Arresting alleged Cebu drug lord Peter Lim is a “big challenge” for the police force, considering his wealth and influence, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said on Wednesday.
“Unang-una alam naman natin kung gaano siya kayaman at kung ano ang network nitong tao na ito, kaya it’s really a big challenge for us… alam naman natin na maraming connection itong mama na ito,” Albayalde told reporters in a press briefing.
“But then again kung talagang tutulungan tayo ng taong bayan dito, I think kahit saan ka naman magtago talagang ituturo ka ng taong bayan. Makukuha at makukuha ka namin,” he added.
The country’s top cop said Lim remains at large following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him last week by a Makati court over charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa kaming official report or document na siya’y (Lim) lumabas [ng bansa] or naaresto na,” he said.
Albayalde also noted that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is the lead agency tasked in arresting Lim.
On Monday, authorities went to the properties of Lim in Barangays Banilad and Kasambagan in Cebu City to serve the warrant. However, the businessman was not in either residence and has allegedly not been there for a long time.
President Rodrigo Duterte publicly called out Lim in 2016, alleging that he was one of the biggest drug dealers in the country. /vvp
READ: Cebu businessman Peter Lim eludes arrest