EX-PNP CHIEF RAZON
Nothing wrong with PNP delegation
By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 19:09:00 11/20/2008
Filed Under: Euro Generals
MANILA, Philippines -- There was nothing wrong in sending eight ranking Philippine National Police (PNP) officers to the Interpol conference in Russia last month, former chief Avelino Razon Jr. said even as lawmakers questioned why many of the delegates were nearing their retirement.
In an interview over radio Thursday, Razon said it was normal for the PNP to send “principal directorial staff chiefs” to international meetings like the Interpol and the Aseanopol (Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chiefs of Police), instead of lower ranking officers.
Razon said that, while it was during his stint as PNP chief that the trip for the eight officials was approved, it also “passed by the desk” of then deputy chief for administration and current Director General Jesus Verzosa.
“Inapruba ko ito nuong August 27 at ito ay nagdaan sa opisina ni deputy chief Verzosa [I approved this on August 27 and this passed by the office of deputy chief Verzosa],” Razon said.
But he said he did not approve the trip of the wives of the PNP officials, including Verzosa’s.
“Optional po ang pagsama ng asawa [Taking your wife along is optional],” he explained, adding that, of the three Interpol and one Aseanopol conference he had attended, he brought his wife along two times.
Razon also said he approved the P2.3 million travel expense for the delegation but denied knowing of the P6.9 million allegedly obtained without authority from the PNP intelligence fund by retired comptroller Eliseo dela Paz.
Dela Paz and his wife were apprehended by Russian customs officials for not declaring 105,000 euros they were carrying as they were about to fly out of Moscow on October 11.
“There is nothing wrong and illegal sa pag approve ko sa biyahe [in my approving of the travel] in the amount of P2.3 million. Anything after that, dahil nagretire ako nuong September 27, wala na po akong alam. Wala na po ako sa PNP. Hindi ko na po malalaman kung ano ang nagiging proseso nuon [because I retired on September 27, I know nothing about. I was no longer with the PNP. I no longer know what the process was then],” Razon said.
Dela Paz has admitted sole responsibility for the allegedly unauthorized release of the P6.9 million, which Russian authorities are still holding.
Nevertheless, Razon said he was willing to participate in any probe to shed more light on the controversy.
|
