CEBU CITY — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s office in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) will continue to monitor the activities of Cebuano businessman Peter Lim despite the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) dismissal of the drug-trafficking case against him and several others, including self-confessed drug lord Roland “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr.
CIDG-7 chief Supt. Royina Garma said Tuesday they would not stop their monitoring and investigation of Lim despite the turn of events.
Garma limited her comments on the matter, saying she has yet to read the DOJ resolution in full. She said she only learned of the dismissal from newspaper reports.
She said she agrees with the reported reminder of the assistant prosecutors of the case that law enforcement agencies or any government agency should refrain from filing cases based solely on the uncorroborated testimony of a witness.
Garma said the case did not prosper maybe because some of the witnesses against Lim were too afraid to corroborate the testimony of lone witness Marcelo Adorco.
The slow action or cooperation of other government agencies also contributes to the delay in the filing of cases, even in the dismissal of charges, Garma added.
She cited as example their investigation into the finances of Lim and other suspected drug lords in Central Visayas, which they have not yet completed because of the slow response of other agencies to their requests for documents or records.
Garma, however, said the DOJ should have given weight to Kerwin Espinosa’s testimony in the Senate hearing, identifying Lim as one of his suppliers of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu”.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office – 7 (Central Visayas) Director Chief Supt. Robert Quenery said late Monday afternoon that the dismissal is not yet final as it is still subject for review by the DOJ secretary.
Quenery also said that they would continue their investigation against Lim and look for more witnesses and evidence for possible refiling of the case. (PNA)
