Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento sees the resolution early next year of the complaints arising from the alleged misencounter between the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) anti-drug operatives and officers of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

In a message to the media, Malcontento said his office has consolidated the cases filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and PDEA regarding the February 24 incident at a mall parking lot along Commonwealth Avenue.

“There is no resolution yet,” Malcontento said as he explained that the preliminary investigation is “commencing but has not yet been submitted for resolution”.

“The NBI complaint was consolidated with the PDEA complaint. It may be resolved early next year,” he added.

In September, various charges were filed by the NBI against members of the QCPD and the PDEA before the Special Cases Division, including homicide, attempted homicide, direct assault, robbery, falsification of documents, and conniving or consenting to evasion.

The incident was initially declared a misencounter but later turned out to be a botched anti-drug operation, allegedly due to non-coordination between the QCPD and PDEA.

The NBI was designated as the sole investigating body by President Rodrigo Duterte for the incident that resulted in the death of two police officers, a PDEA agent, and an informant.

The informant, Untong Matalnas, allegedly arranged the sale of drugs to entrap Jonaire Decena, a detainee and police asset.

PDEA agents Khee Rodas, Jelou Satiniaman, and Jeffrey Baguidudol were charged for the death of Cpl. Eric Elvin Garado; while Romeo Asuncion for the killing of Cpl. Lauro de Guzman.

Cpl. Alvin Borja was sued for the death of PDEA agent Rankin Gano. (PNA)