More raps vs cops in shootout

MANILA, Philippines — Four Quezon City police officers were charged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for using a drug suspect as a buyer in the anti-narcotics operation that ended in a shootout and left three law enforcers dead last February.

The charge of conniving with or consenting to evasion, defined under the Revised Penal Code as allowing the escape of a prisoner under one’s custody, was included in the complaint filed by the NBI before the Department of Justice on Monday.

Homicide, attempted homicide, direct assault and robbery charges were also filed against personnel of the Quezon City Police District and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for the shootout along Commonwealth Avenue last Feb. 24.

The NBI found QCPD Special Operations Unit team leader Maj. Sandie Caparroso, Cpl. Christopher Alvarez and Lts. Honey Besas and Ronnie Ereño liable for using drug detainee Jonaire Decena as the buyer in the botched sting.

“Being the custodial officers and custodial supervisor of Jonaire, the police officers gave Jonaire unjustifiable leniency by letting her stay in the office, use her cell phone and utilize her as confidential informant in exchange for the temporary liberty given to her,” the NBI said in the complaint.

Caparroso and Besas were also charged with direct assault and robbery over the missing items of the PDEA agents who were attacked by the police. Ereño was also charged with attempted homicide for the gunshot wounds sustained by PDEA agents during the shootout.