7 suspects under custody in case of cop killed in Bulacan
Seven of the 11 suspects in the killing of Police Staff Sgt. Renato Casauay Jr. in Malolos City, Bulacan, is now in police custody, the Philippine National Police said on Thursday. Four suspects remain at large, but authorities expect their surrender or arrest in the coming days.
Bulacan acting provincial police director Col. Angel Garcillano said the killing appears to be job-related and linked to Casauay’s antidrug operations.
“Even the other suspects who have given extrajudicial confessions admitted that the killing was about the accomplishments and intelligence activities of the victim,” Garcillano said during a briefing at Camp Crame.
Among those in custody is Monjeanne Julian Salamat, 28, who was arrested on Feb. 4 at the Tagum City public terminal in Davao del Norte.
Casauay, a member of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group’s Special Operations Unit 3, was killed on Jan. 24. His body was recovered from a septic tank in Felicisima Village in Barangay Mojon, Malolos City, on Jan. 31.
Garcillano said Salamat traveled extensively to evade arrest—flying from Manila to Cebu, then traveling by land to Dumaguete City, Misamis, Lanao and finally Tagum.
He was taken into custody with the help of a confidential informant and later transferred to Bulacan for inquest proceedings. Police also recovered a 9mm pistol in Malolos City, confirmed as Salamat’s licensed firearm.
Drug tests
Other suspects who surrendered include Albert Maglinis y Gatdula, 34, who turned himself in at Alicia, Isabela, and Marvin Nolasco y Gallanito, 32, who surrendered at Malolos City Police Station on Feb. 3. Authorities said drug testing for these three recent arrests, including Salamat, is still pending.
Of the previously arrested suspects, three tested positive for illegal drugs: Oliver Paul Mauricio y dela Cruz (alias Sampol), Arvin Santos Santiago (alias Bino) and Nick James Comboy (alias Jaco). PCpl. Vivencio Abalos tested negative.
Garcillano addressed questions about the arrest of Mauricio, the son of a journalist, who was implicated along with his father based on extrajudicial confessions from other suspects.
“Based on affidavits, that is why the prosecution views them as accomplices,” Garcillano said. He added that authorities verified the father was not involved in the killing itself, while the son’s participation was limited to minor tasks after the crime.
Authorities said they are focused on locating the remaining four suspects and building strong cases to ensure justice for Casauay.
“The gunman is our main accomplishment so far, and he is now in custody,” Garcillano said. “The remaining suspects will either surrender or be arrested in a matter of days.”
