Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim, who has been charged with illegal drug trading before the Makati City Regional Trial Court, remains in the country, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Sunday.
He also said the suspected drug lord had already been included in the Bureau of Immigration’s derogatory list after the Makati City RTC, Branch 65, issued a hold-departure order that prevents Lim from leaving the country.
Guevarra said Immigration’s records showed that the 72-year-old Lim “has not left the country since March” this year.
“Peter Go Lim has not left the country since March, unless he slipped through the back door,” Guevarra said in a text message.
Guevarra, who exercises administrative supervision over Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation, also said the NBI had joined the hunt for Lim.
Lim is facing trial for alleged conspiracy to trade in illegal drugs.
On Friday, Presiding Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos of Makati City RTC Branch 65 granted the Justice Department’s plea for the issuance of a hold-departure order against Lim.
The court ordered Immigration to prevent or hold the departure from the country of accused Lim.
Palamos also issued arrest warrants against Lim and his co-accused Ruel Malindangan on Aug. 14.
Besides Lim and Malindangan, also included as co-accused were self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa and his associate Marcelo Adroco, both of whom are in government custody.