HPG victim’s kin turn to NBI

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to probe the killing of motorcycle rider John dela Riarte after he allegedly resisted arrest by members of the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) following a traffic accident last Friday morning in Makati.

John’s 30-year-old elder brother Robert dela Riarte, together with four other relatives and the victim’s girlfriend, went to the NBI’s Death Investigation Division (DID) in Manila and gave their statements yesterday afternoon.

The NBI also conducted an autopsy on the victim’s remains upon the family’s request.

The relatives submitted John’s bloodied clothes, which he wore when he was shot four times in the neck and body while handcuffed inside the HPG car.

The NBI plans to investigate Bayani Batac III and Jeslie Manlangit, the constables of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) who assisted arresting HPG members Police Officer 3 Jeremiah de Villa and PO2 Jonjie Manon-og.

Robert dela Riarte said that concerned netizens have sent them photos of John’s arrest, adding these would help strengthen their complaint against the members of the PNP-HPG.

Dela Riarte said his family is willing to forgive the arresting policemen if they apologize and tell the truth.

He told reporters that police investigators approached the family at Camp Crame last July 29 and told them what allegedly happened.

“A certain Inspector Abasco approached us and said that they arrested my younger brother, that before that he bumped into a car and kept smashing its rear portion,” Dela Riarte said.

Abasco reportedly said the HPG has a video showing John arguing with the wife of the owner of the car that the victim’s motorcycle bumped and another video of him pounding on the rear portion of the car.

Abasco said John was strong and was able to push away the arresting officers who tried to pacify him.

“Nagwawala raw ang kapatid ko, nagpupumiglas,” the elder Dela Riarte said.

The inspector said John also head-butted an arresting officer. With Perseus Echeminada