HPG cop in rider’s slay missing

MANILA, Philippines – A member of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) facing murder charges over the death of a motorcycle rider last year is missing, the Department of Justice said yesterday.

The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a warrant for the arrest of Police Officer 1 Jonjie Manon-og for the killing of John dela Riarte, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said.

“The HPG received a copy of the arrest warrant on Jan. 18. But the police officer was nowhere to be found. We don’t know where he is,” Aguirre said.

The DOJ chief called on the PNP to comply with the court order.

Aguirre said Manon-og was supposed to be under police restrictive custody.

“The PNP or whoever has custody of the accused is duty-bound to produce him,” Aguirre said.

Manon-og and another suspect, PO3 Jeremiah de Villa, were charged with murder and robbery.

De Villa reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the rooftop of the HPG headquarters at Camp Crame in August last year.

Under the law, deceased respondents are automatically absolved of criminal liabilities.

Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, who provided legal assistance to Dela Riarte’s family, said she would coordinate with the PNP for the arrest of Manon-og.

Acosta said a warrant for the arrest of Manon-og was issued by the Makati RTC on Jan.  12.

The two arrest orders issued against Manon-og by the Makati RTC Branches 145 and 138 for murder and robbery, respectively, were both served to the Quezon City Police District and the HPG.

The DOJ indicted Manon-og after preliminary investigation showed that he and De Villa shot Dela Riarte in a police car after arresting the motorist following a traffic altercation along EDSA in Makati City last year.

The handcuffed victim died of multiple gunshots to the chest, abdomen and right thigh. 

Manon-og allegedly stole the victim’s P30,000 in cash.

During preliminary investigation, De Villa and Manon-og denied the allegations and claimed that Dela Riarte twice attempted to grab their guns.

De Villa claimed that Dela Riarte tried to grab his gun when he approached the victim when he was allegedly kicking and smashing a car using his helmet and when he was in the police car while on their way to Camp Crame.