P1 million reward offered for arrest of cop’s killer

MANILA, Philippines — The government has offered a reward of P1 million for any information that could lead to the arrest of the killer of a police officer whose remains were dumped in a septic tank in Malolos, Bulacan last month.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the bounty yesterday to hasten the arrest of Julian Salamat, who was tagged as the gunman in the murder of S/Sgt. Renato Casauay Jr.

Casauay, a member of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group, was shot dead in a house in Barangay Mojon on Jan. 24.

Probers said Casauay had told his wife that he was supposed to meet an asset, who reportedly turned out to be Salamat.

The murder of Casauay was reportedly in retaliation for an anti-narcotics operation conducted in December last year, which resulted in the arrest of a drug trafficker and seizure of shabu with an estimated street value of P340,000, according to Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Rogelio Peñones Jr.

Salamat was reportedly heard by villagers planning to silence Casauay.

After the killing, Salamat and a companion went to the house of a police officer, Cpl. Vivencio Abalos, and reportedly admitted the crime.

Peñones said Abalos did not arrest or report Salamat, which hampered the search for Casauay.

Abalos was a consultant of a riders’ group, whose members included Salamat, according to Peñones.

Police obtained a breakthrough when two witnesses came forward, Peñones said.

Abalos and three other suspects – Oliver Paul Mauricio, Nick James Comboy and Arvin Santiago – were arrested in follow-up operations.