DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla – Photo courtesy of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)/Facebook.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday announced a P1-million reward for information leading to the arrest of the gunman who killed a police officer later found dumped inside a septic tank in Malolos, Bulacan.
Remulla identified the victim as Police Staff Sergeant Renato Casauay Jr., 46, assigned to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group’s Special Operations Unit 3, during a press briefing at Camp Crame.
Authorities found Casauay’s body early Saturday inside a septic tank in a subdivision in Barangay Mojon, nearly a week after he was reported missing.
Remulla said investigators believed the killing was linked to Casauay’s work against illegal drug operations in Bulacan, noting that the officer had been involved in cases that may have provoked local drug groups.
Police Regional Office 3 Director Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. said four suspects had been arrested, including a police corporal assigned to the Malolos City Police Station, while seven others remained at large.
Peñones said the arrested police officer failed to act after allegedly being informed of the shooting and allowed the suspected gunman to flee, prompting additional criminal and administrative cases.
Police identified the primary suspect as Julian Salamat, who remained at large as of Tuesday, with authorities continuing a manhunt and urging the public to provide information in exchange for the reward.