MANILA (Updated) -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against suspected drug lords Peter Lim, Rolan "Kerwin" Espinosa, and six others.
Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes said the order placing Lim and Espinosa under the Bureau of Immigration's (BI) monitoring was issued on July 11.
The six other drug suspects covered by the ILBO are Peter Co, Marcelo Adorco, Max Miro, Lovely Adam Impal, Ruel Malindangan, and Jun Pepito.
In a text message, Immigration spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang said the order against Lim and others were issued in connection with the criminal case filed against them for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
"In view of the gravity of the offense filed against the above-mentioned individuals, there is likelihood that they might leave the country to place themselves beyond the reach of the lawful processes of the concern offices," the order read.
The ILBO was issued based on the letter request of Police Superintendent Richard Verceles, officer-in-charge of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Major Crimes Investigation Unit, to the National Prosecution Service.
The DOJ issues an ILBO to monitor the travel details of a person under investigation. It does not have the power to bar a subject from leaving the country.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier identified Lim and Espinosa as among the drug lords operating in the Visayas.
Espinosa is a son of late Albuera, Leyte, mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was allegedly involved in illegal drugs. The older Espinosa was killed by CIDG operatives during the November 2016 shootout inside a jail in Baybay, Leyte.
In July 2016, Duterte met with the Cebu-based businessman in Davao City and advised the latter to prove that he is not the Peter Lim identified as a member of a drug triad in the Visayas.
The National Bureau of Investigation, which was ordered to investigate Lim's alleged links to illegal drugs, has yet to issue its findings on its probe. (SunStar Philippines)