Peter Lim barred from leaving Phl

A hold-departure order (HDO) was issued yesterday against Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim, who is facing charges over his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 65 Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos issued the order even as at least six of Lim’s houses in Cebu were placed under close watch by the Central Visayas police.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera confirmed that the court directed the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to include Lim on its HDO list to prevent the businessman from leaving the country.

Two counts of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading were filed against Lim, Kerwin Espinosa, Marcelo Adorco, Ruel Malindangan and several others on Aug. 10. A warrant of arrest was issued on Aug. 13.

Aside from Lim, Malindangan remain at large.

BI records show that Lim remains in the country.

Meanwhile, Lim’s ancestral house in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City is among those under surveillance by personnel of the intelligence units of the Central Visayas and Cebu City police, Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, regional police director, said yesterday.

“We received reports that he is still in Cebu. We are closely guarding his ancestral home and five other residences,” Senior Superintendent Remus Medina, Central Visayas police intelligence chief, said.

Medina said they sought the assistance of local government officials so they could enter Lim’s houses.

Police also urged the public to report to the nearest police station any sighting of the businessman.

The Philippine National Police had earlier formed tracker teams to hunt down Lim. –