KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines — Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group killed here Tuesday a henchman of a big syndicate distributing shabu in Davao Del Norte and nearby provinces.

Superintendent Aldrin Gonzalez, spokesman of the Police Regional Office-12, said Wednesday a team was to peacefully arrest Dodong Catiz in Barangay Kalaisan here but neutralized him instead when he resisted, pulled out a pistol and opened fire.

Police intelligence units in central Mindanao and in nearby Davao provinces confirmed on Wednesday that Catiz was a senior member of a drug syndicate based in Davao del Norte led by Joel Baguio.

Baguio is also wanted for various criminal offenses besides large-scale distribution of shabu.

Gonzalez said it was vigilant residents in Barangay Kalaisan who informed the Kidapawan City police and personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection group in North Cotabato of the presence of Katiz in Barangay Kalaisan.

“There is a possibility their group was scouting for prospective contacts in Kidapawan City. The PRO-12 ought to thank the people who helped the police locate him there,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said their regional director, Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales, is also grateful to the local government of Kidapawan City, the capital of North Cotabato, for having been supportive of PRO-12’s anti-narcotics campaign.