More evidence sought vs 2 Cebu traders

CEBU — Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina has ordered Cebu officials to look for more evidence against businessman Peter Lim and his brother Wellington, who have been accused of being drug lords, and file charges against them in court.

This, as the Lim brothers have denied any involvement in illegal drug activities in Cebu.

"We are 101 percent sure that we are not in this kind of business. Even if we have nothing to eat, we will never indulge in this kind of business because it destroys the life of other people," Lim said in his first press conference since his name cropped up in last Saturday’s hearing of the House committee on dangerous drugs.

Two former employees of the Lims, Ananias Dy and Bernard Liu, accused them of smuggling shabu from Hong Kong. But the Lims said their accusers have an axe to grind against them.

Liu used to manage the nightclubs owned by Peter Lim, such as the Infinity KTV, while Dy was his personal driver for the past 21 years.

Peter Lim said he fired both Dy and Liu, prompting them to sue him in the National Labor Relations Commission which, in turn, dismissed the case.

Peter said that one month prior to the House hearing, Dy called him up and asked for P400,000, half of which was supposedly for Liu. Dy, he said, earlier got P120,000 as separation pay.

Peter said he refused to give in to Dy’s demand. He quoted Dy as telling him in the dialect, "We will destroy you."

The Lims, however, did not discount the possibility that certain people might be prodding Dy and Liu to fabricate accusations against them.

The Lims were reportedly contemplating filing charges against the two witnesses.

Lina said the police should find more evidence that would prove the Lims’ involvement in illegal drug trafficking, and that the testimonies of Liu and Dy should be evaluated.

Lina said Liu and Dy should present proof that they were in Hong Kong, like passports and other documents.

Liu and Dy testified that they joined the Lims on a trip to Hong Kong to get their supply of shabu.

Superintendent Jonathan Miano, regional police intelligence chief, however, said they may have a hard time filing a case against Peter Lim.

He said they still have to get a copy of the sworn testimonies of Dy and Liu, which he said the police could use as basis of a possible case against the Lims. — Freeman News Service