Joselito Malig

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Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Three of the four suspects arrested for the killing of Police Staff Sergeant Renato Casauay Jr. have tested positive for illegal drugs, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO) confirmed Friday.</p><p>Bulacan provincial director Police Colonel Angel Garcillano said the suspects underwent drug testing conducted by the police forensic group.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/6/suspect-in-killing-of-bulacan-cop-arrested-1039">Main suspect in killing of Bulacan cop found in septic tank surrenders</a></div><p>Of the four, only Police Corporal Vivencio Abalos — who was implicated in the case for failing to immediately report the incident to authorities — tested negative.</p><p>Garcillano said the possible motive behind the killing was connected to Casauay’s anti-illegal drug operations and accomplishments against the group.</p><p>He added this angle was supported by the affidavit of primary suspect and police asset Julian Salamat, who was arrested Wednesday.</p><p>“It is all about the actions and the accomplishment of PSSg. Casauay doon sa kanilang drug trade. Even the other suspects na nagbigay ng kanilang extrajudicial confession, inaamin nila na masakit sa mata ‘yung mga intelligence activities ng ating victim,” Garcillano said.</p><p>“So we are looking at possibility na itong pagpatay ay walang ibang motibo kundi job-related.”</p><p>Salamat and two other suspects who recently surrendered will also undergo drug testing.</p><p>Based on the monitoring of the police, Salamat moved from one place to another until he reached Tagum City, Davao del Norte prior to his arrest.</p><p>Authorities believe Salamat had been attempting to evade arrest, noting that he had his passport with him at the time he was apprehended.</p><p>“Meron siyang kaibigan na taga-Tagum City, couple ito. And nasabi naman ni Salamat na nagkaroon nga siya ng problem relative to this particular case. In his possession, during the time of arrest, dala niya ‘yung kanyang passport,” Garcillano said.</p><p>The firearm allegedly used by Salamat has been recovered and will be subjected to ballistics examination.</p><p>Police now have seven suspects in custody, while four others remain at large, including a journalist whose inclusion in the case was earlier denounced by a media organization.</p><p>Investigators maintained that the journalist and his son were mentioned in the extrajudicial confessions of previously arrested suspects.</p><p>“Pinuntahan nila ‘yung tatay, kasama ‘yung anak, to inform the father na merong namatay doon sa vicinity nila. Tinanong ng anak at saka nung mga kasama niya kung ano ang gagawin and according to him is tanggalin doon kasi mangangamoy,” Garcillano said.</p><p>“Merong mga pulis natin na nagpunta doon sa compound to inquire kung meron bang nagpunta na Sgt. Casauay sa kanilang lugar and the answer of the father is wala. Ito ‘yung mga basehan that is why nagkaroon ng participation as an accomplice to the crime,” he explained.</p><p>The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had earlier offered a P1-million reward, which may be shared among informants whose tips led to the arrest of Salamat and his cohorts.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fl04wfBOkD4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Three of the four suspects arrested for the killing of Police Staff Sergeant Renato Casauay Jr. have tested positive for illegal drugs, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office confirmed Friday.</p>

Three of the four suspects arrested for the killing of Police Staff Sergeant Renato Casauay Jr. have tested positive for illegal drugs, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office confirmed Friday.

3 suspects in Bulacan cop slay test positive for illegal drugs

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3 suspects in Bulacan cop slay test positive for illegal drugs

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 06, 2026 08:02 PM PHT

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PNP

Bulacan

Illegal Drugs

Renato Casauay Jr

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