Alleged gunman in death of cop found in septic tank now under custody

The suspected gunman in the killing of a cop whose body was found in a septic tank in Malolos, Bulacan is now under custody, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.

“Yung pinaka-principal suspect po natin, na ngayon ang isa nang respondent, kaugnay [sa] Casauay case, ito po ay nahuli. All others po ay accessory,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said at a press conference.

(Our main suspect for now, who is now a respondent in the Casauay case, has been arrested. All others are accessories.)

“Our main suspect for now, arrested naman po ito, si Julian Salamat. So, the gunman so far the biggest accomplishment that we can inform everyone. And nasa custody na po natin ito,” Bulacan Police Provincial Office director Colonel Angel Garcillano also said at the presser.

(Our main suspect for now, Julian Salamat, has been arrested. So, the gunman so far is the biggest accomplishment that we can inform everyone. And he is now in our custody.)

According to Garcillano, the primary suspect flew from Bulacan to Tagum City.

Based on intelligence monitoring, Garcillano said the supposed gunman has friends in Tagum City. The suspect communicated with them his problem about the case.

A total of seven suspects are now under custody in connection with the death of Police Staff Sergeant Renato Casauay Jr.  All of the suspects in custody have tested positive for illegal drugs, according to the police.

Four suspects remain at large.

On January 30, Casauay, along with his personal belongings, was found in a septic tank in Malolos with three gunshot wounds including one to the head and two to the hands.

The police earlier said that Casauay in December 2025 conducted an anti-drug operation which was linked to the suspected gunman, which is the possible motive in the crime. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News