American Jason Ivler,  stepson of British diplomat Stephen Pollard from the ADB, was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation Monday morning for allegedly killing the only son of Presidential Chief of Staff Undersecretary Renato Ebarle Sr. in another traffic dispute last November.

At least 50 heavily armed NBI agents raided the house at around 6 a.m. after receiving facts that the suspect was just hiding in his mother’s house at 23 Hillside Drive Blue Ridge Subdivision, Quezon City.

Ivler exchanged gunfire with NBI agents using an M16 rifle and a .45 caliber pistol hitting two of the operatives identified as lawyer Angelito Magno, chief of the Special Action Unit (SAU), and Special Investigator Ana Lira Labao of the Office of the Intelligence Services.

“Ivler had a baby armalite and a bandolier. He just started shooting but he was also shot. Before he was shot, at least two operatives were hit,” NBI Director Nestor Mantaring said.

The two wounded NBI personnel were declared out of danger.

The road rage gunman suffered two gunshot wounds in the right shoulder and abdomen during the shootout. He was declared by doctors to be in guarded condition for a three-hour surgery at Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC).

“The patient has been stabilized and his vital signs are OK at the moment. He’s currently under general anesthesia. The bullet went through his abdomen and pierced his large intestine,” Dr. Fernando Lopez, chief of the hospital’s surgery department, said in a radio interview.

Secret room underneath stairs hid Ivler

The NBI team first searched Jason’s room and they noticed that the bathroom had water on the floor and a wet towel that made them think someone has just took a bath. They also noticed that the airconditioned unit is turned on.

She invited the team to have coffee on the second floor, trying to lead their attention away from Jason’s room. She started to  talked to them about her life and background that she is a psychology graduate and an author of different books.

NBI-SAU chief Magno said  he noticed a small storage room underneath the stairs. Mrs. Aguilar started to get hysterical, accusing them in of harassing the household without a search warrant. She said: “Get out of my house!”

“I asked her if I could see what was inside the stockroom, and she told me, ‘There’s nothing there to see.’ She seemed to be in a hurry to get us out of her son’s room,” Magno said

He used his flashlight and looked inside when a gunfire met him.

Ivler’s mom to face charges

The NBI director said Ivler’s mother, Marlene Aguilar, will face charges  “obstruction of justice” for trying to mislead the agent and hide her son despite a warrant of arrest for the suspect. A bail of P12,000 was recommended.

“We have information that Jason never left the house. They have already raided the house twice before but never found him,” he said.

Mrs. Aguilar is temporarily detained in NBI’s custody.

“I’m still in a state of shock. My son is still fighting for his life. That’s all. I hope you understand,” Aguilar said to the press.

Family of the victim relieved

Presidential Chief of Staff Undersecretary Renato Ebarle Sr. said that his entire family has relieved with the capture of Ivler.

“Today is exactly 68 days when my son was killed, November 18, 2009. Definitely, it eases the pain.It is a great day for me and my family. This is an answered prayer. Right after we learned it my wife and my children cried. We thanked the Lord that finally Jason Ivler was found ” he said.

He said that he never wants to see and meet Ivler in person for he might do something bad to the suspect.

“I better not to. I may not be able to control myself if I see him. But I am happy that he is under the custody of the authorities already. Let the justice prevail, I know that this is still a long process but I least something has begun already,”  said Ebarle.

“It was so painful. He will not be with us forever. He was my only son, I have four children. Even up to now sometimes when I wake up, I still entertain the thought that he is still right the next room. But then I realize that he is already gone and I have to accept it,” he added.

- Jenny Villareal