MANILA (PNA) — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Avelino "Sonny" Razon, Jr. vehemently denied allegations that he was part of the group of generals implicated in the infamous "Euro Generals" scam in October 2008.

In a statement, Razon clarified that he was already retired and out of the service when news of the scam broke out.

"I was not part of the PNP delegation that went to Moscow Russia for the 77th Interpol General Assembly Session from October 6 to 11, 2008. I retired on September 27 , 2008," he stressed.

He also pointed out that he has no idea why his name was included as part of the Philippine delegation.

"Also it should be noted that after I retired there were changes made on the composition of the delegation. The only (probable) reason why my name was included in the case is due to the fact that I forwarded for approval to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) on August 28, 2008 the travel abroad and subsequent issuance of foreign travel authority for the eight member PNP delegation, with no wives, and the authorized travel expenses of P2.314 million pesos for the eight delegates plane fares and travel allowances," Razon added.

The former PNP chief also stressed that there was nothing irregular in my recommendation for approval of the SILG for foreign trip since this task is merely ministerial in his part as then chief of the 130,000-strong PNP.

"The real issue here is the discovery in Moscow of the excess Euro in the possession of some members of the delegation," he added.

Razon expressed his willingness to help in the Ombudsman's investigation even though no summons have been forwarded from him coming from the anti-graft body.

"I am ready to submit myself to the Ombudsman’s investigation to prove that there was nothing irregular or sinister in my recommendation. Everything was above board," he stated.

Earlier findings of the Office of the Ombudsman indicated that the 12 senior police officials and three private respondents were involved in the “Euro Generals” case.

The anti-graft body's investigation also disclosed that the 105,000 Euros seized from former PNP comptroller, Director Eliseo Dela Paz, did not come from the agency's contingency or intelligence funds.

Assistant Ombudsman Jose De Jesus Jr. said the Field Investigation Office (FIO) of the agency was able to build a case against the officials who allegedly lied about the source of the money.

De Jesus added the former PNP comptroller will have to explain the provenance of the money himself to investigators in the preliminary probe.

Aside from Dela Paz, the FIO's complaint cited the following police officials for probable violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act: former police director Razon, Samuel Rodriguez, Orlando Pestano, Tomas Rentoy III, Elmer Pelobello, Romeo Ricardo, Emmanuel Carta, Ismael Rafanan, Silverio Alarcio Jr., and Jaime Caringal.

The private respondents included Cynthia Verzosa, wife of current PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa, Maria Fe Dela Paz, wife of the police general, and Tyrone Ng Arejola.

Arejola, who is facing charges for falsification of public documents, is a PNP supplier who told the Senate that he gave 45,000 Euros to Dela Paz for the purchase of luxury watches.

The FIO recommended that Verzosa be charged with violating the Anti-Graft and Corruption Law, while Dela Paz stood to face charges for violating the New Central Bank Act.

Rodriguez, Pelobello, Ricardo, Carta, Rafanan, Doria, Alarcio, Caringal, and Dela Paz were also charged for falsification of public documents, violation of passport law, and perjury.