Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Wednesday ordered the eight-man Philippine National Police delegation to the 77th International Police (Interpol) General Assembly in Russia to liquidate their expenses during the trip.

In addition, the investigation shall include the expenses generated by the PNP officials' wives who accompanied their husbands to St. Petersburg.

Puno, concurrent National Police Commission (Napolcom) chairman, said the liquidation, which should be submitted by the eight police officials in five days, should include the expenses of their spouses.

“We are beginning investigations already on this trip to St. Petersburg and we were beginning by requiring all delegates of the PNP to this conference to submit within five days a report on the [their] activities,” Puno said.

The members of the PNP delegation were Deputy Chief for Administration Emmanuel Carta, Deputy Chief of Operations Ismael Rafanan, Director for Plans Romeo Ricardo, Human Resource and Doctrine Development Director German Doria, Director for Operations Silverio Alarcio, Zamboanga regional police chief Jaime Caringal, Superintendent Elmer Pelobello and retired police comptroller chief Eliseo de la Paz.

Puno explained that even if dela Paz was the only police official questioned by Russian authorities for carrying an excessive amount (105,000 euros), the Napolcom has to look into the possible administrative liability “of everyone.”

“This is actually the thrust of the investigation,” he said.

He added that each police official has to explain the relevance of their attendance to the Interpol assembly.

“We want to make sure that correct members were put on the delegation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Puno said if the Commission on Audit finds irregularity in the liquidation papers submitted by dela Paz or any other members of the PNP, the Napolcom would have to “take additional actions,” including the filing of administrative cases against the officers.

PNP receives subpoena

Meanwhile, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said they have received the subpoena sent by the Senate on Tuesday night.

Bartolome said the police officials sent to Russia have all been invited to attend the Senate hearing to be led by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

The police spokesman said the Senate also required the PNP to produce the documents that dela Paz submitted to Russian customs authorities.

Also invited to attend the hearing were Puno and newly-installed PNP chief, Director General Jesus Verzosa.