PNP official in ‘Eurogeneral’ scam granted one-day furlough

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 10 years ago

Former police comptroller Eliseo de la Paz. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division granted the former Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller tagged in the “Eurogeneral” scam for a one-day furlough for him to attend the wake and burial of his mother.

In the resolution, however, the anti-graft court only allowed Eliseo de la Paz a 24-hour furlough from 3 p.m. on October 24 until 3 p.m. on October 25 to attend the wake of his mother, Dominga Dela Paz at the Chapel of Villamor Airbase, Pasay City, and interment at the Heritage Park, Taguig.

“For humanitarian reasons, accused’s …. Motion to be allowed furlough… is granted, but he is allowed a furlough of only 24 hours,” the resolution read.

“Accordingly, the PNP Custodial Center, where accused is presently detained, is directed to escort said accused … under the proper and adequate security measures that shall ensure his physical safety and prevent his possible escape from detention,” the resolution added.

Dela Paz was also ordered to return to his PNP cell at 5 p.m. on October 25, the resolution said.

Dela Paz is one of the police officials facing malversation and graft charges over the alleged irregular granting of allowances to a group of police generals who attended a conference in Russia in 2008.

De la Paz, who was acting as the disbursing officer for the delegation that included the wives of police officials, was stopped from boarding his flight at the Moscow airport after he and his wife were found to be carrying the undeclared amount of 105,000 euros (P6.9 million).

The money had apparently been illegally withdrawn from the PNP intelligence funds.