QC court issues arrest warrant vs cop in 2021 ‘misencounter’ with PDEA in QC

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court has ordered the arrest of a police officer involved in the February 2021 shooting incident in Quezon City that led to the death of four people.

The subject of the warrant of arrest from Quezon City MeTC Branch 43 was Police Corporal Paul Christia Gandeza, who is facing a case for direct assault.

Gandeza was charged for the injuries sustained by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Raymart Bayote last year. He is one of the four Philippine National Police (PNP) members indicted for the shooting incident with PDEA agents along Commonwealth Avenue.

The court has set a bail of P36,000 for Gandeza’s temporary liberty.

Aside from Gandeza, others who were indicted for the alleged “misencounter” are P/Lt. Honey Besas (direct assault for injuring PDEA agent Prince Bernard Gallego); P/Maj. Sandie Caparroso (direct assault for the injuries of PDEA agent Brenson Sulang. Caparroso); and P/SMSG Melvin Merida (direct assault for the injuries of PDEA Agent Allan Capiral.)

State prosecutors also indicted PDEA agents Khee Maricar Rodas, Jeffrey Baguidudol, and Jelou Satiniaman for the death of P/Cpl. Eric Elvin Garado.

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