MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipinos, man and a woman, were arrested on February 1 by the Judiciary Police (PJ) in Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) for alleged drug trafficking, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) belatedly reported on Friday.

According to the Philippine Consulate General in Macau SAR, the two were apprehended in an apartment with 46 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known in the Philippines as shabu.

The drugs have an estimated street value of 90,000 patacas (roughly $11,392.405). Several drug paraphernalia were also found in the apartment.

A suspected buyer, also a Filipino, was also brought in for questioning.

The DFA said consulate officials extended assistance to the Filipinos to ensure that their rights are respected and have been coordinating with Macau SAR authorities on the matter.

The Consulate has been constantly warning Filipinos based in Macau and Filipino tourists against using and dealing in drugs.

As of date, there are some 19 Filipinos currently detained in Macau on drug cases.

With this latest development, DFA reiterated its appeal to all Filipinos to avoid accepting offers from individuals or groups to carry illegal drugs in their luggages or in their persons when going abroad in exchange for money, as harsh penalties await them in their destinations.

"The Philippine Government has a strong anti-illegal drug policy, and is closely cooperating with law enforcement agencies in other countries on efforts against anti-drugs trafficking," the DFA said in a statement. "It is undertaking comprehensive and proactive measures to address the drug mules issue and to prevent the further victimization of Filipinos by international drug syndicates."

The DFA added it has been working closely with other concerned agencies on drug trafficking cases.