The National Bureau Investigation (NBI) and the police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) yesterday formed a joint task force to investigate the killing of a traffic violator in Makati City last Friday.

Danielito Lalusi, head of the NBI’s Death Investigation Division, said the task force would be conducted jointly with Senior Supt. Flor Torres to go deeper into the death of 27-year-old John dela Riarte.

“First we will conduct forensic examination of the mobile patrol car of HPG where the alleged shooting took place. Then we will examine the autopsy report. All of these possible evidence will be considered,” Lalusi said.

HPG officers met with Lalusi yesterday morning to agree on what to do in their investigation.

The victim’s elder brother Robert said the NBI did not give him the chance to confront the HPG men last Monday, as well as the couple who own the car that figured in an accident with his brother’s motorcycle.

“They were kept away from us,” Robert said, referring to motorist Eric Fajardo and his companion.

The NBI summoned Fajardo and HPG personnel to establish the facts of the incident.

The victim was driving his motorcycle on his first day of work last Friday when he hit a car in Makati.

In the ensuing altercation, members of the HPG arrested Dela Riarte who was then reportedly handcuffed and led to their vehicle.

Dela Riarte later was found dead with four gunshots.

Police Officer 3 Jeremiah de Villa and PO2 Jonjie Manon-og of the HPG are under investigation for the shooting.

Reports said De Villa and Manon-og handcuffed John and put him in their patrol car for further investigation at HPG headquarters in Camp Crame.

The victim allegedly fought with the apprehending officers, forcing them to fire at him.

The HPG report said the victim sustained two gunshot wounds. Robert, however, said his brother had four gunshot wounds as shown by an autopsy. His drug test turned up negative.

A video taken by a concerned citizen and showed in GMA’s “24 Oras” last night showed how Dela Riarte was beaten up and slapped by the lawmen while trying to put handcuffs on him.

Robert claimed the policemen even robbed his brother of P33,000 cash and belongings.

He said their lawyer is now handling the case and they want justice for his brother.

Robert also urged the NBI to get hold of the alleged video footage of the incident inside the HPG car.

The NBI also invited two constables of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) identified as Bayani Batac III and Jeslie Manlangit, who witnessed the traffic incident.