PNP vows to arrest its ex-chief Avelino Razon

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MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police assured the public Wednesday that it will serve the arrest warrant on its former chief, Avelino Razon Jr., who was implicated in a graft case six years ago.

“PNP is mandated to implement a court order. We just follow orders given to us,” Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said.

The Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division on Wednesday ordered the arrest of 33 former and incumbent police officials and private contractors led by Razon on graft and malversation charges in connection with a contract for the repair and maintenance of 28 V-150 light armored vehicles amounting to more than P400 million in 2007.

Mayor, however, said that he has yet to confirm if the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has already been furnished a copy of the arrest warrant.

State prosecutors proceeded with the indictment of the accused after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales denied a motion for reconsideration filed by Razon and the other respondents in July last year nearly seven months after she issued a resolution finding probable cause to indict them.

In denying the motion, Morales said the insistence of some of the respondent police officers that they just relied on the reports or actions of their subordinates and were misled could not be given credence.  With a report from Cynthia Balana, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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