DOJ urges Lim to surrender, face drug charges in court

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra yesterday called on Cebuano businessman Peter Lim to surrender to authorities and face the drug trading conspiracy case filed against him before the Regional Trial Court in Makati City.

Guevarra reminded Lim, who is now considered a fugitive, of possible repercussions of his hiding.

"There is a legal doctrine that flight is an indication - although not conclusive - of one's guilt," he stressed in a text message to reporters.

Guevarra revealed that the hunt for Lim by Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation operatives continues since the RTC Branch 65 in Makati City ordered his arrest last August 14.

"Too bad the PNP and the NBI have yet to find some leads as to his whereabouts," he lamented.

The secretary said that Lim could still be in the country as of yesterday based on records of the Bureau of Immigration (BI). The court has also issued a hold departure order against the businessman to prevent him from leaving the country.

“Per BI records, Mr. Lim has not left the country since his last trip in March,” said Guevarra.

And should Lim be able to sneak out of the country via backdoor, he said that the government can seek the help of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in finding him. Still, Guevarra assured that law enforcement agencies "are exerting all efforts to find Peter Go Lim and serve the warrant of arrest upon him."