Eight months after failed arrest: Teams hunting Lim

CEBU, Philippines —  Local authorities are on the hunt for Cebuano businessman and alleged drug lord Peter Lim.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Debold Sinas said they have activated local tracker teams that will work with the tracking team formed by the PNP national headquarters last year.

"We have established trackers for Peter Lim and it is a joint operation with the NHQ (national headquarters). I could not reveal kung asa sya but the trackers are active," Sinas said in a press conference.

Sinas refused to say if Lim is still in the country amidst reports that he also has houses in Hong Kong, Canada, and the Bahamas.

"No comment. I could not tell you because the case is active… basin ma-reprimand ko ni chief PNP," Sinas said.

Last year, though, the court issued a hold departure against Lim to prevent him from leaving the country.

As of last year, records of the Bureau of Immigration showed that Lim was still in the Philippines.

Sinas also refused to comment on the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that he would kill Lim and that he is willing to go to jail for it.

Duterte made the statement during the campaign rally of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan in Negros Occidental on March 8.

It was in August last year when the Regional Trial court in Makati City issued a warrant of arrest against Lim for two counts of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading along with drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa, Marcelo Adorco, Ruel Malindangan, and several others.

The warrant is signed by Judge Gina Bibat - Palamos of RTC Branch 65.

In filing the cases against Lim, et al, the Department of Justice gave weight to the statement of Espinosa during a Senate hearing that he sourced his supply of drugs from Lim.

On August 20, 2018, police served the warrant at Lim’s addresses in Cebu – in Barangays Kasambagan and Banilad – but failed to arrest him.

PRO-7 said earlier it would continue to monitor Lim’s five houses in Cebu.

The Department of Justice is offering cash reward for anyone who can help locate businessman Peter Lim, who is facing arrest for drug charges.

In September last year, DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the government “is ready to give a reward of P500,000 to anyone who can give information on the exact whereabouts” of Lim.

Guevarra said the reward will be given if the information will lead to the arrest of Lim.

Guevarra also warned those who are coddling Lim. He said those who are coddling him “will be prosecuted for obstruction of justice and punished accordingly.”

Obstruction of justice is punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Presidential Decree No. 1829. —  JMO (FREEMAN)