AN OFFICER of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) accused in the killing last year of motorist John B. dela Riarte is reportedly missing, Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II said last week.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Aguirre relayed that “up to now, ay hindi pa makuha ’yung person (we cannot get hold of the person).”

This comes on the heels of a warrant of arrest on Police Office (PO)1 Jonjie M. Manon-og, issued by Judge Carlito B. Calpatura of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 145 last Monday, Jan. 16.

The arrest was in connection with the murder of Mr. Dela Riarte, who was arrested by Mr. Manon-og and deceased P03 Jeremiah A. de Villa following a road accident in Makati City on July 29, 2016. The victim was handcuffed and brought to Camp Crame, but was killed along the way.

Mr. De Villa reportedly jumped to his death at a building in Camp Crame on Aug. 27 that year.

“Eto (Mr. Manon-og) hindi natin malaman kung nasan, (We don’t know where Mr. Manon-og is), so because of the warrant of arrest and the order of the court, the [Philippine National Police (PNP)] is duty bound, kung sino man ang may hawak sa kanya (whoever has custody) to produce him,” Mr. Aguirre said.

The HPG received the arrest warrant on Jan. 18, 2017.

Assistant State Prosecutor George H. Yarte Jr., in a resolution dated Dec. 20, 2016, accused Mr. Manon-og of “taking advantage of his position as a Police Officer, conspiring with the deceased [Mr. De Villa], with intent to kill, qualified by abuse of superior strength, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously attack, assault and employ personal violence upon the person of [Mr. Dela Riarte].”

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had earlier submitted an examination which stated that Mr. Dela Riarte was killed with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, abdomen and right thigh.

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), which served as the counsel of the victim’s kin, also filed an autopsy report that is consistent with the NBI findings.

PAO Chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, for her part, said she will coordinate with the PNP on the arrest of Mr. Manon-og.

Sought for comment, PNP Spokesperson Dionardo B. Carlos directed the issue to the HPG.

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