DOJ expects to terminate in March 2022 probe on 2021 ‘misencounter’ between PNP, PDEA agents


Department of Justice

Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors are expected to terminate in March 2022 the investigation of the criminal charges filed in the “misencounter” among operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during an illegal drugs operation in Quezon City on Feb. 24, 2021.

The “misencounter” infront of a fast-food restaurant on Commonwealth Avenue resulted in the deaths of two policemen, a PDEA agent, and an informant.

Prosecutor General Benedictor A. Malcontento said on Wednesday, Jan. 12, a panel of DOJ prosecutors is expected to terminate the preliminary investigation of the criminal complaints by March 2022.

Under preliminary investigation are the separate complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and PDEA. The NBI had earlier been directed as the sole agency to conduct the probe on the “misencounter.”

In its complaint, the NBI’s National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) Office accused five persons of having committed homicide, namely, PDEA agents Khee Rodas, Jelou Satiniaman, Jeffrey Baguidudol, and Romeo Asuncion; and policeman Alvin Borja.

Santiniaman and Borja were also accused of attempted homicide along with policemen Ronnie Ereno, Marlon Masiclat, Ronilo Prepose, Jason Coranez, Aries Curit, Marco Tapanan, and James Dasalla.

Baguidudol was also charged with falsification of official document.

Police officers Sandie Caparroso, Paul Gandeza and Honet Besas were accused of direct assault with physical injuries, direct assault with less serious injuries, and direct assault.

Both Caparroso and Besas were also accused of robbery and conniving or consenting to evasion.

Gandeza was also charged with robbery, while Ereno and policeman Christopher Alvarez were accused of conniving or consenting to evasion.