MANILA, Philippines — A Makati court on Tuesday issued a warrant of arrest against Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim who has been charged conspiring to trade drugs.
Acting Presiding Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 65 issued the arrest order against Lim. She said: “After a careful evaluation of the Information (or charge sheet) and the supporting evidence, the court finds that it has jurisdiction over the subject matter on the Information and that probable cause exist to hold accused Lim...for trial.”
LOOK: Arrest warrant issued by Makati RTC Judge Gina Palamos against Peter Lim. | @edupunay pic.twitter.com/hbES7OQZIl
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) August 14, 2018
An arrest order was also issued against Lim’s co-accused: Rolan "Kerwin" Espinosa, Marcelo Adorco and Ruel Malindagan.
The trial is set to start on August 28.
Lim believed to still be in the country
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.”
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.
They cited Lim’s “vast resources” and “history of frequently travelling [to] different countries” for asking an HDO.
Palamos set a trial on the state prosecutors’ request for a hold departure order against Lim on Friday, August 17.
Lim is facing two counts of violations of Section 26 (B) in relation to Section 5, Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
READ: DOJ indicts Peter Lim for conspiracy to commit drug trade