The Department of Justice (DoJ) yesterday vowed to exert a more determined effort in its drive to bag fugitive businessman Peter Lim who was tagged as the top drug lord in the Visayas.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) also said Lim remains in hiding in the country but has eluded arrest.
Police operatives have searched two houses in Cebu purportedly owned by Lim but to no avail.
They were to serve an arrest warrant issued by Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos of Branch 65 after the DoJ indicted the Cebu-based businessman for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
He is being hunted for selling and trading and the administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs.
The assistance of the International Criminal Police Organition (INTERPOL) will be sought, said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, if Lim slips out of the country.
“The Philippine government may ask for extradition or other forms of legal assistance,” Guevarra said.
He, however, clarified that the BI has no record of Lim leaving the country.
A hold departure order (HDO) is also expected to be issued to prevent him from leaving the country.
“Mr. Lim has not left the country since his last trip in March. They hope to bring him in court before his arraignment on 28 August,” Guevarra said.
The arrest of Lim was ordered following the filing by the DOJ of the non-bailable offense of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trade in violation of Section 26(b) in relation to Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against him.
Lim’s co-accused were self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, Espinosa’s associate Marcelo Adroco and Ruel Malindangan.
Espinosa and Adorco are currently in government custody while Malindangan remains free and a subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Makati RTC.
Charges were filed by state prosecutors against Espinosa, Adorco, and Malindagan, arrested alleged drug supplier Lovely Impal and convicted drug lord Peter Co after probable cause was established by the DoJ.
The complaint was filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
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