GOVERNMENT forces have arrested two drug personalities and seized high-powered firearms in an anti-drug operation in a remote village in the province of North Cotabato, officials announced Thursday, May 14.

Major General Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force Central commander, identified the arrested suspects as Ali Adapan Usman Selangan and Pilong Selangan, who were arrested in a buy-bust operation around 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, by joint forces of the 34th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and police in Sitio Maracabac in Guiling village, Alamada, North Cotabato.

Seized from the suspects were two large transparent plastic sachets of shabu with an estimated value of P680,000, P1,000 marked money placed on top of 94 bills boodle money, four M-16 Armalite rifles, three Garand rifles, one M-14 rifle, one M-14 magazine, four M-16 short magazine, three Garand clips, 24 rounds caliber 30 ammunition, three rounds 7.62 ammunition, 20 5.56 ammunition, one improvised M-79 grenade launcher with one ammunition, four hand-held radio, and one cellular phone.

"We will continue to assist our partners in curbing illegal drug operations in Central Mindanao," Carreon said.

He said the arrested suspects and seized items were placed under the custody of the PDEA in Soccsksargen for proper disposition.

"This is another accomplishment attributable to the combined efforts of our troops and other law enforcement agencies," said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Sobejana has assured that Westmincom, through the different Joint Task Forces, will continue to render support to law enforcement operations to suppress illegal drug activities and other criminality in the region. (SunStar Zamboanga)