Cops eye Lim’s drug links, angry parents in bombing

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 is looking at “disgruntled” parents and drug links as motives behind the attempt and the bombing of two establishments in Cebu City last Saturday.

An improvised explosive device was first detonated at Chuva Chuva massage parlor at Tres Borces, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, while the second bomb placed at New Infinity Bar KTV and Music Lounge, along Archbishop Reyes Avenue, failed to explode.

PRO-7 Chief Debold Sinas said that their investigation found out that there are underage girls who worked as guest relations officers and may have triggered their parents to take actions against the massage parlor.

He added that since the business establishments were owned by ‘fugitive’ Cebuano businessman Peter Lim, his drug-links are also looked into.

Sinas confirmed Peter Lim owns the two establishments, based on intelligence reports despite the denial from Lim’s camp.

“Those are owned by fugitive Peter Lim, and confirmed. Naa disgruntled parents, because katong lugara is the subject of operation by the Visayas Women’s Protection Unit and sa CCPO.  Kay these establishments hired minors as attendants and GROs, siguro naa disgruntled parents and nakapa-embroil ang highly-publicized links ni Peter Lim in illegal drugs,” he said.

Sinas added that the components of the explosives found could not do much damage, according to the explosive ordnance division.

He added that the explosion ‘most likely’ served as a warning.  Sinas, however, did not specify what was the warning for.

The police investigator from Abellana police also urged the management of these establishments to come forward and shed light in the investigation.

Police Senior Inspector Greg Ybiernas, deputy police station commander of Abellana Police Station, told The FREEMAN that the management of New Infinity Bar KTV and Music Lounge has not spoken to police investigators, and even the security guard on detail could not identify the perpetrators.

“Sa pagkakaron wala pa update, kay wala man ka-identify ang gwardiya, kay paspas man nakasibat. Usa pa, wala gihapon nitingog ang management.  Wala pa gihapon nanumbaling, ang gusto nato is mahinabi gyud sila,” he said.

He added that it unusual for Infinity’s management not to cooperate in the investigation since this has been the second time they were targeted for an improvised explosive device.

He said the bar management did not also lodge an official complaint or talk with investigators when the establishment had the same incident last June. (FREEMAN)