Ex-PNP chief denied bail

MANILA, Philippines - Detained former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Avelino Razon Jr. and 14 other former police officials and individuals were denied bail yesterday.

Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla and Director Charlemagne Alejandrino, however, were each allowed to post P200,000 bail after prosecutors failed to convince the Sandiganbayan that the evidence against them is strong.

Razon and 14 others are detained in Camp Crame on graft and malversation charges for their alleged involvement in the ghost repair of light armored vehicles (LAVs) in 2007 and 2008.

The 14 others are Directors Geary Barias and Eliseo dela Paz; Senior Superintendents Emmanuel Ojeda and Reuel Labrado; Superintendent Josefina Dumanew; Chief Inspector Annalee Forro; non-uniformed personnel Alex Barrameda, Nancy Basallo, Patricia Enaje, and Maria Teresa Narcise; Tyrone Ong, Oscar Madamba, Evangeline Bais, and Pamela Pensotes.

The Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division said it is convinced that the prosecutors were able to establish strong evidence of guilt on the part of Razon and the other accused.

Razon has been on trial since July 2013 for allegedly having a hand in the ghost repair and fictitious purchase of spare parts for 28 V-150 LAVS worth P385 million five years ago.