STATE prosecutors will file criminal charges against three agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and four cops involved in the February 24, 2021 misencounter in Quezon City that led to the deaths of two policemen, a PDEA agent, and an informant.
In a resolution dated May 2, the Department of Justice said homicide cases will be filed against PDEA agents Khee Maricar Rodas, Jeffrey Baguidudol and Jelou Satiniaman for the death of P/Cpl. Eric Elvin Garado.
Direct assault cases will be filed against Cpl. Paul Christian Gandeza, Lt. Honey Besas, Maj. Sandie Caparroso, and Senior MSgt. Melvin Merrida.
Gandeza will be charged for the injuries suffered by PDEA agent Raymart Bayote while Besas will be sued for injuries suffered by another PDEA agent, Prince Bernard Gallego.
Caparroso is accused of assaulting PDE agents Brenson Sulang and Allan Capiral while Merida is accused of directly assaulting Capiral.
The DOJ junked the case against PDEA agent Romeo Asuncion for the death of P/Cpl. Lauro De Guzman on the ground that the firearm and caliber used to shoot him was never identified. De Guzman was the back-up buddy of Garado.
The DOJ also dismissed the case against P/Cpl. Alvin Borja with respect to the death of PDEA agent Rankin Gano.
The other complaints against the PDEA and police officers for attempted homicide, falsification of official document, robbery, conniving to or consenting to evasion, arbitrary detention, sedition and violation of the anti-torture act were all dismissed for “insufficiency
of evidence.”
The police officers, all assigned to the District Special Operating Unit of the Quezon City Police District, engaged a group of PDEA agents in a running and deadly gun battle in front of a fast-food restaurant on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. Both groups claimed they were conducting legitimate anti-drug operations at the time of the incident.
The firefight was caught on security cameras and cellphone videos of some witnesses.
The DOJ prosecutors also said in its resolution that it was able to determine that both the PDEA and police officers were conducting separate buy-bust operations but their respective informants “intertwined the operations of the two agencies.”
President Duterte had directed the NBI to conduct an investigation to ensure fairness and transparency.
Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said he would check with the panel of prosecutors and the court if the charges have been filed.
PNP WELCOMES RAPS
The PNP welcomed the DOJ resolution, with Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba saying: “The indictment of some PDEA agents and PNP personnel during the so-called Commonwealth misencounter will give an opportunity for the respondents to be given their day in court in the interest of due process.”
“The PNP will leave it to the justice system to determine and evaluate the merits of the case,” Alba said, adding the PNP is expects the public to continue trusting the 224,000-strong police force.
There was no immediate comment from PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon. — With Victor Reyes
