Senators cite in contempt alleged ‘ninja cop’

MANILA, Philippines — Two Senate committees on Thursday cited in contempt one of the former Pampanga police officers allegedly involved in drug recycling for making allegedly false statements during a legislative inquiry.

The Senate blue ribbon and justice committees cited in contempt Major Rodney Baloyo, an alleged “ninja cop.”

Baloyo, a former chief of Pampanga Intelligence branch, led the irregular Pampanga raid in November 2013 where he and 12 other policemen were accused of making off with some shabu worth P648 at the time and setting free alleged drug lord Johnson Lee.

During the hearing, the senators repeatedly questioned Baloyo about the specifics of the anti-narcotics operation conducted on Nov. 29, 2013 in Mexico, Pampanga.

The investigation by the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said contradicted Baloyo’s statements.

It was Sen. Panfilo Lacson who moved Baloyo in contempt. Sen. Franklin Drilon seconded the motion because the police officer “consistently [gave] answers which are evasive.”

Sen. Richard Gordon, blue ribbon panel chair, approved the motion and ordered Baloyo to be detained at Pasay City Jail.

“I don’t want to give him nice quarters here. I don’t want to spend money for this,” Gordon said.

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde was the Pampanga provincial director at the time of the irregular raid. — Gaea Katreena Cabico