Cops linked to shooting of Makati motorbike rider now under custody

The two highway patrol police officers believed involved in the shooting to death of a motorcycle rider in Makati City were already in police custody on Sunday, even as investigations into the case continued.

GMA News' Steve Dailisan reported on Balitanghali that PNP-highway partrol group (HPG) spokesperson Supt. Elizabeth Velasquez vowed they will investigate why Police Officer 3 Jeremiah De Villa and Polcie Officer 2 Jonjie Manon-og shot John Dela Riarte to death.

Dela Riarte's family cries "overkill" against the suspected policemen.

The victim was reportedly on his way to work on Saturday morning when he crashed into a car on the southbound lane of EDSA-Estralla intersection in Makati City.

Responding HPG personnel allegedly saw the 27-year old Dela Riarte smashing the car with his helmet.

Based on the spot report of the Makati City Police, De Villa and Dela Riarte first had an altercation before the latter was handcuffed.

Manon-og had to help his colleague carry Dela Riarte into the police mobile.

A witness named "Mark" saw part of the altercation: "Pinipigilan siya ng tatlong MMDA tapos dalawang HPG. Pagkatapat na pagkatapat ko bigla siyang sinikmuraan ng isang HPG," he said.

The police suspected Dela Riarte was high on drugs because of his strength in resisting arrest and was supposedly uncontrolable inside the police mobile.

Dela Riarte also allegedly attempted to grab the firearm of Manon-og which led the latter to ask the help of De Villa who shot the victim twice.

The PNP-HPG promised the family of Dela Riarte of a fair investigation and urged the family to file a formal complaint.

Meanwhile, Eric Felix Fajardo, the owner of the motor vehicle Dela Riarte crashed filed a report to the Makati City Police over the incident.

In a picture given to GMA News who witnessed the incident, Dela Riarte was seen surrounded by MMDA's traffic constables on the sidewalk.

HPG personnel were also seen in the picture.

Dela Riarte was shown sitting on the sidewalk supposedly after being handcuffed.

MMDA Public Information officer Hope Libiran said they will determine the details of the incident through the constables present at the scene and check their CCTV cameras.

Libiran said Dela Riarte allegedly held one of the traffic constables after attempting to grab Manon-og's firearm.

Libiran added the MMDA is ready to cooperate with the investigation of the Makati City Police. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/LBG, GMA News