EDITORIAL - Where is Peter Lim?

Where in the world is controversial Cebuano businessman Peter Lim? More than 24 hours following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest, police authorities are still facing a blank wall over his whereabouts. 

A court on Tuesday issued a warrant of arrest against Lim for allegedly conspiring to trade illegal drugs. Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 65 Acting Presiding Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos issued the arrest order against the businessman, who has been charged with two counts of violations of Section 26 (B) in relation to Section 5, Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

“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,” Palamos said in her arrest warrant order.

Is Lim still in Cebu? No one knows. Has he gone out of the country? No one knows. But according to media reports, records at the Bureau of Immigration showed Lim had returned to the country following a trip overseas in March.  

No less than Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed that Lim is still in the country. The department has already asked the court to issue a hold departure order (HDO) against the businessman.

Granting Lim is still in the country, it is presumed he is already aware of the arrest warrant issued against him. It is unlikely that he will personally appear before the court to surrender and ask to be allowed to post bail.

Of course, he cannot be expected to surrender to the police. The police have been hot on his trail over his alleged drug involvement and, for him, surrendering to them only endangers his life in the wake of killings of drug personalities blamed on authorities.

As police are now out in full force looking for him, it remains to be seen whether Lim will eventually yield.