Napolcom sacks cop in rider’s killing

A policeman accused of killing a motorcycle rider in July last year was ordered dismissed from the service by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

In an order dated Sept. 28, the agency ordered the dismissal of Police Officer 3 Jonjie Manon-og for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

The case against Manonog’s co-accused, PO3 Jeremiah de Villa, was dismissed after he committed suicide inside Camp Crame in August last year.

The case stemmed from the death of motorcycle rider John dela Riarte on July 29, 2016. The two officers, who were then members of the police Highway Patrol Group (HPG), claimed they shot Dela Riarte when the latter tried to grab a firearm while inside a patrol vehicle.

Napolcom found it “incredulous” the claim of the policemen that Dela Riarte attempted to grab a firearm when his hands were cuffed behind his back.

Napolcom also took into consideration the forensic reports by the National Bureau of Investigation and Public Attorney’s Office, which belie the allegations of Manon-og and De Villa that only two shots were fired.

The NBI report listed four entrance wounds while PAO’s own forensic report reflected five entrance wounds.

“The entry wounds, whether four or five reveals and intention to kill and not merely to maim or subdue or disable an aggressor,” the decision read.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Arnel Escobal did not reply when asked if Manon-og is still assigned at their unit.