The Senate Committee on Human Rights and Justice yesterday cited in contempt the police officer who led the drug buy-bust operation in Mexico, Pampanga in 2013.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson moved to have Police Major Rodney Raymond Louie Baloyo IV, the relieved head of the Pampanga police intelligence branch, cited in contempt after finding inconsistencies in his testimony.
Lacson and Senators Richard Gordon and Franklin Drilon took turns in grilling Baloyo after he stood firm that the spot report he and his team released detailing their anti-narcotics operation on Nov. 29, 2013 in Woodbridge Subdivision, Lakeshore View was done at 4 p.m.
The senators noted so many contradictions in his current statements and the spot report.
“I move to cite in contempt of the committee Major Baloyo…Pag nagsisinungaling ka, pag inulit ang tanong, iba ang sagot mo. Magkakabuhol-buhol ka pag hindi totoo ang sinasabi mo,” Lacson told Baloyo.
Before his motion, Lacson explained to Baloyo that they were observing his demeanor and found him tentative.
“We’re trying to observe your demeanor. When you reply, kung tentative ka, ininisip mo ano sasagot mo. Pag ganyan ang sagot, hindi totoo; iniimbento pa lang,” the former Philippine National Police chief said.
Police Corporal Anthony Lacsamana belied Baloyo’s claim that he ordered him to conduct surveillance on the area to be raided.
“Mr. Chairman, kung sakali nakikinig kayo sa salaysay nito walang totoong sinabi nito inuubos niya oras ninyo,” Lacson told Gordon, chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Lacson said that instead of detaining Baloyo at the Senate, he prefers that he be detained at the Pasay City Jail. He also mentioned sending Baloyo to the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City. (Hannah L. Torregoza)
