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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Drug war not targeting the poor, says Roque

Drug war not targeting the poor, says Roque

Published Jul 1, 2021 02:22 pm

Malacañang reiterated that President Duterte's bloody drug war does not only target the poor, pointing out that suspected drug lord Peter Lim has been wanted since 2018.

President Duterte meeting businessman and suspected drug lord Peter Lim in Davao City in July 2016. (RTVM Screenshot)

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following reports that the Cebuano-Chinese businessman has already fled the country.

In his press briefing on Thursday, July 1, Roque denied criticisms that Lim being able to supposedly escape meant that the drug war treats those with connections and influence differently compared to poor people.

"Wanted si Peter Lim, wala po siyang kalayaan. Nakakulong po si Senador Leila de Lima (Peter Lim is a wanted man with no freedom. Senator Leila de Lima is in jail)," he said.

"Proof na hindi lang po mahihirap ang tinatarget sa war on drugs (This is proof that the drug war does not target the poor)," he added.

Roque said that Lim being out of the country has not been confirmed anyway. However, he said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will find ways to get him back if he really was abroad.

"Nasa watchlist naman po ng Interpol itong si Peter Lim (Peter Lim is in the Interpol watchlist)," he said.

"I'm sure po, gagawa ng hakbang ang DOJ (I'm sure the DOJ will undertake measures) to cancel his passport and to make sure that, because he has no travel documentation, wherever he may be, kung abroad man siya, eh maalerto yung mga receiving state kung nasaan siya (if he was really abroad, to alert receiving states)," he added.

The DOJ has indicted Lim for conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading with self-confessed illegal drugs distributor Kerwin Espinosa and two others. A P500,000-bounty has been put for his arrest.

Last week, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in an interview with ABS-CBN's Teleradyo that Lim could have already left the Philippines as the government continued to crack down on illegal drug syndicates.

"Iyong isa pang hinahanap natin si Peter Lim. Nawawala na rin ito at ang tingin natin, nakalabas ng country (We are still looking for Peter Lim. He is missing and we think he had already fled the country)," he said.

However, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevara said the Bureau of Immigration had no record of Lim leaving the country.

Related Tags

President Duterte Harry Roque Peter Lim poor drug war
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