DOJ probe of Peter Lim starts

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) began yesterday its preliminary investigation on the charges filed against businessman Peter Lim and several others tagged by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the illegal drug trade in Central Visayas.

The camp of Lim insisted on his defense of mistaken identity in denying the charges.

He did not appear at the hearing and instead sent his lawyers to receive the complaint and supporting documents filed by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The DOJ panel composed of Assistant State Prosecutors Aristotle Reyes and John Michael Humarang gave the Cebu-based businessman until Aug. 24 to submit his counter-affidavit.

Lim is facing charges of sale, administration, dispensation, trade, delivery and transport of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

His lawyers led by Majilyn Loja denied the charges and reiterated yesterday his defense of mistaken identity.

“He is not that person. He has always denied it. In fact, he presented himself before the National Bureau of Investigation, saying that he is not the alias Jaguar,” Loja told reporters after the hearing.

“He will be here to face the charges against him,” Loja added.

Lim surrendered to President Duterte last year after he was linked to the illegal drug trade.

Self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa appeared before the DOJ as one of the respondents in the complaint.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II earlier said Espinosa may turn state witness in the drug charges against Lim.

Aguirre said Espinosa may opt to submit an affidavit detailing the participation of Lim in the illegal drug trade and get immunity from prosecution.

“The inclusion of Kerwin Espinosa in the drug offense can be dismissed before the actual trial or even during trial of the case,” the DOJ chief explained.

Espinosa tagged Lim as the top supplier of illegal drugs in Central Visayas during a Senate hearing last year.

Aguirre noted that the eligibility of Espinosa would depend on the assessment of the investigating prosecutors as the law requires that a state witness should not be the most guilty of the crime charged and that his or her testimony is necessary for the successful prosecution of the case in court.

Apart from Lim and Espinosa, also facing drug charges are high-value inmate Peter Co, Marcelo Adorco, Max Miro, Lovely Adam Impal, Ruel Malindangan and Jun Pepito.

The DOJ also ordered the other respondents to file their counter-affidavits in the next hearings on Aug. 17 and 24.

Espinosa, son of slain Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa, is under the government’s witness protection program after he testified in the drug charges against Sen. Leila de Lima.

The PNP complaint tagged Lim as the alleged supplier of illegal drugs to the group of Espinosa.

The PNP also identified Co and Impal as among those who supplied illegal drugs to Espinosa’s drug operations in Central and Eastern Visayas.

The DOJ has issued a lookout bulletin order against Lim and other respondents.

DOJ probes raps vs Espenido

Meanwhile, the DOJ will start today its inquiry into the criminal charges filed against Ozamiz City police head Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido and three other police officers tagged in the killing of nine suspected robbers.

Espenido along with Chief Insp. Glyndo Lagrimas, Senior Police Officer 4 Renato Martir Jr. and PO1 Sandra Louise Nadayag had been summoned by the DOJ to answer the charges of murder and arbitrary detention.

They were required to appear before investigating Prosecution Attorney Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon today and on Aug. 22 to submit their counter-affidavits.

Espenido recently went to the DOJ to get a copy of the complaints filed by the relatives of Francisco Manzano, one of the nine alleged robbers killed in a shootout with the police on June 1.

The policemen were accused of rubout in killing the suspects during a series of raids in Cabinti and Balintawak villages where six other suspects were arrested.

Police said they recovered firearms, jewelry and sachets of shabu from the suspects.

Espenido led policemen during pre-dawn raids in Ozamiz City that led to the killing of mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife and 14 others on July 30.

Members of the Parojinog family have claimed that the items seized during the raids such as unlicensed firearms, ammunition, drugs and cash were planted. They claimed that the mayor and other fatalities did not fire at the police.

Parojinog’s children, Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez and Reynaldo Jr., were arrested during the raid.

Espenido recently received an award from President Duterte for his contribution to the government’s war on drugs.

Espenido to stay in Ozamiz – Bato

Espenido will remain as police chief of Ozamiz City amid calls for his transfer to other areas to go after narco-politicians.

“There are many problems in Ozamiz so he will stay there for now,” PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said when asked of the possibility that Espenido will be transferred to Iloilo City to combat illegal drugs.