Anti-narcotics authorities arrested eight drug suspects in a buy-bust operation in Dinalupihan, Bataan on Thursday afternoon, March 23, where P680,000 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" were also seized, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported.

The PDEA Bataan Provincial Office identified the collared suspects as Ryan Cayabyab, 37, namesake of a Filipino music icon; Jessrael Ero, 29; Vince Macaspac, 24; Gerry Padayao, 33; Bryan Paul Aure, 27; Christian Baluyot, 26; Edmar Carlos, 28; and Glen Capuli, 27.

Acting on the information provided by a tipster, the joint PDEA, police and military team collared the suspects after an undercover agent allegedly managed to buy illegal drugs from them, and gave the signal that the drug transaction was completed in Barangay Dalao.

Aside from more or less 100 grams of shabu, authorities also confiscated assorted drug paraphernalia and the marked money used during the operation, the PDEA added.

“Seized illegal substances will be forwarded to PDEA Laboratory Section for quantitative and qualitative examination,’’ PDEA stated.

The suspects face charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.’’