Former Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller Eliseo dela Paz was reportedly given clearance to return to Manila after hurdling the interrogation by Russian investigators over the 105,000 euro (P6.9 million) contingency fund he brought to Moscow.

Philippine Consul General Joselito Jimeno said dela Paz was able to convince Russian officials that the money he was carrying was a “travel contingency fund” issued by the PNP.

“Okay na, satisfied ang investigators... makaka-uwi na sila,” said Jimeno.

Dela Paz is expected to return home together with his wife and PNP director Jaime Caringal either Monday or Tuesday next week.

Jimeno said among the papers dela Paz presented to Russian authorities were the PNP’s travel order, cash advance certificate and foreign exchange receipts for the International Police (Interpol) conference in St. Petersburg.

Dela Paz underwent questioning for two hours.

Dela Paz, who just until last week headed the PNP's Directorate for Comptrollership, was stopped and briefly held by airport authorities in Moscow last weekend as he was about to return to Manila.

He and his wife were found to be carrying 105,000 euros, or P6.9 million, which exceeded the amount every passenger is allowed to carry undeclared.

"Nasa last stage na kami ng boarding dapat eh, nakita doon. It's unfortunate that even my wife was dragged into it dahil pinadala ko sa kanya ang pera," dela Paz earlier in an earlier telephone interview.

But while he has been cleared by Russian authorities, dela Paz will still undergo investigation when he arrives in Manila.

Not yet off hook

Aside from investigations being conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Police Commission, the Aviation Security Group (ASG) will also pursue its own probe.

ASG deputy director Alex Monteagudo said dela Paz may have been allowed by their screening officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to carry the cash since they were more concerned over security risks.

“He didn't see anything unusual otherwise he would have reported it. If he had brought money with him...  it's not a security risk,” said Monteagudo.

Meanwhile, PNP chief Director General Jesus Versoza said there is nothing irregular with dela Paz's multi-million contingency fund.

He, however, could not explain why the official was carrying such a large amount of money.

“It depends on the purposes because as I said there are a lot of activities that they may be involved. As I've said there are a lot of countries that are being represented and we maintain very close relationships with other countries. In fact we are conducting regional, international and other forums of which individual member countries are having their own engagement and own forums whenever a big forum like that is being held,” he said.

The PNP chief likewise defended the inclusion of his wife in the trip to Russia, saying she spent her own money.

Meanwhile, deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez failed to explain why dela Paz was allowed to leave for the Interpol conference and handle the "contingency fund" even if he would already be a retired official when he returns to the Philippines.

Golez also could not comment on whether the official who approved dela Paz's travel order should be sacked.

Malacañang simply appealed for time to let the police generals return so they can answer the many questions that need to be answered. With a report from Apples Jalandoni, ABS-CBN News