MANILA - Criminal charges were filed Thursday against three Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives and four policemen in connection with the misencounter in February last year in Quezon City between the two units conducting separate drug busts.

The Office of Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said prosecutors have approved the filing before a Quezon City court of homicide charges against PDEA agents Khee Maricar Rodas, Jeffrey Baguidudol and Jelou Satiniaman for the death of Cpl. Eric Elvin Garado.

Cpl. Paul Christian Gandeza, Lt. Honey Besas, Maj. Sandie Caparroso and Master Sgt. Melvin Merida are facing charges of direct assault for injuries suffered by PDEA agents Raymart Bayote, Prince Bernard Gallego, Brenson Sulang and Allan Capiral.

The charges against PDEA agent Romeo Asuncion for the death of Cpl. Lauro de Guzman was dismissed "on the ground that the firearm and caliber used to shoot... was never identified. Also, none of the evidence bullets or the spent cartridges found at the area matched agent Asuncion's firearm."

The case against Cpl. Alvin Borja for the death of PDEA agent Rankin Gano was also dismissed after prosecutors noted that the "medico-legal report and the ballistics examination by the National Bureau of Investigation failed to identify the fatal shot at agent Gano."

It added that there was no proof that Borja was the only one who shot Gano.

The two policemen and two PDEA agents were killed in the alleged misencounter between Quezon City Police District and PDEA's Special Enforcement Service.

In a statement, the PNP said the indictments would give an opportunity for the respondents to be given their day in court.

"The PNP will leave it to the justice system to determine and evaluate the merits of the case," the PNP said. (with report Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)