Peter Lim denies drug links, says he's scared for his life

Controversial businessman Peter Lim has once again denied involvement in the illegal drug trade, following the filing of a case against him by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

According to a report on News To Go on Friday, Lim said the CIDG has no basis in claiming that he is linked to the operations of suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa in Central and Eastern Visayas.

He also denied meeting with Espinosa and Espinosa's aide, Marcelo Adorco, in Thailand to negotiate his role as a supplier of shabu as Adorco had claimed.

Lim, who surrendered to President Rodrigo Duterte in July last year in an attempt to clear his name, said he was afraid for his life but remains staunchly firm about his innocence.

"I'm scared about my life because of the false accusations people might think is true, and it's not true. I've never been in that business and I will never be in that business," Lim said.

The CIDG said the businessman has since hired former police officers and soldiers who were dismissed from service as his bodyguards.

Lim was among the respondents summoned by the Department of Justice to appear at the preliminary investigation slated to begin on August 14 to air their side. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News