Drug ring 'leader' killed in Davao del Norte shootout

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have killed an alleged gun-for-hire and leader of a drug ring operating in Davao del Norte during a raid on suspected drug den, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said Monday.

Citing a report of Senior Superintendent Joel Pernito of the Eastern Mindanao CIDG, Director Benjamin Magalong said operatives were serving search warrants in Sitio Mabuhay, Barangay Cabaywa, Asuncion, Davao del Norte last August 31 when a shootout broke out between lawmen and members of the Sultan group.

During the firefight, Tukay Sultan, the alleged leader of the group, was shot by operatives. He was brought to a nearby hospital but doctors could no longer revive him, Magalong said.

Operatives managed to arrest three members of the criminal syndicate identified by Magalong as Leah Penaloga, Ejesson Llaneta, and Arturo Tandog Jr.

Seized during the raid were some white crystalline substances believed to be shabu, drug paraphernalia, an M-16 rifle, caliber .38 and live ammunition.

Magalong said the Sultan group is engaged in drug trafficking and gun for hire in the provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valle