HPG cops’ suspension sought

THE BROTHER of slain motorist, John B. dela Riarte, has asked the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to suspend the highway patrollers accused of killing him, without mentioning that one of them had died in an apparent suicide.

In a three-page motion filed through the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Robert B. dela Riarte sought the preventive suspension of Police Officer 3 Jeremiah A. de Villa and Police Officer 2 Jonjie M. Manon-og for 90 days.

The motion cited the formal administrative charges issued by the Napolcom on Aug. 26, which indicted the two cops for grave irregularity in the performance of their duties, three counts of grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, and oppression.

The “strong” evidence of guilt as shown by the video footage of Dela Riarte’s killing also warranted their suspension, the motion argued.

Besides the administrative charges by the Napolcom, the two policemen are facing a criminal complaint for murder, torture and robbery before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Dela Riarte was shot after he was arrested following a traffic altercation with another motorist at the Edsa-Estrella southbound lane on July 29.

In their respective counter-affidavits, De Villa and Manon-og insisted the death was “accidental.”

The PAO insisted the arrest was attended by violations of the antitorture law, as Dela Riarte was punched on the stomach with a gun, slapped in the face, and elbowed on the back. It also cited the multiple close-range gunshots near the heart, liver and hips that caused his death.

But, De Villa claimed he only killed Dela Riarte at the spur of the moment inside the patrol car he was driving.