A police officer who had been reported missing for several days was found dead with a bullet wound to the neck inside an under-construction septic tank at Green Street, Felicisima Village, Barangay Mojon, City of Malolos, Bulacan, on Saturday morning, Jan. 31.
The body of the police officer who disappeared a week ago was found in this area. (Freddie Velez)
The victim was identified as Police Staff Sergeant Renato Casauay Jr., 46, an operative of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).
Casauay, a resident of Santa Barbara, Baliuag, was reported missing by his wife on Jan. 25.
Initial investigation revealed that on Jan. 24, Casauay, together with PCpl. Vivencio Abalos of the Malolos City Police, went to the house of a certain “Sampol” to collect a bottle of liquor, a birthday gift for the victim.
Inside the house was J.S., a known police asset from Barangay Sto. Niño, Malolos.
During their conversation, J.S. reportedly took offense at a joke made by Casauay, which led to the shooting. The victim’s body was then dumped into the septic tank.
On Jan. 30, Cpl. Abalos, stricken by guilt, confessed to the crime.
Acting on a search warrant, Malolos police recovered Casauay’s decomposing body from the septic tank.
J.S. is considered the main suspect and is now the subject of a police manhunt.
Meanwhile, Cpl. Abalos and “Sampol” are under arrest.
The property owner is also being treated as an accomplice, according to Malolos police.
As of this writing, operatives are searching for the property owner to determine his involvement in the crime.