MANILA, Philippines — State prosecutors want Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim, who is facing conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading charges before a Makati court, to be banned from leaving the country.
Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Juan Pedro Navera and Anna Noreen Devanadera, and Associate Prosecution Attorney Herbert Calvin Abugan on Monday filed an urgent motion for the issuance of a Hold Departure Order against Lim.
The prosecutors cited Lim’s “vast resources” and “history of frequently travelling on different countries” for asking an HDO.
READ: DOJ indicts Peter Lim for conspiracy to commit drug trade
“[I]n order not to frustrate the ends of justice, as when accused Lim flees to another country in order to escape the Philippine criminal jurisdiction, it is imperative that [an HDO] be issued directing the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration to prevent accused Lim from leaving the Philippines during the pendency of these cases,” the prosecutors asked the local court.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, over the weekend, said that Lim is “supposed to be in the country.”
He said that according to Bureau of Immigration records, Lim “left for a short trip abroad last March but returned after a few days.”
Lim is facing two counts of violations of Section 26 (B) in relation to Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The prosecutors also stressed that their motion for an HDO is not intended to infringe upon Lim’s right to travel.
An arrest warrant has yet to be issued against Lim.
Lim is facing drug charges along with his co-accused, confessed drug trader Kerwin Espinosa, inmate Peter Co, Marcelo Adorco, Lovely Impal and Ruel Malindagan. — Kristine Joy Patag