DOJ summons Peter Lim, 7 others

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has summoned businessman Peter Lim and seven others tagged by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the illegal drug trade.

In a subpoena, the DOJ ordered the Cebu-based businessman and campaign supporter of President Duterte to answer the charges of sale, administration, dispensation, trade, delivery and transportation of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Lim was required to appear before investigating Assistant State Prosecutors Aristotle Reyes and John Michael Humarang in a hearing at 10 a.m. on Aug. 14.

Lim was ordered to submit his counter-affidavit to the complaint filed by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The subpoena was served by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Central Visayas on Lim’s residence in Barangay Mabolo in Cebu yesterday, according to the DOJ.

Lim has returned to the Philippines from Hong Kong, records of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) showed.

BI spokesperson Ma. Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang said Lim arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport on June 27.

 Mangrobang said Lim left the country on May 21.

Government prosecutors also summoned Kerwin Espinosa, inmate Peter Co, Marcelo Adorco, Max Miro, Lovely Adam Impal, Ruel Malindangan and Jun Pepito.

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

Co is a high-value inmate at the New Bilibid Prison.

Impal was arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency last January.

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

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