Three drug suspects were apprehended by the government forces in a buy-bust operation in Tawi-tawi on Saturday afternoon.

Maj. Andrew Linao, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command public information officer said Marine Battalion Landing Team-12 and members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) launched the operation at the vicinity of Bagay St., Poblacion, Bongao, Tawi-tawi.

Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, identified the apprehended drug personalities as Rodimer Hamsiri Sappari, 21, Nurmilyn Suldi Majid, 26, both residents of Barangay Poblacion; and Hatta Muialib Sakiral, 28, resident of Barangay Suwang Pukol, all of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

"Seized from their possession were assorted drug paraphernalia and several small cut heat-sealed transparent green straws containing white crystalline substance believed to be “Shabu” weighing more or less one kilogram worth P6, 800, 000," he said.

Rosario said the suspects were placed under the custody of the regional PDEA office for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges.

Robina Asido/DMS