Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17701044409941770104438012.jpeg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="The body of Police Staff Sergeant Renato Casauay Jr. was found in a septic tank in Bulacan, January 31, 2026. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News"/>The body of Police Staff Sergeant Renato Casauay Jr. was found in a septic tank in Bulacan, January 31, 2026. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday offered a P1 million reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of the primary suspect and other accomplices in the killing of PSSgt. Renato Casauay Jr., whose body was later found inside a septic tank in Malolos City, Bulacan.In CCTV footage released by authorities, Casauay was seen entering a compound in Barangay Mojon shortly before his death.Minutes later, multiple gunshots were heard in the area.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1613159149825813%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=421&amp;t=0" width="421" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Several individuals, including Julian Salamat—identified by investigators as a police asset—were later seen exiting the alley where Casauay was last seen alive.According to PBGen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., regional director of Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3), Salamat had been identified as the primary suspect in the crime.Peñones said the killing could have been motivated by Casauay’s previous police operations.“Nung December 24, may operations si Casauay na nagreresult sa 50 grams [ng droga] na parang kasama sa operations nitong si Salamat. Ang words nila, nagiging problema na ‘to. ‘Yung naging motivation,” Peñones said.Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including PCpl. Vivencio Abalos, who allegedly failed to arrest Salamat after learning about the incident.Authorities tagged Abalos as an accessory to the crime.“Julian Salamat, together with another witness, went to Corporal Abalos. Binanggit niya lahat ng pangyayari. So, nadiskubre natin ‘yan, January 30 na, so makikita mo dito ‘yung talagang deliberate ‘yung pag-conceal ni Abalos noong insidente,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.Police later discovered that Abalos was acting as a consultant for Salamat’s group, the Black Rider Force Multiplier.“Nakakahiya man, pero ang sabi niya sa amin, hindi niya inaresto dahil natakot daw siya. The more kami nagkaroonan, ba’t di mo inaresto? Police ka. Dapat inaresto mo ‘yun,” Peñones added.The other arrested suspects included the owner of the house where the killing allegedly took place and individuals who helped conceal Casauay’s body.“On the 31 of January, the two arrested suspects executed an extrajudicial confession surrounding their participation. Sila kasi ‘yung inutusan na linisin ‘yung crime scene at ibaon ‘yung victim natin sa septic tank. So, may personal knowledge sila,” Peñones said.Authorities said they were applying for cyber warrants and continuing the review of CCTV footage while securing the crime scene to gather additional evidence to support the charges filed during the inquest proceedings.Salamat and six other suspects remained at large, prompting the DILG to announce a reward for their immediate arrest.“Ang bawat buhay ng pulis ay mahalaga sa amin. Hindi namin pinapamenos kung may nangyari sa aming kapulisan. ‘Yung mga ganitong klaseng bagay ay hindi natin pwedeng palusutin,” Remulla said. “I am announcing a P1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Julian Salamat and company,” he added.The four arrested suspects have been inquested, while murder charges have been filed against the remaining suspects.

The DILG offered a P1 million reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of the primary suspect and other accomplices in the killing of PSSgt. Renato Casauay Jr., whose body was later found inside a septic tank in Malolos City, Bulacan.

The DILG offered a P1 million reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of the primary suspect and other accomplices in the killing of PSSgt. Renato Casauay Jr., whose body was later found inside a septic tank in Malolos City, Bulacan.

DILG offers P1-million reward for arrest of suspects in killing of Bulacan cop found in septic tank

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DILG offers P1-million reward for arrest of suspects in killing of Bulacan cop found in septic tank

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 03, 2026 03:47 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 03, 2026 05:54 PM PHT

Read More:

police

policeman septic tank

Renato Casauay

crime

killing

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