‘Ninja cop’ transfer from Bilibid denied

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate blue ribbon committee has thumbed down a police request to transfer alleged “ninja cop” Lt. Col. Rodney Baloyo to a Pampanga jail, said Sen. Richard Gordon.

Baloyo has been detained at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) since October after being cited for contempt for his evasive answers in the Senate probe of a 2013 antidrug operation.

The police involved in the aid allegedly made off with part of the drug haul and allowed a drug lord to escape.

The Pampanga Regional Trial Court had issued a commitment order dated June 30 asking the NBP to bring Baloyo to San Fernando District Jail so he could appear in court whenever required.

But Gordon said Baloyo could always appear in court via teleconferencing.

—Leila B. Salaverria