PNP forms tracker teams to arrest Peter Lim

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed tracker teams to hunt down Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim, who has a warrant of arrest for his reported involvement in illegal drugs.

“There are already tracker teams for serving the warrant against him,” PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde told reporters yesterday in an ambush interview.

Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 65 Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos issued the arrest order against Lim after finding probable cause to pursue two counts of of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading – violations of Section 26(b) in relation to Section 5, Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Albayalde said Lim remains at large after policemen from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group went to his home in Cebu.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he plans to have the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) join the PNP in enforcing the arrest order against Lim, who reportedly has six houses.

He also reiterated that Lim is in the country, per records of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

“Per BI records, he left for a short trip abroad last March but returned after a few days. So Peter Go Lim is supposed to be in the country,” he said.

Palamos ordered the arrest of Lim and three other accused – detained drug trader Kerwin Espinosa, state witness Marcelo Adorco and Rule Malindangan after just two working days since the DOJ filed the case against them.