Murder suspect nabbed at NAIA days after applying for police clearance

A fugitive wanted for murder was arrested shortly after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Ozamis, Marisol Abdurahman reported on “24 Oras."

According to authorities, Jason Salazar, 21, was among the suspects behind the killing of a barangay secretary in Pasay City in January 2019 when he was 18 years old. He fled to Ozamis following the incident where he stayed in hiding for around three years.

Salazar went back to Manila on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, and was apprehended by the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) at the airport through a warrant of arrest.

“Isa po yung gunman at isa yung getaway vehicle na nagdrive ng motor palayo ng crime scene,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Simpao of PNP-Avsegroup, said.

(One is the gunman while the other manned the getaway vehicle that drove away from the scene.)

Police said Salazar was traced after applying for a police clearance in Ozamis. He is now detained at the Pasay City jail.

“Gusto niya maging crew sa isang fast food chain para doon magtrabaho. Nagpop-up 'yung pangalan niya sa system and then nagkaroon ng coordinations between Ozamiz PNP,” said Col. Cesar Paday-os, Pasay City Police chief, said.

(He wants to be a crew in a fast food chain. His name popped up in our system then we coordinated with the Ozamis PNP.)

But Salazar denied he was involved in the murder case.

“Nasakyan lang po ako noon. Hinatid ko po siya doon sa lugar tapos umalis na ako…natakot po ako sa kaligtasan ko eh,” he told GMA News.

(I just gave him a ride but I immediately left…I feared for my safety.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News